http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/index.jsp

Talking prospects...

Lofgren, Lewis, and Martin starting in Akron...
Huff maybe in Kinston...
Sipp in Buffalo, not closing early on...
Crowe and Barton on Akron to start the year...
Snyder sounds like Buffalo...Cooper, Van Every still in the mix...

Alfonso Soriano has apparently said that he'd be willing to play CF for the Cubs, a noticeable attitude adjustment from a guy who was reluctant to move to left field for the Nats.  If he can handle the position, it'd make Pinella's job easier by keeping Jones in RF, and give the Cubs an OF with 100 HR potential.....maybe a stretch, but not much of one.

Sori/Murton/Jones combined for 86 HRs last year; Murton is likely to improve on his 13 shots and the move to Wrigley makes Sori even scarier than he was last year.

They have definite studs at 1st and 3rd; another 70-80 HRs there is easily reachable.  They have a plus hitting catcher who just needs to stay healthy and he could top 20 dingers.  If DeRosa can come close to his last year #s, he'll be another fine bat(and if Theriot is the backup, he's coming off a great debut).  The only weak spot on offense is the SS, but they'll take the glove and any offense will be gravy.  Daryle Ward gives them a bench guy who bangs righties.

Pitching will be the key, of course.  Zambrano, Lilly, Marquis, and Hill should be adequate, and Wade Miller could be a real factor if his shoulder is healthy.  The bullpen should be able to hold their own, provided a true closer steps up.  Their aces in the hole, Wood and Prior, are for once not being counted on too heavily.  But either one or both may actually stay healthy and make a decent staff much better, especially if Wood becomes the new closer.

In a wide open NL Central, the Cubs look downright scary, at least on offense.  
Worst to first?

http://indians.scout.com/2/606960.html

 Marte, Mastny, Crowe, A. Cabrera, Lofgren, and Lewis are among the 3-week participants.  2-week participants are Adam Miller, Mulhearn, Snyder, Pesco, and Sipp.

 Also listed are 12 minor leaguers who'll be in spring training camp as non-roster invitees, including Jason Stanford(I'd almost forgot about him).

 Brian Barton isn't listed, but I'd like to see him invited to camp also.

I like the Merloni signing.  Could be a bench guy with the Tribe, hits lefties pretty good.  Might help in signing Nomar.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2253799

Jose Who?  7 career ABs in ML, but had good 2005 in PCL.  32 yrs. old, career minor leaguer.

http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/F/jose-flores-1.shtml