Did you know....Cubs Lose...

... the batter who was the last to hit a home run for the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium in a World Series game could be leading off the first game ever played at new Yankee Stadium? Alfonso Soriano hit a two-run homer with two outs in the fourth inning in Game 2 of the 2003 World Series off Rick Helling, which opened a 6-0 lead. The Yankees won, 6-1.

Soriano would be the leadoff man on Friday for the Cubs when they help the Yankees open their new home ballpark with an exhibition game. --Carrie Muskat (Cubs.com) --------------------------------------------------------------------- The Cubs lost 8-4, with a poor outing by Sean Marshall. David Patton did good after letting in two inherited runs, Gregg has quited critics with his great spring, today Gregg went one inning while striking out 3.

Chi Cubs	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Marshall (L, 3-1)	3.1	8	8	8	2	5	1	4.39
Patton	1.2	2	0	0	0	3	0	0.73
Heilman	1.0	1	0	0	0	0	0	2.12
Vizcaino	1.0	1	0	0	2	2	0	2.89
Fox, C	1.0	0	0	0	1	0	0	2.45
Gregg	1.0	0	0	0	0	3	0	0.00

Fukudome had a great day going 2-3, with a triple. Hoffpauir has hit another (2-run) homerun, and still leads the world in RBI's with 26.

MVP: Hoffpauir
LVP: Sean Marshall

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Cuts...Notes...

According to a press release, the Cubs released catcher Paul Bako and reliever Mike Stanton today. So, it looks like Koyie Hill has the team's backup catcher job.

Notes:

• The Cubs are getting some calls about Chad Gaudin and Angel Guzman, a trade would most likely open a spot for David Patton on the 25-man roster.
  
• Koyie Hill will be the back-up catcher to Geo Soto.
  
• Former first round pick of the Cubs, Mark Pawelek, has been released after failing to get past high A ball.
  

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The Latest Round of Cuts...

On Sunday before the game against the Indians, Kevin Hart and Randy Wells were optioned to Triple-A Iowa and So Taguchi was reassigned to Minor League camp. Andres Blanco, Esteban German, and Mark Johnson were also re-assigned to minor league camp. Including the outright assignment of Brad Snyder to Triple-A on Friday. This means the roster is down to 30, ONLY 5 more cuts to go.


So it looks like Gathright will make the team after all. GOOD, that's better then So Taguchi.

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Gregg Named Closer.

According to Carrie Musket from cubs.com; Kevin Gregg will be the Cubs closer for the upcoming Cubs season.

I'm satisfied with Lou's decision of picking Gregg, but I hope Marmol doesn't burn out by the consent usage. Lou had this to say "I couldn't go wrong either way." As Marmol admitted he was disappointed at the news.

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Notes...Cubs Blogs Weigh In...

Notes:

• Brad Snyder was outrighted to Triple A.
• On Tuesday the Cubs released Ryan Harvey.
• Cubs outrighted Richie Robnett to Triple-A Iowa.
• Closer and back-up catcher roles should be announced this weekend (Sunday?)
  
• Kosuke will play as much as possible in CF.
  
• kosuke has a different vibe this spring training.
• Roster stands at 37 players, what does this mean trade, signing, anything?
  

-----------------------------------
Cubs Blog Weigh in:

1. Cubs be Rollin' Rollin' Rollin', a recap for the Cubs win against the Sox.-CCO
2. Looking back at 84' Cubs acquire Dernier and Matthews.-CCO
3. Former Cub spring training stats.-CCB
4. Should Fukudome be sent down? Or traded for Gary Mathews Jr.-Hot Stove Cubbies
5. ***Jake Peavy resurfaced.-Cubs Corner
   

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Cubs Win.

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Chi White Sox	0	0	0	2	0	0	1	0	1		4	9	2
Chi Cubs	7	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	X		9	12	0

Chi Cubs	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Soriano, LF	4	1	2	1	0	1	1	.345
Snyder, LF-RF	1	0	0	0	0	1	1	.273
Fukudome, CF	4	1	1	0	0	1	1	.250
Gathright, CF	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	.268
Lee, 1B	4	1	2	1	0	1	0	.267
Hoffpauir, 1B	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.296
Bradley, RF	2	0	1	0	2	1	0	.500
Vizcaino, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Stanton, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Fox, C, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Ramirez, A, 3B	4	1	0	1	0	1	5	.289
German, 3B	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.235
Miles, 2B	4	2	3	1	0	1	1	.314
Blanco, A, 2B	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.311
Theriot, SS	3	2	1	0	1	0	2	.415
Hill, K, C	2	1	1	2	1	0	1	.390
Bako, C	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.344
Zambrano, C, P	3	0	0	2	0	0	3	.444
Guzman, A, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1.000
Taguchi, LF	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	.263
Totals	34	9	12	8	4	7	16

MVP: Carlos Zambrano .
LVP: Hate to say it...ARAM.

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The Sweet 16...

In accordance with March Madness, MLB.com's Marty Noble presents his fourth annual Sweet 16, this one devoted to the Cubs. Here are 16 facts or sets of facts that celebrate the Cubs. Any disputes, take them up with Mr. Noble:

1. The Cubs have won 16 league championships, but only one -- in 1945 -- since 1938. The other championship years were: 1876, 1880, 1881, 1882, 1885, 1886, 1906, 1907, 1908, 1910, 1918, 1929, 1932 and 1935.

2. Beginning in 1982 and through 1997 -- 16 years -- Harry Caray brought Cubs baseball to the masses.

3. Cubs players have won 16 BBWAA awards: eight MVP awards -- Ernie Banks (1958, 1959), Phil Cavaretta (1945), Andre Dawson (1987) , Gabby Hartnett (1935), Ryne Sandberg (1984), Hank Sauer (1952), Sammy Sosa (1998); three Cy Young Awards -- Ferguson Jenkins (1971), Greg Maddux (1992), Rick Sutcliffe (1984); and five Rookie of the Year Awards: Ken Hubbs (1962), Geovany Soto (2008), Jerome Walton (1989), Billy Williams (1961), Kerry Wood (1998).

4. Mr. Cub, Ernie Banks, played 16 full seasons, from 1955 through 1969. Banks averaged 150 games per season and never played in less than 130 games. The franchise record for most seasons for a pitcher is 16, by Charlie Root.

5. Sixteen is the Cubs' record for home runs hit by a pitcher. Carlos Zambrano holds the honor. He has hit six, two and four the last three seasons.

6. A Cubs pitcher has allowed at least 12 runs in a game 16 times, but only twice since 1900. George Zettllein was responsible for the other 14 -- all in 1874. He allowed 29 runs in a complete game. That's right, 29, but only 19 were earned.

7. Sutcliffe won 16 games for the Cubs in his Cy Young season, 1984. He also won 16 consecutive regular-season decisions, a club record he established by winning the last 14 decisions in '84 and his first two starts in '85.

8. Sixteen straight losses. The Cubs lost their final two games in 1996 and the first 14 the following season. The 14 straight losses constitute the longest losing streak in franchise history.

9. Sixteen is the one-game National League record for extra-base hits, established by the 1883 Cubs (July 3, versus Buffalo).

10. The Cubs had 16 doubles in the 1945 World Series, their most recent World Series appearance.

11. Mark Prior struck out 16 Brewers in his 16th start of the 2003 season, on June 26.

12. The Cubs lost 16 of the 20 games Elvin "El" Tappe managed in 1962 as a member of the Cubs' infamous college of coaches, a bizarre concept implemented by Cubs owner P.K. Wrigley in '61 and '62. Tappe and four others rotated as the big league manager and as minor league coaches and managers. The Cubs lost 90 games in 1961 and 103 the following year. Their 59-103 record in '62 stood alone as the worst record by an established team in an expansion season until when the Mets duplicated it in 1993. The Marlins exceeded it in 1998 when they lost 108 games.

13. Ken Hubbs wore No. 16 in his Rookie of the Year Award season, 1962.

14. The Cubs scored 16 runs, a franchise record, in their Opening Day games in 2005, in Arizona, and in 2006, in Cincinnati and never scored as many runs again in either season.

15. Cubs home run leaders Phil Cavarretta and Bill Nicholson combined for 16 home runs -- eight each -- in 1946. Rookie Ralph Kiner of the Pirates led the National League with 23.

16. The Cubs have played 16 games that have ended in 16 innings, beginning with a 6-6 tie against the Phillies Aug. 19. 1930. They didn't play another 16-inning games for 16 years.

Thanks: Marty Noble

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Cuts...Notes...

The Cubs optioned Jake Fox, Sam Fuld, and Jose Ascanio in the latest round of roster cuts on Tuesday morning and and re-assigned Jason Waddell and Bobby Scales to minor league camp.

• Rich Harden could be skipped the first time around, so Marshall would be placed in the 4th spot and start the first few weeks (instead of being skipped.)
• Paul Bako is back in back-up catchers role discussion.
• Kosuke Fukudome should be back in camp Wednesday and will have an appearance in Thursday nights game in Scottsdale vs. the Giants.
• Micah Hoffpauir also has a role in "My Boys."
• Lou Piniella says all roster decisions will be made before the team goes to New York for the two games against the Yankees, April 3-4.
• Ted Lilly threw a simulated game on the backfield at 8:30 a.m., and will be slotted into the rotation to follow Ryan Dempster. Rich Harden is on track to start in a Minor League game Wednesday at Fitch Park.

I'd like to congratulate Team Japan and Kosuke Fukudome for winning the World Baseball Classic.

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Cubs Win Big....

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Chi Cubs	1	0	1	1	2	7	5	2	1		20	24	1
Oakland	0	0	0	0	1	1	0	0	3		5	11	0

2B: Hoffpauir 2, R, Johnson, Bako 2, Mota, J, M, Johnson,.
3B: Theriot.
HR: Lee and Bako.

Chi Cubs	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Theriot, SS	3	2	3	2	1	0	0	.432
Blanco, A, SS	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	.318
Fontenot, 2B	4	2	2	1	0	0	3	.368
German, 2B	1	2	1	0	1	0	0	.308
Lee, DH	5	1	2	1	0	1	5	.229
b-Johnson, M, PH-DH	1	1	1	0	0	0	0	.250
Hoffpauir, RF	4	2	2	1	0	2	4	.286
Deeds, D, RF	1	0	0	0	0	1	1	.243
Fox, J, 1B	5	2	3	3	0	1	3	.350
Johnson, R, CF	3	2	2	3	0	0	2	.340
Mota, J, LF	2	1	1	2	0	0	1	.500
Scales, 3B	6	2	2	3	0	0	2	.333
Hill, K, C	2	0	0	0	0	1	1	.385
Bako, C	4	2	4	3	0	0	0	.333
Taguchi, LF	2	1	1	0	1	1	0	.235
a-Fuld, PH-CF	3	0	0	0	0	0	2	.250
Totals	49	20	24	19	3	7	24

The pitching did pretty good besides Cotts, who had his first rough game.

Chi Cubs	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Dempster (W, 2-2)	4.1	3	1	1	1	6	0	1.56
Gregg	0.2	0	0	0	1	1	0	0.00
Heilman	1.0	2	1	1	1	0	0	1.84
Vizcaino	1.0	1	0	0	1	2	0	3.68
Patton	1.0	1	0	0	1	1	0	1.04
Cotts	0.1	4	3	3	1	1	0	3.86
Hart, K	0.2	0	0	0	0	2	0	6.00

MVP: Paul Bako (4-4, 3RBI's, 2R, 2B, with nine total bases.
LVP: Neil Cotts for his rough outing.

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Cubs Win..Notes...

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Chi Cubs	0	0	3	6	0	3	1	0	0		13	19	0
Chi White Sox	0	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	0		2	8	2

HR: Soriano, Bradley, and Fox, J.
2B: Theriot, Taguchi, and J Fox.
RBI: Soriano 2 (7), Bradley 3 (5), Taguchi (9), R Johnson (9), Fox, J 5 (13), Scales (8).

Chi Cubs	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Marshall (W, 3-0)	5.0	5	2	2	0	3	1	1.40
Samardzija	1.0	1	0	0	0	2	0	9.00
Vizcaino	1.0	0	0	0	0	2	0	4.26
Stanton	1.0	1	0	0	1	0	0	3.86
Fox, C	1.0	1	0	0	0	2	0	2.16

MVP: Sean Marshall and Milton Bradley.

Sean Marshall has look great this spring, and deserves that 5th starter spot (the most likely scenario is having Marshall in the 4th spot with Harden in that 5th spot so he can have scheduled days off.) Mike Stanton has been good this spring, and is in the hunt for a bullpen spot on the Cubs.
------------------------------------------------------
NOTES:

• Ted Lilly will most likely not pitch again in the WBC unless it's out of the bullpen.
  
• Derrek Lee is expected to return to the line-up on Sunday.
  
• Geo has gained some weight, but Lou said that Arizona heat will trim him down.
  
• David Patton has looked really good this spring.
• Mike Fontenot will appear on a episode of "My Boys" this upcoming season which starts on March 31.
  

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Corey Koskie Retires.

Corey Koskie retired today from the game of baseball, due to his concussion he suffered on July 6, 2006 while playing for the Brewers, that still makes him light headed. Corey said "it wasn't worth the risk." He is what else had had to say:

"You get caught up in what if I came back -- it'd be a great story," he said. "The big story is I had the opportunity to play. But is it really worth it to play?"

"Look at the facts -- I'm 35," he said. "I still can play. But if I play, I want to be 100 percent. I don't want the 'what if I dive, what if I do this.' Really, what am I trying to do to squeeze out two more years?"


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Notes..News...Cubs Win....

Reports from Gordon Wittenmyer; The Cubs should have payroll capabilities during mid-season for a trade. The Cubs ownership should be completed well before hand so that the Cubs can add payroll, due to the team's continuously strong revenue sources. Wittenmyer quotes Kenney as saying the Tribune and the Ricketts family are "very close to the terms of their deal," which could be wrapped up in May.

Breaking news: Lou Piniella has announced Thursday that Sean Marshall will be the teams 5th starter.
----------------------------------------------

• Corey Koskie left the game due to him not feeling well.
• Derrek Lee has decided not to play for team USA in the semifinals.
• Soto is back in camp.

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Chi Cubs	0	0	6	1	0	0	0	2	0		9	13	2
Seattle	0	1	0	0	1	0	0	0	0		2	11	0

HR: Hoffpauir and Fox, J.

Chi Cubs IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA Heilman (W, 1-0) 3.2 4 1 0 1 3 0 1.32 Wells, R 1.1 1 1 1 1 2 0 1.59 Fox, C 1.1 2 0 0 0 0 0 2.45 Stanton 0.2 2 0 0 0 2 0 4.50 Patton 1.0 2 0 0 0 2 0 1.17 Cotts 1.0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0.00

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Cuts...Breakout Candidate...Notes

Right-handers Mitch Atkins, Jeff Stevens, and Justin Berg were optioned to Triple-A Iowa. Right-hander Marcos Mateo was optioned to Double-A Tennessee. Five non-roster invitees were assigned to the Minor League camp: C Welington Castillo; IFs Darwin Barney and Luis Rivas; and OFs Doug Deeds and Jason Dubois. The roster now is 45 players, including 22 pitchers, four catchers, 10 infielders, and nine outfielders.
--------------------------------
Some of my breakout candidates are (in no order):

1. Elijah Dukes OF, Nats
2. Adam Jones OF, O's
3. Cameron Maybin OF, Marlins
   
4. Alex Gordon 3B, Royals
5. Chris Davis 1B/3B, Rangers
6. Jose Lopez 2B, M's
7. Sean Marshall/Aaron Heilman SP, DA CUBS
8. Oliver Perez SP, Mets (Finally hit his potential consistency)
9. Carlos Zambrano SP, Cubs (will realize his ability to break 18 wins)
10. Jay Bruce OF, Reds
    

----------------------------------
NOTES:

• Carlos Zambrano second-favorite team is the White Sox.
• Corey Koskie will start every other day for the rest of Spring Training at 3B.
  
• Joey Gathright has picked up some grillz. He missed Tuesday's game duo to a Dentist apartment.
  
• Fischer Price (Milton Bradley) still has the flu.
  
• Derrek Lee has a tight quad, and is day-to-day.
• Possibly with confirmation, the Cubs are set to retire the #31 for Greg Maddux and Ferguson Jenkins.
  

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Spring Training...Cub History...

PART I

Spring training so far has been normal, with no controversy. The Cubs have been around .500, with the underrated pitchers and position player performing best. There could be some surprises in that bullpen as well as that bench.

Lou has been fairly quite, unless he's talking about reading books (honestly, I don't care,) but Lou is Lou and he'll do or see what he wants cause his legacy is still intact.

I'm really pulling for two players this spring (well, every player, but you know what I mine) in Jose Ascanio and Kevin Gregg. I believe and thing Gregg deserves that closers spot so Marmol can keep the position as the best set-up man is baseball. Jose Ascanio is a best and I really hope he gets a shot, because in my eyes, he's the next Carlos Marmol or Jose Ceda.

Stay turned for PART II.

This day is Cubs history:

On This date in 1984, A judge in Illinios rules state laws prohibiting night baseball at Wrigley are Constitutional. The Chicago Cubs had previously sued to have the laws overturned after MLB took away ONE of the Cubs HOME games during the 1984 NLCS.


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Week Ahead...Cubs Win.....

Monday: My spring training notes, this day in Cub history, and cuts.
Tuesday: 2009 break out candidates (around the majors.)
Wednesday: What's with Lou lately?
Thursday: Team USA update, closer discussion.
Friday: Cubs vs Padres recap (on WGN/MLBN.)
Saturday: Talkin' Baseball recap.
Sunday: The position players/starting pitchers/closer roles announced?

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Chi Cubs	0	0	3	0	0	0	0	4	3		10	14	1
Arizona	0	0	3	0	0	1	0	0	3		7	9	1

HR: Hoffpauir, Snyder, Fontenot, and Castillo W.
SB: Gathright 3.
Att: 11,455.
MVP: The Cub hitters.
LVP: Ascanio for giving up 3 runs in .2 innings.

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3/14 Line-up....Cub blogs Weigh In.....Notes...

Aaron Heilman will get the start Saturday for the Cubs vs. the Angels.
The lineup is:
LF Alfonso Soriano
SS Andres Blanco
1B Derrek Lee
RF Milton Bradley
3B Aramis Ramirez
CF Reed Johnson
2B Esteban German
C Paul Bako
SP Aaron Heilman
The game will be broadcast on WGN TV and WGN Radio.

Cub Blogs Weigh In:
Radio recaps from the Waddle and Silvy with Mike Fontenot and Mully and Hanley on ESPN 1000 With "The Shark"-Chicago Cubs Blog

According to Hot Stove Cubbies; David Kaplan the White Sox offered Nick Swisher for Fukudome this off season. AND Bullpen wildcards.-Hot Stove Cubbies

Bobby Crosby Updates.-Cubs Corner

Yu Darvish Reactions, with Cub player insight's.-MLBTR
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

• According to Bruce Levine, Jose Ascanio's stock is rising while Chad Gaudin's is falling.
• Aaron Miles is not expected to play for the next few days due to a sore shoulder.
• Mike Fontenot will be the opening day starter-Bruce Miles
• Carlos Zambrano denied the rumors if him playing in the WBC for Team Venezuela in the second round.
• Carlos Marmol should return to the Cubs pitching line-up in todays game.
  

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Sleeper Candidates for Cubs in 09'....Cub Notes...

Logan Watkins, 2B, Chicago Cubs
I really love RHP Jay Jackson, but I've mentioned him before and figured someone more obscure would be more interesting for you. One option is Logan Watkins, drafted in the 21^st round last year out of high school in Goddard, Kansas. Watkins would have gone much higher than the 21^st round but teams were scared off by a Wichita State scholarship. The Cubs signed him for $500,000, then he hit .325/.462/.363 in rookie ball. A terrific athlete, Watkins is a left-handed hitter with excellent strike zone judgment, but lacks power right now. It's also unclear where he fits with the glove. . .there has been talk about him as both a center fielder and shortstop. We need more information here, but Watkins certainly bears close watching going forward.-Thank you minorleaguebaseball.com.

Cub Notes:

• Non-roster invitees J.R. Mathes, Brian Schlitter, Matt Smith and Steve Clevenger were all assigned to minor league camp. The Cubs optioned Richie Robnett to Triple-A Iowa.
• 53 players are left in big league camp.
  
• Lou Piniella expects the Cubs closer, backup catcher, and 5th starter spots to be named around this time next weekend.
• Rich Harden will start against Arizona on Sunday.

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Cubs Sign Esteban German.

According to a press release from the Cubs, they have signed Esteban German to a minor league deal. He was recently released for the Royals last week after clearing waivers. He's under team control till 2010, as an arbitration year.

Career: Batting
SEASON	TEAM	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
2002	Oak	9	35	4	7	0	0	0	0	4	11	1	0	.200	.300	.200	.500
2003	Oak	5	4	0	1	0	0	0	1	0	1	0	0	.250	.250	.250	.500
2004	Oak	31	60	9	15	1	1	0	7	4	13	0	1	.250	.297	.300	.597
2005	Tex	5	4	3	3	1	0	0	1	0	1	2	0	.750	.750	1.000	1.750
2006	KC	106	279	44	91	18	5	3	34	40	49	7	3	.326	.422	.459	.881
2007	KC	121	348	49	92	15	6	4	37	43	60	11	7	.264	.351	.376	.727
2008	KC	89	216	30	53	14	3	0	22	18	42	7	3	.245	.303	.338	.641
Total	--	366	946	139	262	49	15	7	102	109	177	28	14	.277	.358	.383	.741

Hey if he can hit like he did in 06', why not or even .285+, that would be fine. Is this another Reed Johnson type?

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Big Z get the Nod....

Five years and counting, Carlos Zambrano will get the nod on opening day. Ryan Dempster with follow, with Ted Lilly going third, Mr.Injury will be fourth (Harden), the fifth spot will be skipped the first time around this season.

Sean Marshall is still considered the front-runner for the fifth spot but Aaron Heilman has been great or even better. I say go with Heilman!

We have a new chat up, so voice your opinion. Coming soon, be prepared, its something new.

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Rooftop Wars.....

According to CBS.com; The Cubs told the rooftop owners to pay up or be blocked. The Cubs filed a breach of contract lawsuit in federal court Tuesday seeking to prohibit Anthony Racky from operating the Lakeview Baseball Club he owns at 3633 N. Sheffield Ave. until Racky shares 17 percent of his 2008 profits with the team.

Racky has been withholding the 2008 payment to protest a Jumbotron that, he claims, blocked half his view during the NHL's New Year's Day Winter Classic.

The rooftop sold out for the game between the Blackhawks and the Detroit Red Wings. But club attorney Paul Bauch has contended that fans who had trouble seeing the rink would have to be given a future discount or freebie and the Cubs should pay for it. He also wants the Cubs to promise there will be no future obstructions.

Until those conditions are met, Racky has said he intents to withhold the 2008 payment.

"We can't let one rooftop not pay. It wouldn't be fair to the other rooftops -- nor to us," said Mike Lufrano, vice president of community relations for the Cubs.

Lufrano was asked if the Cubs were prepared to block Racky's mid-block view if he hasn't paid up by Opening Day. "We hope it doesn't come to that. We hope we'll be able to resolve it," he said.

Other sources said an obstruction is planned and that it would probably be "some sort of louver, slat or blind" to block Racky's view, but not interference with the rooftops on either side.

Curiosity of Cbs2chicago.com

---

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Cubs Beat M's...Cub Notes....

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Chi Cubs	0	0	0	5	0	0	3	0	0		8	16	1
Seattle	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0		1	6	1

Today the hitting was magnificent, with Miles, Deeds, and K Hill all having multi-hit games.

MVP: The pitching staff.
LVP: Reed Johnson who has struggled with a .231 batting average.

Chi Cubs	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Harden	2.0	2	0	0	0	1	0	0.00
Dempster (W, 1-2)	3.0	2	0	0	0	2	0	2.25
Heilman	3.0	2	1	1	0	5	0	1.13
Ascanio	1.0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0.00

Cub Notes:

• Lou has told Kosuke Fukudome that he'll most likely hit second this year for the Cubs. I think this is good because if Kosuke plays almost everyday, he'll have over 100 walks which would be surprising for a 2-hole hitter.
• Cubs will play team Japan on Thursday at Hohokam park. Big Z is slated to start for the Cubs.
• Corey Koskie is expected to join the team on Thursday.
• Lou will choose between Dempster and Zambrano for opening day by the end of the week.
• Ted Lilly will pitch for Team USA on Wednesday.
  

IF you an author for an American League blog for any website, could you please comment or Email me!
This story was approved by Chicago Cubs Blog-Phil Wilson

Bradley Comments Causing a Stir.

Thanks to MLBTradeRumors.com for the info.

Here's what he said;

"My agent was saying that Jon Daniels was telling him, 'There are days when he doesn’t want to play because of his health.' Well, you can get a healthy guy to go out there and play 162 games, but he won’t do what I did in 120."

The comment was "crudely self-serving" but "mostly right" given his production last year. Worse, though, Bradley seemed to admit to prioritizing his stats:

"If I'm being paid, and I've got the commitment to me that I give to them, you make more of an effort to be out there every day. When you're on one-year deals constantly, you've got to put up as good numbers as you can. When you have days where you’re not feeling like you can contribute, you're not going to go out there, because you’re not going to want your numbers to suck. So, if you're in a situation like I am now, if they want me to go out there when I'm feeling a little banged up, I've got no problem doing that because they've made the commitment to me." (Major props to Tim Dierkes.)

IF you an author for an American League blog for any website, could you please comment or Email me!

This story was approved by Chicago Cubs Blog-Phil Wilson

Cubs Finally Win...

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Kansas City	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0		1	4	1
Chi Cubs	1	3	0	1	0	0	1	3	X		9	12	0

Chi Cubs	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Soriano, LF	4	1	1	2	0	0	1	.167
Taguchi, LF	1	0	1	3	0	0	0	.250
Fontenot, 2B	3	2	2	2	1	0	0	.367
Rivas, L, 2B	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	.211
Lee, 1B	4	0	1	1	0	0	1	.211
Snyder, RF	1	0	0	0	0	1	1	.250
Bradley, DH	3	0	0	0	1	0	1	.273
Ramirez, A, 3B	3	0	1	0	0	0	1	.318
Blanco, A, SS	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	.176
Hoffpauir, RF-1B	4	1	2	0	0	2	2	.324
Miles, SS-3B	3	1	1	0	0	0	3	.222
Bako, C	4	1	2	0	0	0	1	.200
Gathright, CF	3	3	1	1	1	1	1	.333
Totals	35	9	12	9	3	5	13

BATTING
2B: Lee, Fontenot, Hoffpauir
3B: Taguchi
HR: Soriano and Fontenot

Chi Cubs	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Gaudin (W, 2-0)	2.0	1	0	0	0	1	0	5.14
Samardzija	3.0	2	1	1	0	2	0	6.75
Gregg	1.0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0.00
Waddell	1.0	1	0	0	0	2	0	1.50
Caridad	1.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.00
Wells, R	1.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.00

Att: 8,987
Umpires: HP: Kerwin Danley. 1B: Chris Tiller. 2B: . 3B: Doug Eddings.
Weather: 69 degrees, sunny.
Wind: 10 mph, Out to LF.

IF you an author for an American League blog for any website, could you please comment or Email me!
This story was approved by Chicago Cubs Blog-Phil Wilson

Jake Peavy Suitor Emerges.

Jake Peavy recently told Rod Bradford of WEEI;

"Boston was a place that I told the Padres I would certainly be interested in playing. I don’t know if there were any talks. I gave the Padres a list and Boston was on that list. Boston was a place I told the Padres I would be interested in playing at. Set that straight for sure."

Yes I think Jake is interested, but is Boston? They have Beckett, Dice-K, and Lester anchoring that rotation with John Smoltz, Brad Penny, Clay Buchholz, Micheal Bowden, and Tim Wakefield vying for that 4th and 5th spot. The Red Sox have an amazing farm system, but there not gonna want a blow to there farm for a starting pitcher, when there most likely problem would br offense. You might be thinking, they have Bay, Ortiz, Pedroia! Well Ortiz will have declined numbers with the absence of Manny. Drew will be injured (duo to his back). Jason Bay and Dustin Pedroia had amazing years, but one hast to think that they can't do any better and will fall off those lines. BUT don't get me wrong that have a good line-up, but if they need help it will most likely be either C, CF, RF, 3B, or even DH.

AND the Padres will want Lars Anderson 1B or Michael Bowden RHP anchored in a deal. We all know Lars is the best 1B prospect in the game, but if the Padres are content with Adrian, then the Padres Might want Micheal Bowden and Michael Almanzar. AND the Red Sox have Beckett who is already questioned with injury and they don't want a possible two.

Tell me what you guys think? What prospects the Padres would want from the Sox? Is it possible?

IF you an author for an American League blog for any website, could you please comment or Email me!
This story was approved by Chicago Cubs Blog-Phil Wilson

Cubs Lose Again.

Don't worry it's just spring training, but it's now 6 in a row.

Cubs 2 Rangers 7
WP - Derek Holland (1-0) LP - Chad Fox (0-1)

Today's game is the first game not decided by two or less. But anyways Marshall looked great, the Cubs wont go wrong with either Heilman or Marshall.

Sean Marshall pitched four shutout innings, strucking out three, no walks, and surrendered only two hits. Marshall faced the minimum number of batters through three and pitched ahead in the count most of his outing. Marshall left with a 2-0 lead, but the Cubs bullpen could not hold it.

This story was approved by Chicago Cubs Blog-Phil Wilson

Peavy Notes...Cubs....

According to Karl Ravech from Baseball Tonight (9:00AM, NEW due to WBC) he expects the Cubs to restart the Peavy talks or for another player during the season. He expects the Cubs do something this year in the playoffs, the Cubs were in his top 5 storylines on the Major League Season.

This story was approved by Chicago Cubs Blog-Phil Wilson

Cub Notes....

The Cubs have lost 4 games in a row. Big Z will try to change that today against the Brewers at 2:05 CT on WGN-TV.

• Milton Bradley will play about every other game in the spring.
• Rich Harden threw 43 pitches in a simulated game and could make his first Cactus League start on Tuesday vs. Seattle.
• The Cubs have have re-assigned pitchers Andrew Cashner, Rocky Roquet and Ed Campusano to the Minor League camp, they now have 57 players in camp.
• Team USA will play today VS Canada.
• Ken Rosenthal says that the new ownership pf the Cubs may not be willing/able to add Jake Peavy's contract.

This story was approved by Chicago Cubs Blog-Phil Wilson

Cub Notes...

• Kosuke Fukudome didn't have an official AB, he had 4 walks.
• Cubs lost to the White Sox twice in Vegas.
  
• Aaron Heilman has look incredible this spring.
  

This story was approved by Chicago Cubs Blog-Phil Wilson

Cub Rumors

• Cubs loss to the Indians 5 to 4. Bradley returns and goes 1-3 with a double.
  
• Cub scouts have been monitoring Bobby Crosby for the A's, who is owed 5.25 million dollars this year in his contract year. Crosby has come out and say he wants to start everyday, but he won't in Oakland due to the arrivals of Nomar "Nomah" Garciaparra and Orlando Cabrera. But one source familiar with the Cubs thinking said there's nothing to the rumor.
• Joe Beimel has been rumored to be on the Cubs radar, due to his price falling significantly.

This story was approved by Chicago Cubs Blog-Phil Wilson

ARAM Want's to finish a Cub....Josh Vitters

According to Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune; Aramis Ramirez want's to finish his career as a Chicago Cub. Here's what he said:

"I'd like to end my career here. I feel good here. I knew there was going to be a lot of money on the market, but I didn't want to go anywhere. I just want to stay here with the Cubs."

So presuming that Aramis Ramirez stays a Cub for the indefinite future, does it mean that we can trade away Josh Vitter's? What do you think?

If we can trade Josh Vitter's for someone who can help us now, why not.

This story was approved by Chicago Cubs Blog-Phil Wilson

Cubs VS A's...Stats...

Cubs 6 A's 4.

Chi Cubs	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
Soriano, LF	3	1	1	1	0	0	1	.222
Stanton, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Vizcaino, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
b-Dubois, PH	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.143
Cashner, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Cotts, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Wells, R, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Caridad, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Theriot, SS	2	2	0	0	1	0	0	.500
Barney, SS	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.125
Ramirez, A, 3B	3	1	1	3	0	1	1	.111
Rivas, L, 3B	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.364
Fox, J, 1B	4	1	2	2	0	1	0	.438
Robnett, RF	3	0	0	0	1	1	1	.091
Johnson, R, CF	3	0	1	0	0	0	1	.273
Fuld, CF	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.375
Bako, C	2	0	0	0	1	0	3	.000
Castillo, W, C	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Blanco, A, 2B	3	0	1	0	0	0	0	.300
Marshall, P	1	0	0	0	0	0	2	.000
Gregg, P	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
a-Taguchi, PH-LF	1	1	0	0	1	0	0	.000
Totals	30	6	6	6	4	3	9

a-Walked for Gregg in the 4th. b-Grounded out for Vizcaino in the 6th.

Chi Cubs	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Marshall (W, 1-0)	3.0	0	0	0	0	1	0	1.80
Gregg (H, 1)	1.0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0.00
Stanton	1.0	3	2	2	1	0	0	9.00
Vizcaino	1.0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0.00
Cashner	0.1	3	2	2	1	0	0	54.00
Cotts (H, 1)	0.2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.00
Wells, R (H, 1)	1.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.00
Caridad (S, 1)	1.0	1	0	0	1	1	0	0.00

Marshall and Heilman have both look pretty good this spring training, it's safe to say that there "competition."

This story was approved by Chicago Cubs Blog-Phil Wilson

Peavy, Part XLIII

Even though the Cubs haven t started the talks with the Padres about there Ace Jake Peavy since the winter meetings, it could still be resurrected. But Peavy is still high on the Cubs according to the Chicago Tribune.

As from the beginning, the Padres cant afford the 63 million dollar contract for Jake Peavy.

Here's what he had to say:
"Obviously, Chicago was a team that I did have an interest in playing for, and I respect [general manager] Jim Hendry and the organization," he said. "I respect a lot of the players they have and feel like they have a good bunch, and obviously [it's] a great city. [Those] were reasons I identified the Cubs as a team I wanted to be a part of if I had to move on from San Diego."

"Other than doing that, I just let the guys making the decisions make them. I have no idea [what will happen]. I know I'm here and I have to prepare like I'm a San Diego Padre."

Major props to ChicagoCubsonline.com.

This story was approved by Chicago Cubs Blog-Phil Wilson

CUBS PODCAST...

Here is my first podcast is below, so please listen and tell me what you think. Make sure you wait because it will start about 20 seconds in after you press play. This is obviously my first recording, and I was a little nervous (I had to use my phone today, but I will get a headset next week.) For some reason I'd move my phone away from my mouth, and that's the reason for the break-ups. Make sure your volume is up on your speakers and on the widget box.


I went straight from gut (I had no notes,) It'll be a little more fluent and better next week.

Thanks for listening!

This story was approved by Chicago Cubs Blog-Phil Wilson