Roster Thoughts, Day 10 in Mesa

It's Day 10 in Mesa! Spring Training Games start Wednesday! Here's the latest:

• Carlos Zambrano and Ryan Dempster will sit out the first week of the Cactus League because of the extended Spring Training season. "There's just no hurry," said Lou Piniella.
• The Cubs will have plenty of games to take a look at guys who are vying for the 5th spot in the rotation like Aaron Heilman, Jeff Samardzija, Sean Marshall, Chad Gaudin, and Mitch Atkins.
• The starters will get about 27-28 innings, which is what Larry Rothschild has done in the past. There's 39 spring games this year, so there's plenty of time.
• Lou won't be making any cuts early in camp, because there in nowhere for the guys to go until minor league camp begins on March 12 and the games don't start until the 19th.
• Carlos Marmol still hasn't decided about the WBC.
• According to Carrie Muskat, Kosuke Fukudome hit a Grand Slam in an exhibition game for team Japan.

GROTA has made their Cubs 25 man roster predictions and I found a few things interesting:

• They left lots of young arms off the team, including Jeff Stevens, Angel Guzman, and Kevin Hart.
• They picked Jeff Samardzija as the 5th starter, I like that pick.
• Luis Rivas and So Taguchi are on their bench. Interesting.
• I like the idea of Rivas, he could back-up 2B, SS, & 3B along with Miles if the Cubs don't add another players.
• No Micah Hoffpauir or Joey Gathright on their team.
• I really think that Hoff should be on the team, and that Taguchi should be left off.

Classic Game Notes:

• Kerry Wood viewing party tonight on the Cubs Reporter.
• Ryan Sandberg game today @ 3PM CT on MLB Network.

Vote on our new poll! (located on the right side bar on the main page.

Live Chat Tuesday this week @7 PM CT. Please join us with your Cubs thoughts/questions going into Spring Training.

Scroll down on the blog and see and the latest posts if you haven't read them yet!

I'll keep you posted.