I haven't been paying a whole lot of attention to spring training games. I guess I am prejudiced in a way, but they do not seem like real games. The regulars play three or four innings and then a bunch of minor leaguers finish things off. Plus, of course, the Cubs have very few slots to fill on the major league roster.
Assuming that Anderson and Montgomery somehow share the fifth starter/swingman role, there is space or six or seven relievers depending on how many pitchers the Cubs want to carry. It makes little if any sense to carry thirteen pitchers, especially given the number of off-days blended into the April schedule, but right now with six potential starters locked in, there are also six potential relievers locked in, viz., Davis, Strop, Rondon, Uehara, Grimm, and Edwards. Which means there is room for one unnecessary arm there or none at all.
As far as the position players are concerned, there is a similar situation, there being in this case one or two utility slots depending on the number of pitchers being carried. I kind of assume Szczur is a lock. He is having a terrific spring and he is out of options. That leaves possibly one bench slot. Most people expect that to go to La Stella or, as a long shot, Kawasaki. If it were my call, I might want to name Candelario. Candelario is also having a great spring. He can play third or first base. Plus he has a lot more ceiling than La Stella. Of course, that is just a gut feeling from watching a handful of games.
On a related topic, of course, the Cubs really have a terrific farm system. This spring, Happ and Jimenez look like really good players in the making. Maybe they are a year away, but they do look good. A year from now, the Cubs are going to face some serious roster decisions.
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