This is the one you've all been waiting for -- the thoughts I have about what sort of 25-man roster, including position players, pitching rotation and bullpen I think the Cubs should put on the field in 2009. I'm also going to make a comment or two on the coaching staff, which by and large did a fine job in 2008 (well, at least until October 1, they did). This is a long post, so I'm going to make you click through to read the rest, rather than show about 3,500 words on the front page. (You're about to find out why this took me so long!)

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Back in Chicago and back to work early tomorrow morning, I won't get to see much of this televised game, maybe the first couple of innings.

Hope the rest of you can fill in the details.

• Matt Murton's headed to Iowa. Or a deal to another team -- Jim Hendry is actually well-respected among players because he does try to find another situation for someone he can't fit into the Cubs. That article also says Kevin Hart's likely made the team:

  [Lou] Piniella hasn't said anything to pitcher Kevin Hart, who also appears to have made the final 25. Hart figures he'll get on the bus with the team until he's told to get off.

  "That's a good way to look at things," Piniella said.

• TCTSNBN today says that MLB should investigate A-Rod and Magglio Ordonez for steroid use. Why? Because Jose Canseco said so. Great logic there.
• Bruce Miles says Piggy may have turned Lou's head. To which I say, "Good! He's earned the spot."

Tonight, Ted Lilly goes against Seattle's Carlos Silva. The Cubs will be the "home" team tonight and bat last. It's on radio in Chicago (WGN) and Seattle (KOMO), on WGN-TV and on MLB Audio at the MLB.com Mediacenter.

MLB.com Gameday (2007 version)

MLB.com Gameday (2008 version)