today I was watchign ESPN and on Sportscenter and they were reporting on some hot stove things and the cubs came up to which they said

"the cubs will be looking for a starting pitcher but the real help may come from within. 19 year old Starlin Castro, a shortstop, is tearing up winter ball right now and could be a big leaguer in the summer."

is this just ESPN not knowing what they are talkign about? or is he that good and ready?..i think its the former rather than the latter..

From a comment at Bruce Miles' blog:

The Rangers would appear to be a good landing place for Bradley, and Millwood seemingly would be a serviceable arm. I'm told there haven't been any formal talks on this, but that Millwood is a guy the Cubs have liked. He was 13-10 with a WHIP of 1.34 and an ERA of 3.67. I'd say it's a situation that bears watching.

Interesting. Discuss. (This post edited to update content and post a new rumor.)

I recently read an article sayign that the tigesrs may try to trade Granderson this offseason..

His market value might also be tumbling. If it has, the Tigers have more trouble. They are staring at potentially critical losses during the off-season -- in the middle of the infield, and in the bullpen -- and trading Granderson, as perilous as it would be, might be the only way to secure two front-line players the team could desperately need in 2009



I am not saying we should or will even look at this..BUT I wanted to get some thoughts..

a few weeks ago there were rumors of the tigers maybe acquiring Milton Bradley, they need bullpen help(Kevin Gregg) and infield help..(now this is where I will get laughed at but hear me out)..Aramis fits that. I know they have Inge but look how he broke down in the second half. just awful.

granderson could help our outfielders who are sub-par defneders because of his excellent speed..also I think we offer Soriano with Aramis and Gregg just to try and see if we can get his contract out of here..but then when they say no..put in Milton. I do not know why but they were interested in him a few weeks ago..

this would also free us up to get Chone Figgins..the top of the order instantly gets better..

maybe the tigers throw in a youngster or two..who knows? the article states his trade value is down..

I know the likelihood of this is nearly zero and I am sure I will get ridiculed for putting Aramis in this, but  if we want to get rid of one of our bloded contracted OFers..we will have to give something up.

thoughts?? dont be too harsh on me..

Philadelphia at Carolina--Cloudy forecast for this opener between two 2008 playoff teams that could struggle to get back there in 2009. Carolina is perfectly built to handle the Eagles, as they can run the ball at will and protect their QB, plus get some pressure on the opposing QB of their own. The Philly OL worries me quite a bit, especially with Julius Peppers on the other side. The Jake Delhomme redemption angle plays well in my mind too. Carolina 29, Philadelphia 24.

this is from realgm.com

they also have us not only not making the playoffs, but has WASHINGTON gettign the wild car over us.

is the media just hating on us. or are we just so dillusionally bias we cant see the truth???

I know that all of us Cubbies are hoping for a nice upgrade at second base  well, it looks like we may have to wait until the summer..I know it is far into the future and there is stil plenty of the 2009 season to play but i just thought I;d post this and check out what you all thought about this idea.

Los Angeles Times - Orlando Hudson will head into free agency this winter and a return to the Dodgers may be unlikely.

Hudson was an All-Star last month and has emerged as one of the best second baseman in the National League.

He has brushed off talk about where he'll play in 2010, "at the end of the season. ... Right now I'm just trying to win."

Los Angeles signed Hudson to a one-year, $3.38 million deal coming off a wrist injury in 2008.

thoughts??