Veteran core anchors Opening Day roster

CHICAGO -- Much of the competition for Opening Day jobs with the Cubs centered around the bench, bullpen and back of the rotation. There was also a battle at second base, but the bulk of the roster was locked in before the first preseason pitch.

That type of Spring Training is typically the mark of a team that plans to lean on a group of established players.

"I feel like our superstars are going to be the ones that carry us," Cubs manager David Ross said. "Those are the guys we're going to rely on to do what they know how to do to continue to win. And these guys have been winners for a long time. So, we're going to ride those guys."

The Cubs hope that ride ends with the World Series, and the starting point for that journey arrives Thursday with Opening Day at Wrigley Field.

Here is the breakdown of Chicago's planned Opening Day roster.

Catcher (2): Willson Contreras, Tony Wolters
Contreras enjoyed a strong Cactus League showing (1.196 OPS), which included being tested as a potential No. 2 hitter. Ross said he believes the All-Star catcher has a few key offensive components that could make him a great option in that critical lineup spot. Expect Contreras to play a ton as Chicago's No. 1, and he has the potential to be an X factor, given his offensive potential and continued defensive growth. On the eve of Opening Day, the Cubs added Wolters to the mix as Contreras' backup. The move injects some experienced depth into the fold, given that veteran Austin Romine (right knee) was injured in spring and has an uncertain timetable for return.

First base (1): Anthony Rizzo
The only question surrounding Rizzo this spring was whether the veteran first baseman would pen his name on an extension. That did not come to pass, making this an important season for the longtime core player. Rizzo is poised for his ninth straight Opening Day assignment for the Cubs. Dating back to 1900, only Mark Grace (12 from 1989-2000), Ernie Banks (nine from 1962-70) and Charlie Grimm (12 from 1925-36) have had at least that many consecutive Opening Day starts at first base for the franchise. When healthy, Rizzo has shown he can be a safe bet for around a 30-homer, 100-RBI season.

Second base (1): David Bote
The decision for the Cubs came down to the more experienced Bote vs. the up-and-coming Nico Hoerner. After both players turned in impressive performances at the plate this spring, Ross announced that, "It's David's turn." So, following a few seasons as a utility man, Bote will get his chance to show he can be an everyday player in the Majors. Rather than keep Hoerner in a sporadic bench role, the club optioned him to Triple-A to start the season. Bote produces some of the best exit velocities among Chicago's hitters, has shown a knack for clutch moments and offers solid defense. Behind him, the Cubs will have a veteran backup option in the lefty-swinging Eric Sogard, who adds a high-contact bat to the mix.

Third base (1): Kris Bryant
Bryant had a slow offensive spring (.582 OPS), but Ross noted that the third baseman was also using some of his at-bats to test some swing adjustments. Bryant fits into Ross' category of trusting the back of the baseball card. When healthy, the third baseman has produced elite numbers. Last year, when Bryant turned in a .644 OPS in only 34 games, he was battling through myriad injury woes. The question that will hover over Bryant all season will be whether he is playing out his final season with the Cubs. Like a few of his teammates, Bryant can be a free agent next offseason.

Shortstop (1): Javier Báez
Báez, Bryant and Rizzo could all be free agents next winter, making this season not only a chance to enjoy the ride together, but to play for potential contracts. Ross has emphasized that he wants the Cubs' core hitters to be themselves and play "a little selfish" this season. That certainly applies to those three players. What will be interesting is seeing where Ross slots Báez into the lineup early on this season. Down the stretch last year, Báez was moved into the Nos. 6-7 range. One thing Báez hopes will boost his offense is the return of in-game video and having fans in the stands again.

Outfield (4): Ian Happ, Jason Heyward, Jake Marisnick, Joc Pederson
Pederson is taking over in left for longtime fan favorite, Kyle Schwarber, but the new Cubs outfielder did his best to win people over this spring. Pederson hit .378/.431/1.000 in the Cactus League with eight home runs and 19 RBIs. Ross will give him a shot at everyday at-bats to begin this season. Happ is back in center after 2020's breakout showing and the veteran Heyward returns as the Gold Glove-caliber right fielder. Marisnick gives the Cubs a fleet-footed fourth outfielder who can offer some slug off the bench and a late-inning defensive option for center. If Marisnick does man center, both Happ and Pederson have the ability to play both corners. It's possible that Bryant will make some cameos in left against tough lefty pitching this season as well.

Utility (2): Matt Duffy, Eric Sogard
The decision to give Bote the everyday job at second base had a ripple effect on the makeup of Chicago's bench. Sogard offers a lefty bat with high-contact ability, and he can play all over the infield, including shortstop. The Cubs decided he would be better equipped for a bench job than Hoerner. Once the Cubs made that choice, they went with Duffy for a righty bat off the bench. Duffy can also play all over the infield, offering depth, especially for the corners. Like Sogard, Duffy also provides a high-contact bat for pinch-hitting situations. Ildemaro Vargas, who was in the mix for a utility job, was designated for assignment, but he cleared waivers and will remain with the Cubs at Triple-A as depth.

Starting pitchers (5): Adbert Alzolay, Jake Arrieta, Zach Davies, Kyle Hendricks, Trevor Williams
Hendricks takes the ball as the Cubs' Opening Day starter for the second year in a row, and will be followed (in order) by Arrieta, Davies, Williams and Alzolay. Hendricks and Davies are most similar in terms of repertoire, so Chicago has ordered its rotation to avoid having them back-to-back. Both Arrieta and Williams spent all spring fine-tuning some delivery adjustments and the Cubs were pleased with the early returns. Alzolay was up against Alec Mills for the last job, and convinced the Cubs to give him the job with an impressive outing against a formidable Dodgers lineup late in camp. That said, Alzolay will need to have his innings carefully managed this year, so expect Mills to make some starts, as well. Rotation candidate Shelby Miller impressed this spring, but will head to the alternate training site to offer some important, experienced depth.

Relievers (9): Jason Adam, Rex Brothers, Andrew Chafin, Craig Kimbrel, Dillon Maples, Alec Mills, Ryan Tepera, Dan Winkler, Brandon Workman
After a rough start to his spring, Kimbrel turned in four strong outings to close out his Cactus League showing. In last season's abbreviated schedule, Ross was hesitant to put the closer label on any one arm, but the manager has made it crystal clear that Kimbrel is the closer to start this campaign. The setup situation will be more fluid, with a pile of arms in the mix for high-leverage work. Expect Ross to mix and match in the first few weeks in search of the right formula. Mills will give the Cubs a multi-inning swingman of sorts. He can serve as a No. 6 starter, but also provide a bridge to the late-inning arms if any starters are pulled early.