I'm not sure I agree that they've got a deal already worked out with Ackley. Not sure if Z would go along with having him signed but not announcing it as some kind of favor to Bud Selig giving up a chance at some good press while they've slipped out of the playoff race... or getting him to a minor-league team as quick as possible. Not only that... but announcing the deal and how much over slot Ackley got from the Mariners could therefore make it harder and more expensive for other teams to sign their draft picks which would be a benefit to the Mariners.

I think if there was a deal done, everyone involved would want it out there and would have a hard time keeping it hushed.

Signing deadline waiting game in full effect by Yahoo! Sports Tim Brown

Ugh... As a Cubs fan living in Seattle, I just want this all over with. Yes, I grew up in Seattle watching Griffey in his first 11 years as THE BEST baseball player I've ever seen in my lifetime.

I hated seeing the Mariners trade him to the Cincinnati Reds for pennies on the dollar, really... but I didn't realize just how much I would hate it until I saw him play at Wrigley Field. And boy, can he surely hit the ball at the Friendly Confines... and out of it too, onto both Sheffield and Waveland. Yeah, he killed the Cubs at GAB too, but everyone can hit there.

Yes, he's a flawed baseball player at this point in his career - can't do much with the glove and lefties murder him, but he still can bring it against right-handed pitchers. Last I checked, that's pretty much all the Cubs have (yes, I know... Ted Lilly says hi to you, too).

He's probably going to choose a team this week, and I really wouldn't mind him going to a team the Cubs don't have to compete against next year. Today's reports have him signing with the Atlanta Braves, after this weekend's reports had him signing with his original club, the Seattle Mariners.

This would not be a smart move for the Braves, who are trying to figure out their young talent in the outfield and have no dh to keep his legs from failing him. I can't blame him for wanting to play there. He has some ties to the Atlanta area through his son, and he could hit a baseball from his home to the Braves' spring training complex (probably not that far from it, actually).

I also heard someone mention the St. Louis Cardinals as still being an option... and I sure as hell would hate that. Talk about a complete nightmare. I would sure hate if he became their Jim Edmonds, because they could actually use a left-handed hitting outfielder to go with Ankiel, Ludwick and Schumaker, maybe Duncan if he's healthy. It would also allow them to move Schumaker to 2b occasionally, since they have a hole left from losing Miles to us and letting Kennedy walk.

I'm not sure Junior's heart is telling him anything right now, I started to question whether he had one long before he bullied his way out of Seattle before the 2000 season. Signing with anyone other than the Mariners would sure drive a stake through it, especially after the emotion of his last return to SafeCo Field where he said he wanted to end his career as a Mariner.

As we Cubs fans know from the Heilman fleecing, the Mariners have hired a shrewd and capable GM out of the Milwaukee system, so for all we know, he's not actually going as hard after this many think. It might take an "Out of Left Field" book to figure that out after several years down the road, but he's probably not offering the money Atlanta is or the security Atlanta is. The Mariners new GM seems like the kind of guy who is offering Junior very little base salary, with a ton of incentives and not guaranteeing he'll get off the bench if he's hobbling or not hitting.

Either way, I personally know a lot of people who are holding their breath and hoping they get up in the morning to hear he's coming "home". He won't get that in Atlanta. They wouldn't care if it's him or Garrett Anderson playing the outfield next year.

I just want him out of the National League. I wouldn't mind not having to root against him.

No... i don't know what the voting is... but mlb.com put up a story that seemed to say that Brian McCann was the favorite as far as numbers go and Russell Martin would win the popularity contest.

Now... come on Cubs fans... we know different. We have the best catcher in baseball and as good as McCann has been this year, it's not even close.

Therefore... it better be a landslide getting Soto in as the National League's starting catcher. They rest of the National League electorate will catch on soon enough... but let's make sure we're doing our part and leading the charge.

There's absolutely no reason why the Cubs should have fewer than 4 starters on the National League All-Star team... Soto, Fukudome, Lee, Ramirez, Theriot, even Soriano with his recent hot streak all have good chances to represent us at the game as starters.

Our boys have the best record in baseball... we need to give them this reward... and reward ourselves in the process. I won't enjoy seeing Albert Pujols, Pat Burrell or Chipper Jones as all-stars over our guys.

Let's not let it happen and get out and vote! Sorry, Al... but get off BCB right now... go to MLB.COM  and fill out your ballots.. and then come back :)

Go Cubbies!!!