MESA, Ariz. -- Chicago Cubs Manager Joe Amalfitano said Tuesday his club has a surplus of infielders and a shortage of left-handed pinch hitting and relief pitching.
'We hope to make at least one deal, maybe two, before we leave camp,' said Cubs General Manager Bob Kennedy, who only last Saturday traded slugger Dave Kingman to the New York Mets for outfielder Steve Henderson.
Newly acquired Joe Strain is the early camp favorite to win the Cubs starting second base job, which would leave veteran Mike Tyson, the incumbent, in a three-way race with Steve Dillard and Mick Kelleher for two utility infield positions.
Amalfitano said he didn't have the 'luxury' of keeping three infield reserves.
'One of our keys is whether Jody Davis, whom we drafted from St. Louis, can make the team as the number-three catcher,' said Amalfitano. 'If he does, that enables me to use Tim Blackwell as one of my lefty pinch hitter when Tim isn't starting.'
Another left-handed pinch hitting job will go to either Jim Tracy or rookie Brian Rosinski, who are battling for the last outfield spot on the team.
As for left-handed pitchers, the Cubs have five in camp: Doug Capilla, Willie Hernandez, Phil Nastu, Norm Churchill and Bob Myrick.
'I hope as many as three of them can make it, but that's probably asking too much,' said Amalfitano. 'In fact, I might be asking too much for two of them to make it.'
