What’s Your Number? Get to Know Your Cubs in Uniform

Now that camp has officially begun with position players reporting to Arizona, we are quickly approaching intrasquad and Spring Training game action. Even if you are not lucky enough to travel to the southwest to catch both Cactus League ball and some sunshine that the Chicago area has been lacking in recent days, anyone looking to keep up with how the 2013 edition of the Cubs are progressing towards Opening Day will need a cheat sheet on which player is wearing what number. After all, there are plenty of new faces in camp and Spring Training rosters are typically about double the size of the 25 man roster during the regular season.

For starters, well you have the revamped starting rotation unit to familiarize yourself with. Scott Feldman will take over Ryan Dempster’s old number, 46. Hopefully he pitches more like Dempster as a Cub than Dempster the Texas Ranger, Feldman’s former ball club. Scott Baker is going with number 32, but as Andrew relayed along the other day, the early indication from the Cubs is that we will not see the former Twin rock those uniform digits for his Cubs debut until after Opening Day. Edwin Jackson’s number of choice is 36, despite having worn several other numbers during his journeyman career. Carlos Villanueva was initially handed number 57, but Carrie Muskat has the inside scoop on how manager Dale Sveum will be giving up his 33 to the new Cub pitcher, the digits Villanueva has worn for the majortity of his career.

So what number will Sveum don? Muskat continues by reporting that the Cubs manager will switch to 4. But the numbers game continues here as that is currently back up catcher Dioner Navarro’s single digit. Word is that the backstop is in the midst of negotiations to obtain another number. Veteran players have been known to offer things such as money or Rolex watches to get a desired uniform number from a player that is currently using it. Judging from Navarro’s uniform history,  his trade partner figures to be Travis Wood for his number 30.

Feb. 29, 2012; Mesa, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs pitcher Trey McNutt during spring training workouts at Fitch Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Turning our attention back to the pitchers, there are a few other numbers and faces to note. Cuban signing Arodys Vizcaino will wear 41 and prospect Trey McNutt will wear Spring Training designated 71. Japanese import Kyuji Fujikawa will be sporting the number 11 jersey he held up at his press conference earlier this off season and non roster invitee  Hisanori Takahashi will wear 47.

The Cubs infield returns as is, regardless of whether or not you are satisfied with the band aid option returnees Ian Stewart and Luis Valbuena. Prospects Christian Villanueva and Logan Watkins will wear 61 and 74 respectively, while top prospect and invitee Javier Baez will rock 70.

New comer Nate Schierholtz has taken number 19 and Cuban Jorge Soler has the temporary number 68. Veteran Scott Hairston will rock Sammy Sosa’s old 21, a number Hairston said was an honor to wear after having seen Sosa play at Wrigley when Hairston was younger. The irony is that the issuing of Sosa’s old digits may be a sign of where the Cubs ownership stands on Slammin’ Sammy’s dream to have his number retired by the organization one day, an honor typically bestowed upon Cub Hall of Famers only.

For you visual learners and those looking for the complete updated list of new numbers and names, please see below. The pending changes for Villanueva and Navarro are planned to take effect by Opening Day.

40-man roster

Pitchers
32 – Scott Baker
46 – Scott Feldman
71 – Trey McNutt
56 – Hector Rondon
57 – Carlos Villanueva
41 – Arodys Vizcaino
67 – Robert Whitenack
11 – Kyuji Fujikawa

Catchers
4 – Dioner Navarro

Infielders
61 – Christian Villanueva
74 – Logan Watkins

Outfielders
19 – Nate Schierholtz
68 – Jorge Soler
21 – Scott Hairston

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Non-Roster Invitees

Pitchers
76 – Drew Carpenter
77 – Dayan Diaz
60 – Jensen Lewis
85 – Barret Loux
50 – Blake Parker
63 – Zach Putnam
81 – Nick Struck
47 – Hisanori Takahashi
59 – Cory Wade

Catchers
79 – J.C. Boscan
78 – Michael Brenly
82 – Rafael Lopez

Infielders
70 – Javier Baez
6 – Alberto Gonzalez
20 – Brent Lillibridge
65 – Edwin Maysonet
75 – Brad Nelson

Outfielders
66 – Brian Bogusevic
80 – Johermyn Chavez
16 – Darnell McDonald