Fontenot in the Spotlight

Mark DeRosa was the ultimate utility player for the Cubs. He was comfortable all over the field, and as such, was a valuable member of the Cubs. However, when he was traded in the offseason, that allowed another Cubs player to step up and show his value. Mike Fontenot has gotten the starting nod at second base for the first three games of the season, and so far, so good.

From the plate, Fontenot has been effective, garnering three hits in eight appearances, and driving in a run during Wednesday night's game against Houston. To be sure, it's not like Fontenot was a bench player last season, as he played in 119 games. But without DeRosa's shadow to stand in, the diminutive player from Louisiana will have a chance to flourish. Now, he needs to show that he can produce at the plate and in the field, as DeRosa did.

At his role at second base, he brings a certain stability to the Cubs' infield. Right now, the Cubs' infield features four players who have been teammates for at least three years. Ryan Theriot and Fontenot have played together since college, and Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez have been Cubs together since 2005. This familiarity and stability means that the Cubs will be potent defensively. Add to that the 2008 Rookie of the Year behind the plate, and the teams of the National League should be concerned when they have a runner at first.