Notes...News...

Notes:

• The Cubs beat the Indians 9-8 with a shaky start from Ryan Dempster. On the positive note, Alfonso Soriano hit a lead-off home run today.
• The Cubs released Ken Kadokura.
• Some indications out there are that the Cubs are interested in Mike Lamb who cleared waivers after being released earlier in the week.
• Chad Gaudin is still being targeted by select teams, and his value is shot at best and in my estimation, we should cut him loose.
  

Please read this article I wrote earlier in the evening. Click Here

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Blog News...

Blog News: Starting this Sunday through the end of the season I will have a post called "HOT TOPICS" which will be news surrounding the Cubs and all twenty-nine other teams. The post would be about:

• Recent injuries to MLB players.
• Players who have been DFA'd, waived, traded, and signed.
• Records on the verge or that have been broken.
• Controversy in MLB.
• My player (s) of the week for all of baseball.
  
• Teams that are hot and cold.
• Occasional analysis.
  
• Players sent down to the farm.
  
• Occasional plays of the week (Video for ESPN.)
• AND all NEWS that surrounds baseball and it's players, teams, coaching staff, owners, fans, and etc.
  

Including, at the end of each month a team ranking of all 30 teams.

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Rockies Looking to Acquire Chad Gaudin

According to Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune; Word out of Denver is that the Rockies have major interest is Chad Gaudin.

"If that happens, the Cubs could keep both Angel Guzman and Rule 5 pick David Patton, and send Jeff Samardzija to Triple-A Iowa. The Cubs probably aren't expecting much back for Gaudin, who hasn't pitched well since his mysterious fall last August put him on the disabled list with backs problems."-Paul Sullivan

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Notes...Cubs Tie...

Notes:

• Old news~Chad Fox will start the season in AAA as insurance and to build strength in his arm.
• The Cubs traded Rocky Roquet to the Oakland A's for a player to be named later on Wednesday.
• The Cubs also released Ed Campusano on Wednesday.
• There have been several media circuits claiming that the Tigers and Padres as well as mystery teams interested in Chad Gaudin and Angel Guzman.
  

The Cubs ended with a tie with the Oakland A's in today's game. Soto has a great game with a grand slam and a solo bomb. Alfonso has woken up with a 2-hit game. Carlos Zambrano did fair in a tune-up game, stats below.

Chi Cubs	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Zambrano, C	3.1	2	1	1	2	1	0	3.20

What you like is only 1 run, and only 2-hits allowed, what you don't like is 1 K.

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Cubs April TV and Radio Schedule

Date	Opponent	Time (CT)	TV	Radio
Note: Spring training games are listed below in green.
April
Wednesday, April 1	@ Athletics	3:05 PM
Thursday, April 2	vs Indians	2:05 PM
Friday, April 3	@ Yankees	6:05 PM	MLB.TV, MLBN
Saturday, April 4	@ Yankees	12:05 PM	CSN Chicago, MLB.TV	WGN 720
Monday, April 6	@ Astros	6:05 PM	CSN	WGN 720
Tuesday, April 7	@ Astros	7:05 PM	WGN	WGN 720
Wednesday, April 8	@ Astros	7:05 PM	CSN+	WGN 720
Friday, April 10	@ Brewers	3:05 PM	WGN	WGN 720
Saturday, April 11	@ Brewers	6:05 PM	CSN	WGN 720
Sunday, April 12	@ Brewers	7:05 PM	ESPN	WGN 720
Monday, April 13	vs Rockies	1:20 PM	WGN	WGN 720
Wednesday, April 15	vs Rockies	1:20 PM	CSN	WGN 720
Thursday, April 16	vs Cardinals	1:20 PM	CSN	WGN 720
Friday, April 17	vs Cardinals	1:20 PM	WGN	WGN 720
Saturday, April 18	vs Cardinals	2:40 PM	FOX	WGN 720
Sunday, April 19	vs Cardinals	7:05 PM	ESPN	WGN 720
Tuesday, April 21	vs Reds	7:05 PM	WGN	WGN 720
Wednesday, April 22	vs Reds	7:05 PM	CSN	WGN 720
Thursday, April 23	vs Reds	1:20 PM	CSN	WGN 720
Friday, April 24	@ Cardinals	7:15 PM	CSN	WGN 720
Saturday, April 25	@ Cardinals	3:10 PM	FOX	WGN 720
Sunday, April 26	@ Cardinals	1:15 PM	WGN	WGN 720
Monday, April 27	@ Diamondbacks	8:40 PM	CSN	WGN 720
Tuesday, April 28	@ Diamondbacks	8:40 PM	WGN	WGN 720
Wednesday, April 29	@ Diamondbacks	2:40 PM	CSN	WGN 720
Thursday, April 30	vs Marlins	7:05 PM	WCIU	WGN 720

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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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