Full workouts begin with Cubs 'pretty set'

MESA, Ariz. -- Manager Lou Piniella welcomed Cubs position players with very few words Tuesday as the team conducted its first full workout.

"I didn't say all that much, about the same things I talked to you all about yesterday," Piniella said of telling players not to overdo things in spring training. "I told them we had a good team here and to use spring training as a springboard to get in good shape and good off to a good start. I told them we were going to push them.

"I think everybody knows. Our season ended with disappointment last year, and we're going to go out and do what we can to get ourselves in postseason again and give ourselves another chance."

There won't be a lot of competition for jobs. So Piniella and the trainers will work to keep the regulars healthy.

"The only place I see is center field," said of the spot where youngsters Felix Pie and Sam Fuld are competing as GM Jim Hendry tries to add help. "We'll have a few guys competing out there, and we'll see who wins out. There's a little competition for the rotation, and we're probably going to be looking for a second left-hander to help (reliever) Scotty Eyre out.

"And also, probably another good (right-handed) arm in the bullpen. That's it. This is a pretty set club."

Piniella admitted veteran righty Jon Lieber has the inside track on the No. 3 starting job. That leaves Ryan Dempster, Jason Marquis and Sean Marshall to battle for No. 5. If Dempster pitches well, look for Hendry to try even harder to trade Marquis.

Closing time: Veteran reliever Bob Howry gets a kick out of seeing a new closer being anointed by the media almost every day.

From the first day of camp, Lou Piniella has made it clear Howry has the inside track. Kerry Wood and Carlos Marmol likely will open in setup roles. That seems fine with everybody as long as roles are defined once the season starts.

"You need defined roles," said Howry, agreeing with most on the club that a closer-by-committee system rarely works. "On Feb. 19, you need to be getting ready for the season. Spring training is the time to build your arm strength. You can't have a save situation in spring training that means anything."

South to north: Shortstop Alex Cintron arrived Tuesday after signing a minor-league contract.

Cintron, who said he was "a call away" from signing with the Orioles before agreeing with the Cubs, spent the last two seasons with the White Sox but battled injury and family-related problems.

He is third on the depth chart behind Ryan Theriot and Ronny Cedeno at short. His chances of making the team become greater if Cedeno is traded.

"I don't expect to be here and take anybody's position; I'm clear on that," Cintron said. "I come here expecting to make the team. If I don't make it, I will try to do the best I can for other opportunities. But I'm here to be part of the Cubs. I'm not here to think about Triple-A or going somewhere else. That's why I chose to sign here."