Apparently Michael Jackson was rushed to an Los Angeles hospital this afternoon. By the time he arrived at the hospital he was in a coma and was pronounced dead shortly after. I am not aware of the exact COD. 

While I have not been a fan of Michael Jackson since I was about 8, he was almost as important to me as the Cubs back in the mid 80's. I believe he was getting ready for a final 50-show tour (although I think they were all going to be heald in the same arena). He was 50 years old when he died. 

RIP Michael...

Link

http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/06/michael-jackson-rushed-to-hospital.html

They have not named who the Rockies are will begettign in return. I am just glad the Cardinals weren't able to land him.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/baseball/mlb/11/10/heyman.holliday/index.html

Not much else to write - it is freezing in Chicago today. My office apparently didn't hear the news because it is frigid in here. Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah

Apparently they decided not to take the field today and are boycotting their trip to Japan.

"The Boston Red Sox refused to take the field for their final spring training game in Florida on Wednesday and threatened to boycott their flight to Japan for their season openers unless their coaches and other staff are paid for the trip."

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/chi-red-sox-boycott,0,3145875.story

It's hard to believe at one point in my life, I admired Jose Canseco. Now, I cringe when I see him or his suddenly annoying name. He will take any chance he can get to be noticed, including being a part of mind-numbing reality TV shows of washed up "stars".

While it may be unfair for some players to be named in the Mitchell Report and not every player who ever took steroids, I don't think it is fair for former players to start telling the press names of players that should be in the report.

Jose is now saying "All I can say is the Mitchell Report is incomplete...I could not believe that (Rodriguez's) name was not in the report." What a shock; he picked the most popular player in MLB to accuse. Maybe A-Rod should b listed, maybe not. The point is nobody can/should make that accusation without evidence. I'd prefer any further reports of players linked to this to be official, not from this meat-head doing anything he can to stay in the spotlight for another day.

My guess is he's bitter that Flava Flave got his own show after Surreal Life.

http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/mlb
 

So this season isn't going exactly as planned. Very few have in the past 98 years. It is still early enough to turn it around and, luckily, the rest of the NL Central also has a case of suck-itis.

Our pen is the glaring blackwhole of the Cubs. The offense will hopefully come around and show some consistensy. Unfortunately, there is nobody we can really trust to come into relief.

So, what should the Cubs do; wait it out and hope it turns around? The Rangers are rumored (according si.com) to be in the selling market. What about making a trade for Otsuka? I like the kid and he's shown he can fill the long relief role or close. I'd ask about Gagne, but I've had my fill of injury prone pitchers.

This comes from a website that posts anything and everything, so take it with a grain of salt. It says the Cubs might be shopping Murton for for a reliever.

My question is, who could we actually get for Murton? Does this mean nobody will take Jones?

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/

Sorry if this was already discussed here.

I found this article article by Detroit Tigers pitcher Todd Jones on Prior and Wood. It's interesting to get another MLB pitchers take on their careers/injuries.

While I personally do not expect to see much out of either of them in the future, I would love to see Prior and Wood on the mound next year.

Someone mentioned doing this in another diary. We know most of the 2007 starting lineup, although trades can still happen. Throw your best guess at what you think it will be opening day and we'll see if anyone is even close when the time comes.

C - Molina
1B - Lee
2B - DeRosa
SS - Izturis
3B - ARam
LF - Murton
CF - Wells
RF - Jones

5-Man Rotation
Zambrono
Schmidt
Hill
Miller
Prior/Marmol/Mateo

According www.mlbtraderumors.com (I know, I know), the Walker/Luis Matos deal is in the works. Awesome. Just what the Cubs need, get rid of our best option at 2B for another nobody.

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According to our friend at http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/ the Marlins may be getting rid of Miguel Cabrera as part of their fire sale. I am huge fan of this young power hitter. He had an amazing season last year (.323 AVG., 33HRs, 116RBIs) and is bound to keep putting up similiar numbers.

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