MESA, Ariz. — With Xavier Nady and Koyie Hill assured of jobs, along with the loser of the second base battle between Jeff Baker and Mike Fontenot, the two remaining bench spots will depend on where the Cubs think they need the most help.
Andres Blanco and Sam Fuld seem like good bets because the Cubs have no other backups at shortstop or center field, respectively.
But Chad Tracy has the most experience at third base, a position that hurt the Cubs when Aramis Ramirez went down with his shoulder injury last May. Micah Hoffpauir is the only left-handed hitter with pop, while Kevin Millar’s leadership qualities are self-evident.
The only certainty is none of the candidates are counting on anything.
“There are a lot of great players here, guys with experience,” Fuld said. “There’s a lot of competition. It generally brings out the best in all of us.”
Blanco is out of options so he must make the team or clear waivers to stay in the organization. He’s easily the best defensive infielder on the team, but needs to improve his career .295 on-base percentage.
“If I can hit .280 or .290, continue to field well, I think I have a pretty good chance of making the team,” he said. “I feel more comfortable now, and (manager Lou Piniella) knows I play hard. I know they trust me, but I have to give a little bit more.”
Fukudome watch: Will this be the year Kosuke Fukudome lives up to his $48 million, four-year contract?
The former Japanese hitting champ says he hopes to get a chance at the leadoff spot, where he led the National League in on-base percentage (.404) in 2009. His goal is to get back to being a .300 hitter, after batting .257 and .259 his first two seasons with the Cubs.
Asked if he thinks he’s getting closer, Fukudome grinned and said: “I have the confidence if I’m just in the cage or batting practice.”
It will be up to hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo to make sure Fukudome transfers that confidence to real at-bats.
Extra innings: With the arrival of Fukudome and Ryan Theriot on Saturday, only four players have yet to show up — Alfonso Soriano, Derrek Lee, Ramirez and Starlin Castro.
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