Major League Baseball

Cubs looking for pitching ahead of winter meetings

Published Nov. 30, 2012 5:53 p.m. ET

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Despite recently signing two free agent pitchers, Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer is still seeking additional arms as he prepares for next week's winter meetings.

''We're constantly on the lookout for more depth,'' the Cubs' second-year GM said Friday. ''If you think you have enough pitching, you're always wrong.''

The Cubs have filled out a full starting rotation with the free agent acquisitions Scott Feldman and Scott Baker. The potential lineup would also include returnees Matt Garza, Jeff Samardzija and Travis Wood.

But there's no certainty it will be the Opening Day rotation with Garza and Wood still recovering from elbow injuries and health issues for both Feldman and Baker.

The right-handed Feldman signed a reported one-year, $6 million deal this week after Texas declined an option. He missed the early part of last season recovering from a knee injury and went 6-11 with a 5.09 earned run average.

Baker, a 31-year-old right-hander, is coming off Tommy John surgery and did not pitch in 2011. He signed a one-year, $5.5 million deal after the Twins passed on a 2013 option.

''We do have some guys who are coming off injuries that are in our rotation, so we're going to be active seeking depth,'' said Hoyer, who also plans to beef up the relief corps.

''We are actively looking to improve our bullpen,'' Hoyer said. ''We haven't been able to address that this winter, with the exception of bringing back Shawn Camp, which we were really happy about. We'll be active trying to find bullpen help at the meetings and after.''

He said he's impressed with Japanese closer Kyuji Fujikawa, but declined further comment. No player is absolutely guaranteed a 2013 roster spot as the Cubs come off a 61-101 season.

''I don't think we're in a position where we have enough talent to say any one player on the roster is untouchable,'' Hoyer said. ''We certainly have several players that we would have a hard time parting with. It would take a heck of a package to make it happen.''

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