MESA, Ariz. -- One week to go until Opening Day for the Chicago Cubs with several questions still needing answers. Let’s tackle a few here before Joe Maddon does the same by next Monday:

Does reliever Neil Ramirez make the team?

The Cubs are leaning towards Ramirez getting a spot, which means they’d keep eight relievers to begin the season. It’s the smart move for two reasons: It leaves one fewer position player on the bench, and Ramirez still might be a really good reliever.

Maddon already will need to find at-bats for quasi-starters Javier Baez and Jorge Soler. Why feed another body? And Ramirez will tell you it’s still a process with his shoulder strength. He believes he’ll get back to the upper 90’s on his fastball, but even if he doesn’t, he’s slowly learning to pitch with less velocity. He has very good breaking stuff so there might be enough upside there to keep him around.

Ramirez is out of minor league options so the other choice is to trade him. But for what? A “B” prospect? Keeping him is the best move and lightens the load on the entire bullpen, which includes Clayton Richard, Travis Wood, Trevor Cahill, Adam Warren, Justin Grimm, Pedro Strop and Hector Rondon.

Is Baez healthy and ready for his new super-utility role?

Baez needs some at-bats this final week as he’s been slowed by a jammed thumb. His role won’t be easy -- and that’s just on offense where plate appearances might be at a premium. He’s already come a long way in centerfield, and Maddon still loves his instincts, so he’ll probably enter a lot of games he doesn’t start. When he gets his chances at the plate he’ll need to show patience and act like he’s an everyday player. If he takes his one at-bat per game like it’s do-or-die, then he’s in trouble.

What, if any, will be Maddon’s regular-season batting order?

That’s definitely a question which could be answered in these final days of spring training. A lot of it revolves around Ben Zobrist. Will Maddon indeed bat him third as he’s done a few times this spring? Having Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant hit with men on base and with some protection is paramount to Maddon, so there’s a good chance Dexter Fowler, Jason Heyward and Zobrist will bat 1-2-3 in front of the sluggers. It makes sense until the Cubs need a long ball late in the game, and instead of Bryant at the plate it’s Zobrist, but remember the season is 162 games and Maddon can make a change -- and undoubtedly will -- at any time.

So what’s the catching situation looking like?

The Cubs have basically decided Kyle Schwarber will continue as a part-time catcher and part-time outfielder. It could actually be what his career looks like -- as no longer is he in line to be the everyday backstop. The emergence of Willson Contreras in the minors is one reason, and the Cubs don’t want Schwarber to be worn down by the position anyway. So the plan is for Schwarber to catch Jason Hammel most of the time, while David Ross is Jon Lester’s guy. That leaves Miguel Montero for the other three starters. Keeping Montero fresh is a benefit, and the plan also keeps Schwarber’s bat in the lineup while Soler gets at-bats those days Schwarber catches.

What else did we learn from camp?

In no particular order:

-- The Cubs offense is going to have some HUGE games this year. They may only come in good weather and maybe against end-of-the rotation pitchers, but one way or another they will put up some crooked numbers. Envision innings where the line just keeps moving until that big hit or two. We saw as much in the handful of games Maddon played his regulars this spring.

-- Speaking of offense, Addison Russell arguably has looked the best of any Cub this spring and he is already a Gold Glove candidate. If there is any carryover to the regular season, the Cubs' potential No. 7 hitter is in line for a big year. His overall batting average might not be high, but his power numbers should continue to climb as they did in the second half last season.

-- The farm system still looks good despite all the top picks making it to the majors last season. The Cubs can put together a package of prospects in a July trade if need be, although they don’t want to part with Contreras. Infielder Jeimer Candelario is good trade bait as he’s blocked at the major league level -- as are Dan Vogelbach and a few others. We should finally see a Theo Epstein-draft arm make it to the Cubs as Ryan Williams is on the verge and Pierce Johnson could make his debut this year as well. And Class-A South Bend could have an interesting team as Dylan Cease should make his way there. He was throwing 99-100 mph in camp.