Here’s a look at four non-roster invitees who could surprise in spring camp to make the Cubs Opening Day roster.

Esmailin Caridad:
The young right-hander, 28, enters his prime years having spent the past few seasons in Chicago’s minor league system. His quite confidence and three quality pitches earned him a cup of coffee with the Cubs in 2009 & 2010. But he’s seen limited action since suffering an elbow ailment in May of 2010–46 total innings pitched since.

Manny Corpas:
The Cubs are hoping they signed the 29-year-old reliever who burst onto the scene with the 2007 NL Champion Rockies. However, Corpas quickly fell out of favor the following three seasons posting an ERA well above 4.00 before missing all of last year recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Trey McNutt:
The Cubs have been high on McNutt for awhile. So much so, even Jim Hendry retained the hard throwing righty in favor of Chris Archer who was shipped to Tampa Bay in the Matt Garza deal. From what I gather, McNutt has an over-powering fastball, good curve, but lacks a true offspeed pitch. This spring, however, could be his breakout campaign.

Trevor Miller:
Doesn’t have much going for him numbers wise. But he’s been crafty enough to last 13 seasons in the bigs. Dale Sveum would prefer two left-handers in his bullpen, which is to Miller’s advantage, along with his experience and the lack of competition to fill a niche role has a lefty specialist. He’s by far the oldest invitee, turning 39 on May 29th.

The trade of OF Dave Martinez to Montreal the previous July left the Cubs without a true center fielder heading into spring training in 1989. 

It didn’t take long for the dynamic speed of young prospect Jerome Walton to emerge from the competition. Walton’s terrific outfield range quickly caught the eye of Cubs manager, Don Zimmer, who settled on Walton as his Opening Day center fielder.

Despite committing an error on the first ball hit to him on Opening Day, Walton proved Zimmer’s decision wise over the long haul.

It was 46 games later before Walton made his second defensive miscue, and he booted just one more throughout his final 69 regular season games played.

The regularity at which Walton showed flashes of brilliance in center field made him of Gold Glove consideration.

Had it not been for a mid season injury that limited his season to 116 games, Walton may have earned more hardware than his Rookie of the Year Award.

*Throughout spring training I’ll recap Walton’s 30-game hitting streak that sparked the Cubs from a 2.5 games deficit in the division to a 2.5 game lead!

Games | 1 – 5 | 6 – 10 | 11 – 15 | 16 – 20 | 21 – 25 | 26 – 30 |

Starting pitchers Javier Vazquez, Brandon Webb and Scott Kazmir all remain unsigned this offseason.

Any one could be a nice addition to the Cubs rotation, which to this point, is only three deep in certainty–Dempster, Garza & Moholm.

With the Cubs keeping a heavy focus on signing starting pitching depth this offseason, there’s little reason to believe Vazquez, Webb or Kazmir wouldn’t be any less capable of winning one of the final two rotation spots than Randy Wells, Travis Wood, Andy Sonnastine, Chris Volstad or Jeff Samardzija.

The greater risk, however, is money. The collection of new Cubs arms this winter was done on the cheap.

Vazquez, Webb & Kazmir are hardly penny-wise investments, but presumably have an equal, if not greater chance of not only making the rotation, but of also making a difference once there.

Here’s why it may not be as dollar-foolish as you think for the Cubs to sign one of these three free agents:

JAVIER VAZQUEZ: More than anything the Cubs need innings eaters in its final two rotation spots; and that exactly what Vazquez, 34, is all about.

Only once has Javier made less than 31 starts in a season since 1999; when he was then a baby faced 22-year-old in Montreal.

During his past 12 seasons he’s pitched 200.00 or more innings 10 times with the exceptions being a 198.0 IP season in 2004 with the Yankees and a 157.1 IP season with the White Sox in 2010.

Otherwise, you can count on him for 30-plus starts and 200.00 IP. Not to mention, he’s won double digit games in 12 consecutive seasons.

BRANDON WEBB: Webb, 33, hasn’t pitched since Opening Day 2009 because of a shoulder injury. But his track record is brilliant having won 14, 16, 18 & 22 games since 2005.

That includes the 2006 Cy Young Award and top-three finishes for the award in 2007-08.

The Cubs won’t get him on the cheap, but it’s possible Webb would sign for a short-term, incentive laden deal. If so, I think it’s in the Cubs favor to take a risk on a guy who’s well worth the dough should he find his old form.

SCOTT KAZMIR: At 28-years-old, this lefty has already spent eight full seasons in the big leagues.

Trouble is, his last three season have been pitiful. Since joining the Angels late in 2009, Kazmir has started just 35 games winning only 11 of them.

His ERA during this span is an unsightly 5.31 along with horrific walk totals that have remained a constant throughout his career, and in turn led to his release last June.

That said, the guy has a ton of experience for his age (179 starts) while putting together several strong seasons in the past including a 12-win/3.49 ERA season in 2008 and a 13-win/3.48 ERA season in 2007 with a league leading 239 strikeouts; all of which came pitching in the AL East, no less.

The injury bug seems to have slowed his game more than anything, including elbow, arm and leg aliments, but to the point, however, where a team like Chicago could find him both an affordable and attractive roll of the dice.

I’m wondering what the Cubs’ New Way has in store for Jeff Samardzija?

Starter, reliever, go-between?

The indecision of the Cubs’ old regime damn near wasted five years of this kid’s career piddling around with the idea of making him a starter or reliever. That’s simply ridiculous for a power-arm the Cubs paid a precious $10M dollars for over 5-years ago.

And over those five seasons, thanks to the Cubs’ flip-flop mentality, it’s become rather tough as what to make of Samardzija’s progress, if there’s been any at all.

When his first option year was due following his best season to date in 2011: 75 relief appearances, (8-4) record, 2.97 ERA, it still wasn’t clear if the Cubs were better off with him or without him?

The decision was ultimately to decline his option, but only so the Cubs could resign him at a more reasonable price, which they did.

It’s bought Samardzija not only more time to establish his path in the major leagues, but to do it with the team that drafted him, the team that paid him a small fortune to choose professional baseball over the National Football League.

Yet regardless of what Samardzija is, or is to become, he at least deserved this opportunity to rightfully prove himself at the big league level under the Cubs direction as either a full-time starter or reliever.

The Cubs have two spots open in the starting rotation this spring; Samardzija would like to have one of them. Let his spring outings decide his fate–if the rotation isn’t meant to be, the bullpen should suffice. The outcome, whatever that might be, should end this discussion once and for all.

And if avoiding cases such as Samardzija’s isn’t in Theo’s new organizational manual, it most certainly ought to be. I’d call it Timely and Decisive Decision Making—a guide on how not  to groom your top prospects.

The Cubs open its spring schedule on March 4 against Oakland, and it’s the first of several exhibition games of interest.

Yoenis Cespedes, one of the most highly coveted free agents this winter, will presumably make his first start in a big league uniform with the A’s.

Five days later the Cubs face the cross town rival White Sox, with perhaps, our first chance to see ‘The Fuk’ suited up with the South Siders?

San Diego is the opponent on March 24th, which could lead to a showdown of former-Cub Andrew Cashner facing former-Padre Anthony Rizzo.

And then there’s the return of Phat Albert in back-to-back games against the Angels on March 31st and April 1st–three days before Opening Day.

What a pleasure knowing the Cubs won’t face Pujols again this season, baring a World Series meeting in October. (ha!)

However, Dale Sveum choosing to pitch to Pujols with the game on the line is yet to be determined. Unfortunately we know if Mike Quade could, he would. (sigh).

I’m often asked this time of year why pitchers and catchers report early to spring training?

Pitchers typically need about 45 days to properly stretch out their arms before the start of the regular season.

This includes roughly five starts for solidified veteran starters and a few more for players jockeying for a big league roster spot in the rotation or bullpen.

Position players, however, simply don’t need as much time to prepare, especially considering the emphasis on offseason conditioning, which has seemingly improved with each passing decade.

This is why the pitchers show up early, and why catchers are on hand to catch them!

Cubs pitchers and catchers report on Saturday. Spring is near!

In 1989 Jerome Walton burst on to the scene winning the NL Rookie of the Year Award and helping the Cubs to the NL East title.

His thrilling 30-game hitting streak from July 21st to August 20th culminated a sensational season for the 23-year-old.

During the next several weeks I’ll recap Walton’s 30-game hitting streak that sparked the Cubs from a 2.5 games deficit in the division to a 2.5 game lead!

Games | 1 – 5 | 6 – 10 | 11 – 15 | 16 – 20 | 21 – 25 | 26 – 30 |

Several Cubs changed uniform numbers this winter. Several more are sporting Cubbie Blue for the first time.

Here’s a quick look at the numbers some of our Cubs will be wearing during the 2012 season.

#1 Tony Campana – Switched from #41
Previously worn by: Doug Glanville (1996-97), Lance Johnson (1997-99) , Augie Ojeda (2001-03), Kenny Lofton (2003) , Jose Macias (2004-2005), Tony Womack (2006), Kosuke Fukudome (2008-11)…Larry Bowa (1982-85), Jose Cardenal (1972-77), Charlie Grimm (1937-38)

#3 Jeff Baker – Switched from #28
Previously worn by: Wendell Kim (c)(2003-04), Jeromy Burnitz (2005) , Ryan Theriot (2006), Cesar Izturis (2006-07), Eric Patterson (2007), Alan Trammell (c) (2008-10)…Phil Cavarretta (1939-40)

#22 Matt Garza – Switched from #17
Previsouly worn by: Rondell White (2000-01), Mark Prior (2002-06), Kevin Hart (2008-09), Tom Gorzelanny (2009), Xavier Nady (2010), Carlos Pena (2011)…Billy Hatcher (1984-85), Bill Buckner (1977-84)

#25 Chris Bosio – Pitching Coach
Previously worn by: Tuffy Rhodes (1993-95), Luis Gonzalez (1995-96), Dave Hansen (1997), Derrick White (1998), Orlando Merced (1998), Don Baylor (M)(2000-02), Troy O’Leary (2003), Derrek Lee (2004-10)…Bobby Bonds (1981), Rafael Palmeiro (1986-88)

#28 Paul Maholm – New Cubs Pitcher
Previously worn by: Mitch Williams (1989-90), Ced Landrum (1991), Kal Daniels (1992), Randy Myers (1993-95), Pedro Valdes (1996,1998), Roosevelt Brown (1999-01), Mark Bellhorn (2002-03), David Kelton (2003), Todd Hollandsworth (2004-05), Michael Restovich (2006), Jeff Baker (2009-11)

#33 Dale Sveum – Manager
Previously worn by: Bill Mueller (2001-02), Glendon Rusch (2004-06), Daryle Ward (2008). Esmailin Caridad (2009-10), DJ LeMahieu (2011)