--RHP Carlos Marmol said he would talk with the Cubs but that he would like to pitch for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic. 

Right-hander Carlos Zambrano probably will not compete in the World Baseball Classic for Venezuela. 

--RHP Carlos Marmol said he would talk with the Cubs but that he would like to pitch for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic. 

Here's what Geovany Soto accomplished in his first full major league season: He became the first National League rookie catcher to start the All-Star game; he caught Carlos Zambrano's no-hitter and he won NL rookie of the year. 

Rich Harden's $7 million option was picked up by the Chicago Cubs, shortly after he was the losing pitcher in their final playoff game last fall. 

--RHP Carlos Marmol said he would talk with the Cubs but that he would like to pitch for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic. 

For a team that won 97 games and its division last year, the Cubs have made a sizeable number of changes. 

Right-hander Carlos Zambrano probably will not compete in the World Baseball Classic for Venezuela. 

--RHP Carlos Marmol said he would talk with the Cubs but that he would like to pitch for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic. 

For a team that won 97 games and its division last year, the Cubs have made a sizeable number of changes. 

Right-hander Carlos Zambrano probably will not compete in the World Baseball Classic for Venezuela. 

Lou Piniella's offseason started in recovery mode. 

--The trades of LHP Rich Hill and RHP Michael Wuertz clear some of the congestion from the pitching staff. 

For a team that won 97 games and its division last year, the Cubs have made a sizeable number of changes. 

The two-time defending NL Central champs go to camp as the favorites again, but that doesn't mean manager Lou Piniella won't have his hands full.