Thus, It Starts

Spring Training camps open this week, and optimism for Cubs fans is a high as the current status of Chicago's new Trump Tower.

So what do the papers do? They run lists of questionmarks for each team. Mike Kiley does a nice job summarizing the mistakes from last year and points out something this writer has felt for 15 months: 2006 rides not only on the health of Wood and Prior, but on getting Walton and Smith-esque performances from Ronny Cedeno and Matt Murton. Kiley also notes:

Murton and Cedeno have promise, but they have to deliver. Otherwise, general manager Jim Hendry will be scrambling to find trade replacements.

If they don't deliver, Hendry will be scrambling to update his resume.

Over in the Trib, Phil Rogers Paul Sullivan is back to near incoherence:

All-Star first baseman Derrek Lee remains the team leader but isn't very vocal.

Doesn't that, by definition, remove Lee from potentially filling that role?

Rogers avoids a lot of speculation and, instead, focuses on quotes from Dusty Baker. Here's what made my morning lox nearly resurface:

Baker played Murton against left-handers early and he struggled a bit against right-handers, hitting only .261.

"I'll probably still protect him against extreme righties, but this guy has shown the ability to hit tough pitchers too," Baker said.
...
Baker said he believes Cedeno potentially is a No. 2 hitter.
...
The Cubs lacked a fiery presence in the clubhouse last year, and Baker suggested veteran outfielder Marquis Grissom could assume the role Eric Karros played in '03.

So, from this, if Baker has his choice, it looks like Murton will platoon with Grissom; Cedeno will bat in the two hole over Murton (the two hole is reserved for middle infielders in Dustyland, I guess); and Grissom is a must-have clubhouse leader.

Be afraid of 2006. Be very afraid.