*Insider Only

Good roundup of the trade. Gives the Cubs a slight edge.

"deal really boils down to a good everyday player (Rizzo) for a high-ceiling reliever (Cashner), which favors the Cubs overall."

Some very encouraging and positive notes about Sveum within this piece by Melissa Isaacson of ESPN Chicago

Good article from Crasnick on the Cubs' double play combo.

per Bruce levine within this chat: Breaking news:the Cubs will promote right-handed pitcher Chris Carpenter from the minor leagues.

From Phil Rogers orginally (take that for what it's worth), posted now ESPN (insider needed )

The Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs may be discussing a deal that would send right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka to the Chicago Cubs for outfielder Kosuke Fukudome,

From Keith Law (Insider required for part of it)

"The hasty promotions deprived him of critical development time, and it showed in his outing on Friday, when he was serving up something slightly better than batting practice to the Brewers' lineup."

Since he didn't pitch either day I was out in AZ, has anyone else seen him pitch live this spring? Is he really looking that bad?

If he doesn't win a spot in the rotation, what should they do with him? Pen or AAA?

via Trenni Kusnierek of the MLB Network. She posted updates to her Twitter account during Sheets' workout today in LA. Some positive things, but I'd definitely like to see what actual scouts have to say about it in the coming days.

Let's hope Zambrano is not only in the great shape he says he's in, but stays that way throughout the season.

Yet another reason why Grace will always be my favorite Cub.

According to Adam Scheffter's Twitter feed: Rams have released G Richie Incognito, a former third-round pick who had a verbal argument with HC Steve Spagnuolo on Sunday.

What do you think about Incognito to the Bears?

Reed is a class act. Even though we might not truly need him back next year, I hope management finds a way to keep him. As we found out this year, there is something to be said about good clubhouse guys.

Sun-Times article showing us once again, that the Celebrity 7th Inning Stretch must end.

I was at the game and missed this gem on TV. What a train wreck.

side note: classic SNL clip of Dreyfuss Star Wars audition.

The mighty braintrust in Bristol don't seem to like the bears this year.

Not only that, but it's unanimous that Green Bay will win this week:
Week 1 Picks

Who do you think will go down? Shark?

Just got this on a Trib email alert.

source said the sales price is "close" to the $900 million bid the Ricketts offered earlier this year

Need a subscription to see but picked this out:

As for what these teams should do... the Cubs should sit tight and enjoy the recent uptick in offense from Derrek Lee and Geovany Soto. It looks like tonight Lou found himself with Soriano playing some second base. I like that kind of creativity. Now, if he could just move Soriano down out of the leadoff spot in the batting order, that would truly be something.

Has anyone else heard of this from any other sources? Would definitely shock me. I can already feel myself cringe.

Rosenthal says the Cubs and O's are talking about a trade for utilityman Ryan Freel.

Thoughts?

If all they're asking for is a 2nd and some change...why wouldn't the Bears be all over that?

Usually I don't care for the RosenBlog, but I think he hit the nail on the head today.