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You can blame Boston that we're still looking at trade rumors. And of course the roster and the farm are on the docket today. I know I'll be glad when spring training starts.
From Comcast SportsNet
- (With video) Second Baseman Darwin Barney was honored as the CSN Sports Awards Cubs Player of the Year. This made my wife happy. She thinks Darwin is just dreamy.
- (With video) At the same ceremony, Cubs legend Ernie Banks was honored as, well, a legend.
- Zygote update: Relief pitcher Tony Zych could be on the fast track to Wrigley. He certainly has the confidence to make the bigs.
- Zygote update 2, Revenge of the Zygote: Pitching prospect Dallas Beeler is unknown to some, but he's well versed in humility.
- Zygote-ish update3, CSN's attack on Tim Huwe's territory: Cub prospects are already benefiting from a dramatic influx of information.
From Cubs Den
- Could the Cubs be trying to make some roster room by dealing Alfonso Soriano to the Cleveland Indians? My take: I just don't see Sori accepting a deal to a cold-weather, poorly supported, non-contender (despite the Indians' take that they are "going for it").
- Most of us have written off this season as another year of rebuilding pains. But, if you put on your Cub-colored glasses, you might see that the Cubs could contend.
- A Cubs Den writer argues for bringing Slammin' Sammy Sosa, Mr. 609, back into the fold.
- The (new) weekly Sunday column tackles Wrigley renovations and why the Cubs should sign Michael Bourn and Kyle Lohse.
- On the other hand, the Cubs' roster is likely set. Even with the muddy centerfield situation.
- News and notes on lots of things we already talk about. But what caught my eye was that one of their posters (mentioned in the article) appears to have looked to BCB for handle inspiration.
- Attention Welington Castillo. It's a big year for you, buddy. Time to take ownership behind the plate.
- Al added a fanshot about this, but John Sickels has ranked the Cubs' farm system in the top 10 in baseball.
From Cubs.com
- I made a fanshot on this on Saturday. But since you probably missed it, the Under Armour All-America game will return to Wrigley this year on August 24th.
- MLB Hot Stove states the obvious: Signing Scott Hairston gives the Cubs some needed flexibility.
- MLB prospect head honcho Jonathan Mayo thinks Javier Baez is the third best shortstop prospect in the game. You've probably heard of the two guys ahead of him, Jurickson Profar and Francisco Lindor. Dan Vogelbach was eighth among first basemen, and Albert Almora was ninth among outfielders. And another prospect note: MLB.com will unveil their Top 100 prospect list later Tuesday evening. You can expect a breakdown in Cub Tracks on Thursday.
- By way of the Boston Globe, we can fan the trade rumor flames. Could the Texas Rangers and/or Baltimore Orioles really be inquiring about Alfonso Soriano?
From ESPNChicago.com
- Writer Jesse Rogers is quickly gaining a reputation (from me, anyway) as a real wet blanket. Today's Debbie Downer: Scott Hairston is little more than another outfield placeholder. And, no, a failure to do cartwheels over siging Hairston does not make you a wet blanket on its own. But Rogers' snarky, ironic know-it-all hipster attitude is already wearing thin. Can't we get anyone in this town with the last name of Rogers who can write?
From the Chicago Tribune
- Jim Deshaies' Cub debut will be March 16th.
- Much like Carlos Villanueva, the official dotting of "i"s and crossing of "t"s for Scott Hairston might have to wait for the Cubs to clear their roster glut.
Today's food for thought
- Like lots of kids, I used to be fascinated by space. Seeing these nighttime pictures from the Mars Rover brought that back a little bit.