The Cubs have officially opened their spring camp, with pitchers and catchers having reported over the weekend.
It’s in the pitching staff where we should see some of the more intriguing competitions in the spring take place, both in the rotation and in the starting rotation.
As of right now, Matt Garza and Ryan Dempster are considered the only surefire locks in the starting five, but Paul Maholm is also considered an easy favorite to land a spot. You can very likely add Chris Volstad to that group, leaving one spot open for the likes of Travis Wood, Andy Sonnanstine, Randy Wells, and Jeff Samardzija.
Though Sonnanstine’s name is in there, he’s not really considered a favorite to land anything more than a bullpen gig, meaning that last spot is going to come down to Wood and Samardzija, along with Wells.
Samardzija spent the entire 2011 season in the bullpen, and that stability finally appeared to pay off. Shark came into the year out of options and needing a strong...
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