Will Ricketts pay to land a key player?
Times of Northwest Indiana is reporting A whole mess of things have to go right for a baseball team to contend. Then more luck must be in store for a successful postseason run.
Cubs could still have spring training in FloridaBaseball Trade Rumors is reporting that the Cubs still have a chance to have spring training in Florida. The Cubs originally decided to remain in Mesa Arizona but the decision is pending the City vote on Monday.
Cubs Talk: Chicago Cubs Top 20 Prospects for 2010The minorleagueball.com is reporting Top 20 Chicago Cubs Prospects for 2010
All grades are EXTREMELY PRELIMINARY and subject to change. Don't get too worried about exact rankings at this point, especially once you get beyond the Top 10. Grade C+/C guys are pretty interchangeable depending on what you want to emphasize.
Cubs and Rays talking TradeThe NY Post is reporting I hear that a trade of Tampa Bay’s Pat Burrell for the Cubs’ Milton Bradley is still a strong possibility. Burrell is due $9 million next year while Bradley has two years at $21 million left. Bradley also makes $9 million next year, so the sticking point is how much of the 2011 $12 million contract the Cubs are willing to absorb to complete a trade. My hunch is that the Cubs would have to eat at least half and make that a $6 million contract for the Rays in 2011.
Halladay rumors reach Cubs' doorCarrie Muskat / MLB.com
The Cubs are one of the teams the Blue Jays have contacted regarding former Cy Young Award winner Roy Halladay.
11/20 Cubs & Blue Jays talk re: HalladayThe Cubs are one of the teams the Blue Jays have contacted regarding pitcher Roy Halladay. However, before Cubs fans start salivating at the prospect of the former Cy Young winner in the rotation with Ted Lilly, Carlos Zambrano, and Ryan Dempster, there's a catch.
B.J. Ryan Released at His RequestMlb Fanhouse is reporting We don't often see players ask for their release -- at least not when it's because they don't feel they can help their team. Apparently, though, B.J. Ryan has done precisely that (via Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times tweet). Ryan was said to have felt his velocity and sharpness wouldn't be back in time to help the Chicago Cubs this season.
Forget trades, Cubs have enough to win right nowKen Rosenthal
The idea that the Cubs need to counter the Cardinals' acquisition of Mark DeRosa is preposterous.
The Cubs' $134.8 million payroll on Opening Day was the third highest in the majors. They should not need any help, other than the return of injured third baseman Aramis Ramirez. And frankly, it's pathetic that such a talented club would miss Ramirez this badly.
