While I await some heat from the Hot Stove, I thought I'd make some predictions for the 2008 opening day roster.  I invite the entire BCB community to predict along.  Feel free to make your predictions based on money, statistics, rumors, or gut feeling.  Hopefully, Al can resurrect this diary in March.

I predict that on/before opening day:

1.  Kerry Wood will be a RP for the Cubs.
   
2.  Mark Prior will be non-tendered, and will sign elsewhere as a FA.
   
3.  At least one of Jason Marquis and Ryan Dempster will be traded.
   
4.  If the Cubs sign Kaz Matsui (or Luis Castillo), Mark DeRosa will be traded.
   
5.  If the Cubs sign Fukudome, both Jacque Jones and Matt Murton will be traded.
   
6.  If the Cubs do not sign Fukudome, they will sign Trot Nixon, platoon him with Murton, and trade JJ.
   
7.  Felix Pie will be the CF no matter what he does during ST.
   
8.  Ryan Theriot will be in the lineup, either at SS or 2B.
   
9.  Bobby Howry will be the closer.  Wood and Carlos Marmol will be the setup men.
   
10.  Geo Soto will be the C, Blanco will be the backup, Koyie Hill will be at AAA, and Jason Kendall will not be resigned.
    
11.  Sam Fuld will be at AAA, but will play for the Cubs before Sept. 1.
    
12.  Eric Patterson will be traded.
    
13.  Jeff Samardijza (sp?) will be called up in Sept.
    
14.  Sean Gallagher will start the season in the AAA rotation, but will be the first SP callup.
    
15.  Kevin Hart will make the team as a reliever.
    
16.  Sean Marshall will be the 5th starter.
    
17.  Mike Fontenot will not make the opening day roster.
    
18.  One of the five members of the rotation will have been signed as a FA or obtained in a trade.
    
19.  There will be at least one Japanese player on the roster.