Chicago Cubs News

Chicago Cubs GM expresses optimism
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February 7
Chicago Tribune
 
"As if Jim Hendry didn't have enough problems this winter, it recently was revealed former Gov. Rod Blagojevich said he missed dispensing advice to his old pal, the Cubs general manager. So was Blagojevich pushing the Milton Bradley signing? Was he the one who pointed out Aaron Miles' sterling batting average during day games? Was this alleged ''bromance with Blago'' the real deal? Hendry shook his head and laughed. "Well, the governor was a big Cubs fan," he said. "He came around every now and then and was always friendly and nice. He showed his passion for the club, and every now and then he'd say: 'What about that guy? Can we get that guy?' There were few instances like that, but no, I ..."
Potential difference-makers still on market
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February 7
Chicago Tribune
 columnist Phil Rogers
"The Angels signed Bobby Abreu, the outfielder the Cubs and so many other teams passed on, one year ago Friday. He proved to be a difference-maker, helping Mike Scioscia's team to a first-round victory over the Red Sox after winning its fifth American League West title in six years. The Angels gave him only a one-year contract worth $5 million. There are similar deals to be made in the 2010 market, even as equipment trucks start to head out for camps in Arizona and Florida. The Twins' fine-tuning has been impressive — the additions of Orlando Hudson and Jim Thome solidified them as the AL Central front-runner — but here are some more players available who could have even more impact: • ..."
Derrick Hall: Cactus Leagues against legislation for Chicago Cubs
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February 6
Arizona Republic
 
"A bill to help keep the Chicago Cubs' spring-training operations in Mesa ran into strong headwinds Friday even before it was introduced in the Arizona Legislature. Derrick Hall, president of the Arizona Diamondbacks, told The Arizona Republic that Cactus League teams are united in opposing the legislation, which would raise car-rental taxes and impose a surcharge on spring-training tickets to help pay for a new Cubs stadium and practice facility in Mesa. House Majority Leader John McComish, R-Ahwatukee Foothills, plans to introduce the bill on Monday. "It's really a Catch-22 because we would love for the Cubs to stay - just not at the expense of our fans," Hall said. "The other 13 teams in ..."
Reinsdorf against Cubs ticket surcharge
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February 6
Chicago Tribune
 
"White Sox Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf has maintained a cordial relationship with the Cubs over the years, going so far as to join Tribune Co. in the formation of Comcast SportsNet. But Tribune Co. sold the Cubs and its 25 percent share of CSN to the Ricketts family last October and, three months later, the Reinsdorf-Ricketts relationship is suddenly in the spotlight. Reinsdorf told the Phoenix Business Journal the Sox were opposed to a plan to institute a surcharge on all Cactus League tickets to help fund the Cubs' proposed $84 million spring training complex in Mesa."
Cubs like Zambrano's new look, attitude
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February 5
Chicago Tribune
 
"After spending the offseason in Chicago for the first time in his career, Carlos Zambrano flew down to Arizona last week to get a head start on spring training. Pitchers and catchers don't have to report to Fitch Park in Mesa until Feb. 17, but Zambrano already is working out, promising to atone for his nine-victory season. "We did it quietly," general manager Jim Hendry said. "I don't think he wanted any publicity for that. He's going about his business well. I think you're going to get a very well-focused guy who's determined to rectify last year's season." With Ted Lilly out until May, the onus will be on Zambrano and Ryan Dempster to get off to good starts and stay healthy, keeping ..."
Marmol OKs pact with Cubs; Theriot on deck
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February 5
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Shortstop Ryan Theriot's stalemate with the Cubs on a 2010 contract takes over center stage as the team's only other unsigned arbitration-eligible player, Carlos Marmol, agreed to a $2.125 million deal Thursday. Marmol, a former All-Star who took over the club's closer role in August, settled with the team at the midpoint of the salary arbitration figures they filed last month. Theriot, a three-year starter and career .288 hitter, filed a $3.4 million salary demand while the Cubs' countered with a $2.6 million filing. Both sides appear to be bracing for a hearing, which could be held as late as Feb. 21. The Cubs have not gone to a hearing since beating Mark Grace in arbitration in 1993. ..."
With Daughter's Struggle, a New Role for Dempster
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February 5
New York Times
 columnist Dan McGrath
"Pro athletes are easily typecast as society's chosen ones, an exalted class of millionaire performers with the financial means to enjoy a worry-free life and the sense of entitlement to expect as much. Ryan Dempster doesn't fit the stereotype. A standout pitcher for the Cubs, Dempster is baseball's version of a model citizen, the antithesis of the celebrity jock: down to earth and approachable, twice nominated for Major League Baseball's Roberto Clemente Award for community service. His latest cause is very personal. Ryan and Jenny Dempster's 10-month-old daughter, Riley, was born with DiGeorge syndrome, a developmental disorder caused by a defective chromosome. She requires nearly ..."
Cubs avoid arbitration with Marmol
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February 5
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Cubs signed closer Carlos Marmol to a one-year, $2.125 million deal Thursday, avoiding arbitration. Marmol said at the Cubs Convention he wasn't worried about signing and had no intention of going to an arbitration hearing. He asked for $2.5 million while the Cubs offered $1.75 million, and they met about halfway. That leaves Ryan Theriot as the only unsigned Cub among arbitration-eligible players."
Cubs ink Millar to Minor League deal
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February 4
MLB.com
 
"The Cubs signed veteran Kevin Millar to a Minor League contract Thursday, creating a crowd at first base. Millar will be vying for attention at first with former teammate Derrek Lee, Chad Tracy, who signed a Minor League deal on Jan. 27, and Micah Hoffpauir. It should be an entertaining Spring Training in the Cubs' camp. Millar, 38, is a former teammate of Cubs pitcher Ryan Dempster and the two engaged in a friendly war of words during Spring Training 2008. Dempster predicted the Cubs would win the World Series that season. Millar fired back that his team, the Orioles at the time, would raise the trophy in October and also that he'd go deep off Dempster. The Cubs and Orioles met that ..."
Cubs avoid arbitration with Marmol
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February 4
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Cubs signed closer Carlos Marmol to a one-year, $2.125 million deal Thursday, avoiding arbitration. Marmol said at the Cubs Convention he wasn't worried about signing and had no intention of going to an arbitration hearing. He asked for $2.5 million while the Cubs offered $1.75 million, and they met about halfway. That leaves Ryan Theriot as the only unsigned Cub among arbitration-eligible players. Theriot filed for $3.4 million, while the Cubs countered at $2.6 million. Obviously, the midway point would be $3 million, though the Cubs are reluctant to go that high and may take it to a hearing."
Did Cubs come up empty with off-season moves?
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February 4
Chicago Tribune
 
"Eight major-league baseball teams struck out in their efforts to get better this winter, according to SI.com columnist Jon Heyman, and one of those teams was the Cubs. "It's never going to be a great winter when the big goal is to undo the biggest move of the winter before," Heyman writes. "They did finally get rid of Milton Bradley but had to take Carlos Silva, poster of an impossibly bad 8.60 ERA last year and one of the worst pitchers in baseball since signing for $48 million over four years, in return from Seattle. Marlon Byrd's acquisition allows them to move Kosuke Fukudome to right field, where he's excellent, although Byrd isn't exactly a Gold Glover in center."
Benson throwing again, looking for work
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February 2
Foxsports.com
 
"A number of National League teams are keeping track of Kris Benson's progress, including the Diamondbacks, Cubs, Reds and Nationals, according to one major league source. The Dodgers are also looking to add starting depth but are a more remote possibility, sources indicated. Last week, Benson's agent said he expected the free agent right-hander to join a new team within the next few weeks. Benson has made only eight appearances in the majors since 2006, in large part because of injuries. He pitched in the majors and minors for Texas last year, with minimal success. But Benson's agent, Gregg Clifton, is encouraged by the fact that he's already throwing his fastball, curveball, slider and ..."
Hall of Fame got it right
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January 31
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Go ahead, don't serve me at Harry Caray's. Give me only the single burger, not the double cheeseburger, at the Billy Goat. Make me buy my way into Grant Park for the Blues Festival and Taste of Chicago this summer. But I am giving the Hall of Fame props for its decision to depict Andre Dawson wearing an Expos cap on his Hall of Fame plaque. Even if Dawson would rather have a Cubs cap, as he has said he would, Hall of Fame President Jeff Idelson and his staff made the right decision in light of baseball history in ordering a rendition that will put him in one of those blue Montreal lids with the cartoon-style "M.""
Nady, Cubs see a good fit
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January 30
Daily Southtown
 
"The Cubs finally know the full hand of hitters they've been dealt to start 2010. But how well they know their newest right elbow might take two or three months to figure out after finalizing their one-year, $3.3 million deal with outfielder Xavier Nady - still in the long-toss stage of rehabbing his reconstructed elbow. Nady, 31, said he can't be sure his elbow will be 100 percent by Opening Day, but he said he's having no trouble swinging the bat even now, and the Cubs say they're confident he'll be strong enough to fill at least the fourth outfielder role they've had on their wish list all winter. If healthy, Nady - who said he'll go to spring training trying to compete for a starting ..."
Xavier Nady still building up elbow strength
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January 30
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The Cubs finally know the full hand of hitters they've been dealt to start 2010. But after they finalized a one-year, $3.3 million deal with outfielder Xavier Nady, it might be two or three months before it's clear how well they know their newest right elbow. Nady still is in the long-toss stage of rehabbing his reconstructed elbow. Nady, 31, said he can't be sure he'll be 100 percent by Opening Day, but he said he's having no trouble swinging the bat. The Cubs said they're confident he'll be strong enough to fill at least the fourth-outfielder role they've had on their wish list all winter. If healthy, Nady -- who said he'll go to spring training trying to compete for a starting job -- ..."
Nady, Cubs complete one-year deal
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January 29
MLB.com
 
"The Cubs finalized a one-year deal Friday with free agent Xavier Nady, who could provide some power and depth to Chicago's outfield. Nady and the Cubs agreed on the contract earlier this week, but Nady needed to pass a physical, and in Nady's case, that was no minor formality. He played only seven games for the Yankees in 2009 before undergoing the second Tommy John surgery of his career. Nady is hoping to join the short list of players -- mostly pitchers -- to return from two such procedures and his agent, Scott Boras, e-mailed FoxSports.com last week to say that the outfielder is "on schedule to be ready in Spring Training."According to several outlets, including The Associated Press, ..."
Hall puts Expos hat on Dawson
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January 29
Toronto Star
 
"The National Baseball Hall of Fame made the right decision Wednesday, decreeing that when Andre Dawson, the hall's newest member, is inducted July 25, his bronze plaque will show him wearing the cap of the Montreal Expos. The choice of team logo is made by the Hall of Fame, with important input from the inductee. It was clear Dawson would have preferred the cap of the Chicago Cubs, where he earned his only Most Valuable Player Award in 1987, but the hall, by choosing the Expos cap, ensured that memory of the defunct organization will survive. Catcher Gary Carter is the only Hall of Fame member wearing the Expos logo. "I respect the Hall of Fame's decision to put an Expos logo on my cap, ..."
Beckert: Cubs would benefit from spring move
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January 29
Chicago Tribune
 
"The East Valley Tribune reports: Former Cubs players such as Ron Santo, Ferguson Jenkins and Randy Hundley are pleased the team plans to keep its spring-training facilities in Mesa. But Glenn Beckert, the second baseman on the 1969 Cubs team that blew a big division lead, thinks training in Arizona has been a detriment to the team. "I think a change would've been good for the Cubs," said Beckert, who lives in Englewood, Fla., 60 miles north of Naples. "I know the people in Mesa won't like to hear that, but Florida produces a lot of world champions, and the Cubs have not won a World Series since 1908 and haven't been in a World Series since 1945."
Promises and Perks to Try to Lure Cubs From Arizona
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January 29
New York Times
 
"With spring training approaching, the annual tussle between the Grapefruit and Cactus Leagues has returned, only with a twist. For decades, teams have been leaving Florida for Arizona. But in the last year, lawmakers and investors in Florida have tried to lure the Chicago Cubs to Naples by promising to build them a stadium, surrounding facilities and a commercial district. The effort was so serious that Florida Gov. Charlie Crist hosted the Cubs owner Tom Ricketts in Tallahassee. But the odds of the Cubs leaving Arizona, where they have trained since the 1950s, diminished this week when the team signed a deal with the city of Mesa, which has promised to spend $84 million on a new stadium, ..."
Cubs in Dawson's heart, Expos on his cap
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January 28
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Andre Dawson wanted to have a Cubs logo on his Hall of Fame baseball cap. Instead, he will be enshrined July 25 as the second -- and likely last -- Montreal Expo. The newest Cooperstown member learned of the Hall of Fame's decision Tuesday, arguing to the end for his preference to be immortalized as a Cub. But the final decision on logos rests with the Hall, which decided the ''history of the game'' factor outweighed Dawson's desires. ''I respect the Hall of Fame's decision to put an Expos logo on my cap, and I understand their responsibility to make sure the logo represents the greatest impact in my career,'' Dawson said. ''Cubs fans will always be incredibly important in my heart, and I ..."
Sean Marshall, Cubs agree to one-year deal
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January 28
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"With just three weeks left before pitchers and catchers report for spring training, the Cubs continue to tie up the last few loose ends of their off-season, including agreeing to terms today with pitcher Sean Marshall on a $950,000 deal for 2010. Marshall, who split time between the rotation and bullpen the past two seasons, was the sixth of the club's eight arbitration-eligible players to agree to terms and avoid a hearing. The two biggest names and contracts from the group remain: shortstop Ryan Theriot (who filed a $3.4 million arbitration request compared to the club's $2.6 million offer) and closer Carlos Marmol ($2.5 million, $1.75 million)."
Hall made right choice on Dawson cap
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January 28
Chicago Tribune
 columnist Phil Rogers
"Go ahead, don't serve me at Harry Caray's. Give me only the single burger, not the double cheeseburger, at the Billy Goat. Make me buy my way into Grant Park for the Blues Festival and Taste of Chicago this summer. But I am giving the Hall of Fame props for its decision to depict Andre Dawson wearing an Expos cap on his Hall of Fame plaque. Even if Dawson would rather have a Cubs cap, as he has said he would, Hall of Fame President Jeff Idelson and his staff made the right decision in light of baseball history in ordering a rendition that will put him in one of those blue Montreal lids with the cartoon-style "M." Given the popularity of the Cubs, Dawson's preference and the relocation of ..."
Dawson may wear Cubs hat for speech
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January 27
ESPN.com
 
"Andre Dawson said he was disappointed the Hall of Fame decided his bust in Cooperstown, N.Y., will feature a Montreal Expos hat, but Dawson plans to acknowledge Chicago Cubs fans during his induction speech in July. Dawson, who spent the first 10 full seasons of his career in Montreal, wanted his bust to feature a Cubs hat. He played six seasons with the Cubs, beginning with his MVP year in 1987. "I know the difference in the 10 to 6 years probably was something of a consideration on their part," Dawson said on "The Waddle & Silvy Show" on ESPN 1000. "But I tried to explain, perhaps, the impact of what really catapulted me to Hall of Fame status, and pretty much what my preference was. ..."
Hudson talks remain fluid
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January 27
Foxsports.com
 
"Free-agent second baseman Orlando Hudson looks like he will have a choice. Take a strong financial offer from the Nationals. Take perhaps a lesser contract from the Rays. Or take a deal from another club that might put him near the Nats financially and the Rays competitively — if such an opportunity exists. The Nationals and Rays both are pursuing Hudson, but his negotiations remain fluid, major-league sources say. At least one, unidentified team might still be in the mix. That team could be the Twins, who are known to have interest in Hudson, major-league sources say. So far this offseason, the Twins have been linked more with third basemen than second basemen. Nick Punto and Brendan ..."
Tracy agrees to Minors deal with Cubs
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January 27
MLB.com
 
"The Cubs agreed to a Minor League deal with veteran corner infielder Chad Tracy, ESPNChicago reported on Tuesday. A Major League source told the Web site that the deal will officially be announced on Wednesday and that if he makes the Cubs' Major League roster, he would earn $900,000, plus up to an additional $525,000 if he reaches 450 plate appearances. He will also reportedly earn $100,000 if he wins the Comeback Player of the Year Award. Tracy, 29, batted .237 with eight home runs and 39 RBIs in 98 games with the D-backs last season, with 66 appearances at first base and eight at third base. The six-year veteran has battled injuries the past three seasons, including a right oblique ..."
Cubs' signing of Nady can't hurt
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January 27
MLB.com
 columnist Mike Bauman
"This is not the kind of signing of a free agent outfielder that is going to move media mountains as in the cases of Jason Bay and Matt Holliday. But that doesn't mean that it isn't an extremely positive move. The Chicago Cubs' signing of free-agent outfielder Xavier Nady is solidly in the category of "this can't possibly hurt." It is true that Nady has had two Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgeries. But he's not trying to make his living as a starting pitcher. When he was last healthy, in 2008, his offensive numbers were impressive. Pending the results of a physical exam, the Cubs get him for a reasonable price; a reported $3.3 million, plus $2 million in incentives based on games ..."
Cardinals sign former Cub pitcher Rich Hill
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January 27
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"The Cardinals may have made themselves a little bit deeper on Tuesday. Betting no more than $575,000, the Cardinals signed ex-Chicago Cubs lefthander Rich Hill to a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to major-league camp. Hill will headline a group of 17 non-roster invitees that includes eight pitchers and four catchers due to report on Feb. 17. Hill, who turns 30 in March, will receive an opportunity to compete with reliever Kyle McClellan and rookie lefthander Jaime Garcia, among others, for the fifth starter role. The Cardinals insist Hill is healthy after requiring surgery in August to repair a tear in his shoulder cartilage. It is thought that Hill walks into camp with ..."
Nady a physical away from spot in Cubs OF
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January 27
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The Cubs have agreed to terms with free agent Xavier Nady on a one-year contract to be their fourth outfielder, baseball sources say, with the $3.3 million deal expected to be finalized this week once Nady passes a physical. Nady, 31, missed all but seven games for the New York Yankees last season because of an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery last summer, potentially making the physical a more important part of the process than it might have been for any of the four other outfielders the Cubs considered (Jermaine Dye, Jonny Gomes, Reed Johnson and Rocco Baldelli). It was the second Tommy John surgery on Nady's elbow in his professional career. The first was after his ..."
Cubs-Mesa deal will be official Wednesday
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January 27
Chicago Tribune
 
"The agreement to keep the Cubs' spring training home in Mesa, Ariz., will be announced officially at a news conference Wednesday morning at the Arizona State Capitol Building. The announcement signifies the Cubs have agreed to their end of the proposal that would build an $84 million state-of-the-art training facility to replace HoHoKam Park. The Cubs are waiting for city and state officials to announce it before commenting. While this will end the Cubs' dalliance with Naples, Fla., the deal still could fall through because it needs the approval of the Arizona state legislature and Mesa voters to raise money to fund the project. While this will end the Cubs' dalliance with Naples, Fla., ..."
Andre Dawson to enter Hall of Fame as an Expo
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January 27
Chicago Tribune
 
"Andre Dawson will be going into the Baseball Hall of Fame as a member of the Montreal Expos, the Tribune has learned. Dawson, who played the first 11 seasons of his major league career with the Expos, signed a blank contract to play with the Cubs in 1987 and promptly won the National League Most Valuable Player Award after hitting 49 home runs. After attending the annual B.A.T. banquet in New York Tuesday night, Dawson sent the following text to The Tribune: "Hall will issue a press release (Wednesday) announcing that I will go in as an Expo." Dawson was the only player selected for the Hall of Fame in 2010 by the Baseball Writers Association of America."
Source: Cubs reach agreement with OF Nady
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January 26
Foxsports.com
 
"The Cubs are close to a one-year deal with free-agent outfielder Xavier Nady, according to a major-league source. Nady, 31, would will play right field against left-handed pitching and also spell Alfonso Soriano in left. However, the deal is contingent on Nady passing a physical, which is "not a foregone conclusion," the source said. Nady is coming off his second Tommy John surgery. The Cubs want to be satisfied that he can throw adequately before agreeing to the deal."
Banks to Sosa: 'Just be honest about it'
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January 26
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Ernie Banks doesn't know if Sammy Sosa used steroids to eclipse the legendary Cub's franchise home-run record -- and Banks doesn't care. ''It wouldn't bother me,'' said Banks, whose 521 home runs rank second in Cubs history to Sosa's 545 (of 609 total). ''Whatever he did, just be honest about it. I like him a lot; he's wonderful. And I'm not accusing him of anything.'' But Banks is aware of the allegations that Sosa was as deep a part of the Steroid Era culture of performance-enhanced slugging as admitted users Mark McGwire and Alex Rodriguez. He also knows McGwire didn't come close to being voted into the Hall of Fame in the four tries leading up to his admission this month that he used ..."
Mesa approves big pitch to keep Cubs in Arizona
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January 26
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Mesa (Ariz.) City Council on Monday evening approved a proposal to spend $84 million for a new spring training complex for the Cubs and is now awaiting official word from the team, which is expected within days. If the Cubs' board approves the plan for a 15,000-seat stadium modeled after Wrigley Field, the two parties would enter into an exclusive negotiations period. The Cubs would operate the new complex — and make money from naming rights and signage — which would be built east of HoHoKam Park. They also would try to find another team to take over the old site."
Mr. Cub to Mr. Sosa: Come clean
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January 26
Chicago Tribune
 
"Ernie Banks celebrates a birthday Sunday, and Mr. Cub insists "at 79, everything is fine." But another task remains on his to-do list. In light of Mark McGwire's admission that he took steroids during his record-breaking home run season of 1998, Banks says he would like to assist Sammy Sosa if he wants to address allegations that he used steroids. "If he wanted to do that, knowing that people were leaning toward thinking he was involved with steroids, I would say just what Mark McGwire did," Banks told me. "You know, come clean with it. Explain it to them. You know he will have fans in the Dominican. Just say: 'This is what happened.' "Just admit it and live with it and understand it. I am ..."
Cubs playing catch-up to fill out roster
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January 25
Foxsports.com
 
"Until they found a new home for Milton Bradley, the Cubs' off-season plans were stuck in neutral. Now they have only a few weeks left to do a winter's worth of work. On their shopping list: a right-handed setup man, a fourth outfielder and possibly a second baseman. And oh, they would also like to add a starting pitcher as insurance for the indefinite absence of ace left-hander Ted Lilly. (They had a scout at Ben Sheets' throwing session last week but fear his price tag may be too high.) Upgrading the bullpen is a top priority, although one source indicated that the team's interest in free agent right-hander Kiko Calero has waned. The Cubs have interest in former White Sox outfielder ..."
For starters, Cubs have 2 spots
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January 24
Chicago Tribune
 
"With Ted Lilly out through at least April, the Cubs will be searching for two new members of the rotation, one to replace him and one to replace the departed Rich Harden. So Cubs camp will turn into a tryout camp. "An opportunity really," said pitching coach Larry Rothschild, preferring not to use the word tryout. "Somebody's going to get a real nice opportunity." Four veterans — Sean Marshall, Tom Gorzelanny, Jeff Samardzija and newcomer Carlos Silva — will join several youngsters with the knowledge that one of them could stick all season. And all four look at themselves as starters. "Absolutely," Gorzelanny said. "That's the way I have to go in. I'm not going in trying to make the ..."
Advantage, Arizona, in Bid to Keep the Cubs
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January 23
New York Times
 
"The Chicago Cubs moved a step closer toward getting a new spring training facility in Mesa, Ariz., hurting hopes in Naples, Fla., of luring the team east. Late Thursday, Mesa released a 14-page proposal to spend $84 million on a new stadium that holds up to 15,000 fans, a 50,000-square-foot clubhouse, offices for the team and practice fields. The Cubs would receive exclusive control over the use of the stadium and could sell advertising and the naming rights. In return, the Cubs would commit to play there for 25 years. The proposal said Mesa and/or Arizona would issue revenue and general obligation bonds to pay for the stadium. The Cubs declined to comment on the proposal."
Cubs possible home for ex-Red Gomes
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January 22
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"While popular speculation has focused on Jermaine Dye, the Cubs appear to be focused on free agent Jonny Gomes in their search for a fourth outfielder, according to a baseball source with knowledge of the Cubs' interest. Gomes, who hit 20 home runs in 281 at-bats for the Cincinnati Reds before being non-tendered last month, is one of at least five outfielders the Cubs are looking at. Gomes, though, comes with the advantages of relative youth (29), a willingness to sign a one-year deal to fill a backup role and a strong desire to play for the Cubs. 'Absolutely,'' Gomes said, confirming discussions. ''I'm a big fan of the game, a student of the game, and I follow a lot of history. I'm not ..."
Fergie Jenkins says McGwire owes apology to pitchers he homered against
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January 22
Dallas Morning News
 
"Ferguson Jenkins says Mark McGwire owes an apology to all pitchers who gave up his home runs. The Hall of Fame ace sent an open letter to The Associated Press this week, telling the former home-run king: "You have not even begun to apologize to those you have harmed." "How many pitchers do you think he ended their careers by hitting numbers of home runs off them?" Jenkins said Wednesday. Jenkins, who pitched with the Rangers in 1974-75, also maintained he would have known how to handle McGwire, who hit a then-record 70 homers in 1998 and followed with 65 the next year. Thirty years ago, Jenkins became one of the first players caught up in baseball's struggles with drug discipline. ..."
Soto slims down prior to season
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January 21
MLB.com
 
"How are you doing on your New Year's resolution to lose weight? Maybe you should try the Geovany Soto diet. Soto didn't wait for the new year to change his eating habits. He has dropped 40 pounds since the 2009 season ended on Oct. 4. He'll need a new uniform. Soto went from a size 42 waist to size 36. "I felt I needed to do something, I felt I needed to go to the next level," said Soto, who had been listed in the Cubs media guide at a polite 230 pounds. "I felt I needed to show my teammates I'm really into this, I really want to play, I want to play hard, I'm committed to this and I want to win. "First and foremost, I did it for me, because I feel better. I love the Cubs and I want to ..."
Source: Cubs in negotiations with Calero
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January 21
Foxsports.com
 
"The Cubs are currently engaged in negotiations with free agent reliever Kiko Calero, one major-league source told FOXSports.com. Calero is asking for a two-year deal, the source said. So far, the team has resisted budging from a one-year offer. The Cubs are wary of the history of injuries to Calero's right (throwing) shoulder. He was sidelined by a torn rotator cuff in 2008, when he made only five big-league appearances with Oakland. His 60 innings with Florida last year were a career high, but he missed roughly three weeks with inflammation in the shoulder."
Cubs face big gap in arbitration road
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January 20
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The Cubs remained as much as $800,000 away from a contract agreement with shortstop Ryan Theriot and nearly that much with closer Carlos Marmol as the deadline for filing salary-arbitration figures passed Tuesday without deals for the team's top two eligible players. The Cubs agreed to terms on one-year contracts with five of their eight arbitration-eligible players earlier Tuesday, leaving first-time eligibles Theriot, Marmol and pitcher Sean Marshall to exchange salary numbers. Theriot, a career .288 hitter and three-year starting shortstop who earned $500,000 last season, filed a $3.4 million salary request, compared with the club's $2.6million offer. Marmol, a 2008 All-Star who ..."
Cubs face salary divide
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January 20
Chicago Tribune
 
"Shortstop Ryan Theriot wants nearly seven times his salary of last season and bullpen closer Carlos Marmol more than four times as teams traded arbitration figures Tuesday. While they signed five players to avoid the process, the Cubs could not settle with Theriot (who wants $3.4 million compared to the team's offer of $2.6 million), Marmol ($2.5 million-$1.75 million) and pitcher Sean Marshall ($1.175 million-$800,000). Theriot made $500,000 last season and Marmol $575,000."
Dye, Nady drawing interest from Cubs
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January 19
MLB.com
 
"The Cubs are looking at free agents Jermaine Dye and Xavier Nady as possible fourth outfielders. A high-placed team official confirmed that both Dye and Nady are on the team's radar. Dye, who turns 36 on Jan. 28, is coming off a season in which he belted 27 homers and 19 doubles for the Chicago White Sox while driving in 81. His average, however, dipped to .251. A career .274 hitter, Dye could play both corner-outfield spots as well as first base if needed. Nady, 31, missed most of last season after undergoing Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery in July. A career .280 hitter, he has played for San Diego, Pittsburgh and both New York teams, most recently with the Yankees. He was ..."
Edmonds says he wants to make comeback with Cards
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January 18
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 columnist Jeff Gordon
"Jim Edmonds wants his No. 15 uniform back. After hanging out with his old teammates all weekend, he wants to stage a comeback with the Cardinals. In fact, he told the crowd assembled at the Animal Rescue Foundation benefit Sunday night that he would play for free. Edmonds later amended his offer, saying he would play for minimum plus some expense considerations. But you get the idea. Right there, on stage at Chaifetz Arena with manager Tony La Russa at his side, Edmonds made his pitch as the "Stars to the Rescue" concert wrapped up. It seemed like an elaborate prank . . . but the longer this exchange dragged on, the more serious Jim seemed. He put his old manager on the spot, uncomfortably ..."
Thief posed as Cub rookie to steal truck
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January 18
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Tyler Colvin still doesn't know why the guy picked him. ''I don't know. I'm not that ugly,'' said the Cubs outfield prospect, who was shocked last week when he found out a man in Utah attempted to steal a $50,000 pickup truck by impersonating Colvin. A dealership allowed the man to sign for the truck with a promise he would return the next day to buy it. Colvin, perhaps the least famous guy to play a game in the Cubs' outfield last year, never has been to Utah, has no apparent connection to the since-jailed poser and doesn't even particularly resemble the 24-year-old suspect."
A fresh start for Silva
Comment
January 18
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"You may not have noticed him unless you went looking for him in the Hilton Chicago basement Saturday afternoon for an autograph, but Carlos Silva was there all weekend at the Cubs Convention. Looking for little attention and attracting little fanfare, he may have been the most inconspicuous $48 million player in the 25-year history of the event. Which is saying something, considering he stands a fairly hefty 6-4. But he also might be the guy at the convention who most symbolizes these 2010 Cubs -- this Team Resurrection -- as they prepare to reconvene one month from today, when pitchers and catchers report to spring training. You think Geovany Soto is serious about turning around his 2009 ..."
Lou Piniella says expiring contract not an issue
Comment
January 18
Chicago Tribune
 
"Will he or won't he? Lou Piniella won't say whether he wants to come back in 2011, and the Cubs manager doesn't believe it will be an issue this season. At the Cubs Convention on Saturday, Piniella mentioned Tony La Russa, Bobby Cox and Joe Torre have one-year deals with their respective teams, though Cox has announced 2010 will be his final season managing the Braves. "I'm going to do my job the best I possibly can, day in and day out, regardless of whether I was signed for one year or 10 years," Piniella said. "It doesn't bother me in the least. ... "We're going to concentrate on our baseball team winning as many games as possible, and that will be enough to keep everybody satisfied this ..."
Cubs reportedly leaning toward Mesa
Comment
January 17
East Valley Tribune
 
"It's no surprise to Mesa officials that the city is the favored home of the Chicago Cubs team for spring training as demonstrated by support the city received at a convention in Chicago Saturday, and Mesa officials say they have more than five decades of tradition to back up that confidence. Mesa Mayor Scott Smith said Saturday, the same day as a Cubs convention in the Windy City, that he felt like all the hubbub was a foregone conclusion because history was bound to repeat itself. "It's no surprise; we've always been confident; that's the kind of loyalty you build up when you have been doing something for well over 50 years," the mayor said. Smith said you can't have a Cactus League ..."
Cubs fans might be delusional, faith undeniable
Comment
January 17
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Geovany Soto showed up at the Cubs Convention 40 pounds lighter, a good thing for the Cubs but a bad development for Frito-Lay. The catcher's svelte, new look naturally led to jokes about a possible booking on ''The Biggest Loser,'' and it was an easy segue from there to thoughts of the biggest loser of them all, the granddaddy of losers, Milton Bradley. The unhappy one was nowhere to be seen at the Hilton Chicago, leading to a level of euphoria among the Cubs and their fans normally reserved for snow-day school closures. Cubs fans laughing at losers is like the Gosselins laughing at the balloon boy's parents. That is not a shot at Cubs followers but a realization that, after 101 years ..."