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March Madness does make this one of the best sports weekends of the year. Maybe the Cubs can play the role of 15th-seeded Florida Gulf Coast University and shock the world.
From Comcast SportsNet
- Darnell McDonald may not have made the Cubs' roster, but he's a winner in my book. He's helped a noted baseball family deal with a tragedy.
- And here's another angle from that story, featuring former Cub GM Dallas Green.
- With injuries and mixed performances, the Cubs are taking a big-picture look at their pitching staff.
- (Video, too) The opening day roster is coming into focus.
- This was linked as a fanshot, but in the impossible case that you missed it, Joe Posnanski wrote a nice bio-based piece on Theo Epstein.
- There are no more distractions for Jeff Samardzija.
- (Video) Carlos Villanueva thinks the Cubs can contend.
- A series of tweets from David Kaplan suggests rival scouts are starting to fear what the Cubs are building.
- As decision time nears, the Cubs are hoping for good news on Scott Baker.
From Cubs Den
- We all need more top 25 Cub prospect lists. Here's another one.
- If you believe in 'miracles', here are five ways the Cubs can compete this year.
- Another draft update.
From Cubs.com
- Be warned, opposing offenses. Jeff Samardzija is completely focused with no distractions.
- Even at an advanced (baseball) age, Alfonso Soriano is continuing to make adjustments.
- Brad Nelson is going to have to be patient to get a chance.
- Michael Bowden has been a frequent traveler, bouncing between baseball homes. He may have finally found a spot to settle.
- Carlos Villanueva enjoyed going up against good friend Yovani Gallardo.
- I don't link many highlights, but I thought you might like to see Darwin Barney crushing a home run and then Dioner Navarro doing the same.
- The team might not finalize the bullpen until next weekend.
- Casey Coleman is enjoying his alma mater's March Madness Cinderella run.
From ESPNChicago.com
- There are still moving pieces on the Cub roster.
- Shark has developed on the mound. Now he's showing improvement at the plate, too.
- Alfonso Soriano knows a fast start is critical to the Cubs.
- (Video) Darwin Barney chats about charity.
- Cub pitchers are focusing on making the opposition earn it.
- David DeJesus joined the ESPN 1000 podcast as spring camp starts to wrap up.
- The team is still looking for infield help. Waiver wire HO!
From the Chicago Tribune (register to see almost anything but videos)
- Jeff Samardzija wanted to clarify the story about whether he dumped a girlfriend for the a shot at the Cubs' rotation. Turns out, he didn't.
- Shark is also willing to give it his all.
- (Video) Carlos Villanueva talks about the starting rotation.
- And that rotation has a lot of self-confidence.
From the Chicago Sun-Times (can read a paragraph, register to read the rest)
- I find this story really interesting, in part because I can't quite decide whether I agree, so I hope it will prompt some conversation. But Carlos Villanueva is pretty old school. He won't fraternize with former teammates.
- Former Cub Aramis Ramirez has reasons to gloat, but won't. Sort of.
From the Daily Herald (registry required for all)
- Len Kasper and Jim Deshaies are already building tv chemistry.
Today's food for thought
- Have you ever seen a moonbow?