Article updated: 2/9/2013 7:31 PM

Mix-and-match and Cubs still hoping to compete

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The Cubs' signing of Edwin Jackson to a four-year, $52-million deal shows the team wants to be competitive this year, according to beat writer Bruce Miles.

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Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer, right, poses with Edwin Jackson on Jan. 2, 2013.

Associated Press

Because of a stress reaction in his right elbow, Matt Garza hasn't pitched in a major-league game since July.

Associated Press

Starlin Castro had a .332 on-base percentage after the all-star break last season.

Associated Press

Anthony Rizzo, who was called up in late June 2012, hit 15 home runs in 337 at-bats. He batted .285 and had 48 RBI.

Associated Press

About this Article

Year 2 of the Theo Epstein/Jed Hoyer era begins this week as the Cubs open spring training in Mesa, Ariz. Epstein and Hoyer are sticking with their plan of saying they want to win now while building for the future. We look at spring-training keys.