Hill is the Backup Catcher

The Cubs announced today that Koyie Hill has made the Opening Day roster as the Cubs backup catcher. I think this is the right move.

Paul Bako and Mike Stanton have been released by the Cubs. I feel bad for these guys, who might not find a job by Opening Day. Here are the other guys that are free agents looking for a big league job by next week:

Catchers: Gary Bennett, Rob Bowen, Johnny Estrada, Toby Hall, Paul Lo Duca, Javier Valentin
1B: Richie Sexson and Daryle Ward
2B: Ray Durham, Damion Easley, Mark Grudzielanenk
SS: None
3B: None
LF: Moises Alou, Luis Gonzalez, Jay Payton, Dave Roberts, Shannon Stewart
CF: Jim Edmonds
RF: None
DH: Frank Thomas and Jose Vidro
SP: Paul Byrd, Orlando Hernandez, Chuck James, Jon Lieber, Pedro Martinez, Mark Mulder, Odalis Perez, Kenny Rogers, Ben Sheets
RP: Shawn Chacon, Brendan Donnelly, Scott Elarton, Keith Foulke, Jon Lieber, Aquilino Lopez, Will Ohman, Al Reyes, Ricardo Rincon, Rudy Seanez, Mike Timlin, Ron Willone, and Tyler Walker.

So there are a lot of guys out there, including lots of former Cubs. I would like to see the Cubs bring back Grudzielanek as a backup 2B/3B.

Micah Hoffpauir was also told today that he is on the Opening Day roster.

The Cubs are getting "some trade feelers" on Angel Guzman and Chad Gaudin according to Bruce Miles.

There are only 28 guys left in camp so there will be just 3 more cuts, most likely all pitcher. In my mind, the cuts should be Gaudin, Guzman, and Fox but we'll see.

Cubs VS Royals on CSN Chicago right now!

Opening Day is a week from today!