Pre-Christmas Cubs Roundup

Happy Holidays Cubs fans! The Cubs have been pretty active this week leading up to Christmas Day, so let's get you caught up!

Corpas Signs with the Cubs
The Cubs have signed 29-year old RHP Manny Corpas to a one year contract. Corpas did not pitch this past season after having Tommy John surgery in September 2010. He is expected to be used out of the Cubs bullpen. Corpas had a 4.62 ERA in 56 games and picked up ten saves with the Rockies two seasons ago. Many feel that with another right hander added to the bullpen, Jeff Samardzija could get a chance to move into the rotation.

Marshall Deal Official
As expected, the Cubs have officially sent left handed reliever Sean Marshall to the Reds for starting pitcher Travis Wood. The two other players acquired by the Cubs in the deal are outfielder Dave Sappelt and 19 year old Ronald Torreyes. Sappelt hit .243 in 38 games with the big league team last season. He will compete for a spot on the team in Spring Training as a fourth or fifth outfielder.

Holiday Cubs Coverage
If you need a wintery Cubs fix, you can get it the next few days if you're in the Chicagoland area. WGN Radio will airs its special "Christmas with the Cubs" show on Christmas Eve at 9pm and Christmas Day at 2:00. Comcast Sports Net Chicago will replay the Cubs game against the Dodgers from April 23, 2011 at 1:00 on Christmas Day. That will be followed by Inside Look: Tom Ricketts at 4:30. On Wednesday, January 4 WGN Radio will host Cubs Corner at Wildfire Chicago featuring Theo Epstein. You can buy tickets to the luncheon or tune in to the broadcast at noon.

Up Next on Everything Cubs Blog
Next week we'll review the top Cubs stories of 2011, have my updated Cubs Opening Day roster predictions and check in on the latest from the rumor mill. Tomorrow our annual "Naughty & Nice" list will be posted. And of course, we'll keep you posted on Everything Cubs as always.

Merry Christmas Cubs Fans!!!!

I hope everyone is having great holiday season! Merry Christmas to all of the readers of Everything Cubs blog! Thank you for sticking with me and visiting the site!

Don't forget to check out our Naughty and Nice List from yesterday!

Regular posting will resume tomorrow. Hopefully our one Christmas wish of a World Championship will come true in 2011. Go Cubs Go!!!

Cubs Naughty and Nice List 2010

It is Christmas Eve!!! At Everything Cubs blog, that means it is time for a post that has become a staple here during the holiday season, the Cubs Naughty and Nice List! Click here for the list from last year. Let us dig in...

Nice

• Ron Santo- for being the world's biggest Cubs fan. Nobody deserves to be on the nice list more than Ronnie. Just a flat out nice guy.
• Kerry Wood- for taking a huge hometown discount to come back to the Cubs.
• Jim Hendry- for bringing Kerry back.
• Tyler Colvin- for earning a spot in the outfield with his hot bat during the season.
• WGN Radio- for the way they did a great job honoring Ron and for bringing back a weeknight sports show, which debuted last night!
• Pat Hughes- for his well deserved five year extension.
• Ryne Sandberg- for coming to Santo's funeral even though he is no longer a member of the organization.
• Mike Quade- for doing such a great job once he took over for Lou Piniella.
• Starlin Castro- for putting up a great batting average throughout his rookie season.
• Marlon Byrd- for his "gamer" mentality and the 100% effort that he brings each day. Plus, he represented the Cubs in the All Star game with a spectacular catch.
• Carlos Silva- for a solid first half, which was more than enough to make the Milton Bradley trade worth while.
• Derrek Lee- for being a fan favorite for years in Chicago.
• Ryan Dempster- for being a leader and a great guy.
• Carlos Marmol- for all those Ks.
• Oneri Fleita- for the progress the farm system has made this season.
• Chris Archer- for his fantastic season on the farm.
• Andre Dawson- for being patient and finally earning a spot in Cooperstown.
• The BBWAA Voters- for finally getting it right and putting the Hawk into the Hall.

Naughty

• Jim Hendry- for paying Carlos Pena $10 million.
• Rudy Jaramillo- for his failure to improve the Cubs offense, even though it is probably not his fault.
• Larry Rothschild- for leaving the Cubs for the Yankees.
• The Veterans Committee- for failing to elect Ron Santo to the Hall of Fame while he was alive.
• The Hall of Fame- for forcing Dawson to wear an Expos' cap against his wishes.
• Randy Wells- for his sophomore slump on the hill.
• John Grabow- for being injured or ineffective all season.
• Aramis Ramirez- for his .241 batting average.
• Ryan Theriot- for saying that he is finally on the right side of the Cubs/Cards rivalry.
• Jeff Samardzija- for his 8.38 ERA in seven games.
• Carlos Zambrano- for his temper tantrum at U.S. Cellular Field.

Once again, have a happy holidays! Go Cubs Go!

Cubs Naughty and Nice List 2009

Merry Christmas Cubs fans! Before we take a break from baseball, it's time for this year's Cubs Naughty and Nice List. Click here for the 2008 list.

Nice

• Jim Hendry- for working out a trade for Milton Bradley
• Randy Wells- for coming out of no where to have a great rookie season
• Aramis Ramirez- for getting through his injury and still leading the team in batting average at .317
• Derrek Lee- for being one of the few Cub players to have a great year
• Ryan Theriot- for playing in 154 out of 162 games
• Carlos Marmol- for doing great once he took over for Kevin Gregg as Cubs closer
• Pat & Ron- for another great season of Cubs baseball on WGN Radio
• Len Kasper and Bob Brenly- for telling it like it is in the Cub TV booth
• Ryan Dempster- for putting an OK year together despite his off the field issues
• Kerry Wood- for blowing two saves when he returned to Chicago as an Indian
• Bruce Miles, Carrie Muskat, Paul Sullivan, Gordan Wittenmyer, and all the other media members- for dealing with Milton Bradley on a daily basis
• Jake Fox- for coming up and sparking the Cubs offense, which earned him his ticket to Oakland:(
• Starlin Castro- for giving us hope for the future
• Jeff Baker- for being versatile infielder that can swing the bat once he came over from the Rockies
• Sam Fuld- for being another guy who provides a spark whenever the Cubs call him up
• Bobby Scales- for making it to the bigs after all that time in the minors
• Koyie Hill- for returning to baseball after his horrific accident several years back. Great year for Hill.
• Ryne Sandberg- for being patient in the minor leagues
• Ted Lilly- for representing the Cubs in the All-Star Game
• All the loyal Cub fans- for being patient and waiting until next year

Naughty

• Jim Hendry- for signing Milton Bradley in the first place, and having a horrible offseason last year
• Milton Bradley- for... well I think you know
• Alfonso Soriano- for struggling all season
• Mike Fontenot- for not producing like he did in '08 once he earned the starting job
• Geovany Soto- for reporting to camp out of shape, smoking pot in the WBC, and for stinking most of the season
• Lou Piniella- for lacking the fire we want to see from him
• Kosuke- for not being worth the money the Cubs are paying him even though he had an OK season
• Gerald Perry & Von Joshua- for the lack of Cub hitting in 2009
• Aaron Miles- for hitting .185 in 74 games with the Cubs
• Kevin Gregg- for blowing 7 saves and having a 4.72 ERA
• Chad Fox- For having a 135.00 ERA. No that is no a type-o. 135.00!
• Neal Cotts- for going 0-2 with an ERA over 7 before being sent down to the minors and then placed on the DL
• Mike Wuertz- for finally doing good once the Cubs dump him
• Rich Harden- for his injuries and inconsistency
• Jeff Samardzija- for going 1-3 with a 7.53 ERA
• Reed Johnson- for being injured so much that the Cubs might not re-sign him (I hope to see ya back Reed!)
• The National Baseball Hall of Fame- they'll be on this list every year until the Hawk and Ronny are in

Click to check out my Cubs product reviews for the holidays!

My posting will not return until Saturday (December 26) unless some big news breaks.

Thank you so much for reading, and once again have happy holidays!