Florida? Arizona? Cubs will know their destination by February

Despite speculation to the contrary, Cubs president Crane Kenney said Friday no decision has been made whether to remain in Arizona for spring training or move to Naples, Fla.

Kenney reiterated that a decision likely would come sometime this month.

"We have no deadline in front of us," Kenney said at the Cubs convention. "We've got a long-term lease at HoHoKam (in Mesa, Ariz.). They'll (the Cubs owners) make a good decisions when they're ready."

Kenney added that neither he nor the Ricketts family has any preconceived notions or is leaning toward one state or the other despite persistent reports that Florida may be the favorite.

"No," Kenney said. "People focus on Florida because it's new. And also because it's provocative. Don't forget, we have 57 years of experience with a group of people that's treated us really well (in Mesa). Our fan base has been incredibly supportive. Who would turn their back on 57 years so quickly and abruptly? The family is thinking long term. They're not going to ignore tradition, which, let's face it, is what, in a lot of ways, the Cubs are all about."

Svelte Soto: Perhaps the most stunning site at the convention was catcher Geovany Soto. He arrived looking slim and trim after an off-year in which he was criticized for being overweight.

"I feel like I needed to do something," said Soto, the 2008 Rookie of the Year. "I feel like I need to go to the next level. I feel like I needed to show my teammates I'm really into to this. I really want to play. I'm going to play hard. I'm committed to this. I want to win.

"First and foremost, I did it for me. I just feel better."

In addition to that, ace starting pitcher Carlos Zambrano said he indeed was doing his "abs work," something he admitted neglecting last year. He made no predictions other than he'd be ready for the season.

Happy to be here: Newly signed center fielder Marlon Byrd was all smiles Friday at his first Cubs convention. The Cubs signed him to a three-year, $15 million contract on New Year's Eve.

Byrd replaces the traded Milton Bradley in the lineup. Speaking of Bradley, Byrd said he was spoken with the former right fielder. What did Bradley tell him?

"Enjoy it," Byrd said. "I think that's one big thing he regrets, is not being able to enjoy Chicago. He really wanted to come here. He wished it would have worked out. He wished me the best. He said, 'Do what I couldn't do.'"

Lilly update: Lefty Ted Lilly said he is recovering fine from November's arthroscopic shoulder surgery. He also said he has no timetable for taking the mound in a regular-season game. The Cubs are figuring on Lilly missing most of April.

"I've started throwing pretty light, two to three times a week," Lilly said. "Nothing really to the point where I've extended it, but I wanted to start moving it because it's felt pretty good. There's been no setbacks or no reasons that I felt I should slow down. I'm going to kind of listen to my body and push myself.

"There are going to be times where I'm not feeling great, and I'm going to have to make the call whether that's something I push through to get over that hump, or there's times you've got to be able to read what it's telling you too, and maybe there's times to back off."