It’s finally here. The most anticipated spring training for the Chicago Cubs since Theo Epstein took over as team president. All week we’ll preview the team heading into the start of camp, which begins on Thursday when catchers and pitchers report. Some spring decisions have been made while others will play out on the field. First up is a look at the infield.

Holdovers: Anthony Rizzo, Starlin Castro, Javier Baez, Mike Olt, Arismendy Alcantara, Chris Valaika

Newcomers: Tommy La Stella, Jonathan Herrera (non-roster invitee)

Moved on: Luis Valbuena

On the Cusp: Kris Bryant

First base and shortstop

First and short are set as Starlin Castro and Anthony Rizzo are coming off stellar years. Castro missed much of spring training last season but went on to make the All-Star team as did Rizzo, who improved against lefties. Rizzo's success started in the spring as former manager Rick Renteria made sure his lefty hitters saw left-handed pitching during Cactus League play.

A healthy Castro in February and March might propel him to an even better year -- especially if he can improve off a career high in home runs last year -- while Rizzo just needs to pick up where he left off. He was at his best last season when he stood close to the plate and took left-handers to the opposite field. Don’t discount a wrinkle or two to combat the shift for Rizzo as well -- last year he bunted successfully three times in five attempts. Spring is for these two mainstays to sharpen their game before leading the offense come April.

Second base

Second base is where the action should go down this spring as Arismendy Alcantara is back in the mix there. The acquisition of Dexter Fowler to play center field makes Alcantara a man without a position. The Cubs say he’ll move around the diamond this spring, but would anyone be shocked if he was the Opening Day second baseman? Right now that’s Javier Baez's job but new skipper Joe Maddon has already declared there is no “entitlement program” with him in charge. Baez will have to earn it.

Other than his slimmer physique, we may not really see the adjustments Baez has made until late in the spring or even into the regular season. We know he can hit average Cactus League pitching as he hammered balls all last March. But when the major leaguers start to fine tune their game, is Baez going to lay off the fastballs at his eyes or some breaking pitches outside the zone? Mechanically, we should have an early view to his changes as hitting coach John Mallee already got to him this offseason.

And don’t forget newcomer Tommy La Stella. Acquired from the Atlanta Braves this winter, he got on-base nearly 41 percent of the time in his minor league career. He had a near 1-to-1 walk to strikeout ratio last season, his first in the majors. Also of note, the “loser” in the second base competition could potentially start the season at third base.

Third base

Before we break down the hot corner, let’s review the rise of the future of that position: Kris Bryant. Golden Spikes winner as best amateur in 2013, Arizona Fall League MVP months later, Double-A home run derby winner in 2014 and then Minor League Player of the Year after combining for a .325 batting average, 43 home runs and 110 RBIs split between Double and Triple-A. That’s a heck of a run for the Cubs' No. 1 pick from two summers ago. If you haven’t heard by now, the Cubs can get an extra year out of Bryant before he hits free agency if he isn’t in the majors this season for more than 171 days. It equates to being in the minors for a little while this April as the major league season is about 183 days total.

So who starts at third base come April if not Bryant?

La Stella hasn’t played third as a professional, while Alcantara appeared there in 31 games of 534 he played in the minors, but none since 2012. He could probably handle it, but the Cubs should have one more opening on their roster with Bryant starting the year in the minors. That could go to Mike Olt, who struggled mightily in 2014. According to ESPN Stats and Information, among hitters with at least 250 plate appearances, Olt had the lowest batting average (.160) with the highest strikeout percentage (38.8). People may be wondering where he fits in after a season like that and the answer right now is he doesn’t -- unless he proves otherwise. If he does take third base until Bryant arrives then he’ll need to prove himself too valuable in a short period of time to avoid being sent down or let go. Simply put, whatever small chance Olt gets, he has to take advantage of it as he’s no longer the next man up among the young players.

Non-roster invitee Jonathan Herrera also can play some third base as can holdover Chris Valaika. Both Olt and Valaika have the ability to back up Rizzo at first as well. The Cubs also hinted Baez could see some time at third, but they might be hesitant to move him to another position with his focus being his changes at the plate. Whoever starts at third base won’t be long for the job with Bryant waiting in the wings.

Catcher

Behind the plate the spring will be used for newcomers Miguel Montero and David Ross to get used to their new surroundings, and more importantly, a new pitching staff. Yes, Ross will catch Jon Lester but don’t expect that to be a one-and-only situation. Both catchers will undoubtedly be behind the plate for any and all pitchers this spring. Come April, the Cubs may not want to give up the offense Montero can bring by sitting him against a right-handed pitcher -- say Adam Wainwright on opening night -- just because Lester is on the mound.

Remember, Ross and Montero -- at least on paper -- have similar receiving skills. Both are at the top of the league in pitch framing and both are experienced enough to handle young or veteran hurlers. Welington Castillo is the odd man out; the only question is when he’s moved. The Cubs may wait it out until other teams find a more desperate need for a catcher during the spring or they may pull the trigger by this Thursday. Who needs that distraction? The Cubs haven’t hinted when a deal would be done but don’t expect to see three catchers on the roster come April 5.