Here's the latest from around the web:
From Cubs.com:
- Despite a big dip in support last year, Lee Smith is still hopeful to join the ranks of closers in the Hall of Fame.
- As for Sammy Sosa, he was just honored to be on the ballot. But he still hopes to make it in despite a much tougher hill to climb.
From ESPN Chicago:
- Despite Russell Martin going to the Blue Jays in a neck-and-neck race, he was "super impressed" by the presentation made by the Cubs' front office.
From the CBS Chicago:
- As has been discussed on BCB, the Red Sox' signing of Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval could have a domino effect for the Cubs in their hopes to sign Jon Lester.
From Cubs Den:
- Mike Moody looks at the mix of young players and veterans on a team and how it affects win totals and his opinion on whether or not the Cubs should pursue Yasmani Grandal.
From Chicago Cubs Online:
- From the "not necessarily news" department, if the Cubs look to Cole Hamels as a backup option, the price on him is still high.
From Chicago Cubs 101:
- This week's Bold Prediction from Tim Duxbury: 2015 will be the final year as a Cub for Luis Valbuena.
- There's another possibility for the starting rotation: the Nationals' Doug Fister.
- And the Cubs could use a guy like Jonny Gomes or... Nick Swisher. (Hint: It's not because of their offensive numbers.)
From Cubs Insider:
- Tom Loxas has a Q & A session with Mike Ferrin from Sirius XM.
- And Glendon Rusch remains a favorite among Cub fans.
Today's food for thought:
- [VIDEO] A cinematographer took a drone on a flight through the remains of Chernobyl.
- Over 16,000 documents from Charles Darwin have been digitized and made available online by the American Museum of Natural History and the Darwin Manuscripts Project.
- And we have the planet of Saturn to thank for helping life to evolve on Earth.