The deadline for extending contracts to arbitration-eligible players is 11 p.m. tonight, and as we've reported before, the Cubs will make offers to eight players.
The only one who will not be tendered is reliever Neal Cotts, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery and not expected to be ready until mid-season. The Cubs will offer Cotts a minor-league contract if he wants to return, though he may decide to sign elsewhere, knowing there won't be a place for him on the Cubs with John Grabow signing a two-year deal.
Anyway, here are the eight arbitration-eligible players, in order of how they rank in terms of salary they're expected to demand in 2010. Remember, most players settle before they get to the arbitration table.
Carlos Marmol: He'll demand the most and make the most after 27 holds and 15 saves in 2009. Though Marmol won't make closer's money yet, the Cubs may decide to give him a multi-year deal after 2010 if he succeeds in his first full year as closer.
Ryan Theriot: After establishing himself as the starting shortstop in 2007, and with a respectable .288 career average, Theriot figures to cash in this year.
Jeff Baker: He hit .305 this year in 69 games for the Cubs, after being acquired from Colorado on July 2. The Cubs are hoping he can become the new version of Mark DeRosa, providing them with a solid backup at third for Aramis Ramirez.
Angel Guzman: After a series of injuries prevented Guzman from reaching his potential, he finally emerged in '09 as a reliable setup man, limiting opposing hitters to a .191 average and posting a 2.95 ERA. More is expected of him in 2010, and he should get some save opportunities on days when Marmol isn't available.
Sean Marshall: The left-hander has done everything the Cubs have asked without complaint, and even played left field during a wacky inning against St. Louis before the All-Star break. He's 19-29 with a 4.55 ERA in his career, and needs to show more consistency.
Koyie Hill: Strong defensive catcher who filled in admirably for Geovany Soto. The Cubs are 60-36 in his 96 starts since '07, a .625 winning percentage. Some of that is coincidence, but obviously Hill knows how to handle pitchers, which makes up for his lack of offense.
Tom Gorzelanny: He'll get a shot at the fifth starters job, though Gorzelanny will have to significantly lower his ERA (5.63 in 13 starts for the Cubs) if he hopes to stay off the Iowa express.
Mike Fontenot: Barely made it to the arb-eligible list as a Super-Two player. A standout season in 2008 (.305 average) led to the Cubs giving him DeRosa's position. But he struggled out of the gate and finished with a .236 average, losing his spot to Baker. The Cubs won't non-tender him because they like his makeup and believe he'll rebound. But it's probably a make or break season for Fontenot.
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