The Latest From the Rumor Mill

Our first Rumor post of the offseason! Let's get you updated on all the Cubs chatter that has been going as of late...

Joshua Fired
The Cubs fired another hitting coach after yesterday's game. Jim Hendry announced that all of the members of the Cubs coaching staff would return except for hitting coach Von Joshua, who replaced Gerald Perry as the Cubs hitting coach on June 14. Lou Piniella, Matt Sinatro, Larry Rothschild, Matt Sinatro, Mike Quade, Lester Strode, and Ivan DeJesus will all return to the Cubs coaching staff in 2010. Paul Sullvian mentioned Dave Keller, minor league hitting coordinator, and Ryne Sandberg, AA manager, as possible candidates to fill the void, but Jim Hendry has yet to name any names. Von will be offered his position back as a hitting coach in the Cubs farm system.

So Done?
40 year old outfielder So Taguchi started in left for the Cubs yesterday, and according to Gordon Wittenmyer it could be So's last MLB game. However, So is hoping to come back, "I want to try to play again, but I have no idea."

Bradley's a Goner... Right?
According to the latest from Carrie Muskat, Jim Hendry has left the door open for a possible return of Milton Bradley, "Right now, he's still a member of the Cubs. Until people come or go, you have to play the cards you have now. Lou Piniella has been hinting that Bradley is not in the Cubs plans for 2010. The outfielder was suspended for the remainder of the season on September 21st by Hendry because of negative comments he made to the media. Milton could be headed to San Diego or San Fransisco according to some reports. The Royals and Rangers are not interested in Bradley.

The Lefty
John Grabow has made it clear that he wants to return the the Chicago Cubs in 2010. The lefty has begun "preliminary talks" with the Cubs, and says that it's just about finding common ground.

Harden May Not Return
Rich Harden says he'd "like to be here next year, but we'll see what happens." The Cubs have hinted that they may not be interested in bringing Rich back. Jim and Lou have already talked about the possibility of moving either Samardzija or Gorzelanny to the rotation next year in Harden's place.

Gregg Wants to Return... And Close?
Kevin Gregg has also said he wants to return to Chicago next season, but he views himself as a closer. It is unlikely that Kevin will be re-signed, and he certainly will not be the closer if he is.

What About Reed?
The Cubs got a good look at outfielders like Tyler Covlin and Sam Fuld this season, and the young guys played well. Reed Johnson in the mean time, struggled and/or was injured a lot of the season. Reed plays the game the right way, but I'm not sure if he's a fit to return the the Cubs. So far there is no news related to whether the Cubs will re-sign the utility outfielder or not.

Lilly Steps Up
Ted Lilly stepped up and put together a wish list for the 2010 Cubs. He want Reed back and the Cubs to sign Mark DeRosa. Ted, who's normally speaks with his play on the field, said, "I love Mark as a player, a person, a clubhouse guy. I could say he's probably the best teammate I've ever had."


Zambrano to Return
Carlos Zambrano wants the media to stop the trade talk. He has a no-trade clause and has no plans of waiving it this winter. Ted Lilly, Randy Wells, and Ryan Dempster are also expected to return to the Cubs rotation.

Upton a Fit?
Hot Stove Cubbies has been speculating that B.J. Upton could be a fit for the Cubs, and Bob Nightengale reports that Tampa will most likely trade him this offseason. Phil Rodger put together a list of some guys that Hendry could pursue, and Mark DeRosa is on that list. Mike Cameron is another names that has been mentioned by big-league sources.

Radio Recaps!
The popular radio recaps are back for the offseason, and we start today with a few interviews from Saturday's Talkin' Baseball with Bruce Levine and Jonathan Hood on ESPN-1000.

First, the guys checked in with Ryne Sandberg:
*Sandberg said that he is enjoying contributing and helping the Cubs organization in the minor leagues, but managing in the big leagues is "next on his agenda".
*Ryno is enjoying himself and is "getting attached to managing".
* He demands that his minor league players play the game the right way. Sandberg says that developing minor leaguers reminds him of raising kids.
*When asked if he wants to coach with the Cubs or continue to manage at the minor league level next season, Ryne said that that's totally up to the organization. If he is asked to go back to AA for another year, he will.
* Jim Frey and Don Zimmer were two of the managers that he had as a player that influence the way he manages as well as many other coaches, minor league managers, and big league managers.
* Sandberg thinks baserunning and hustle show what kind of a team you have and a character of a team.
* He thinks that some MLB Hall of Famers think they know-it-all, but he felt like there was something to be learned by going down the managerial path.
* Ryne is going to focus on what he's doing, not what Lou is going to do at the end of next season. He did say that being a candidate for the Cubs 2011 managerial job would be great.

Next, Bruce and Jonathan chatted with Carlos Marmol:

* Carlos will happy that he won't have to worry about fighting for the closer's job next year in Spring Training, he can just prepare for the season knowing he will be the Cubs closers.
* Marmol says he have to be more concentrated as a closer then a set-up man.
* He has noticed that the clubhouse is a lot different this year than it was last year.
* Carlos can't put his finger on why the Cubs struggled this season.
* When Bruce suggested that Marmol add a knucle-curve as a third pitch, and Carlos said, "No chance."
* He likes being in Chicago and would like to be here for a long time.
*Marmol loves Lou Piniella and the way he manages. He is grateful for the opportunities Lou has given him.

Later on, I'll take a look at my Pre-Season Predictions!