Sorry everyone... started a new job today, so there's no witty intro. And I'm feeling under the weather, so I could barely get this finished. The bit at the bottom was written before most of the life force was sucked out of me.

From Comcast SportsNet

• The Cubs thought Anibal Sanchez would be a game changer. Well, the game changed, all right.
• And after missing out on Sanchez, would the Cubs go "all in" with Matt Garza and Jeff Samardzija?

From Cubs Den

• Almost nobody thought the Cubs would sign Sanchez. So what is Plan B?
• That plan doesn't look like it includes much help in the next free agent class, which is why trying to sign Sanchez was so important.
• The Cubs' TV deals are really hamstringing the team. So what is on the horizon from a television perspective?
• With a handful of teams looking for righthanded-hitting run producers, John Arguello asks a good question: Why doesn't Alfonso Soriano draw more trade interest?
• Some notes on roster roulette.
• When looking at the R.A. Dickey trade... consider that the Cubs want to be in the Blue Jays' position.

From the Chicago Tribune

• Some would say new Cub reliever Kyuji Fujikawa joined a cursed team. But pitching for a "cursed" team may be nothing new for "Mound Fuji".

From Cubs.com

• Another new Cub, Barrett Loux, is happy to be joining an old teammate. He and Brooks Raley would most likely start in Iowa, but could be teammates with the big club sometime soon.
• Retired Cub Kerry Wood is continuing his charitable post-playing-days endeavors. Wood gave out holiday gifts as part of his 'Warm Wishes' program.
• The mailbag looks at why the Cubs have picked up so many guys coming off of surgery and whether they need to get more left-handed.

From ESPNChicago.com

• Sanchez chose the Tigers even though Theo Epstein made an impressive presentation while skipping the club Christmas party. Epstein told Sanchez he'd be treated like royalty on the North Side as the Cubs' ace. Unfortunately, however it went down, it wasn't enough.
  

Today's food for thought

• There will be no link today. Instead, I use this space to ask only that you take a(nother) moment to reflect on what is important in the world and in your life, in the shadow of the tragedy in Connecticut. Al has suggested there are better places to discuss these matters -- and I agree. But as we all look for ways to cope, assimilate, and move on, please just take one more moment to pause, particularly if you are about to post with venom (I have been guilty in the past). For those with the means, help if you can.
  
  Sports is a great escape. Let's talk about the team we all root for.
  
  
  Go Cubs.