The Cubs have cut lefty reliever Mike Stanton and catcher Paul Bako. Stanton pitched in 10 games this spring for the Cubs in which he was 0-0 with a 6.48 ERA and a 1.92 WHIP. This likely will end his major league career. Bako had a good spring for the Cubs as he was 12 for 33 (.364 avg, .915 OPS) in 15 games with 4 runs scored, 1 homer and 5 RBIs. Koyie Hill beat out Bako for the backup job on the Cubs for 2009. Hill has played in 16 games this spring in which he is 18 for 46 (.391 avg, .994 OPS) with 9 runs scored, 1 homer and 8 RBIs.

Corey Koskie has decided to retire from Major League Baseball as he’s still having problems with post concussion syndrome. He played in 3 games for the Cubs this spring in which he was 1 for 5 (.200 avg, .733 OPS) with a double and a run scored. Koskie wasn’t going to make the Cubs’ Opening Day Roster anyway so he probably didn’t want to start the season in the minors.

No one ever talks about 30-year old righty swinging Aramis Ramirez much when discussing the best 3B in baseball but he certainly deserves to be in that conversation. He played in 149 games for the Cubs last season and he was 160 for 554 (.289 avg, .898 OPS) with 97 runs scored, 27 homers and 111 RBIs. His defense could still use some work at he made 18 errors in 147 games at 3B for the Cubs last season while showing poor range. Look for another good season out of Ramirez in 2009.

Aaron Miles, Esteban German or Corey Koskie will likely back up Ramirez in 2009. Miles played 11 errorless games for he Cardinals at 3B last season while showing average range. He will likely be needed at 2B in 2009. Esteban German played in 6 games without making an error at 3B for the Royals last season but he showed poor range. Corey Koskie has missed the last season and a half with post concussion syndrome but he was a talented player when healthy.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2009 SEASON: A-

The Cubs have signed 31-year old righty swinging infielder Esteban German to a minor league deal. German played in 89 games for the Royals last season and he was 53 for 216 (.245 avg, .641 OPS) with 30 runs scored, 22 RBIs and 7 stolen bases. He has now played in 366 games in his major league career in which he is 262 for 946 (.277 avg, .741 OPS) with 139 runs scored, 7 homers, 102 RBIs and 28 stolen bases. German’s best position is 2B but he can handle a lot of positions on defense which could make him valuable to the Cubs at some point in 2009.

UPDATE: The Cubs have released Esteban German who has been signed by the Texas Rangers.

29-year old righty swinging shortstop Ryan Theriot only knows how to play the game one way……full speed. He played in 149 games for the Cubs last season and he was 178 for 580 (.307 avg, .746 OPS) with 85 runs scored, 1 homer, 38 RBIs and 22 stolen bases. The Cubs will probably give Theriot a green light more often on the base paths in 2009. Theriot showed poor range last season in 149 games at shortstop last season but he only made 14 errors there. Look for him to work hard in spring training to improve his defense.

Aaron Miles, Luis Rivas and Andres Blanco would compete for playing time at shortstop if Theriot were injured. Miles played in 27 games at shortstop for the Cardinals last season and he only made 1 error while showing above average range. But, Miles will likely be sharing time at 2B with Mike Fontenot so he might not be available to play shortstop much. Rivas played in 31 games at SS last season for the Pirates and he made 6 errors there while showing average range. Blanco played in the minors all season for he Cubs in 2008 and he’s known as a light hitter but good defender.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2009 SEASON: C

The Chicago Cubs will likely have a platoon between Mike Fontenot and Aaron Miles. 28-year old lefty swinging Mike Fontenot played in 119 games for the Cubs last season and he was 74 for 243 (.305 avg, .909 OPS) with 42 runs scored, 9 homers, 40 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. He only made 1 error in 82 games at 2B for the Cubs last season but he showed poor range. Because of his power Fontenot might get most of the playing time against righty pitchers at 2B in 2009.

32-year old switch hitting Aaron Miles is a gamer just like Fontenot so Cubs’ fans will like him. He played in 134 games for the Cardinals last season and he was 120 for 379 (.317 avg, .753 OPS) with 49 runs scored, 4 homers, 31 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. Miles made only 3 errors in 85 games at 2B last season but he also has poor range. Fontenot and Miles will have to hit the baseball to make up for the defense they are going to play in 2009.

29-year old righty swinging Luis Rivas will be battling for a spot on the bench. He is the best defensive player of this bunch as he only made 1 error in 29 games for the Pirates at 2B showing outstanding range. But, he didn’t hit well in 2008. Rivas played in 79 games for the Pirates last season and he was 45 for 206 (.218 avg, .578 OPS) with 25 runs scored, 3 homers, 20 RBIs and 3 stolen bases.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2009 SEASON: C