Hudson Rumors, Postion Player Reports, and more

It's day 5 already, here's some updates from Spring Training;

• All of the Cubs have reported to Spring Training, besides Kosuke who is in Japan training for the WBC.
• Lee, Ramirez, Soriano, and Vizcaino were the final Cubs to report, and they did so today.
• Derrek Lee says it doesn't matter to him if he bats 3rd, 4th, 5th, or even 6th.
• Alfonso Sorinano is in great shape according to Bruce Miles.
• Soriano said that he will hit anywhere that Lou wants him to.
• Lee says February is no time to get worked up over lineups.
• Aramis Ramirez is not going to play in the World Baseball Classic.
• Ted Lilly is expected to play for team USA in the WBC according to Carrie Muskat.
• Derrek Lee is also going to skip the WBC. He says that he wanted to do it, but they told him that he wouldn't get that much playing time.
• Jeff Stevens came out throwing curveballs today, and looked good according to Gordan Wittenmyer.
• The Cubs have invited President Barack O'bama to visit their Spring Training site on Wednesday, even though he is a Sox fan! O'bama will be in the area to speak to students at Mesa High School. Full article on Cubs.com.
• Introducing Wikli Field, "A community project to capture the entire history, culture and atmosphere of the Chicago Cubs." You should check it out, it's a great idea by the writer of the Cubs Reporter.

Orlando Hudson Update:

• The Dodgers remain interested in the free agent.
• Jon Heyman reports that White Sox are not a player for Hudson.
• Heyman says that the Dodgers can afford Hudson and Manny Ramirez.
• No mention of the Cubs in the Hudson rumors today.
• Hot Stove Cubbies reports that the D-backs and Cubs could pull of a sign-and-trade for Hudson.
• Also, Hot Stove Cubbies says that if the Royals do look to release or trade Mark Teahen, the Cubs would be "very interested".

Today it's my AL East Standings:

1. Yankees- Even with all the distractions, the Yankees have tons of talent and that's what wins. They add CC, A.J., and Tex to an already staked team. I think it was a fluke that they finished 3rd last year and they will bounce back and win the division.

2. Rays- It's a toss up for me between the Rays and Red Sox for second. I went with the Rays because they proved themselves last year, and their young talent has more experience this season.

3. Red Sox- Off season didn't come close to matching the Yankees spending spree.

4. Blue Jays- Last year they finished 86-76. I think they will finish below .500 this year. Didn't have a good off season, Marcum and Burnett will be missed.

5. Orioles- Re-building mode.

I'll have NL East predictions tomorrow.

Cubs Chat will return on Tuesday, February 23 @ 7:00 PM CT.

That's it for now, but I'll keep you posted.