MESA, Ariz. — The parking lot is full and the game is sold out. Blankets, beach towels and bodies cover practically every inch of the outfield berm. At the back of every row of packed seats, fans stand two- and three deep to get a look at their Cubbies. There’s a long line of people waiting to take photos with the replica of Wrigley Field’s iconic sign, and a longer line spilling out of the team shop.

The Cubs played the Royals in front of a record 15,520 fans on Sunday, a group that filled every nook and cranny of Sloan Park. For the day, the place was about as crowded as the Cubs’ roster.

The Northside club added free agents Jason Heyward and Ben Zobrist this offseason, then re-signed outfielder Dexter Fowler to a team that already owned a solid core of young everyday position players in first baseman Anthony Rizzo, third baseman Kris Bryant and shortstop Addison Russell. On top of that, the Cubs boast a trio of prized and promising young players in catcher/outfielder Kyle Schwarber, outfielder Jorge Soler — who ripped a long homer to left field in the team’s 5-2 over the Royals on Sunday — and shortstop turned Swiss Army knife Javier Baez.

“Definitely the depth is really intriguing with this group,” manager Joe Maddon said. “You need that to be successful over a long season. You’re going to have things happen, there’s no question.”

No team has ever suffered from having too many good players, and the rigors of baseball tend to help clubs sort out playing time conflicts. But right now, with the Cubs largely healthy and only two weeks to go until the regular season, Maddon realizes he faces a rare and presumably very welcome challenge: Finding at-bats for everyone who deserves them.

“You like to go into it with some kind of schematic, probably having lineups made up on a weekly basis to try to filter guys in or out,” Maddon said. “However, guys are going to get hurt, somebody might get exceptionally warm, and maybe the matchups are still good. The everyday guys will play every day. But I may have to be more — not creative, necessarily — more planned in a sense, on a weekly basis. Previously, I’ve gone on a series basis. I may have to take it on a two-series basis now.”

Beyond the obvious luxury — the depth that makes the Cubs the favorites to win the National League in Vegas and just about everywhere else — Maddon should find comfort in his club’s flexibility. Though there are only so many plate appearances to go around in a given season, the Cubs’ glut of players who can play multiple positions means there should be ways to ensure regular at-bats for the likes of Baez and Soler even if they don’t secure everyday jobs.

Baez played all four infield positions last season and has worked in the outfield this spring. Schwarber appears likely to serve as starter Jason Hammel’s personal catcher and play the outfield when Miguel Montero or David Ross is behind the plate. Soler can play either outfield corner. Bryant primarily plays third base, but saw time at first and all three outfield positions in 2015. Russell will start most games at shortstop, but can also play second. Zobrist, who rose to prominence in a super-utility role under Maddon with the Rays, appears likely to start most games at second base, but can slide elsewhere if a need arises.

That’s especially important for guys like Baez and Soler, both still shy of 25 years old and likely ticketed for the Cubs’ opening day bench. Maddon realizes he must ensure opportunities for his young players while running a club built to win in 2016.

“Guys that young, you don’t want to retard their development at all through inactivity,” he said. “So that’s why we’re talking about planning a week in advance. When it comes to young players you’re developing, the concern is always going to be that you’re not going to give them enough work. It’s something to be mindful of.”

Maddon’s challenge is one any manager would welcome, and the Cubs’ depth should help the team keep its players fresh over the long 162-game season and, if necessary, the playoffs. But it’s a challenge nonetheless, and one worth monitoring as the Cubs negotiate large crowds and larger expectations.