Not sure how big of a story this is considering Nady was never really slotted for full time duty  but it might possibly have an effect on how the roster shakes out.  If Nady can't play more then a few days a week until June, it would seem to give Fuld the edge on the 5th outfield spot.  I wonder if management and the medical staff expected this would be the case with Nady when they signed him considering we had other options we could have gone with instead. I think if nothing else we can expect opponents to be taking an extra base on Nady in the early going.

http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2010/03/piniella-nady-wont-be-ready-to-play-regularly-until-june.html

Per the Tribune, sounds like the Hall of Fame has made up their mind and that the Hawk will be wearing an Expos cap.  I personally think its strange they don't just let the player decide what cap he is wearing when he enters.  This isn't like Wade Boggs wanting to go as a Devil Ray.  Andre was an MVP and had many productive years in Chicago and if he wants to go in as a Cub it seems to me he should be allowed to do just that.  I hope all the Cub fans still support him though and show up at Cooperstown this summer to give him all the accolades he deserves.  I'm sure the 3 Expos fans still in existence will also show up.

http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2010/01/andre-dawson-to-enter-hall-of-fame-as-an-expo.html

Couple updates from Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morasi (from Fox Sports).  Combined they suggest many of things we've already heard including that the Cubs continue to target a righty set up man.  Both articles specially mention Calero (though Morasi states the Cubs interest has recently "waned" in the righty) who had a sub 2 ERA for the Marlins last year.  It looks like Hendry is offering a year and Calero wants a two year. I have no idea how much he might get for one year, may be around 2-3 million....I might be way off though.

Other nuggets from the articles suggest Cubs might like Nady over Dye (a notion I believe that is shared by the majority here) due to the latter's contract demands.  Also the team would like to add a another starter though Sheets is unlikely.  Personally if its not Sheets (the only high ceiling pitcher left) I don't see the great benefit of bringing in another starter.  We have 3 or 4 options that I believe can do just as well as the other available FAs.  Finally, Rosenthal mentions the team has at least looked into Hudson and Kennedy at 2B.  If that is the case, not sure why they also wouldn't look at Felipe Lopez who is a probably a better then those two. 

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/MLB-offseason-buzz-012010

looks like its off to rough start, through 1 inning he has allowed 2 runs, 2 walks, and 3 hits.   Not sure how important the results are in terms of him being activated for next Friday, hopefully he can have a couple good inning after this.   Given Wells performance so far, might be advisable to let him get in two starts rather then rush him back before he is sharp. Thoughts?

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According to Bruce Miles's latest blog,  the Cubs still consider Wolf an option for the 5th spot in the rotation.  Personally, I'm not sure that would be much of an upgrade over Marshall and I'd rather see the young guy get a shot, but I guess pitching depth is always a good thing. 

Other interesting items from the post include Hendry not exactly instilling a lot of optimism for those that want to see more Felix Pie 

“Felix, obviously, has played very well defensively,” Hendry said. “He has not come around very well with the bat. It’s tough. We don’t have the luxury here to say, ‘Let’s run somebody out there for 140-50 games and see if they can hit.’ We’re here to win. We’re here to win a championship. When you get to the big leagues, it’s not about development much more. It’s about winning ballgames.”

Also sounds like the much discussed Paul Bako signing may happen this week.  Not sure what the need for a switch hitting catcher is.  Give me Blanco or give me death. 

According to Trib

UPDATE: The Cubs and Houston Astros will play two games in Milwaukee, one on Sunday night at 7:05 and the other Monday afternoon at 1:05. The Astros will be the home team.

Hope all you  in the chicago area make the trek up there

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I posted this on the gameday thread as well, looks like a pretty severe hand slap by MLB.  Per CNNSI:

The Cubs were said by people familiar with the case to have exacerbated the situation by how they responded to MLB's concerns. MLB higherups apparently didn't believe Cubs people were completely forthcoming regarding their actions in the case when questioned about them.

Link here:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/baseball/mlb/07/22/cubs.fine/index.html

Given its history and the fact it will be a parking lot in about ten months, I've decided  to head up to a game at Yankee Stadium in a couple weeks.  Works out well because I'll actually get to see an NL Central team (the Reds) and one of my all time favorite players in Griffey Jr.

Anyway, I was wondering if any of you have been there before and had any recommendations. Specifically wondering:

1)  Any thoughts on a good area of the park to sit.  I don't have a ticket yet (there are plenty of options on the Yank's website and on StubHub).   Any idea if it would be better to wait and get something from a scalper.

2)  Food suggestions, I figure I'll be paying about $10 for a warm beer, want to make sure I at least get the food right.

3)  What about the Yankee fans?  They have a pretty nasty reputation, just wondering if they really are that bad.  Doubt there would be any problems though considering I'll be rooting against Dusty's boys (except Junior).

Despite ESPN overabundance of everything Yankees and Red Sox I am looking forward to going, just feel likes its somewhere I need to see before its gone.  May turn out to be most expensive game I ever go to though because during it my wife will be shopping on 5th Ave with her sister