With Spring Training games under way, less than a month remains until the regular season. And while Chicago’s two big-league rosters seem set for the most part, questions remain. Here are three players to watch on the Cubs and three on the White Sox as you’re taking in Cactus League action this weekend and in the days ahead.
CUBS
ALFONSO SORIANO
Slated to return to the lead-off spot, the team needs him running at full speed. Is the $136 million-man fully recovered from last season’s quad and hamstring injuries?
RYAN DEMPSTER
The starter-turned-closer is slated to start again. At No. 3 in the rotation, Dempster will be counted on to eat some innings. If he’s effective in Arizona’s dry spring air, that’s a very good sign.
FELIX PIE
This season is make or break for the once-prized prospect. Defensively, he’s got the goods, but will he hit — consistently? He could finally be the Cubs’ Opening Day center fielder or he still could go to Baltimore in a Brian Roberts deal.
WHITE SOX
JOSE CONTRERAS
For better or worse, the big right-hander is back. Expectations are eased with him tentatively penciled into the No. 4 spot, but he must improve on last year’s 10-17 record and 5.57 ERA.
ALEXEI RAMIREZ
Little is known about GM Kenny Williams’ latest foreign find. If he makes the roster, Contreras’ fellow Cuban could help answer lingering questions at second base and in center field.
JERRY OWENS
Can the speedster hit lefties well enough to bat lead-off and play center every day? If so, new SS Orlando Cabrera settles in at No. 2 and Owens has a shot at his own goal of 65 stolen bases.
