You've gotta respect the Cubs blogs that devote a lot of time to Spring Training, like Bleed Cubbie Blue.  Those guys obviously are passionate about the team.  We haven't spent a lot of time talking about Spring Training here at GROTA, though, partly because we're looking ahead to the games that matter, and partly because they don't mean a whole heck of a lot.

For example - in his debut with the Cubs, Carlos Silva got hammered, and everybody panicked the way they do when bad things go worse.  But it's Spring Training, and as much as we shouldn't worry about Silva's 10.80 ERA, we should also not worry about Carlos Zambrano's 9.00 ERA (and I don't think anybody is), or Tom Diamond's 0.00 ERA.  I learned a long time ago that Spring Training isn't a fair predictor of success or failure.

That said, there are some players trying like hell to get jobs who have done fantastically, or horribly.  Tyler Colvin is batting .520, although he's basically cock-blocked by Fukudome for the time being.  Mike Fontenot, who some thought would get DFA'd this winter, leads the charge to get a second shot at second base with his .500 AVG and 8 RBI in 19 at bats.  Chad Tracy, who may or may not crack the team, is cracking the bat right now by batting .353.  Your favorite and mine, Kevin Millar, is batting .600 in 8 games and looks like a sure bet to wedge his way into the roster.

Pitching wise, everybody is getting smacked around with a few notable exceptions.  Sean Marshall (2.57 ERA in 7.0 IP), Andrew Cashner (1.80 ERA in 5.0 IP), Ryan Dempster (0.00 ERA in 5.0 IP), James Russell (0.00 ERA in 4.2 IP), Esmailin Caridad (0.00 ERA in 4.1 IP), the aforementioned Diamond (0.00 ERA in 4.1 IP), Carlos Marmol (2.25 ERA in 4.0 IP), John Gaub (2.70 ERA in 3.1 IP), and Justin Berg (3.00 ERA in 3.0 IP) are the best arms on the pitching staff so far.

And yet...
For those who are new to the blog, or new to actively following the Cubs in general, I can only offer this one piece of advice during Spring Training: believe nothing.  It's all a huge work.  (In other words, the stories are manufactured, blown out of proportion, and not particularly believable.)

We will always see the Resurgent Veteran story.  Player X has had a few down years as of late, but in a last effort bid to hang on he has worked extra hard, is healthier than he's ever been, and thinks he'll have a great year.

We will also always see the Prospect Done Good story.  Player Y is young, but brimming with talent.  Let's watch with excitement as he storms the field, wields the bat, and gives us something to be excited about now and for years to come.

We will also always see the Rag-Tag Team Comes Together story.  Sure, all these guys have had issues in the past, but they are playing well together, they are enjoying each other's company, and they're even hanging out together outside of the ballpark!

These tales are as perennial as the grass.  Don't buy into them.  We won't really know a thing about this team, really, until they're one or two months in, faced with unexpected injuries and disastrous personnel issues.  Until then it's a Sunday at the Carnival.  Fun, exciting, but disconnected from reality.