BASEBALL SPRING TRAINING PREVIEWS

A team-by-team look entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of first workouts for pitchers and catchers.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

EAST DIVISION

New York Yankees

Manager: Joe Girardi (sixth season).

2012: 95-67, first place, lost in ALCS.

Camp begins: Wednesday in Tampa, Fla.

He’s here: 3B Kevin Youkilis, DH Travis Hafner, OF Matt Diaz, C Bobby Wilson, DH-OF Juan Rivera.

He’s outta here: RF Nick Swisher, C Russell Martin, DH/OF Raul Ibañez, 3B Eric Chavez, OF Andruw Jones, RHP Rafael Soriano, RHP Freddy Garcia, LHP Pedro Feliciano.

Comment: The Yankees have more uncertainty than they’ve had in a long time. New York’s hope rides on stars coming off surgery. Mariano Rivera (knee), Derek Jeter (foot) and CC Sabathia (elbow) are expected to be ready for the season but Michael Pineda (shoulder) could be sidelined until late June. Other question marks: Is Brett Gardner’s elbow fully healed after he missed nearly all of last season? Can Ichiro Suzuki, at 39, play at the same level as he did when he went to New York in a summer trade (.322, 14 SBs) and help lead a lineup that will rely much less on the long ball this year?

Baltimore Orioles

Manager: Buck Showalter (third full season).

2012: 93-69, second place, wild card, lost division series.

Camp begins: Tuesday in Sarasota, Fla.

He’s here: 1B Travis Ishikawa, INF Danny Valencia, 2B Alexi Casilla, RHP Jair Jurrjens, INF/OF Yamaico Navarro, OF Trayvon Robinson,

He’s outta here: 1B Mark Reynolds, LHP Joe Saunders, 2B Robert Andino, OF Endy Chavez, DH Nick Johnson, DH Jim Thome, LHP Randy Wolf.

Comment: Following their most successful season in 15 years, the Orioles did very little over the winter. They are counting on a deep pitching staff to compensate for not having a true ace. South Kitsap High graduate Jason Hammel, Wei-Yin Chen, former Mariners prospect Chris Tillman and Miguel Gonzalez are favorites to top the rotation, and Jake Arrieta, Jurrjens, Zach Britton and Brian Matusz intend to add their names to the list. Plenty of question marks surround this team.

Tampa Bay Rays

Manager: Joe Maddon (eighth season).

2012: 90-72, third place.

Camp begins: Wednesday in Port Charlotte, Fla.

He’s here: 1B James Loney, SS Yunel Escobar, OF Shelley Duncan, RHP Jamey Wright, RHP Roberto Hernandez, OF Wil Myers, INF/OF Kelly Johnson.

He’s outta here: RHP James Shields, RHP Wade Davis, OF B.J. Upton, 1B Carlos Pena, RHP Burke Badenhop, LHP J.P. Howell, 2B Jeff Keppinger, OF Ben Francisco.

Comment: With right-handers Shields and Davis dealt to Kansas City in an offseason trade that landed one of baseball’s top young minor league prospects in the 22-year-old Myers, the Rays have openings in the starting rotation and bullpen. But the hottest topic of discussion will be the health of three-time All-Star third baseman Evan Longoria, who appeared in 74 games last season because of a partially torn left hamstring. Tampa Bay went 47-27 with their star in the starting lineup last season, compared to 41-44 without Longoria, who batted .289 with 17 homers and 55 RBI.

Toronto Blue Jays

Manager: John Gibbons (first season).

2012: 73-89, fourth place.

Camp opens: Wednesday in Dunedin, Fla.

He’s here: SS Jose Reyes, RHP R.A. Dickey, RHP Josh Johnson, LHP Mark Buehrle, OF Melky Cabrera, INF Maicer Izturis, C Josh Thole, C Mike Nickeas, C Henry Blanco, OF/INF Emilio Bonifacio, INF Mark DeRosa.

He’s outta here: Manager John Farrell, C John Buck, SS Yunel Escobar, SS Adeiny Hechavarria, RHP Henderson Alvarez, C Jeff Mathis, RHP Carlos Villaneuva, 2B Kelly Johnson, RHP Jason Frasor, RHP Sam Dyson.

Comment: Determined to end their playoff drought at 20 years, the Blue Jays wheeled and dealed in the offseason in trades with the Mets and Marlins. Toronto also signed Cabrera, the All-Star Game MVP who served a 50-game drug suspension last season, to a free-agent contract. Gibbons will have a deep, new-look rotation led by the knuckleball-throwing Dickey. Gibbons has said Casey Janssen, who had 22 saves in Santos’ absence, will begin as the closer.

Boston Red Sox

Manager: John Farrell (first season)

2012: 69-93, last place.

Camp opens: Tuesday in Fort Myers, Fla.

He’s here: 1B Mike Napoli, SS Stephen Drew, CF Shane Victorino, SP Ryan Dempster, OF Jonny Gomes, RHP Joel Hanrahan, C David Ross.

He’s outta here: Manager Bobby Valentine, RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka, RF Cody Ross, SS Mike Aviles, 1B James Loney, OF Scott Podsednik, RHP Vicente Padilla, RHP Scott Atchison.

Comment: The Red Sox have a chance to start fresh after Valentine’s one tumultuous season left them in last place. They will need the starting pitching to bounce back — including John Lackey, who missed all of last season after right elbow surgery. Bellarmine Prep grad Jon Lester (9-14, 4.82 ERA) and Clay Buchholz (11-8, 4.56) are also looking to improve with the return of Farrell, their former pitching coach. Gomes and Victorino join an outfield that can be strong if Jacoby Ellsbury, who has been injured two of the past three seasons, is healthy.

CENTRAL DIVISION

Detroit Tigers

Manager: Jim Leyland (eighth season).

2012: 88-74, first place, lost World Series.

Camp opens: Tuesday in Lakeland, Fla.

He’s here: OF Torii Hunter, 2B Jeff Kobernus, LHP Kyle Lobstein, C Brayan Pena.

He’s outta here: C Gerald Laird, OF Ryan Raburn, LHP Daniel Schlereth, RHP Jose Valverde, DH Delmon Young.

Comment: Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera, ace Justin Verlander and slugger Prince Fielder are back to help Detroit try for a third consecutive AL Central title. The Tigers added Hunter to play right field, and they hope DH Victor Martinez can be productive after missing the 2012 season with a knee injury. Andy Dirks, Brennan Boesch and Quintin Berry are candidates to play left field. Nobody doubts the quality of Detroit’s front-line talent, but the Tigers could use a better defensive performance all around.

Chicago White Sox

Manager: Robin Ventura (second season).

2012: 85-77, second place.

Camp opens: Tuesday in Glendale, Ariz.

He’s here: 3B Jeff Keppinger, RHP Matt Lindstrom, 1B Lars Anderson, RHP Zach Stewart.

He’s outta here: C A.J. Pierzynski, 3B Kevin Youkilis, RHP Brett Myers, INF Jose Lopez.

Comment: The White Sox spent 117 days in first place last season, only to finish three games behind Detroit. Now, they think they are poised to challenge for the division crown. Never mind that there were no splashy acquisitions, that the biggest moves were keeping Jake Peavy and shuffling the front office. The roster? Well, it’s largely intact, with one notable exception. Pierzynski, one of the final links to the 2005 championship team, is gone.

Kansas City Royals

Manager: Ned Yost (third season).

2012: 72-90, third place.

Camp opens: Tuesday in Surprise, Ariz.

He’s here: RHP Ervin Santana, RHP James Shields, RHP Wade Davis, OF Xavier Nady, LHP George Sherrill, OF Endy Chavez.

He’s outta here: INF Yuniesky Betancourt, LHP Jonathan Sanchez, RHP Jonathan Broxton.

Comment: The Royals could have an entirely new starting rotation. They re-signed Jeremy Guthrie, who went 5-3 with a 3.16 ERA after a midseason trade with Colorado, to a three-year, $25 million deal. They then made a trade with the Angels for Ervin Santana, who is owed $13 million this season. But the biggest move of the offseason was when the Royals dealt top prospect Wil Myers and promising pitchers Jake Odorizzi and Mike Montgomery to the Tampa Bay Rays for Shields, a 2011 All-Star, and Davis.

Cleveland Indians

Manager: Terry Francona (first season).

2012: 68-94, fourth place.

Camp opens: Tuesday in Goodyear, Ariz.

He’s here: OF Nick Swisher, RHP Brett Myers, 1B/DH Mark Reynolds, OF Drew Stubbs, INF Mike Aviles, RHP Trevor Bauer, LHP Scott Kazmir, RHP Matt Albers, RHP Matt Capps, OF Ben Francisco,

He’s outta here: Manager Manny Acta, OF Shin-Soo Choo, DH Travis Hafner, INF Jason Donald, RHP Roberto Hernandez, 3B Jack Hannahan, LHP Tony Sipp, OF Shelley Duncan, 1B Casey Kotchman, OF Grady Sizemore, LHP Rafael Perez, RHP Jeanmar Gomez.

Comment: Francona returns after a one-year stint as a broadcaster following eight seasons in Boston, where he won two World Series. All-Star shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera, a former Mariners prospect, faded in the second half — .233 average in July/August. Cleveland’s hopes, though, will hinge on a suspect starting rotation.

Minnesota Twins

Manager: Ron Gardenhire (12th season).

2012: 66-96, fifth place.

Camp opens: Wednesday in Fort Myers, Fla.

He’s here: RHP Mike Pelfrey, RHP Vance Worley, RHP Kevin Correia.

He’s outta here: OF Denard Span, OF Ben Revere, RHP Scott Baker, LHP Francisco Liriano, RHP Carl Pavano, INF Alexi Casilla, RHP Matt Capps.

Comment: The Twins are used to contending, but they have finished in last place the past two years. The Twins have overhauled their rotation and LHP Scott Diamond is the only holdover. Offense shouldn’t be a problem if Joe Mauer bounces back to regain his All-Star form with Justin Morneau healthier than he has been in years and Josh Willingham coming off a career season. Still, the Twins seem to be at least a year away from contending again.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

WEST DIVISION

San Francisco Giants

Manager: Bruce Bochy (seventh season).

2012: 94-68, first place, World Series champions.

Camp opens: Wednesday in Scottsdale, Ariz.

He’s here: OF Andres Torres, RHP Sandy Rosario, RHP Chad Gaudin, INF Tony Abreu.

He’s outta here: OF Melky Cabrera, RHP Brian Wilson, RHP Clay Hensley, C Eli Whiteside, 1B Aubrey Huff, RHP Guillermo Mota, OF Xavier Nady, INF Freddy Sanchez, INF Ryan Theriot.

Comment: The Giants brought back almost the entire crew that helped them win a second World Series title in three seasons, with players who accounted for more than 95 percent of the postseason at-bats. The core of the team remains the starting pitching staff anchored by Matt Cain and Madison Bumgarner, and NL MVP Buster Posey behind the plate. The big questions are whether Sergio Romo can handle a full season as closer and two-time NL Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum, the former Liberty High and University of Washington star, can return to form after struggling with an NL-worst 5.18 ERA.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Manager: Don Mattingly (third season).

2012: 86-76, second place.

Camp opens: Wednesday in Glendale, Ariz.

He’s here: RHP Zack Greinke, LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu, 2B/OF Skip Schumaker, LHP Rob Rasmussen, 2B Rusty Ryal, C Wilkin Castillo.

He’s outta here: OF Shane Victorino, RHP Joe Blanton, RHP Jon Ely, RF Bobby Abreu, LHP Randy Choate, RHP Jamey Wright, RHP Todd Coffey, C Matt Treanor, LF Juan Rivera, 2B Adam Kennedy, RHP Blake Hawksworth.

Comment: The new ownership group will be in charge for its first full season. The group opened its wallet last summer to acquire SS Hanley Ramirez, 1B Adrian Gonzalez, RHP Josh Beckett, LF Carl Crawford and RHP Brandon League. CF Matt Kemp is recovering from left shoulder surgery and Crawford, obtained in last season’s blockbuster trade with Boston, is recovering from the Tommy John surgery on his left elbow.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Manager: Kirk Gibson (third season).

2012: 81-81, third place.

Camp opens: Tuesday in Scottsdale, Ariz.

He’s here: RHP Brandon McCarthy, 3B Martin Prado, OF Cody Ross, RHP Heath Bell, SS Cliff Pennington, 3B/1B Eric Chavez, 1B/OF Eric Hinske, LHP Tony Sipp, RHP Randall Delgado, SS Didi Gregorius, 1B Lars Anderson, LHP Matt Reynolds.

He’s outta here: RF Justin Upton, CF Chris Young, 3B Chris Johnson, RHP Trevor Bauer, RHP Bryan Shaw.

Comment: GM Kevin Towers lived up to his reputation as a wheeler-dealer. Most notably, he sent Upton and Johnson to Atlanta for five players, a group led by the versatile Prado, a 2010 All-Star who is penciled in as the everyday third baseman. Shortstop remains a question mark. The young Gregorius, acquired from Cincinnati in a three-team trade that sent Bauer to Cleveland, is considered spectacular in the field but uncertain at the plate. The first four spots in the rotation appear set with Ian Kennedy, McCarthy, Wade Miley and Trevor Cahill.

San Diego Padres

Manager: Bud Black (seventh season).

2012: 76-86, fourth place.

Camp opens: Wednesday in Peoria, Ariz.

He’s here: RHP Tyson Ross, RHP Freddy Garcia, RHP Fautino De Los Santos.

He’s outta here: RF Cory Burns, INF Andy Parrino, LHP Andrew Werner, RHP Micah Owings, RHP Dustin Moseley.

Comment: The Padres have been making news for mostly the wrong reasons. Catcher Yasmani Grandal, who had a strong rookie season with a .297 average, eight home runs and 36 RBI in 60 games, was suspended for the first 50 games because of a positive test for testosterone. Hard-throwing RHP Andrew Cashner cut a tendon in his right thumb during a hunting accident, meaning he’ll probably start the season on the DL.

Colorado Rockies

Manager: Walt Weiss (first season).

2012: 64-98, fifth place.

Camp opens: Monday in Scottsdale, Ariz.

He’s here: RHP Wilton Lopez, 3B/1B Ryan Wheeler, C Yorvit Torrealba, RHP Chris Volstad, RHP Miguel Batista.

He’s outta here: Manager Jim Tracy, 1B Jason Giambi, RHP Alex White, RHP Guillermo Moscoso, RHP Josh Roenicke, LHP Matt Reynolds, LHP Jonathan Sanchez.

Comment: The Rockies, after a franchise-worst 98 losses, are banking on the returns of lefty Jorge De La Rosa (elbow surgery) and All-Star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (groin), along with a managerial switch. Colorado turns the controls over to Weiss, a former Rockies player who was coaching high school baseball at this time last year. Weiss, who has only a one-year deal, said he hopes to get his team to “play hard” and “play the game right,” the tenets of his career.

EAST DIVISION

Washington Nationals

Manager: Davey Johnson (third season).

2012: 98-64, first place, lost in division series.

Camp opens: Thursday in Viera, Fla.

He’s here: RHP Rafael Soriano, RHP Dan Haren, CF Denard Span, C Chris Snyder.

He’s outta here: LF/1B Michael Morse, RHP Edwin Jackson, LHP Sean Burnett, LHP Mike Gonzalez, LHP John Lannan, C Jesus Flores, INF/OF Mark DeRosa, RHP Chien-Ming Wang.

Comment: A pair of former No. 1 overall draft picks – Stephen Strasburg (2009) and Bryce Harper (2010) – helped quickly turn the Nationals from a 100-loss laughingstock to one of the elite teams last season when they led the majors in victories. One spot worth watching this spring: relief pitching. Washington blew a 6-0 lead in its season-ending Game 5 NLDS loss to the Cardinals, and Mike Rizzo went out and signed Soriano, who stepped in to close for the Yankees last season when Mariano Rivera got injured.

Atlanta Braves

Manager: Fredi Gonzalez (third season).

2012: 94-68, second place, lost wild-card game.

Camp opens: Tuesday in Kissimmee, Fla.

He’s here: CF B.J. Upton, OF Justin Upton, 3B Chris Johnson, C Gerald Laird, RHP Jordan Walden.

He’s outta here: 3B Chipper Jones, INF/OF Martin Prado, RHP Randall Delgado, RHP Tommy Hanson, RHP Jair Jurrjens, CF Michael Bourn, C David Ross, RHP Chad Durbin, 1B-OF Eric Hinske, RHP Ben Sheets, OF Matt Diaz, RHP Peter Moylan, 1B Lyle Overbay, INF Jeff Baker, RHP Miguel Batista.

Comment: GM Frank Wren, with the Upton brothers and right fielder Jason Heyward, has put together one of the most athletic outfields in baseball. A key will be the health of catcher Brian McCann, who is returning from surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder. Walden joins elite closer Craig Kimbrel, Jonny Venters and Walla Walla High grad and former Mariners pitcher Eric O’Flaherty as power arms in the bullpen.

Philadelphia Phillies

Manager: Charlie Manuel (ninth season).

2012: 81-81, third place.

Camp opens: Wednesday in Clearwater, Fla.

He’s here: 3B Michael Young, CF Ben Revere, RF Delmon Young, RHP Mike Adams, LHP John Lannan, RHP Chad Durbin, RHP Aaron Cook.

He’s outta here: RHP Vance Worley, 3B Placido Polanco, OF Juan Pierre, INF Ty Wigginton, OF Nate Schierholtz, RHP Josh Lindblom, RHP Jose Contreras, C Brian Schneider.

Comment: After winning five division titles in a row, the Phillies finished behind Washington and Atlanta last season. They’re counting on a roster filled with high-priced, aging stars to make another run. But there are several question marks. The biggest surround the health of Chase Utley (knee), Ryan Howard (Achilles) and Roy Halladay. Michael Young, the seven-time All-Star with Texas, also makes the transition to everyday fielder after serving mostly as a DH the past couple of years. He returns to third base, a position he hasn’t played regularly since 2010.

New York Mets

Manager: Terry Collins (third season).

2012: 74-88, fourth place.

Camp opens: Wednesday in Port St. Lucie, Fla.

He’s here: RHP Shaun Marcum, C John Buck, C Travis d’Arnaud, OF Marlon Byrd, RHP LaTroy Hawkins, RHP Scott Atchison, INF Brandon Hicks, OF Collin Cowgill, OF Andrew Brown, C Anthony Recker, INF/OF Brian Bixler, INF Omar Quintanilla, LHP Pedro Feliciano, LHP Aaron Laffey, C Landon Powell, OF Jamie Hoffman.

He’s outta here: RHP R.A. Dickey, OF Scott Hairston, LF Jason Bay, C Josh Thole, C Kelly Shoppach, CF Andres Torres, RHP Mike Pelfrey, RHP Chris Young, RHP Ramon Ramirez, RHP Jon Rauch, RHP Manny Acosta, INF Ronny Cedeno, C Rob Johnson, C Mike Nickeas, LHP Justin Hampson, OF Fred Lewis.

Comment: The frugal Mets had a busy offseason. GM Sandy Alderson, though, stood pat. The biggest reason for optimism is the cadre of promising young pitchers. Matt Harvey had an impressive debut last season and top prospect Zack Wheeler is getting close.

Miami Marlins

Manager: Mike Redmond (first season).

2012: 69-93, fifth place.

Camp opens: Tuesday in Jupiter, Fla.

He’s here: SS Adeiny Hechavarria, 3B Placido Polanco, OF Juan Pierre, C Jeff Mathis, RHP John Maine, RHP Jon Rauch, RHP Chad Qualls, RHP Kevin Slowey, OF Austin Kearns.

He’s outta here: Manager Ozzie Guillen, SS Jose Reyes, RHP Josh Johnson, LHP Mark Buehrle, RHP Heath Bell, RHP Carlos Zambrano, 1B Carlos Lee, C John Buck, INF/OF Emilio Bonifacio, LHP Randy Choate, RHP Chad Gaudin, RHP Juan Oviedo.

Comment: The Marlins’ free-spending ways in their new ballpark lasted less than a year, and the franchise’s latest purge sent Reyes, Johnson and Buehrle packing to Toronto. As a result, the Marlins are back to a small payroll, small crowds and modest expectations. Redmond, a first-time big-league manager, has some sorting out to do with the bullpen and bench. Redmond was a star for Gonzaga Prep and Gonzaga University.

CENTRAL DIVISION

Cincinnati Reds

Manager: Dusty Baker (sixth season).

2012: 97-65, first place, lost in division series.

Camp opens: Tuesday in Goodyear, Ariz.

He’s here: OF Shin-Soo Choo, INF Jack Hannahan, LHP Manny Parra, C Miguel Olivo.

He’s outta here: OF Drew Stubbs, INF Wilson Valdez, LHP Bill Bray, RHP Ryan Madson, C Dioner Navarro, INF Miguel Cairo.

Comment: The biggest change is in CF, where Choo replaces the strikeout-prone Stubbs, part of a three-team trade. The other big change: Cuban left-hander Aroldis Chapman moves from closer into the rotation. Chapman was sensational as the fill-in closer last season. The Reds signed Jonathan Broxton — a midseason trade acquisition — to a three-year, $21 million deal, giving themselves a closer. The Reds will be looking to see how 1B Joey Votto, the 2010 NL MVP, has recovered from midseason knee surgery that sapped his power.

St. Louis Cardinals

Manager: Mike Matheny (second season).

2012: 88-74, second place, wild card, lost in NLCS.

Camp opens: Tuesday in Jupiter, Fla.

He’s here: LHP Randy Choate, INF Ronny Cedeno, INF Ty Wigginton, C Rob Johnson, C J.R. Towles.

He’s outta here: RHP Kyle Lohse, 1B Lance Berkman, 2B-OF Skip Schumaker, RHP Kyle McClellan, LHP Brian Fuentes.

Comment: The health of shortstop Rafael Furcal (torn elbow ligament) is the biggest question for a team that made minor alterations after finishing one win shy of a second consecutive trip to the World Series. Rookie Pete Kozma was an offensive find while replacing Furcal last fall, although he struggled defensively. There’s certainly one opening in the rotation after Lohse, who was among the NL’s best with a 16-3 record, 2.86 ERA and staff-high 33 starts last season, was let go as a free agent.

Milwaukee Brewers

Manager: Ron Roenicke (third season).

2012: 83-79, third place.

Camp opens: Wednesday in Phoenix.

He’s here: LHP Mike Gonzalez, LHP Tom Gorzelanny, RHP Burke Badenhop.

He’s outta here: RHP Shaun Marcum, OF Nyjer Morgan, RHP Francisco Rodriguez, LHP Manny Parra, 1B Travis Ishikawa, RHP Kameron Loe, RHP Jose Veras, RHP Fautino De Los Santos.

Comment: Yovani Gallardo is back, but the rest of the starting rotation is uncertain. Young pitchers Mike Fiers, Wily Peralta and Mark Rogers each will get a long look, and Chris Narveson likely will get a spot if he’s fully recovered from shoulder surgery. A year ago, LF Ryan Braun headed to spring training with a 50-game suspension for violating baseball’s drug policy hanging over his head, and now will face more questions about PEDs after Yahoo Sports recently reported his name showed up three times in records from a Florida clinic being investigated by MLB.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Manager: Clint Hurdle (third season).

2012: 79-83, fourth place.

Camp opens: Tuesday in Bradenton, Fla.

He’s here: C Russell Martin, RHP Jeanmar Gomez, RHP Mark Melancon, OF Jerry Sands, LHP Jonathan Sanchez, RHP Vin Mazzaro, 1B Clint Robinson, LHP Andy Oliver.

He’s outta here: RHP Joel Hanrahan, RHP Kevin Correia, C Rod Barajas, RHP Chad Qualls, RHP Chris Resop, 2B Brock Holt.

Comment: The Pirates were 16 games above .500 in August but still managed to finish with a losing record for the 20th consecutive season. Rather than try to make a big splash in free agency, they opted to sign a steady All-Star in Martin, hoping his career-worst .211 batting average for the Yankees in 2012 was an anomaly.

Chicago Cubs

Manager: Dale Sveum (second season).

2012: 61-101, fifth place.

Camp opens: Monday in Mesa, Ariz.

He’s here: RHP Edwin Jackson, RHP Scott Baker, RHP Scott Feldman, RHP Carlos Villanueva, RHP Kyuji Fujikawa, C Dioner Navarro, OF Nate Schierholtz.

He’s outta here: 1B/RF Bryan LaHair, RHP Chris Volstad, C Anthony Recker.

Comment: As they enter the second year of the Theo Epstein era, the Cubs remain in the early stages of a building process. OF Alfonso Soriano and top starter Matt Garza have also come up in trade talks, yet the Cubs insist they’re closer to contending than many realize. Never mind the record last season; they think they’re on the right path.