I'm think that the outrightings are eluding to some signings or a trade. I can't think of anyone in the minors right now who would be added, other than perhaps a pitcher like Waddell or if they keep Stanton.

I get the distinct feeling that something is up right now. With Robnett being outrighted, and Snyder being outrighted---that's 2 very high ceiling outfielders that we just outrighted. What that tells me is one of two things:

1) A big trade is on the horizon to net us one or more players that must be placed on the active and/or 40 man roster

2) The Cubs are prepared to sign and/or trade for guys from other teams that are out of options, or elevate a guy like Flaherty, or Thomas, or someone else in our own system that gives us more depth in the IF or pitching.

*possible additions to the 40-man from our own system include:
Caridad
Waddell
Chad Fox
Cashner
Scales
W. Castillo
Deeds
Thomas
Flaherty
Spears
Papelbon
Jay Jackson
Marquez Smith....and my sleeper guy:
Maestri

as JimK (I believe) said a few days ago...it very well could be an addition such as Jeff Baker. Whomever we target, it's going to be a utility guy that can play corner IF and OF positions, along with maybe 2B and/or SS. I personally love the idea, but who leaves?!?

As it stands right this minute, we have our rotation, starting position players, and the back end of our pen figured out, as follows:

Z
Dempster
Lilly
Marshall
Harden

Gregg-closer (most likely)
Marmol-set-up
Heilman-7th inning
Cotts-lefty specialist

Soto-C
Lee-1B
Fontenot-2B
Theriot-SS
ARAM-3B
Soriano-LF
Fukudome (unfortunately)-CF
Bradley-RF

Bench: c-? (between K Hill and Bako), Miles (for sure...can't be traded as a FA signing until June, I believe), and Reed Johnson

...so, technically we have 2 bench spots and 3 pen spots that aren't for sure right now. While Hoffpauir was all but assured a roster spot----I just don't trust Piniella with his word. He says a lot of things (maybe he's senile?) For whatever reason, they seem enamored with Gathright...but he hasn't received a vote of confidence.

However, if you look at the recent moves of Fuld, Fox, Snyder, Robnett, Scales, etc., you'll notice that all of Gathright's competition is gone at this point. Hoffpauir all of a sudden hasn't received much PT (though, I realize Lee is back from injury)...at the same time, neither has Gathright (though, I realize Fukudome is back, and Johnson was playing when he was at the WBC a lot). I just get the feeling that something's up right there with those 2 spots.

Who knows? I guess we'll find out sometime next week what Hendry is up to. I hope it's not Peavy. I used to think it was a decent idea, but not now...he's damaged goods, and there are many articles out there comparing him to Mark Mulder when the Cardinals traded Dan Haren for him (among others), and got only one season out of him. Peavy will break down, and it's not a matter of "if"..but a matter of "when."

I just don't see where we can possibly add/cut people. Bako, Vizcaino, and Gaudin should be nowhere near the team this season. Koyie Hill has more than earned a shot at a roster spot, just as Hoffpauir has...just as Fontenot earned a starting position. We have a lot of potential with Hart, Guzman, and Samardzija for the pen, yet all 3 have struggled mightily. Patton and Waddell earned spots, yet Waddell was sent packing, and Patton will too, in favor of the overpaid Vizcaino I presume.

Gaudin is around teh $2 million range, so he'll make the team, and that leaves one spot for Hart, Guzman, Samardzija, and Patton to fight for. It seems Hart and Samardzija are destined for the Iowa rotation, while Patton will be returned to the Rockies. Maybe it's just me, but having Vizcaino AND Gaudin in the same pen, makes little to no sense whatsoever. They're both prone to give up a lot of hits, and if they're not hitting their spots perfectly, guys square them up really well.

Gaudin, by far, deserves to be cut, just by his late season slump last year, and stats this spring:
11 2/3 IP, 17 hits, 14 runs, 12 earned, 3 hr, 1 HBP, 8 walks, and 7 K's

If he makes the team, I'm going to vommit.

Additionally, if Vizcaino does, I'll vommit too...Cotts too

Personally, I'd love a pen like this:

Gregg-closer (though I think he's a bum)
Marmol-set-up
Heilman-7th inning
Hart-middle
Waddell-lefty set-up
Patton-middle
Guzman-long man

Now, that is a power pen with a lot of K potential. Guzman, Hart, and Marmol, have phenomenal breaking pitches, while Patton, Waddell, and Heilman throw strikes, and Gregg has the power sinker.

All, save for maybe Waddell (don't know much about him, other than stats), have mid-90's stuff.

Vizcaino, Gaudin, and Cotts throw straight fastballs with little to no movement, and do NOT have good breaking pitches.

If I'm Piniella, I go with my pen.

For my bench, I'm taking: Hill, Miles, Fukudome, Hoffpauir, and I'm making a trade for Jeff Baker

Great post, Aaron! Well thought out, and well written.

I don't know exactly what they are doing with the roster. It looks like they are setting up for a 1 for 4 trade. Or perhaps they will promote some people. I dunno.

Bullpen-wise, I want to vomit Cotts, Vizcaino and Gaudin right off the team: ASAP. The only thing about your proposed pen setup that I'd change is I'd make Guzman a short man. He simply a flame-thrower, and I like a guy like him coming in the sixth or seventh knocking down some k's with men on base. Waddell over Cotts anytime. Cotts makes me long for David Aardsma back. lol. Why are they enamored with Cotts anyway? Ohman was better.