Chicago Cubs Spring training

Opening day is 35 days away and as always, Cubs fans are excited and are begging to think that this will finnally be the year.

The Cubs pitchers and catchers reported ontime to Mesa,AZ a couple of weeks ago and to the delight of the Cubs, many of the position players showed up early. Newly signed center fielder Marlyn Byrd was one of the players who showed up early to work with the Cubs new hitting coach, and his former hitting coach in Texas, Rudy Jaramillo. The Cubs were also excited to see that catcher, Geovany Soto showed up to camp in great shape. Coming off a bad 2009 season in which he was hurt and when healthy did not play up to expectations, Soto showed up to camp 40 pounds lighter. He also worked on his swing and hopes to play at the level he did in 2008 when we won the rookie of the year.

The Cubs first Spring Training game is on March 4rth in Mesa against the Oakland A's. Randy Wells is expected to make the start. Randy Wells had a great rookie season last year and will most likely end up as the Cubs number 4 pitcher in the rotation. Going into Spring Training the Cubs rotation 1 through 4 are set with Carlos Zambrano number 1, Ted Lilly at the 2, Ryan Dempster at the 3, and Wells in the 4. The fifth spot in the rotation is up for grabs. Lefty Tom Gorzelanny, former Notre Dame wide reciever Jeff Samardzija, and newly acquired Carlos Silva will all battle it out for the fifth spot in the rotation.