Campana’s speed is attractive to Cubs manager Sveum

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Updated: March 23, 2012 8:21AM

MESA, Ariz. — Despite an off-season full of major changes to the roster, new manager Dale Sveum counts very few openings on the position-player side of the roster, which could leave fan favorite Tony Campana fighting for a job.

“I don’t know if fight-for-a-job is the right word, but there’s competition for the last couple spots, no question about it,’’ said Sveum, who expects battles for the backup catcher job and maybe two other bench spots.

Campana, 25, made his big-league debut May 17 and went on to hit .259 and lead the Cubs with 24 stolen bases — his 92.3-percent success rate setting a Cub rookie record.

His team-leading speed would seem an especially big advantage for a new field staff emphasizing a more athletic, small-ball offensive approach.

“He brings a lot. I’ve seen him win games just with his speed,’’ Sveum said. ‘That comes into play with 162 games when you’re playing off the bench and spot starts and stuff like that. It’s a great asset to have, but he’s still got to fight for a job like other people.’’

Yo, Adrian — almost: Just over a year ago, the Cubs targeted slugger Adrian Gonzalez before Theo Epstein and the Boston Red Sox nabbed him in a trade from Jed Hoyer and the San Diego Padres.

But the Cubs might yet wind up with a Gonzalez in their infield if Edgar — Adrian’s older brother and former San Diego teammate — wins one of those bench jobs.

“I liked the situation here with the Cubs and took the opportunity,’’ said Gonzalez, 33, a second baseman who signed a minor-league deal in December.

Now he just wishes the Cubs had been successful in going after Adrian. “That would have been nice,’’ said Edgar, who played 193 games in 2008-09 with his brother in San Diego.

“He tried to get me over there in Boston.’’

Notes

Epstein is expected back at camp Wednesday after taking two days away to tend to personal matters.

◆ Prospects Welington Castillo and Steve Clevenger, and former Pirates catcher Jason Jaramillo (no relation to Rudy) are in the mix for Koyie Hill’s old backup job, Sveum said.