Chicago Cubs News

Cubs Lilly on schedule with rehab
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March 19
Chicago Tribune
 
"Even Ted Lilly admits things are pretty good right now, given the birth of his first child and continued progress from offseason shoulder surgery. Lilly returned from his trip home to welcome Theodore Roosevelt Lilly IV into the world and threw fastballs off a mound to hitters Thursday morning. He continues to be on a rehabilitation schedule that would have him back with the cubs in mid- to late April. "I don't know what the time line is," he said. "The third thing I have to show is I not only can go out and throw but that I can be of some help to the team. "I feel pretty darn good. I don't know how close to normal. The most important thing is when you get up there on the mound. I haven't ..."
Colvin getting recognized by Cubs
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March 18
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"So a guy walks into a truck dealership in Utah. If that sounds like the start of a joke, it didn't seem so funny to Cubs outfield prospect Tyler Colvin a few months ago when he learned that somebody claiming to be him drove off with a $30,000 truck the impostor had been allowed to test-drive. The good news is the guy was caught and prosecuted, and there was no identity theft involved, as Colvin originally feared. These days, Colvin can laugh about it while he works toward the protection that would keep this from ever happening again: becoming a famous-enough baseball player that even car dealers in Utah know who he is. (You think this kind of thing happens to Albert Pujols?) Talk about a ..."
Cubs owners swing for the fences with proposed giant sign
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March 18
Chicago Tribune
 
"Some die-hard Cubs fans see it this way: A large, illuminated advertisement positioned above the left-field bleachers at Wrigley Field wouldn't be so bad. Besides, as the new owners suggest, maybe the additional revenue will help the team buy some more pitching. Others decry the idea of new signage as another violation of Wrigley's sanctity. "I have a feeling this is going to generate some comment," said Jim Peters, president of Landmarks Illinois, a preservation advocacy group. "There are some things that are very sacred in the city, and Wrigley Field is one of them." The Cubs were finalizing a multiyear sponsorship agreement Wednesday with Toyota and its Chicago-area dealers, said Wally ..."
Early reviews positive for Cubs' designated 'goofball'
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March 18
Chicago Tribune
 
"In a radio interview near the end of the 1996 season, White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf claimed his ballclub was too "laid-back," despite the presence of extroverts like Ozzie Guillen and Tony Phillips. "When Harold Baines was here early in the '80s, no one really cared about him being laid-back because we had a lot of goofballs like Ron Kittle and Greg Luzinski and Jerry Koosman and (Tom) Paciorek," Reinsdorf said. "But now, we don't have anybody of that nature. I think we have to get people with a little bit better personality. But they better be able to play baseball." The so-called "goofball ultimatum" preceded the offseason signing of free agent Albert Belle, but that didn't work ..."
Big billboard in left field at Wrigley?
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March 17
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The Tribune Co.'s 28-year stewardship of the Cubs featured battles with City Hall over everything from lights and the number of night games at Wrigley Field to landmark status, signage and bleacher expansion. It looks like the Ricketts era could be off to a similarly rocky start. The Cubs filed a permit application this week for a "projecting, illuminated" billboard rising high above the left-field bleachers that has the potential to rake in big bucks from advertisers at the expense of offending purists. But, there's a problem. The 75 foot high, 360 square foot billboard has raised the eyebrows of local Ald. Tom Tunney (44th). And it may not pass muster with the Commission on Historical ..."
Bradley cloud may have a Silva lining
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March 17
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Maybe if the Seattle Mariners could have done a little more for Carlos Silva's mom the last two years, they would have gotten more for their money. Instead, that Silva-for-Milton Bradley deal might start looking even better for the Cubs if Silva's response Tuesday to some good news meant anything. Silva, who's coming off the two worst years of his career, learned Tuesday morning that his mother, Zulay, finally had been granted a 10-year visa to come to the United States from Venezuela -- and he responded with four scoreless innings against the Texas Rangers. ''That was a big headache the last couple years,'' he said. ''She kept getting denied, denied, denied. I think maybe that's why I was ..."
Hard work helped Cubs hitting coach beat cancer
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March 17
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Rudy Jaramillo took the tests in Dallas before heading to spring training, then didn't think about it again until he got to Arizona and the phone rang. ''The doctor called and said, 'You've got cancer,''' he said. Cancer. The word jolted him. But almost in the next moment, he went to work. ''Something just overcame me that said it's going to be OK,'' Jaramillo said. ''I know it's going to be OK.'' Four years later, as the Cubs' new hitting coach, he talks about that day in Texas Rangers camp as though he's talking about any other day of work. Maybe because it was. Maybe because that's how he deals with most things that threaten to slow him down or show him up."
Time running out for 'Cubs Idol'
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March 17
Chicago Tribune
 
"The "Cubs Idol'' contest is down to the semifinals, with seven contestants remaining. A winner will be crowned Saturday after the final performances, with judges Ryan Dempster, Aramis Ramirez, Kevin Millar and Derrek Lee making the call. "Some of these guys work hard," manager Lou Piniella said with a laugh. "If they worked that hard baseball-wise, they'd be in the big leagues. Obviously, I'm joking." The contest, featuring Cubs rookies, has been in secrecy. But the Tribune obtained an exclusive list of the seven finalists: James Russell, Justin Berg, Starlin Castro, Tyler Colvin, Jim Adduci, Brad Snyder and Darwin Barney. "Right on the money," Millar said. "Good stuff." According to ..."
Piniella confident Cubs will score more
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March 17
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Cubs will be more aggressive at the plate and running the bases this season, at least according to the Piniella Manifesto. Cubs manager Lou Piniella complained about the team's offense early and often in 2009, admitting often it was "painful" for him to watch. At least Piniella was paid to watch the carnage. Imagine the thousands of fans who paid to watch at Wrigley Field, or wasted spare time watching it on TV. Is Piniella's optimism based on faith alone, or is this a different team in 2010? Remember the only new player in the everyday lineup is Marlon Byrd, and the only one missing is Milton Bradley. But Piniella promised a different outcome. "More home to second, more first to third ..."
Theriot holds his own
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March 16
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"He's been largely ignored, the forgotten man in Cubs camp, rendered a virtual afterthought in the considerable shadow of Starlin Castro hype. Which is saying something considering he is the starting shortstop, leads the team in hitting this spring and as of Monday is the Cubs' new leadoff man. But that's the kind of on-its-head spring it's been for Ryan Theriot. Even the 420-percent raise he got this year came only after losing an arbitration case against the team. ''All you can do is get hits and play good,'' said Theriot, shrugging off his relative invisibility this spring. ''That's what I've done. We'll see what happens. You never know.'' Except for this: We know he's the guy manager ..."
Cubs' bus ride isn't smooth, but Zambrano is
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March 16
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Cubs' bus broke down Monday on the way to Tucson, but Carlos Zambrano had a backup plan. While the rest of the team waited for another bus, the quick-thinking Zambrano got permission to ride in a car with his cousin, who was following the bus to Hi Corbett Field. Zambrano took catcher Koyie Hill with him, then pitched four innings of one-run ball in a 5-2 loss to the Rockies. "Hopefully I can pitch like this the whole season," he said. "Like (Greg) Maddux used to say, it's better to have movement than velocity. Don't get me wrong, velocity is good." The bus was fixed before the new one arrived, and everyone made it to the Rockies' ballpark on time. "Thank God the bus came on time and ..."
Piniella says Theriot will bat leadoff
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March 16
Chicago Tribune
 
"Ryan Theriot has been the forgotten man this spring, rendered virtually invisible by the media's focus on the Cubs' 19-year-old rookie shortstop Starlin Castro. But manager Lou Piniella has taken note of Theriot's strong spring, and on Monday named Theriot as the Cubs' leadoff man. "I would say it would be Theriot," Piniella said before Monday's 5-2 loss to Colorado at Hi Corbett Field. That was good news for Theriot, who made no bones that he wanted to stay in the spot vacated by Alfonso Soriano last summer. "I'm just glad he has the confidence in me to stick me out there and say that," Theriot said. "I feel comfortable at the top of the order, as you guys know. One-two, wherever … One's ..."
Millar's bat forcing Cubs to make tough decision
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March 15
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"When Kevin Millar was invited to Cubs camp on a minor-league contract late in the winter, it seemed like little more than a courtesy gesture to a respected veteran with a World Series ring and a reputation for chemistry-building. But all of a sudden, a month into spring training, Millar looks like a guy with a bench job in sight, if not his grasp -- despite the fact he's a 38-year-old right-handed first baseman trying to crack a heavily right-handed roster. Whether it's a credit to Millar's savvy or to new hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo, who had Millar add a toe-tap Sunday morning before a big-slugging afternoon, Millar fast has become one of the better stories in camp three weeks before ..."
Cubs fight club over positions
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March 15
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"With first cuts under their belts and 12 games of first and second impressions behind them, the Cubs start to get serious about several position battles this week — most notably the four-man battle for two rotation spots. Not to mention manager Lou Piniella's ''preoccupation'' with the bullpen and a bench scrum that will be influenced by Xavier Nady's ability to throw from the outfield and Mike Fontenot's ability to range at short. Sean Marshall (L) vs. Tom Gorzelanny (L) vs. Carlos Silva (R) vs. Jeff Samardzija (R) for two rotation jobs. So far, it's the best of times and worst of times for Marshall. He's been the most consistent and effective of the four through three outings (2.57 ERA), ..."
So far, Fontenot 2nd to none for 2nd base job
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March 15
Chicago Tribune
 
"Mike Fontenot looks like the early favorite over Jeff Baker in the battle to become the Cubs' starting second baseman, the only position vacancy this spring. Fontenot homered and went 2-for-3 Sunday in an 8-7 win over the Angels. It's not over yet, but manager Lou Piniella said Fontenot has an edge because the lineup is predominantly right-handed, and Fontenot would be one of two left-handed hitters, along with Kosuke Fukudome. Ultimately, Piniella said "whoever is swinging the bat" best in spring training will get the nod. Fontenot is hitting .474 (9-for-19) with eight RBIs, while Baker is at .133 with three RBIs. Wells watch: After two strong appearances, Randy Wells was roughed up ..."
Cubs like Millar, Tracy, but may not be able to keep both
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March 15
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Cubs would like to keep both Kevin Millar and Chad Tracy, giving them a valuable pinch-hitter and chemistry guy, along with a viable backup for Aramis Ramirez at third base. But they have only two available bench spots, and one of them is likely to go to an outfielder who can play all three spots, leaving Millar and Tracy to compete for one infield opening. "We like both of them," manager Lou Piniella said. "The one problem we do have — it's not a problem, but something we need to address — is that (Xavier) Nady can't play too much in the outfield early. So we have to carry another outfielder. It's just a question of how we do it." Millar said he doesn't feel like he and Tracy are ..."
Marshall aiming for starting five
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March 14
Daily Southtown
 
"If the urgency wasn't already there for the four Cubs pitchers battling for two rotation spots, it'll pick up in the next week. Either that or Selection Sunday could come early for the first set of big decisions in camp. For now, lefty Sean Marshall looks like he has created separation from the pack - if his success as a reliever the past two seasons doesn't work against his chance to be a starter. Marshall had three more strong innings (2 hits, 1 run) Saturday against Cincinnati. Manager Lou Piniella and pitching coach Larry Rothschild met Saturday morning and talked about going one more turn through the rotation before making decisions and slotting pitchers in the starting five. "What ..."
Cactus League facing possibility of Chicago Cubs leaving for Florida
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March 14
Arizona Republic
 
"The old Cub, Ron Santo, admits he has a hard time imagining the Cactus League without the Chicago Cubs, with whom he spent almost all of his major league playing career and now serves as a broadcaster and perhaps the team's greatest ambassador. "I just can't see it," said Santo, sitting in a dugout recently at Mesa's Hohokam Stadium, which has housed the Cubs for three of the 57 springs they have spent in the Valley. "I feel very strongly about that. I can't see us leaving for Florida. What we bring to this area, about $130 million, it's unbelievable. "Wherever we go, we're going to have fans. No matter how many seats we have, we pack 'em. We draw. We'll bring 'em in because Cubs fans ..."
Marshall leads rotation derby
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March 14
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"If the urgency wasn't already there for the four Cubs pitchers battling for two rotation spots, it will pick up in the next week. Either that or Selection Sunday could come early for the first set of big decisions in camp. For now, lefty Sean Marshall looks like he has created separation from the pack -- if his success as a reliever the last two seasons doesn't work against his chances to start -- with three more strong innings (two hits, one run) Saturday. Manager Lou Piniella and pitching coach Larry Rothschild met Saturday morning and talked about waiting once more through the rotation before making decisions and eventually slotting pitchers into the opening rotation 10 days from now. ..."
Sandberg just one step away
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March 14
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Crowds still call his name and flock to get his autograph. Even if Ryne Sandberg weren't a Hall of Famer, Cubs fans still would consider him royalty. Small wonder his name already is in the mix in many fans' minds for a job that isn't even available. After all, Lou Piniella may be in the last year of a contract, but the wily manager may yet decide to stay a little longer if general manager Jim Hendry and the Ricketts family will let him. That's fine with Sandberg. A major-league managing job definitely is what he now longs for, but ambition isn't what feeds his continuing love for the game and his newfound role in it as a minor-league manager. ''There are only 30 jobs at the major-league ..."
Piniella, Baker to face off in Cubs-Reds game
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March 14
Chicago Tribune
 
"Tyler Colvin may have vaulted into the lead for a reserve outfield job, Derrek Lee remains sidelined with a bone bruise, and the four-way battle for the rotation is still in a state of flux. That was the word from manager Lou Piniella Saturday morning at HoHoKam Park, as he prepared to face off against former Cubs manager Dusty Baker in a split-squad game between the Cubs and Cincinnati. Here are a few tidbits from Piniella's briefing: Tyler Colvin The left-handing hitting outfielder is hitting .556 and bats in the clean-up spot today. Considered a longshot at the start of camp, he may be the favorite now to capture the fifth outfielder's spot. "He looks like a major league player," ..."
Cubs' Ramirez leaves game with triceps soreness
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March 14
Chicago Tribune
 
"Aramis Ramirez left Saturday's game against Cincinnati with right triceps soreness, the Cubs announced. Ramirez left after the top half of the third inning. He missed two months of the 2009 season after dislocating his left shoulder diving for a ball. "There's nothing wrong there," manager Lou Piniella said. "He'll be ready to go in a couple days, probably after (Monday's game in) Tucson. He wasn't going to Tucson anyways.""
Marshall gains ground in Cubs' rotation roulette
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March 14
Chicago Tribune
 
"Sean Marshall had another strong outing on Saturday, allowing one run on two hits in a three inning stint during an 11-4 win over Cincinnati at HoHoKam Park. Marshall has give up two runs over seven innings in his three appearances, putting him in good position to gain one of the two starting vacancies. "You know (what) my saying is- the best pitchers are going to leave camp, and they're going to be in the right spot when we're leaving," Marshall said, "I'm sure I can start, but I know that I can help as a reliever, a spot starter and a short guy, so whatever role I settle into, I think I'll have a lot of success doing it this year." Marshall has been saying the same thing for years. ..."
Lilly progressing from injury; Marshall impressing
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March 14
Chicago Tribune
 
"Ted Lilly threw off a mound again Saturday and is "ahead of schedule," according to manager Lou Piniella. The Cubs are downplaying Lilly's progress, and Piniella said he hopes Lilly can "stay under the radar gun." In Piniella-ese, that means "under the radar." If Lilly keeps on pace, he could be back by mid-April, missing only two or three starts as he recovers from shoulder surgery. In the rotation battle to fill his vacancy, and the fifth spot, Sean Marshall had another strong outing on Saturday, allowing one run on two hits in a three inning stint during an 11-4 victory over the Reds. All four starters in the mix — Marshall, Carlos Silva, Tom Gorzelanny and Jeff Samardzija — head into ..."
Contracts block path to Cubs outfield
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March 14
Chicago Tribune
 
"Because of circumstances beyond his control, Tyler Colvin is blocked in right field until 2012, in center field until 2013 and in left field until 2015. Long-terms contracts to Kosuke Fukudome, Marlon Byrd and Alfonso Soriano, respectively, have clogged the outfield picture for the foreseeable future. But Colvin, a first-round pick in 2006, has been one of the most impressive players in Cubs camp, hitting .556 after going 2-for-3 with a triple in Friday's 12-3 loss to Milwaukee. "They have some good guys in here to play (the outfield spots)," Colvin said. "All I can do is go out there right now and give it my all, and if I make it a tough decision on them, that's my goal. "I can't sit here ..."
Cubs' Dempster goes three innings strong vs. Sox
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March 14
Chicago Tribune
 
"he Cubs' Ryan Dempster looked extra sharp while allowing one hit and one unearned run in three innings on Saturday against the White Sox in a packed and windy Cashman Field. "Felt like Candlestick Park," Dempster said of the cool temperatures and winds that were gusting to 30 m.p.h. "I felt better as the game went on. I felt good and strong. "Vegas is always fun. This is my sixth year coming here. It breaks up the monotony of (being in Arizona).""
Dempster dreams of Cubs- Sox World Series
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March 14
Chicago Tribune
 
"Just like the Cubs' Ryan Dempster did two springs ago, new White Sox starter Jake Peavy said the Sox can win the World Series if they're healthy. So what does Dempster, who was criticized at the time, think of Peavy's prediction? Perhaps a World Series against Dempster's Cubs? "That would be fun, but every team should think that way," Dempster said Saturday after holding the Sox to an unearned run in three innings. "(The Sox) have a very good team and a strong pitching staff. They're going to be a tough team. Just like us, I feel we're going to be a tough team. "That's the key, where we're at three weeks from now; make sure we're healthy and ready to go." Actually, at least according to ..."
Sox Grow Players Better Than the Cubs Do
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March 14
New York Times
 
"North Sea-like weather conditions invaded the Valley of the Sun this week, skewing the viewing of Cactus League baseball. While dodging blustery rainstorms, both local nines have shown enough in their on- and off-field maneuvering to offer hints of what lies ahead this season, which is why spring training is so captivating to the fogged-in, winter-weary folks back home. The White Sox have the look of a serious contender. Maybe they aren't New York/Boston/Tampa Bay-strong, but none of those three are in the less-imposing American League Central Division. The White Sox are a deep, versatile team with a pitching rotation that could be the best in baseball. Freddy Garcia, the fifth starter, ..."
Edmonds, 40, showing signs he's not finished
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March 13
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"He was there for less than a season and hasn't played a regular-season game since. But after Jim Edmonds, 40, homered off Jeff Samardzija and doubled to the opposite field off lefty John Grabow on Friday, it's easy to wonder how things might have been different for the Cubs if the lefty-hitting center fielder was brought back after 2008. ''That would have been a great scenario for me,'' said Edmonds, who is playing like he might make the Milwaukee Brewers' roster as the fourth outfielder after signing a minor-league deal seven weeks ago. ''I loved it there. I loved that team. It was a great team with great guys, good leaders in there, with [Ryan] Dempster and Kerry Wood and Derrek [Lee]. ..."
Kenney's interesting take
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March 13
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Just when you thought Lou Piniella and the Cubs could make this whole lame-duck-manager thing a non-issue as the team heads into a make-good season under new ownership, along comes team president Crane Kenney to move it right past Starlin Castro and Milton Bradley as the story of camp. ''If he feels well and wants to keep going, we'll have an interesting conversation,'' Kenney said Thursday when asked about Piniella's status entering the final year of his contract. If he feels well? Interesting conversation? Are you kidding? Unless this was simply a careless choice of words, it doesn't exactly sound like an endorsement from ownership. At least. And it's definitely ''interesting'' on at ..."
Cubs to keep working with Fontenot
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March 13
Chicago Tribune
 
"Mike Fontenot made a costly error at shortstop on Thursday in his second appearance there that led to three unearned runs in the ninth inning against the Padres. But manager Lou Piniella isn't giving up on making Fontenot the back-up to Ryan Theriot. He blamed the Padres' field. "He just has to continue to work," Piniella said. "Alan Trammell and I talked about that situation on the bus back to Mesa. Alan said 'Look, the field in Peoria is very dry, very quick, and it gets cruddy so the ball can take some peculiar bounces.' But we're going to keep working with him." Will Fontenot get an chance to start at short this spring? "Why not?" Piniella said. "We can start him and play him six-seven ..."
Ramirez on Castro: 'If you're ready, you're ready'
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March 13
Chicago Tribune
 
"The decision has been made, and there's no turning back. Starlin Castro, who will start at shortstop and lead off Friday afternoon in the Cubs' split-squad game against Milwaukee, is going to start the season at Triple-A Iowa, no matter how good he looks in spring training. And he does look good, as a .571 average attests. The Cubs plan to give Castro an extended look this spring, letting him play longer in Cactus League games (and hang longer in the major-league clubhouse) than they normally would with a player who is headed to Iowa. The Cubs don't want to rush Castro, who is still two weeks away from his 20th birthday. They believe he is a special talent, and are handling him with care. ..."
Cubs' rotation battle still a guessing game
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March 13
Chicago Tribune
 
"The four-way competition for the two rotation openings with the Cubs continues to be a merry-go-round. One day after Carlos Silva redeemed himself for his poor debut, Jeff Samardzija plummeted after his strong first start. Samardzija served up back-to-back home runs to former Cub Jim Edmonds and catcher Gregg Zaun, both coming on juicy fastballs in a 12-3 loss to Milwaukee. Tom Gorzelanny will get his second shot tonight in Las Vegas against the White Sox, while Sean Marshall makes his first start on Saturday against Cincinnati at HoHoKam Park. Samardzija settled down after a four run first, and wasn't discouraged by his outing. "We'll just starting working in off-speed pitches earlier in ..."
Ramirez doesn't believe age hindrance to Castro
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March 13
Chicago Tribune
 
"Aramis Ramirez knows the Cubs intend to send Starlin Castro to Triple-A Iowa, and that he has no say in the decision. But Ramirez politely put his 2 cents in on the issue Friday morning, saying: "I don't agree with that." Ramirez wasn't questioning the Cubs' decision on Castro, but the thinking that a 19-year-old can't be ready to play in the majors. "I don't think there is a right age," he said. "Just because he's 19 doesn't mean he's not going to perform. At the same time, he's still a kid. He can get better in the minors, come up and be a great player, but I don't think there should be an age for when." Castro, who was 0-for 3 Friday against the Brewers, is hitting .471. The Cubs plan ..."
Cubs beat White Sox 6-5 in Las Vegas
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March 13
Chicago Tribune
 
"A two-run seventh-inning triple by 2007 No. 1 pick Josh Vitters helped the Cubs beat the White Sox 6-5 Friday night to even their spring training rivalry at a game apiece. The two play again Saturday afternoon in this exhibition series that has split squads for each and could surpass the sellout crowd of 10,448 at Cashman Field Friday. Tom Gorzelanny started for the Cubs and allowed one run in three innings, although he did not allow a hit. The lefty walked three batters and threw a wild pitch in the second inning but came back to retire the side in order in the third."
Cubs' Gorzelanny calls effort vs. Sox 'positive'
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March 13
Chicago Tribune
 
"Trying to work his way into the Cubs rotation, lefty Tom Gorzelanny had a strange three-inning no-hitter against the White Sox Friday night in a split squad game. Gorzelanny retired the side in order in the first and third innings, but allowed a run in the second inning on three walks and a wild pitch. "I just think I got a little ahead of myself and tried to do too much," he said. "I had to fight my way back. It's good to get it out of the way now. It was a good confidence-builder to get myself in a situation like that and be able to fight my way out of it.""
Time to talk Lou? Not now
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March 12
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Count manager Lou Piniella's future as one more ''free- agent'' decision that will wait until season's end. ''We'll all sit down at the end of the season and see how the season went,'' team president Crane Kenney said. ''We all love Lou. The whole scrutiny of Lou's performance last year, I have a hard time understanding that. If he feels well and wants to keep going, we'll have an interesting conversation. 'I think he's done a great job, and he's raised the bar [on expectations].'' Piniella, 66, will complete his fourth season this year, but he also doesn't want to think about the future yet. ''It really is [too early],'' he said. ''I'm perfectly comfortable with the situation the way it ..."
Changes all around for Cubs
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March 12
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Historic changes are coming to Wrigley Field, not only in the physical surroundings -- which already are undergoing a face-lift for this season -- but in the philosophy of how the business of the Cubs will run under its new owners, the Ricketts family. A host of new revenue streams, from concerts to retail outlets to a hotel and sponsorships, are being planned, with ''every penny'' raised to be put back into the team. ''This is a zero-sum game,'' team president Crane Kenney said Thursday. ''The [Rickettses] have said we are not putting a penny in our pockets. All of the profits, every dollar, will be invested in either the facilities or the team. Every time we stage a concert or hockey ..."
Nady determined to play regularly before June
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March 12
Chicago Tribune
 
"Xavier Nady said the June 1 target date mentioned by manager Lou Piniella on Wednesday for when he'll be able to play regularly is not set in stone. "I don't think there's any set date," Nady said Thursday. "It's all going to be a day-by-day process, when I feel comfortable or when I'm capable of throwing certain distances. But I think that was just a random date kind of thrown out there. Obviously, I'm the one that will be able to have the most input." Piniella said the June 1 date was what he'd been told by Cubs trainer Mark O'Neal. Nady still will be able to start the season with the Cubs, but they don't feel he can play the outfield more than a couple times a week in the early going."
Cubs, Piniella unsure of 2011 managerial plans
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March 12
Chicago Tribune
 
"Lou Piniella has not decided whether to come back in 2011, and the Cubs haven't decided whether he will be invited back. While Piniella has opened the door a crack to his return, it doesn't appear that the Cubs are willing to let him walk right in. "If he feels well and wants to keep going, we'll have an interesting conversation," Cubs president Crane Kenney said Thursday. "He's done a great job. He's raised the bar and that's a little bit of the burden we all carry now. "As I tell everybody in our organization, it's a lot better than being picked to finish fourth or fifth and having everybody talk about failure all the time." Photo: Lou Piniella's future with the Cubs beyond this ..."
Kenney: Cubs still support ticket surcharge
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March 12
Chicago Tribune
 
"Crane Kenney released a statement Thursday afternoon saying the Cubs are not opposed to the 8 percent ticket surcharge for Cactus League games, also known as the "Cubs tax." "The Cubs support the efforts of the legislators to find a solution that will be satisfactory to everyone," Kenney said in the statement. "As far as the Cubs are concerned, all financing options are still on the table." Earlier in the day, Kenney told reporters the surcharge was not needed by the Cubs to help fund the new complex. "The plan for our facility can be managed through the Mesa property tax referendum, that will happen in November, and the (1 percent extra) car rental tax," Kenney said. "The ticket tax ..."
Phenom Castro stars again in support of Silva
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March 12
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Cubs insist Starlin Castro needs to start the season at Triple-A Iowa to get the experience necessary to become an everyday player. But Castro's bat is saying otherwise. The 19-year-old rookie, who will celebrate his 20th birthday March 24, went 2-for-3 with a home run, three runs scored, and 2 RBI in an 8-7 win over San Diego on Thursday in Peoria. Castro is now hitting .571 for the spring and looking like he's determined to make the decision-making process difficult for the Cubs. Manager Lou Piniella continues to insist that Ryan Theriot is his shortstop and he's not interested in moving Theriot to second to make room for Castro at short. Photo: Starlin Castro strokes an RBI double ..."
Castro making decision tough on Cubs
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March 12
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Cubs insist Starlin Castro needs to start the season at Triple-A Iowa to get the experience necessary to become an everyday player. But Castro's bat is saying otherwise. The 19-year-old rookie, who will celebrate his 20th birthday March 24, went 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs Thursday in an 8-7 victory over the Padres. Castro is hitting .571 for the spring and looking like he's determined to make the decision-making process difficult for the Cubs. Manager Lou Piniella continues to insist Ryan Theriot is his shortstop and he's not interested in moving him to second to make room for Castro at short. Prospects headed to the minors typically get sent to minor league camp midway ..."
Cubs move ahead on new spring facility
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March 12
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Cubs will select a new spring training site within the next two weeks, and said they can fund the complex without the controversial 8 percent ticket surcharge known as the "Cubs tax." Cubs President Crane Kenney told reporters Thursday that the facility can be built with monies from a Mesa property tax referendum in November and a (1 percent extra) car rental tax. "The ticket tax is not needed for what we're building," Kenney said. The Cubs are seeking $84 million from Mesa and the state of Arizona to build a new complex. They plan to buy the real estate, give the ballpark complex to the city of Mesa and keep naming rights and ad revenues. They would develop the rest of the land with ..."
Cubs, Piniella in 'interesting conversation' without speaking directly
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March 12
Chicago Tribune
 
"Lou Piniella said he doesn't want his status to be a distraction for the Cubs as he enters the final year of his four-year contract. But management hasn't exactly made Piniella feel as though he's wanted back, which could affect his thinking come October. The latest twist in the ongoing saga occurred Thursday when Cubs President Crane Kenney was asked if the organization wanted Piniella to return in 2011. "If he feels well and wants to keep going, we'll have an interesting conversation," Kenney said. "He has done a great job. He has raised the bar and that's a little bit of the burden we all carry now. "As I tell everybody in our organization, it's a lot better than being picked to finish ..."
Piniella, Cubs have moved on
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March 11
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The Cubs have put 2009 behind them, even though disgruntled ex-teammate Milton Bradley can't do the same. Bradley's latest comments berating the Cubs' organization, fans and manager Lou Piniella drew shrugs and shaking heads Wednesday. ''The thing with Milton is behind us,'' Piniella said. ''I'm concerned about this year's team. We have good chemistry here. We're getting ready for a championship season. We have to move forward. Let's just concentrate on the 2010 Cubs.'' Piniella and Bradley made headlines after a blowup in late June at U.S. Cellular Field, where Piniella cursed Bradley and sent him home. ''I apologized to Milton,'' Piniella said. ''Listen, I did the best I could. I'm human ..."
Hendry tells Milt to look in mirror
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March 11
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"In his strongest comments yet on Milton Bradley's continuing diatribe against the Cubs, general manager Jim Hendry said Wednesday that acquiring the disgruntled outfielder ''was a mistake'' and added ''it's time Milton looked himself in the mirror'' before deriding others for a failed season. In measured but strong words, Hendry called some of Bradley's latest allegations ''absolutely ridiculous,'' especially insinuations that negative mail Bradley received last year -- his only season with the Cubs -- might have come from within the organization. ''It's really unfortunate to deflect the lack of production you had in the year here and try to use other areas for excuses,'' Hendry said. ..."
Bradley skips fact: He stunk
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March 11
Chicago Sun-Times
 columnist Rick Morrissey
"The saying goes that you can't truly understand a person until you've walked in his shoes. The problem is that Milton Bradley was born wearing moon boots, and he's so far out there that if you did try to live his life for a day, there's a decent chance you'd end up hurtling helplessly through space. We walked alongside Bradley for a year, and that was more than enough to know him. He's a loner, an emotionally absent teammate and about as strange a ranger as you'll encounter. If you've tracked his career, then you know this is not a revelation. But the news apparently never reached ESPN's Colleen Dominguez, who let Bradley ramble on about how rough he had it in Chicago while he was with the ..."
Bradley's latest barrage exasperating to Cubs
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March 11
Chicago Tribune
 
"Another Milton Bradley moment has interrupted an otherwise sleepy spring training for the Cubs. Though the mercurial outfielder is long gone, having been moved to the Mariners last December for Carlos Silva and $9 million, he just can't seem to get the Cubs out of his system. Though Bradley's latest interview with ESPN was mostly a regurgitation of past grievances — the alleged hate mail, taunting by Chicago waiters and disrespect from manager Lou Piniella — Cubs general manager Jim Hendry finally has heard enough. Hendry lambasted his former player to the media before Wednesday's game at HoHoKam Park, portraying Bradley as selfish, delusional, dishonest and lacking in accountability. The ..."
Bradley clams up in Mariners clubhouse
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March 11
Chicago Tribune
 columnist Phil Rogers
"Hello, good-bye. Another uniform, another year. The Milton Bradley over North America tour continues, its latest stop in the Pacific Northwest, underwritten by his former associates in the Midwest. For a few uncomfortable hours Wednesday, with Bradley in the news over renewed cries of racism and general mistreatment in Chicago, the storyline played out with familiar awkwardness. As Bradley was taking the field for the Mariners, an upwardly mobile team run by Don Wakamatsu, a second-year manager who says Bradley "has a chance to impact our lineup," Michael Young and others who played alongside Bradley in 2008 were declining to discuss Bradley. Ron Washington, the Texas manager who remains ..."