As much as the Cubs wanted to make a deal for a backup center fielder and possibly for Baltimore 2B Brian Roberts, manager Lou Piniella did admit all the trade talks had an "unsettling effect" on camp. Because of injuries, the Cubs did not get nearly as many at-bats for their regulars as they would have preferred. As camp entered its final week, Piniella noted that there still was "work to be done." Depth in both the rotation and bullpen seemed to counterbalance Piniella's fears about his offense.

ROTATION:

1. RHP Carlos Zambrano

2. LHP Ted Lilly

3. RHP Ryan Dempster

4. LHP Rich Hill

5. RHP Jason Marquis

The Cubs went to camp with seven starters competing for five spots. They chose a veteran-laded rotation that's strong at the top but contains question marks the rest of the way.

Zambrano is a Cy Young Award candidate, and Lilly is as steady as they come. Dempster acquitted himself well in his bid to move from closer to starter. Hill turned into a project again, as walks and mechanical problems caused him to be wild all spring. Marquis pitched well despite an early war of words with Piniella over his role. RHP Jon Lieber impressed the Cubs with his ability to throw strikes and work quickly, but he didn't crack the rotation.

BULLPEN:

RHP Kerry Wood (closer)

RHP Carlos Marmol

RHP Bob Howry

RHP Michael Wuertz

LHP Scott Eyre

RHP Kevin Hart

RHP Jon Lieber

The story all spring was who would win the closer competition. Howry came to camp as the favorite because of his veteran status. Marmol's "electric" stuff put him in the lead for a while. Wood touched 98 mph on the radar gun and appeared to have the job as camp entered its final week. The final hurdle for Wood was being able to work on back-to-back days -- and he did that March 22-23.

The unsung hero of the 'pen is Wuertz. The Cubs held him back at the beginning of camp to build his arm strength, and it paid off as he took a 0.00 ERA into the final week. Wuertz's slider is among the best in the game when he's on. The Cubs are gambling with the inconsistent Eyre as their only lefty -- assuming his elbow injury doesn't force him onto the disabled list. Hart showed toughness and a good cutter.

LINEUP:

1. SS Ryan Theriot

2. LF Alfonso Soriano

3. 1B Derrek Lee

4. 3B Aramis Ramirez

5. RF Kosuke Fukudome

6. 2B Mark DeRosa

7. C Geovany Soto

8. CF Felix Pie

Manager Lou Piniella promised that he will become more "constant" with his lineup this year, but seeing will be believing. Piniella used 125 different lineups last year. His personnel is better this year, but he's still not sure what to do with Fukudome, and Soriano has shown a preference over his career for batting leadoff.

Fukudome is probably ideally suited as a No. 2 hitter, and Piniella says he knows that. However, he doesn't want to put undue pressure on Soriano and his troublesome legs by putting him in the leadoff spot and making him feel he has to run. Pie will have a tough task of hitting in front of the pitcher. The middle of the order should provide plenty of pop.

RESERVES:

C Henry Blanco

INF/OF Daryle Ward

OF Matt Murton

INF/OF Ronny Cedeno

INF Mike Fontenot

Blanco showed in spring training he's over the neck problems that limited him to 22 games last year. He'll not only be a solid backup, but he's already proven to be a mentor to Soto.

Ward is one of the top pinch hitters in the game. The Cubs describe him as a "professional hitter." His only problem last year came in the form of nagging injuries. He can back up at first base. Murton is good enough to start for many teams and is a good on-base percentage guy. The Cubs may have to use Cedeno in center field to back up Pie. Fontenot came on strong in spring training.

ROOKIE WATCH: C Geovany Soto did not hit as well as expected in spring training. The Cubs have to keep reminding him to hit to right and right-center. They like his confidence, his throwing ability and his work with pitchers.

RHP Kevin Hart impressed the Cubs enough last year when he came up and forced himself onto the playoff roster. He could become a closer down the road.

MEDICAL WATCH:

INF Alex Cintron (left hamstring) left the March 18 game. He may have to spend time at extended spring training.

RHP Angel Guzman (elbow surgery in September 2007) went on the 60-day disabled list March 25. He had only begun throwing on the side by late March. He won't be a factor until late in the season, at the earliest.

LHP Scott Eyre (tight left elbow) probably will open the season on the disabled list.

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