Feb 18, 2013; Mesa, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs center fielder Matt Szczur (72) poses for a picture during photo day at Fitch Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Theo Epstein’s signing of David DeJesus last off season was a bit of a band aid to cover the void at number one in the order. But the left handed outfielder’s drastic RHP/LHP splits (.289/.149 average and .365/.289 OBP) do not make him quite an ideal candidate. As a result, even though he spent a bulk of his games as the leadoff man, he only started in 114 games with that responsibility. Epstein and Company has chosen not to address the top of the order need this off season, which is one indication for me that their public statements to compete in 2013 is more positive talk than honest belief.

There are no reasonable in house candidates other than DeJesus for 2013. In his defense, an overall .350 OBP is actually decent production. A guy who regularly makes contact, like a Darwin Barney, might seem like an option. However, Barney’s ability to put the ball in play is negated by his low career OBP of .263. Roster centerpiece Starlin Castro has spent some time in the top slot in his young career and has looked good doing so. But even his OBP falls short of DeJesus’ and the shortstop showed a glimpse of a power stroke that is still developing, with a career high 14 home runs last season, which has him pegged for a spot in the middle of the order. The 100 whiffs are also not what you want to see out of your leadoff hitter.

The lack of solutions for 2013 already has me looking ahead to 2014. If the Cubs are in a position to honestly contend in 2014, the front office could go the free agent route to fill this void. One name that has been mentioned in passing is Robinson Cano. The second baseman has a career average of .308 and .379 OBP, but his downside like Castro is strikeouts, having registered 96 in each of the last two seasons.

The in house hope lies on prospect Matt Szczur. The young outfielder is getting his first taste of Major League camp this Spring and has held a respectable average and OBP during his three seasons in the minors so far. That includes the dip in production he saw after being promoted to Double A Tennessee. Jumps from one level of minor league ball to another are all about adjustments, and Szczur will have the opportunity to prove that he can adapt this season with the Smokies.

A break out season in Tennessee could put Szczur on pace to compete for the Major League job in 2014. That is a legitimate goal for Szczur, as the 2014 outfield picture would be void of DeJesus (regardless of whether he is traded by the July 2013 deadline or leaves as a free agent) and possibly even Alfonso Soriano. Assuming he makes the cut, that would allow the outfielder to get a year of MLB ball under his belt before the Cubs make their projected push for a World Series title in 2015 (yes, I strongly believe that 2015 will be the year).

We all have been hoping for the revolving door at leadoff to get locked down for a while now. We do not figure to get our wish this season, but in rhythm with the Cubs long term plans, we should get our wish one way or another starting in 2014. And if you are crazy enough to even wonder, yes there is a reason why I did not include Soriano’s name and leadoff in the same sentence. Until now.

Sappelt’s round tripper ended up being the winning run of the game, but Brett Jackson also picked up a RBI with a sac fly that brought in Starlin Castro, who led off the bottom of the fourth with a double. Prospect Matt Szczur earned a bases loaded walk to provide an insurance run and capped the Cubs scoring for the day.

Feb 18, 2013; Mesa, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs third baseman Christian Villanueva (61) poses for a picture during photo day at Fitch Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Edwin Jackson took a step in the right direction in terms of backing up his newly inked multi million dollar contract with the Cubs. The rotation’s projected third starter provided two innings of scoreless ball, only allowing a pair of hits that came with two outs. Drew Carpenter and Nick Struck were the pair of relievers that allowed the Rockies two runs, while Chris Rusin matched Jackson’s performance on the day.

The Cubs also got to see a couple of familiar faces across the diamond, with former Cubs Tyler Colvin and DJ LeMahieu now rocking Colorado purple. Colvin got action as the lead off hitter for the Rockies and went 1 for 3. LeMahieu came on late in the game and registered a lead off triple in the eighth against his former team, eventually scoring the second and final run for the visitors. Mean while, the Cubs return on the trade last year did not partake in the action. Ian Stewart, as you are aware, is currently sidelined with an injury and Casey Weathers is not part of the Major League camp in Arizona. At this rate the Cubs are looking to remain the losers of the exchange.

With Cactus Leage games now in full swing, it is a good time to start looking at the other position openings that manager Dale Sveum and staff will need to shake out come April. Today we take a look at the outfield, an area which figures to have the least question marks as things currently stand. The only real question, in fact, is whether or not the Cubs would carry a fifth outfielder on the roster come Opening Day. Barring a trade of Alfonso Soriano or David DeJesus, the starting outfield jobs are pretty much set from 2012, with new comers Nate Schierholtz and Scott Hairston providing platoon action in right field.

Feb 23, 2013; Tempe, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs center fielder Brett Jackson (7) gestures that the tag was on his head on a play at the plate that he was called out on by umpire Jim Wolf (28) during the second inning at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Once factor that will determine whether or not the Cubs carry a fifth outfielder is how many arms will be on the pitching staff. If the Cubs carry 13 pitchers to start the season. The other variable is how many infielders will be kept on the roster. Like the outfield, the starting spots are pretty much set, barring injury. The Cubs may need to carry a sixth infielder over a fifth outfielder.

Brett Jackson and his reinvented swing mechanics would figure to be the first choice should the Cubs carry five outfielders. Jackson has gotten off to a good start this Spring while providing a solid glove on defense. It also does not hurt that he got a cup of coffee at the end of last season, which would put him ahead of prospects like Jorge Soler and Matt Szczur, with both youngsters needing more time in the minors anyway. One reason to hold Jackson back would be that keeping him in the minors would allow him to get regular at bats, when having him tag along with the Major League squad in April would figure to have him spending some, if not a lot, of time on the bench as a sub.

Dave Sappelt could be a dark horse option as the fifth outfielder. He would the Cubs depth chart a different look than Jackson in that Sappelt brings to the table a right handed stick. The Cubs have traditionally lacked left handed hitting, but the current projected roster would already feature several left handed options in the form of DeJesus, Schierholtz, Luis Valbuena, and Ian Stewart, with Anthony Rizzo already being a fixture at first base.

Bottom line, keep your eye on Jackson and Sappelt to see who will make build the case to be included in the outfield mix come April 1st.