Hoping to see this sign early and often in 2010? If you are, there are a couple of key things to look for as the season gets under way.

Which Carlos Zambrano will show up?
The Cubs claim that Carlos Zambrano is a new man. They claim that he has put his immature ways behind him and has entered the 2010 season with something to prove. Is it true? It better be if the Cubs hope to compete in the NL Central this season. In 2009 Zambrano didn't win his ninth game until August, and that was the number he would finish with. Far from "Ace" material, and far from what the Cubs need from their highly paid "leader."

If it is true that Zambrano has changed his ways, and that he can keep himself from imploding mentally, and if he can be the Ace this team has desperately wanted him to be for the past couple of seasons, things could fall into place nicely with the rotation. Randy Wells looked sharp throughout the Spring as did Ryan Dempster, and when Ted Lilly returns from injury the Cubs have one of the better staff's in the NL, though far from the best.

Blah, Blah, Blah. A Cubs season preview reads the same every year: "What about Soriano?" Now permanently in the six hole and batting behind newcomer Marlon Byrd, Soriano needs to regain some of what he had just a couple of seasons ago. Injuries have taken their toll on Alfonso, and last year the former slugger was limited to 117 games and saw his batting average plummet to .241, his lowest total since 2001.

Alfonso must show that he has some plate discipline in 2010, and he must find a way to drive in runs, even if it's not with the home run. The Cubs have options in the outfield with Xavier Nady and the hot hitting Tyler Colvin, but the for the Cubs to be successful, Soriano needs to be productive.

Marmol has been given the job of closer, and Cub Nation will hold their collective breath every time he takes the mound in the ninth inning, because let's face it, you never know which Marmol you are going to get. On a bright side from July 1st to the end of the season in 2009 Marmol was 12 for 12 in save chances.

Until I see this Cubs offense produce, I am going on the assumption that runs will be at a premium. If the starting staff can do their job I fully expect Carlos to get his fair share of opportunities to close games. So hold your breath and cross your fingers Cubs fans, because I think we have a lot of roller coaster ninth innings ahead of us.

I caught a Spring Training game a couple of days ago and right when I tuned in, Soto was at the plate. I recognized the stance, but not the player. Soto has dropped roughly forty pounds between the end of last season and today, and many are hoping it will turn around what was a dismal sophomore season for the former Rookie of the Year.

Soto played in 39 less games in 2009 than he did in 2008 and he saw his numbers drop in every category. His batting average dropped from .285 to .218 and it started in April with a 5-46 slump. Soto needs to regain his form, even if just a little bit of it from 2008 if the Cubs are going to have enough pop in the lineup to keep up with the likes of the Brewers and Cardinals and even the Reds.

How many question marks are too many?
Every team has questions they need to answer when they enter a new season, the Cubs are no different. In putting this post together I found it hard to pin point just five things that left me wondering. The rotation is full of question marks, not only Zambrano. There is question of Lilly's health. Can Randy Wells carry over his success from 2009? Will Dempster be able to provide the Cubs with another strong season? Is Carlos Silva ready for a starting spot?

The bullpen has just as many question marks, besides the biggest in Marmol. Right now the only one I personally trust in Sean Marshall, and he should probably be in the rotation if it wasn't for a lack of lefties in relief.

What about Mike Fontenot, Jeff Baker, Kosuke Fukudome? What about depth in the lienup in general? The Cubs are really just an injury away from disaster in my opinion. Sure the Chad Tracy addition is nice and provides a little back up, but enough? Sure Colvin is a great story, but can Lou get him enough AB's early in the season to keep him hot and even if he does there is little to lead me to believe that he will stay hot.

I really want to believe that the Cubs have the pieces to contend, because on paper it would appear that they do. I'm just not sure if they have enough talent left to answer all the questions they have entering 2010.