Hoffpauir standing out as Cubs overhaul their bench

Ninth in a series

Editor's note: As the countdown continues toward the April 6 opener for the Cubs, Daily Herald Sports Writer Bruce Miles will offer his analysis of each position on the team and the key issues facing the club this season.

Q. How will the loss of a versatile player like Mark DeRosa affect the Cubs bench?

Miles: It will affect things defensively more than offensively. With DeRosa, it's always possible to use him in three different positions in one game, if you had to do that.

So the Cubs give up some versatility there. They also don't have a true veteran pinch hitter.

Q. It's the eight inning, the Cubs are down a run and need some right-handed pop off the bench. Who do they turn to?

Miles: Right now, they lack "pop," both from the left- and right-handed sides of the plate.

A switch hitter like Aaron Miles can come up and get you a base hit, but it's unlikely he's going to hit one out of the park.

Reed Johnson hit 6 homers last year. He can get on base, but he's an unlikely power source.

Q. Micah Hoffpauir has been red-hot this spring. Is he making it almost impossible for Lou Piniella not to take him north with the big club?

Miles: Yes, especially with the first impression he has made in the Cactus League. Lou is big on first impressions, so that bodes well for Hoffpauir. They will be a little thin on the left side of the infield if that happens, and that's why you're seeing so many players take grounders at third base.

Q. The Cubs pretty much overhauled their bench from last year. Who's one guy they might miss more than they think?

Miles: It sounds flippant, but maybe Jason Marquis, who could come up and pinch hit or pinch run.

Daryle Ward was a disappointment last year, and as we've already mentioned, the Cubs squeezed about as much as they could out of Jim Edmonds.

Q. Give us one name that might make it as a reserve that people might not expect?

Miles: The recent signing of Corey Koskie makes him a candidate, but since he hasn't played since 2006, I expect him to open the season at Class AAA Iowa.

Jake Fox is a right-handed batter and a pure hitter. Someday, the Cubs may trade him to the American League so he can DH. If he doesn't break camp with the big club, and he probably won't unless there's an injury, he could be the first call-up once the season starts.

• Got a question about the Cubs for Bruce Miles? Visit his blog, Chicago's Inside Pitch, to share your questions and comments.