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Thank goodness baseball is back so we can get back to bickering about on-field happenings. So with camp underway, there's just a few links to wade through.
From Comcast SportsNet
- (With video) Jeff Samardzija is just rolling with the changes.
- A cross-sectional look at how Cub prospects have been ranked by a variety of analysts.
- The attitude adjustment of the Cubs continues as Spring of Sveum 2 gets underway.
- The team faces five big-picture questions this spring.
- Mark Prior wants one more shot.
- Japanese import (yeah, that'll never get used) Kyuji Fujikawa is not going to concede the closer's role to incumbent Carlos Marmol.
- Speaking of the Cub closer, Marmol says the accusations against him are blackmail.
- (Video) What effect do the free agent "issues" facing Kyle Lohse and Michael Bourn have to do with Matt Garza?
From Cubs Den
- Some Cub notes: Scott Baker is a deal and a look at the success rate of top prospects.
- More notes: Catching up on projected line-ups and why we shouldn't forget about prospect Reggie Golden.
- The Sunday feature takes a whimsical look at what Cub fans could be looking at in 2017.
- Who is this year's pleasant spring surprise?
- What comes before zygote? Let's find out with an evaluation of Dominican Summer League prospect Carlos Rodriguez.
- Only sort of, at best, related to the Cubs. But the Cleveland Indians ended the free agent saga of Michael Bourn by inking him to a 4-year deal.
From Cubs.com
- MLB.com's spring training preview (video).
- The Cubs are heading to camp, ready to make the leap. And it is all about forward thinking and contending -- soon.
- Javier Baez is catching national attention. Now he's working on refining his skills.
- I posted a fanshot on this, but the Cubs did some shuffling on the business side of the house.
- Mt. Fuji is beginning the transition as spring training gets underway.
- The bunting tournament will be part of spring training again this year. The twist? A front office staffer will have the chance to show their stuff.
- Javier Baez getting an invite to spring training has been all the buzz. But maybe we shouldn't read too much into it.
- Dale Sveum is only looking forward as spring training gets underway.
- A healthy (according to him) Matt Garza says he is ready to prove himself.
- Garza also says newly acquired (presumed) back-up catcher Dioner Navarro is a run stopper and helped mentor Garza during his early seasons in the big leagues.
- There's a chance coming up later this month to toast Harry Caray and win a trip to Las Vegas.
From ESPNChicago.com
- The position previews continue, though they get lumped together by the infield and outfield.
- ESPN Insider Keith Law joined the Waddle & Silvie show to talk Cub prospects. You can listen in on the podcast.
- A preview guide to spring training.
- Jeff Samardzija is ready to take another step.
- A look at big spring training issues, though nothing we haven't hashed out before.
- The team continues to preach patience.
- (Video) Bruce Levine and Jesse Rogers discuss the start of spring training. They both look thrilled to be there.
- The Cubs and Dale Sveum face higher expectations this year.
From the Chicago Tribune
- The Cubs' plans may be coming to fruition.
- One thing you can't question with the Cubs is their resolve.
- Javy Baez won't start the season in the big leagues. Not much of a surprise, but it'd sure be nice to see him push the issue.
- (Video) Epstein, Sveum, and Hoyer on the state of the Cubs.
- Speaking of Theo, he addressed Curt Schilling's recent accusations, echoing the sentiments we heard from Jed Hoyer earlier.
- (Video, free) Carlos Marmol proclaims his innocence.
- Uncle Phil says the Cubs have put 101 losses in the rear-view mirror.
- Matt Garza isn't worried about what the future holds. If you'd like to watch and listen to him talk, click here.
- Phil Rogers says trading Alfonso Soriano and Carlos Marmol is still at the top of the team's to-do list.
From the Chicago Sun-Times
- There were no major renovations, but the Cubs could (should?) be better in '13.
From the Daily Herald
- The Cubs' alliance with Northwestern might put the White Sox and U of I in their wake.
- The Cubs are hoping to compete, even while mixing and matching.
- Don't expect much drama in Cubs' camp.
- The Cubs are guided by Dale Sveum's steady hand.
Today's food for thought
- Startling images of the tornado in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
- Paging Bruce Willis and his oil drilling team. Earth is about to get a close call with a large asteroid.