Apparently the M's are forking over a lot of money for the 31 year old...

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-mariners-figgins&prov=ap&type=lgns

At least the fanposts suggesting the Cubs should sign him will stop.  Now if only we can get the Brian Roberts and Mark DeRosa blow hards to go away. 

Still waiting for the Bradley saga to end.  Put us out of our misery Jimbo.  At this point just do the deal for Burrell and write it off as a loss.

The roster is now set.  No big surprise that the Cubs could find no takers for Gaudin and had to just drop him.  I am okay with that as the upside with Guzman is too high to risk losing him. 

 Sending Jeff down was also the right move- he can always be brought back up later for the bullpen.  If his future is really starting then let him do it in the minors. 

Also means that Patton makes the club.  Can he stick and do well having only played in A ball?  Time will tell.

Here are a couple links...

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-cubsmoves&prov=ap&type=lgns

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20090405&content_id=4131752&vkey=pr_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc

According to another blog the Cubs have signed Aaron Miles to a 2 year deal...

http://www.thecubreporter.com/2008/12/31/cubs-sign-aaron-miles

Although this looks official with quotes from Hendry about it there is nothing on any other outlets that I can find.  Can anyone else please confirm?

Kind of an interesting deal if it is indeed true.  I would say it definitely paves the way to trade Cedeno and possibly even DeRosa. 

It is now official...

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081231&content_id=3730649&vkey=hotstove2008&fext=.jsp

There has been some speculation on this site and others that maybe the Cubs could get Greene from the Padres.  Well it looks like he is about to sign a two year deal to stay put so you can forget about him.  Theriot will be the starting SS for the Cubs in 08 barring something unforeseen.  I personally am fine with that.  He faded down the stretch but was solid otherwise.  There will be plenty of time to make a move during the season if it isn't working out.  

Here is the link to the story...

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-padres-greene&prov=ap&type=lgns

Now we can just continue to debate the merits of a B Roberts trade instead.  Just kidding.  I for one refuse to post anything else about it until a deal is actually signed off by Peter Angelos (which will be never).  MacFail was an idiot for going there.  

In case you have not heard the Bonds record breaking HR ball will indeed by branded with an asterisk prior to going to the hall of fame.  I just keep laughing to myself everytime I think of this.  It makes me want to go back and visit the place again just to see how they actually display it.  With all the amazing artifacts they have displayed will they try to hide it or will they actually acknowledge it to the fans who visit.  

I wonder what Barry thinks now of the "idiot" who bought the ball.  

Here is the story...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070926/ap_on_sp_ba_ne/bbn_bonds756_ball_6;_ylt=AsWbOvxz4g7SfbdIGERE8isE 1vAI

I must confess- I actually voted at least 6 or 7 times for the asterisk and it felt good doing so.  

The big news of the day for the Cubs minors was Hart and Gallagher being sent from AAA to AA.  Speculation is that this is just to keep them pitching (starting) on normal rest so if the big club needs them in a couple weeks they will be ready.  BTW- Iowa is done in 3 or 4 days whereas Tenn will likely make the playoffs and go longer.  

On to the scores...

IOWA (AAA):  loses 6-3 to Memphis.  

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=g_box&gid=2007_08_30_iowaaa_mrbaaa_1&a mp;did=t451&sid=t451

Fox hit a 2R HR and Craig hit a solo shot but that was all the scoring Iowa could manage.  E Patterson went 2-4 with a SB playing CF.   However the starter O'malley put them in a hole early (2.2IP 4ER 6BBs) that they could never pull out of.  Cherry pitched 1.1 scoreless innings with 1K

Tenn (AA):  Wins 5-2 over carolina.

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_08_30_tena ax_cmcaax_1

Colvin and Fuld each go 2-4 and Reynolds had a 2R double.  The aforementioned recently demoted Hart pitched 5 strong innings giving up 0ER with 1H, 2BB, and 3Ks.  "Game over" Roquet got his 7th save with a scoreless 9th (1H and 1BB though).  

Daytona (hi A):  Loses 7-6 to St Lucie.

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_08_30_dbca fa_sluafa_1

Darin Downs gives up 4Rs in the bottom of the 8th to give the D-cubs a tough loss.  4 differnt batters banged out 2 hits (Camp, Dopirak, Clevenger, and Matulia) and Rea even had 3. Unfortunately all Daytona hits were singles except one double by Dopirak.  BTW- take a look at the stats for Clevenger (link below)...for a guy no one really ever talks about he has had a nice year (but little power or speed but at Catcher who cares).  LH too boot.

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Clevenger%20%20DH&pos=&sid=milb&am p;t=p_pbp&pid=502182

Peoria (Mid A):  wins 3-1 over Quad Cities.

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_08_30_peoa fx_qcsafx_1

Strong pitching from Russell (lefty just drafted from Texas who now has pitched 9 scoreless innings with only 3H, 4BB, and 11Ks), Ruhlman (3IP no ER), and Maestri (2IP no ER, BB, or H and 4Ks).  RBI singles by Canzler and Wright in the top of the 9th break the 1-1 tie and give Maestri the win.  

Boise (lo A):  No boxscore as of yet.  1GB with 6 to go though. This just in- Boise wins 8-7. http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_08_30_spoasx_boiasx_1 Josh Vitters actually has a good game: 1-3, BB, and a SB. But the story for Boise once again is Catcher J Donaldson- 3RBIs on 2 hits. C Huseby had a nice start: 5IP, 3H, 1ER, 1BB, and 7Ks. But the bullpen blew the save then snaked a win. Hatley had a perfect 9th for his 1st save.  

AZL Cubs:  win 4-0.

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_08_30_cubr ok_athrok_1

Angel Guzman starts and goes 2 innings (1H, 1BB, and 2Ks).  Julio Castillo comes in and pitches 5 strong for the Win (2H, no BB, and 6Ks).  

One last tidbit- is everyone else enjoying the playing of "Go Cubs Go" after Cubs wins as much as me?  I still get chills thinking about the Aramis shot to win it a few weeks back over the Brew crew and them just letting the music play on TV without interrupting.  How long have they been playing this anyway?  Being an out of town fan I rarely get to see them in Chicago and I don't recall them playing it when I did- although I must admit they didn't win too many of the games I have seen at Wrigley.  Unfortunately I did not get to hear it after the wins at LA and SD I saw earlier this year.  

This is not exactly surprising but the fact Fox was brought up and not Cedeno is odd to me.  Guess they wanted a RH hitting 1B backup with Lee down for the next 4 games.  

Here is the link...
http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20070719&content_id=209599 3&vkey=pr_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc

The cubs get the dreaded PTBNL...

Here is the link...

http://cubs.scout.com/2/653055.html

I know a lot of people on this site have been asking for this move for some time and now they got their wish.  Apparently the Cubs also want to see what the kid can do at AA.  I realize his K rate is of concern and some have compared him to J Jones.  However, I think a better comparison may be Jeff Franceur (sp?) in Atlanta.  His OBP aint great but he hits for power and drives in a fair number of runs.  I am hoping for a little better than that but we shall see...

It will be interesting to see if Kroeger is going to AAA in a corresponding roster move since he is just tearing it up (again another move myself and many others would like to see).  

BTW- Yusef Carter was promoted to replace Colvin at Daytona.  He is the nephew of former Cub Joe Carter.  

Iowa (AAA)
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=g_box&gid=2007_06_07_nozaaa_iowaaa_1&a mp;did=t451&sid=t451

The Iowa cubs pulled out a 9-6 victory.  Al's favorite AAA player (Les Walrond) got another W tonight with 7 mediocre innings (4ER, 7H, 2BB, and 4Ks).  Rapada got the cheap 3 run 1 out save.  Pignatello pitched another scoreless inning and his ERA is now 0.87.

As for the offense- yet again a team effort.  Patterson (2B), Fontenot, and Soto all had two hits.  One of those for Soto was a HR plus Richie hit another tater.  6 of the first 7 batters for Iowa are at .299 or better.  S Moore being the low BA (.236) but his OBP is still very solid around .350.  

Tenn (AA)
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/clubs/ip_index.jsp?sid=milb&cid=t553

Got stomped 10-3.  Berg started and was poor again (7ER in 5IP).  Only two hitters worth mentioning:  J Fox (1B) hit 2 dingers to bring his total to 13 for the year and Kroeger (RF) went 3 for 4 with a bomb (#10)(why is he in AA again?).  

Hi A Daytona won 7-5.
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_06_07_clra fa_dbcafa_1

A five run 1st helped propel the club to victory.  Reinhard started and pitched 4 shut out innings.  He was taken down on pitch counts as he just moved back to starting after being a reliever for a while.  Downs got the W with 2 innings of 0 ER (2 unearned runs though).  Layden got his 2nd save with 1.1 innings of no hit ball with 3Ks.

Several hitting stars...Colvin and Amador each go 3 for 5.  Colvin gets 2 RBIs and 1 Run with a double.  Amador gets 2 Runs and 1 RBI with a triple and a SB.  Chrinos goes 3 for 4 with a SB and Valdez goes 2 for 4.  The gloves need some work though as the team had 3 errors on the night.  

Peoria (A) loses 6-4.  
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_06_07_peoa fx_cliafx_1

They kind of looked like the big league club of years past.  They outhit the opposition 14-6 but still managed to lose.  Pina goes 4 and gives up 4.  Bernard then gave up 2 in 1.2 innings.  Maestri finished up with 2.1 innings of 1 hit ball with 0BBs and 2Ks.  

Lots of hits but little too show for it.  3 GIDP were big for Clinton.  Malone (2b), Norwood (1b), and Castillo (C) each had 3 hits and one of Malones was his 2nd dinger of the year.  Adduci (LF) and Lalli (DH) each had 2 hits as well.  8 LOB was the difference.  

Sorry for the links but I don't know the fancy way to do it.  Hope you like the update.