Getting Set for Camp Quade

First of all, I apologize for the lack of posting during the second half of this week. Things have returned to normal and we should be able to be a regular posting schedule leading up to the start of Spring Training. Don't look now, but we are only 2 days away from pitchers and catchers reporting! Infact, many Cubs players are already in camp.

Let's catch up on the latest from Mesa and more!

• The Cubs regular season TV broadcast schedule has been released. Opening Day on April 1 against the Pirates will be on WGN!
• Bench coach Pat Listach will plan and run the day-to-day activities during Cubs camp, starting with the first workout next Monday.
• Bruce Miles reports that Mike Quade and Jim Hendry will meet with the media on Sunday (tomorrow).
• Brett Jackson does not have a good chance to make the club out of Spring Training, but he could get an opportunity later in the season.
• Bleed Cubbie Blue has had an in depth interview series with Tom Ricketts: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3.
• Buster Olney reports that if Albert Pujols becomes a free agent, the Cubs could be the top bidders for him.
• HoHoKam Park public address announcer Tim Sheridan has been blogging daily from Mesa.
• Jeff Samardzija will not compete for a spot in the rotation. His only chance to make the team will be in relief, according to ESPN Chicago.
• Bruce Levine previewed the Cubs pitching staff on his blog. The fourth and fifth spots in the rotation are up for grabs with Carlos Silva, Randy Wells, Todd Wellemyer, Braden Looper, Casey Coleman, Andrew Cashner and James Russell all battling for them.
• Both Chris Carpenter and Jay Jackson will get long looks this spring.
• Levine also previewed the Cubs infield. During Spring Training, Blake DeWitt, Darwin Barney, Jeff Baker and Augie Ojeda will all see time at second base. The Cubs would love for DeWitt to win the job outright. Ojeda and Barney will battle for a roster spot.
• It doesn't sound like Levine thinks that Max Ramirez or Welington Castillo will have a shot to challenge Koyie Hill for the backup catcher's job.
• Guys that have already reported to Mesa include Carlos Marmol, Marlon Byrd, John Grabow, Carlos Zambrano, Steve Clevenger, Ryan Dempster, Tyler Colvin, Matt Garza and Casey Coleman.

That's it for now, but I'll keep you posted with all the news out of Arizona this weekend.

Thursday Roundup: Marmol, TV Schedule, and More

Baseball is right around the corner! In fact, it's on my television as we speak! (Carribean World Series on MLB Network).

However, we still have a few more weeks of waiting before baseball returns here in America when pitchers and catchers report on February 18. And in that time span, things could get interesting, with teams scrambling to set their rosters and players scrambling to find a home.

The Cubs on TV!
The Cubs' 2010 regular season broadcast schedule has been released. The Cubs' Opening day game against the Braves on April 5 will be on WCIU. The Cubs will be on FOX Saturday night baseball two times this year. The Saturday night games are a new feature on FOX. They will be on ESPN's Sunday night baseball for the first time this year just before the All Star Break when they meet the Dodgers in LA. Most games will be on either CSN Chicago or WGN with the rest on WCIU, CSN+, MLBN, ESPN, ESPN2, or FOX.

Marmol Signs One Year Deal
Today the Cubs avoided arbitration with Carlos Marmol, agreeing on a one year deal. Marmol is expected to be the Cubs' closer this season, after he took the job from Kevin Gregg late in 2009. Marmol's contract is worth $2.125 million according to Bruce Levine.

Theriot to Hearing
The lone Cub that has yet to avoid arbitration by agreeing to a contract with the club is short stop Ryan Theriot. According to Bruce Levine, this one is headed for a trial. The hearings take place between February 8-20 in Flordia. The-Riot is asking for $3.4 million, but the Cubs offer was just $2.6 million. Arbitrators will pick one of the two numbers, not decide on the dollar amount somewhere in between.

Cubs To Finish 3rd?
Baseball Prospectus projects a 79-83 Cub record and the following NL Central Standings:
1. St. Louis Cardinals 84-78
2. Cincinnati Reds 82-80
3. Chicago Cubs 79-83
4. Milwaukee Brewers 79-83
5. Houston Astros 76-86
6. Pittsburgh Pirates 70-92

That's it for now, but I'll keep you posted as the Cubs look for a bullpen arm and try to settle the Theriot case!