--SS Ronny Cedeno avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $822,500 contract. He hit .269 in 99 games for the Cubs last season.
--2B Mike Fontenot hit .305 with a .395 on-base percentage last season. General manager Jim Hendry said the Cubs have to find more playing time for him. The most likely scenario is for the left-handed-hitting Fontenot to get the bulk of the starts at second base, with Aaron Miles spelling him on occasion. "I think we forget how good a player (Fontenot) was last year," Hendry said. "You almost wanted to find a way to get him more at-bats. I think between Miles and Fontenot, it's a good situation." --CF Felix Pie, last year's starter on Opening Day, is out of minor league options and appears to be a candidate for a trade. With Kosuke Fukudome, Reed Johnson and Joey Gathright all capable of playing center, there looks to be no room for Pie. "He hasn't come around very well with the bat," Hendry said. "We don't have the luxury here to say, 'Let's run somebody out there for 140 to 150 games and see if they hit.' We're here to win."
--RHPs Kevin Gregg and Carlos Marmol figure to battle it out for the closer's job, with the other working the eighth inning. Pitching coach Larry Rothschild said the final decision would be made by manager Lou Piniella. Gregg said he's up to anything. "I'm open to winning," he said.
--RHP Carlos Zambrano will have laser surgery on his right eye a week before spring training, he said. Zambrano said he has had trouble with the eye "for a while." Zambrano said he'll be ready for the season and would like to start Opening Day again, but that the surgery may keep him from playing for Team Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic.
--OF So Taguchi, who played for the Phillies last year, has agreed on a minor league deal with an invite to spring training as a non-roster man. Taguchi, who saw plenty of action against the Cubs while with the Cardinals, has little chance of making the Cubs. He'll provide insurance against injury. The Cubs outfield already consists of Alfonso Soriano, Milton Bradley, Kosuke Fukudome, Reed Johnson and Joey Gathright.
BY THE NUMBERS: 36 -- Saves RHPs Kevin Gregg and Carlos Marmol combined for last year. Gregg had 29 for Florida, with Marmol chipped in seven for the Cubs. The two will compete for the closer's job in spring training.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "He was a very maligned player for a couple of years. Now, as soon as he's gone, it's, 'How are we going to replace the durable Jason Marquis?' Jason did a solid job." -- General manager Jim Hendry, on some of the reaction to the Cubs trading Marquis to the Rockies and opening competition for the fifth spot in the rotation.
