Oh the bottom of the roster

As the cubs move into the final 13 days of spring training, [a long one at that] what was purported to be an uneventful spring training is again down to those final sub-role positions that consume the smaller side of the 80/20 rule. Just to review

Decided:

• Fontenot has established himself as the 2B starter, possibly not even a platoon player although Lou might just keep his AB's down to 400 as to keep him fresh for the autumn. More on this later.
• Marshall has earned a spot on the rotation, be it the euphomistic 4th or 5th spot, I think Marshall will get most rotation starts through May or early June.
• Heilman is the 7th inning set up with Gregg or Marmol vying for the glamor role. Cotts has made the team

Almost decided:

• Koyie Hill has put himself in position to win the back up catcher role.
  
• Gaudin has put himself in position to be selected the long reliever/swing role.

To Be Decided:

• Gathright as the 5th OF'er, probably a luxury although if/when Bradley needs non DL time it could put pressure on the Cubs with the three remaining OF'ers who are essentially starters or platoon starters.
• Hoffpauir & Fox. Both players really don't have a position they can defend that they need to do, Hoff needs to be a corner OF'er but can't, Fox needs to be a 3B and OF'er and can't. Both have good bats. 
• Samardz's next step, is he on the Cubs as the 6th bullpen pitcher joining Gaudin as a possible swing?
• 10th, 11th and 12th(?) pitcher. Vizcaino, Guzman and Patton all RH'ers are competing for at least one, but possibly  two of these spots. I have seen reports from at least three teams beat writers where their respective team's bullpen problems are known and are eyeballing Guzman. Patton is Rule V and making his opportunity fully known.
  

Needs

• A 4th IF'er who can play all the positions and ideally even stand in the OF. This is not some wish it is critical since Mills can play 2B and LaRussa used him at SS. A super sub could also replace Gathright and allow the Cubs to keep a big stick on the bench like Hoffpauir or Fox. (Actually between those two like Fox because at least he can put on the tools in an emergency and walk out to 1B, 3B and LF in an extra inning game.)

Options

• Looking out at the market players like Loretta, & Uribe could become available although because of the Yankees high profile injury and the Astros Boone surgury demand for them or others like Teahan could increase.
  
• Macier Izturis would fit most of the infield needs and if the Cubs are willing to gamble Gaudin who is now valuable with Harden's uncertainty believing that Samardz can fulfill the role than that is a grand move.
  
• Ryan Freel is another player to under the radar that seems to be on the potential edge, at $4M he can play both 3B and the OF, although RH'ed he has speed and would fulfill the role of Gathright and 3B back up. He played 2B 13 games in 2006 and stood there a few times in 2007 and 2008.
  

This of course is speculation but I think Baltimore would be willing to take Vizcaino and another arm, possibly something in AA where the Cubs and O's basically swap salaries of players who are not going to be used much. For the O's Cubs would have to offer Grant Johnson.

Freel's strength is that he can play all the OF positions, experienced and runs the bases very well. His role on a 13 position player roster would allow the Cubs to cut Gathright and keep Hoffpauir or Fox, where the Cubs would have a HR potential on the bench. Izturis would also fulfill backing up all the infield positions including SS, switch hitter who also is experienced---cheaper in $$ but possibly more expensive in player assets, but would force the Cubs to keep either Gathright (or Taguchi) as a 5th OF'er. Of course this is all speculation but there appears to be surplus on both clubs.

On paper I like Freel as he is more versatile where he can play defense adaquently and still hit pretty well. He was a fan favorite in Cinci for a reason, he hustled. Furthermore a scenerio like this would serve both clubs in dumping $$ but also serving needs. Baltimore's middle relief is very inexperienced and could use an old man who can still throw 95 MPH.