Cubs Caravan Info, Bruce Levine Chat, and More

The Cubs Caravan tour is coming up! The stops for each tour have been announced!

Tour 1
Day 1 (Wednesday January 13):

• Hospital Visits- Northwestern Hospital
• Cubs Care Luncheon (sold out)- Harry Caray's Restaurant
• Cubs Spotlight on Reading- De Duprey/Von Humboldt Schools
• P.L.A.Y. Program

Day 2 (Thursday January 14):

• Cubs Spotlight on Reading: Lincoln Library & Museum
• Peoria Chiefs Fan Fest- O'Brien Field/River Plex

Tour 2

Day 1 (Wednesday January 13):

• Cubs Spotlight on Reading- Alexander Hamilton Elementary
• Cubs Spotlight on Reading- Uplift Community School
• Cubs Care Luncheon (tickets sold out)- Harry Caray's Restaurant
• Cubs Spotlight on Reading- Crispus Attucks Elementary School
• P.L.A.Y Program- Northwestern Boys & Girls Club Gary, IN

Day 2 (Thursday January 14):

• Cubs Spotlight on Reading- James Blaine Elementary School
• Cubs Spotlight on Reading- Hawthorne Scholastic Academy
• Cubs Spotlight on Reading & P.L.A.Y. Program Waukegan School District
• Private Event at the Naval Training Center- HUSO Illisnois

The participants in the caravan have not yet been announced for this year, but I'll post them on this site as soon as they are. Last year Tour 1 featured Lou Piniella, Bob Brenly, Jim Hendry, Len Kasper, Dave Otto, Oneri Fleita, Matt Sinatro, Lester Strode, Ivan DeJesus, Darwin Barney, Jeff Samardzija, Kevin Hart, Neal Cotts, Micah Hoffpauir, Kevin Gregg, Felix Pie and Joey Gathright; while Randy Bush, Pat Hughes, Cory Provus, Oneri Fleita, Larry Rothschild, Alan Trammell, Mike Quade, Gerald Perry, Brandon Guyer, Kevin Hart, Carlos Marmol, Kevin Gregg, Jeff Samardzija, and Sean Marshall were on Tour 2 a year ago.

That week will be a busy one for the Chicago Cubs because Len Kasper and Bob Brenly will be hosting their 4th annual Len and Bob bash, which will be Thursday night. Len and Bob will "reprise their role as honorary rock stars" this year for a few songs, after taking a year of from performing last year. All proceeds benefit Chicago Cubs Charities.

In addition, the Cubs will have the Cubs Convention which starts on Friday (January 15) and runs through Sunday at the Hilton Chicago. The annual gathering of Cubs fans is the highlight of the offseason for any big Cub fan who attends.

Some more Cubs stuff going around tonight:

• According to Nationals beat write Bill Ladson, Matt Capps will sign with either the Cubs or Washington. He is expected to make his decision tomorrow (Wednesday) night.
• The Royals signed Brian Anderson today. Scott Merkin says the Cubs were also interested in Anderson.
• We've heard the past few days the a four team trade that would have sent Bradley to Tampa Bay fell through before the Cubs shipped Milton to Seattle. The Cubs would have gotten Pat Burrell and Luis Castillo, and the Angels would have sent Gary Matthews Jr. to New York.
• The New York Yankees have sent outfielder Melky Cabrera, who the Cubs had interest in, to the Braves for Javier Vazquez. The Cubs have lost out on yet another outfielder: Granderson, Cameron, and now Cabrera. Marlon Byrd and Rick Ankiel are now their best bets.
• Chip Caray will return to the Braves broadcast booth. The former Cub broadcaster was recently sent packing from TBS.
• Former Cub pitcher Jason Marquis has signed with the Washington Nationals.
• The Cubs Reporter reviews the 2001 Cubs season.
• John Grabow wants Capps on the North Side.
• An MLB.com Q&A with Aramis Ramirez

Carrie Muskat had her Cubs Inbox earlier this week:

• Reed Johnson could still come back to the Cubs, but it depends on who Jim Hendry is able to acquire.
• Kosuke is an excellent right fielder and an average center field, so the Cubs are looking to get stronger up the middle by moving him to right.
• Marlon Byrd and Scott Podsednik are both option for the Cubs, and it may come down to which player fits better on the payroll.
• Starlin Castro is not the far away from the big leagues.
• The Cubs feel that a combination of Mike Fontenot, Jeff Baker, and Andres Blanco will do the job at second base.
• The core of the team that won 97 games is still in place. The Cubs are depending on better performances from Soriano, Fontenot, Zambrano, and Soto.
• Carrie thinks it could be Double-A Tennessee's turn to play at Wrigley Field.

Bruce Levine chatted Chicago Baseball today. Here's what he had to say:

• Johnny Damon is looking for at least $11-12 million per season on a multi year year deal right now. That isn't going to work for the Cubs, but if his demands become more realistic the Cubs may listen.
• Jeff Baker probably won't be the Opening Day starter at second base unless to opponent is a strong left handed pitcher.
• The Cubs rotation is solid. Right now, whether Randy Wells is a 15-game winner or a 9-game winner is the question.
• Look for Starlin Castro mid to late season, depending on whether or not the Cubs are competing.
• The Cubs are looking at rehabs like Kelvim Escbar and Ben Sheets.
• The North Siders may not be able to afford Aroldis Chapman.
• Levine thinks the Cubs have listened on Kerry Wood trade ideas from Cleveland, but "that ship has sailed".
• Look for the Cubs to be very active over the next 10 days (don't we always hear that?). They could sign Capps sometime Wednesday.
• The Cubs feel good about Marlon Byrd, and they are seriously considering signing him. Rudy Jaramillo worked with Byrd in Texas.
• Carlos Silva will be given every chance with the Cubs, including in the bullpen.
• First and foremost the Cubs are looking at CF and the bullpen. After that, they may look for bench help. Reed Johnson could be brought back to solidify the bench.
• Hendry may sign both Capps and Byrd. The organization definitely has enough money for both of them.
• When asked about Carlos Zambrano trade talk, Levine said two word, "It's over."
• Jim Hendry has made mistakes, but it's time to move on.
• The Cubs like Orlando Hudson, but he's not their first priority right now.
• Jaramillo and Soriano worked very well together with the Rangers.
• "Look for Jim Hendry to bee extremely aggressive, even during the holidays." Interesting- maybe we'll get a big Christams Present from Hendry.
• Jim is still looking at some veteran pitchers. A guy like Jose Contreras might be considered.
• Who knows what Lou Piniella will do in Spring Training. Once he sees Starlin Castro's talent, he may end up being our Opening Day short stop. You never know.
• The Cubs would love to trade Kosuke, but there's not much of a market for him.
• Josh Vitters is going to hit. However, he is not a finished product at third base. He may end up at first.
• The Ricketts family really likes Ryne Sandberg, but ideally the GM names the manager. Piniella's contract expires after 2010.
• Bruce expects Geovany Soto to return as a better conditioned athlete when he reports to Mesa in mid-February.

Len Kasper joined the Danny Mac show today on WSCR 670 The Score:

• Len thinks it's possible that Milton Bradley could have a good season in Seattle.
• The "other stuff" besides Bradley's play on the field is what got him sent packing.
• Kasper has no idea how Carlos Silva could help this team.
• Carlos throws strikes, but he gives up a lot of hits.
• Silva will get a chance because Lilly will start the year on the DL.
• Milton was baffled as to why writers wanted to talk to him so much. He didn't understand that he would be in the spotlight no matter what. For whatever reason, Bradley doesn't like the spotlight.
• Len called Bradley an independent guy, a loner, and very smart and sensitive.
• Milton is not a good fit for a big market like Chicago.
• Kasper is 99.9% sure that Carlos Zambrano isn't going anywhere. He's the Cubs number 1 starter, Ted Lilly has gone down, and Big Z had a better ERA in 2009 than '07 and '08.
• Winning the Cy Young may never happen for Zambrano, but if he stays in Chicago his whole career, he could become the greatest Cub starter in terms of longevity and wins since Fergie Jenkins.
• The NL Central is 100% up for grabs. It doesn't take much to get back to the top of this division for the Cubs.

That's it for now, I'll keep you posted on Everything Cubs as always as the Cubs could be making a move just before the holidays!

Sullivan & Theriot with Kaplan

Updated at 8:47 with info from MLB Network

David Kaplan and Paul Sullivan talked Cubs on Chicago Tribune Live today:

• Cubs GM Jim Hendry was surprised by the lack of moves at the meetings.
• Hendry talked to a lot of teams, but those teams felt like they were close to making deals with other teams.
• Jim thinks the Cubs will "make a deal or two" before the holidays. (There's 15 days 'till Christmas)
• Sully says that Milton will be gone by Christmas.
• In the end, Paul says, he'll end up with Tampa Bay because it's the best fit.
• If the Cubs can, they will try to flip Burrell to some other team. However, Sully says the Cubs should make the deal, then worry about Burrell later.
• Kap says that one of the teams Roy Halladay would go to would be the Cubs. However, Sullivan says that there's a 99% chance that Roy will not become a Cub because they lack the flexibility payroll wise.
• If it comes to that, they'll eat all Bradley's money.
• Paul says that the Cubs are still leaning towards Arizona for Spring Training. Florida is going all out for the Cubs, and in the end the ball club will have to good choices.

Kap was joined by Ryan Theriot on Sports Central tonight for their weekly segment:

• David Kaplan told Cubs fans to "relax" on Sports Central. There's still plenty of time left to improve their roster before Opening Day.
• He reiterated that there's no chance Bradley will still be on the Cubs next season.
• Kap got about 30 emails today with people upset that Bradley's not gone yet. Cubs fans should relax, Bradley will be gone.
• Theriot thinks Jim knows what he's doing. Hendry has everything under control, and he's going to do what's right with the team.
• Ryan thinks that this offseason should not be evaluated until the All Star Break.
• He predicted that everyone on the team will have a better season next year.
• Dave and Ryan agree that the Cubs need another starter.
• Theriot says Lilly is not the type of guy who will take his time to get back. Ted played through injuries that nobody even knew about last year.
• Theriot's started his Christmas shopping for his children. This year, he is getting tons of cool pirate stuff for his son. Ryan is trying to get more presents that cost less. His middle child likes the princess stuff.
• He gave his dog, Little Girl, back.

Yesterday on MLB Network's Hot Stove, Matt Yallof talked with Andre Dawson, then the guys discussed whether The Hawk should be in the The Hall.

• The Hawk's nick name stared when he was 8 or 9 years old. It was give to him by an uncle.
• Dawson doesn't really get nervous or excited about the Hall of Fame voting anymore. He doesn't want to set himself up for disappointment, and it's something he can't control.
• He likes to "sit back and roll with the punches".
• The Hawk was told he was lucky if he played 4 years, so he had pride in his longevity.
• After the interview, Ken Rosenthal says he has voted for Dawson and will continue to do so.
• The rap against Andre is that he had a low on base percentage.
• Dawson's job was to swing the bat, and that's what he did.
• Ken says, "The man is a Hall of Famer."
• Dan Plesac says that when you go back to the 70s and 80s, the two most feared hitters in all of baseball were Dave Winfield and Andre Dawson.

Other Updates

• Rosenthal said that the question about the Bradley trade is when? not if? The main possibilty is still Tampa, but once this trade happens the Cubs offseason can begin.
• When Bradley took a shot at the Cubs' fans, that was the final nail in his coffin. Dan would be shocked if he's still a member of the Cubs in Spring Training.
• No matter what, his salary has to be off the books for the Cubs to move on with their winter.
• Gordon Wittenmyer tweeted tonight that a Cubs source told him that the Bradley deal could get done in the next day or two. He notes that he was told the same thing 2 days ago.
• Jayson Stark says Bradley could still end up in Tampa, with Texas, Seattle, and Boston all out.
• Bruce Levine notes that the Cubs bench is vacant after trading Aaron Miles and Jake Fox to Oakland. The bench currently consists of Andres Blanco, Micah Hoffpauir, Mike Fontenot, Jeff Baker, and Koyie Hill. Of that group, only Baker and Hill are "locks" to make the Cubs Opening Day roster.
• The Cubs will offer contracts to all of their players before Saturday's roster deadline, except Neal Cotts, who will be offered a minor league contract.

If I hear anything else, I'll update this post. There will still be two more posts tonight, so stay tuned.

Granderson, Bradley, Bell, and More

Update 3- Bruce Levine Chat Info

• The Royals are only in the exploring stages with the Cubs. As of this morning, the Royals GM Dayton Moore had not talked to Jim Hendry. However, there we plenty of conversations between the teams scouts last night
• Lou Piniella thinks Castro needs more seasoning.
• The Yankees are now the front runner for Granderson.
• The Cubs have other areas that they will address before second base, but they are still interested in Orlando Hudson, or they could end up with Luis Castillo.
• The Angels and Cubs have talked about a Bradley for Gary Matthews Jr. swap.
• When the Cubs refurbish Wrigley Field, their goal is that they will not have to play anywhere else during that time.
• Pat Burrell cannot play right field.
• Kyler Burke is going to need at least two more years in the minors, but he's on the fast track.
• Soriano's main goal this offseason is to strengthen his lower body and work on his core muscles. The Cubs have been monitoring his work and they will send some of their people over to the Domican Republic, where he is training, to check his progress.
• The Cubs are concerned about Reed Johnson's back problems.
• The Cubs would only trade Carlos Zambrano is they could get a better pitcher in the deal.
• Ryne Sandberg "could be on the fast track for Wrigley, depending on how the 2010 season turns out for Lou Piniella.
• Some front office people like Gil Meche, while other think he's "a little weak-minded". Levine wouldn't "call that a real hot rumor at this time".
• The M's got to Chone Figgins so fast that there was no time for the Cubs to get involved.
• Some media reports have overstated the Cubs' interest in Mike Cameron.
• Bruce thinks Cameron's days as an impact starting center fielder are behind him.
• The Cubs have not talked to the Giants about a Roward for Bradley trade.
• The Cubs may look at signing guys like Ben Sheets and J.J. Putz, who would be rehab projects.
• Levine would take the White Sox pitching staff over the Cubs. The only thing wrong with the Cubs staff is that they are coming off an injury-plagued season.

Update 2- Info from Chicago Tribune Live @7:05 CT

• David Kaplan talked to Phil Rogers from the Tribune on the CTL on CSN Chicago today. They talked about the winter meetings and more.
• Lou Piniella says that Jim would like to make a deal for Milton Bradley in the next few days. Lou thinks that Bradley "could have a nice bounce back year" for somebody.
• Rogers doesn't think that the trade will get done by the close of the Meetings on Thursday.
• Phil says the KC is in the picture.
• The center field pursuit and Milton Bradley are not related.
• Curits Granderson is still on the table for the Cubs.
• Kaplan thinks the Cubs are "an arm short in the rotation".
• Rodgers says that the Cubs don't feel like they have to add a quality arm, but they know they could use it. Phil likes Gil Meche from the Royals calling him an interesting name.
• Phil reports that Heath Bell is on the radar, but we have heard that that rumor is untrue.
• The Cardinals have "a ton more issues than the Cubs".

Updated 6:30 CT- Peter Gammons said on Baseball Tonight on ESPN2 that he thinks the Bradley for Burrell trade will work. Gammons thinks Bradley will make a terrific DH for the Rays. Then the Cubs would try to find a team who would take Burrell.

Also, Phil Rodgers said earlier today that Juan Pierre could end up back with the Cubbies.

A few tidbits:

• Ryan Theriot told David Kaplan on Sports Central last week that he would be willing to move to second base if it helps the team.
• The asking price on Curtis Granderson is very high. Buster Olney said on Baseball Tonight that the Tigers are asking for Starlin Castro and 2 pitching prospects in return for Granderson.
• The Cubs have spent the 4th most money of any MLB team in free agency since 1998 at $598.4 million. They are behind only the Yankees, Mets, and Boston.
• Gordon Wittenmyer heard that the Tigers may not be trying to move Granderson this week.
• Jim Hendry laughed off a rumor that the Cubs are interested in Heath Bell.
• Hideki Matsui will not come to the Cubs.

Bruce Levine was on Waddle and Silvy from the Meetings today:

• The Meetings are a lot like the 10, 20, 30 year reunion.
• Levine says the Cubs talked to the Royals last night, but nothing was intense. The names Bradley and Meche did come up.
• The Cubs had interest in Gil Meche the last time he was a free agent.
• Levine says that the likelihood that Bradley will be moved by the end of the meetings is much better.
• Hendry has been talking about all kinds of teams about the players that they want to move to try to work out a Bradley swap.
• The Pat Burrell thing doesn't really work out for the Cubs because they would have to have a trade lined up to turn around and trade Burrell, who is not a fit for the Northsiders.
• Most teams feel that Milton Bradley in the right scenario will be fine. Smaller market teams' GMs "feel very comfortable bringing in Bradley" because there is not as much coverage their.
• Levine once again mentioned the idea of Rick Ankiel in the Cubs outfield in 2010.
• Jim Hendry has "talked at length" with Toronto about Roy Halladay, but those talks were about 6-7 weeks ago. The Halladay scenario is tough because you have to make sure you can get him to a long term deal.

More soon...

Updates from Day 1 in Indy

• Lou Piniella said today that he's going to do the best job he can, then at the end of the year we'll see what happens as far as his return in 2011.
• Bruce Miles points out that the nobody that the Cubs acquired last offseason will return in 2010, beside the prospects from the DeRosa trade.
• Tampa Bay still appears to be the destination of choice for Milton Bradley.
• According to Cubs.com, the Cubs have gotten good reports on players this offseason including Alfonso Soriano, Geovany Soto, Ted Lilly, and Carlos Zambrano.
• Lou Piniella says he "has the utmost respect" for Mike Cameron, who the Cubs are chasing.
• Jeff Baker will play some outfield this spring. He will also serve as a backup 3rd baseman.
• The Cubs are not looking for another front of the rotation pitcher.
• The Cubs are set with Carlos Marmol as the closer, but Lou thinks adding another veteran reliever will "help stabilize things".
• Starlin Castro is expected to start the 2010 season in the minors.
• Alfonso Soriano will bat 6th in the Cubs' lineup.
• Bruce Levine tells us that the Cubs are considering bringing Reed Johnson back.
• The Cubs are not close to signing a free agent outfielder.
• Trading Milton Bradley is still the top priority.
• The three teams talking to the Cubs about Bradley are the Mets, Rangers, and Rays according to Muskat.
• Cubs catcher Koyie Hill host a successful Make-A-Wish foundation event on Saturday. They raised more than $180,000. Ryan Dempster, Mike Fontenot, Randy Wells, and Rick Sutcliffe all participated in the event
• Tim Brown says that the market for Free Agent Kevin Gregg includes the Rays, Nationals, Tigers, and Rockies.
• Marc Topkin reports the Cubs are confident that they'll get Bradley traded, but if it's going to be to the Rays for Burrell it will take some "serious negotiating".
• The Rays are growing less hopeful of sending Burrell to the Cubs according to Joel Sherman's tweet.
• Sherman adds that the Cubs "may like Melky Cabrera", and the Yankees may want Mike Cameron.
• Joel is hearing that the Mets are not interested in Milton Bradley.
• We've heard that the Cubs could trade Bradley to the Rays for Burrell, then sent Pat to the Mets for Castillo, but David Lennon says that New York shows no interested in Burrell either.
• Jerry Crasnik expects the Cubs to offer Mike Fontenot a contract soon.
• Gordon Wittenmyer says that the Cubs have not met with Kansas City about Milton Bradley. Some sources say the Cubs have had talks about him with clubs outside of Texas and Tampa. Bruce Levine had reported a Bradley for Gil Meche swap being talked about.
• The option of keeping their short fused outfielder is not being discussed.
• Any Bradley trade will depend on the Cubs picking up a good part of his salary.

That's it for now, I'll keep updating throughout the night.

Quick Hits as the Winter Meetings Approach

Let's catch up on the latest from the Cubs from the past few days-

• The Cubs did not offer arbitration to Kevin Gregg, Rich Harden, Reed Johnson, or Chad Fox. If any of these guys sign with a different team, the Cubs will not receive any draft picks.
• The Cubs could still re-sign Reed Johnson, but if they offered him arbitration, they'd risk him getting a big raise.
• Each member of the Cub received $8,261.97 in compensation for finishing second place in the NL Central.
• Progress is slow on the Milton Bradley front. Jon Heyman has tossed out the Rays, Giants, Royals, and Padres as "still possible" places for Milton.
• Talks of the Milton Bradley for Pat Burrel swap are still alive. According to the New York Post the trade is a "strong possibility". (Thanks to MLBTR for this one).
• According to Jon Paul Morosi, The Cubs are serious about Curtis Granderson, but they have made it known that they won't give up Marmol or Castro. Andrew Cashner and Josh Vitter could be sent to the Tigers in return for Curtis.
• Danny Rodrigez, who is pitching in winter ball, is expected to sign with the Cubs soon.
• Bruce Miles doesn't think that Milton Bradley will be traded by the Winter Meetings, but maybe at the meetings, which start next Monday.
• The Cubs are one team interested in Rafael Betancourt. He was offered arbitration yesterday, so now if the Cubs were to sign him it would cost them their #49 pick.
• The Cubs may look at Vicente Padilla or Jarrod Washburn as options for the rotation according to ESPN via Chicago Cubs Online.
• Ricketts met with the governor of Florida to talk about Spring Training in Naples.
• If the Cubs do move to Florida, Crane Kenney says that the Cubs would likely move their Class A Daytona team to the new Spring Training stadium.
• MLB Players would like to see 7 game division series.
• Carrie Muskat says trading Milton Bradley, and finding a center fielder are the priorities for the Cubs, who will focus on trades (not FA signings) at the Baseball's Winter Meetings next week.
• MLB.com's Q&A with Jeff Stevens

The stove is started to heat up, and with the Winter Meetings Mon.-Wed. next week, it is just going to get more fun! So, that's it for now, but I'll keep you posted!

Who's On the Cubs Shopping List?

Since it's Black Friday, I thought it would be fitting to take a look at Jim Hendry's shopping list for this winter. Included with each name is my prediction of how likely it is that they will become a Cub.

• Curtis Granderson- Cubs have reportedly been pursuing the Tigers' outfielder most of the month. Could be one of the Cubs top choices, but they're not willing to give up Starlin Castro or any other top prospects, and the Tigers have a high asking price. 35%
• Roy Halladay- The Blue Jays have contacted the Cubs about Halladay, but the Cubs are most likely not going to add him unless Carlos Zambrano leaves. Also, the Cubs don't have the cash or prospects to get this deal done. 2%
• Pat Burrell- If the Cubs pull of a trade that sends Milton Bradley to the Rays, they most likely will end up taking Burrell. According to Bruce Levine, if the Cubs would then try to move Burrell. 45%
• Aroldis Chapman- Earlier in the offseason, the Cubs were included in the list of just about every MLB team that was interested in Cuban lefty Aroldis Chapman. Right now, he's most likely headed for either Boston or New York. 1%
• Mike Gonzalez- now that the Cubs have re-signed Grabow, they are unlikely to pursue a left handed reliever 4%
• Chone Figgins- The utility speedster would fit the Cubs needs, but they may not be able to afford him. The Mets, Phillies, and Angels are also in on him, but their is no front runner. Giggins will be 32 year old in Spring Training. 19%
• Mike Cameron- Has been listed as a backup plan for the Cubs if they are unable to land Granderson. The Padres, Braves, and Yankees also are in the mix. He will not return to Brewers. 60%
• Matt Holliday- Jon Heyman groups the Cubs as a possible fit for Holliday, but this is not very likely. 5%
• Luis Castillo- There were reports from FOX Sports that Castillo could end up with the Cubs in the 3-team trade that would send Bradley to the Rangers. Other media outlets shot down the report. Castillo is most likely not the answer for the Cubs middle infield. 10%
• Marlon Byrd- Byrd is anotheroption to replace Bradley in the Cubs outfield. T.R. Sullivan sees a 3-year deal worth 18-24MM for the former Rangers. Byrd wants to return to the Rangers, but they most likely will let him walk. 25%
• Mark DeRosa- According to most sources, DeRo is not coming back to the Chicago. They don't have the money for him, and feel that he is too old to make a long term commitment to.
• Orlando Hudson- Bruce Levine is a big fan of the O-Dog, and has mentioned that he would look good in blue. Hudson will seek a 2 year deal worth at least $15MM. Hudson could hit second and play second base, but the Cubs may not have the money. 40%

Let me know what you think in the comment or at cubsblogmailbag@aol.com

A few more Black Friday Cubs Notes:

• Bruce Miles doesn't see the Cubs as a player for Halladay.
• He adds that Starlin Castro is not going to be traded.
• Kosuke's Q&A with Carrie Muskat.
• Sammy Sosa has been sued for $203K in Domician court.
• Paul Sullivan says the Cubs aren't going to rush Starlin Castro. He will get an invite to Spring Training, and a chance to break camp with the Cubs if he has a great spring. However, it's a long shot.
• Ryan Theriot has been told that he may have to move to second base in the near future to make room for Castillo as short. He's fine with the idea. "Ryan feels like if he has to change positions and move to second base, he would have no problems," Hendry said. "He has made it no secret he loves the Cubs and wants to stay.
• Cubscast put together a great Thanksgiving All Music episode.
• The CCO Radio will return on Wednesday, December 2.
• Check out yesterday's post to find out what Cubs fans are thankful for.

It's been a fairly slow week on the Cubs front, but things are expected to heat up after the holiday weekend. We will continue with daily Cubs related posts!

Tuesday Quick Hits: Bruce's Chat, Lee, Halladay, Bradley, and More

• Albert Pujols was named the NL MVP today. Derrek Lee finished 9th in the voting.
• New billboards have been added at Wrigley. They are designed to block the view of rooftop advertisements.
• As we've mentioned before on this blog, Koyie Hill is hosting a Make-A-Wish Foundation fundraiser on December 5.
• Jake Fox of the Cubs is headed to the Dominican Republic to join Licey for the second half of the season.
• The Chicago Cubs are teaming up with National Runaway Switchboard to host a holiday dinner for the runaway and homeless youth.
• Wally Hayward has been named the Cubs new Executive VP, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer.
• The Cubs are unlikely to land Blue Jays pitcher Roy Halladay due to lack of room in payroll.
• According to Buster Olney, the Rays will only take Milton Bradley for Pat Burrell trade if the Cubs absorb enough money.

Bruce Levine had his weekly chat today. Here are the highlights:

• More signage in the outfield is a possibility.
• Andrew Cashner is not ready for the bigs, and he will not be competing for a spot in the rotation next spring. Samardzija and Marshall could compete to fill that void left if Harden departs.
• Hendry's payroll is maxed out. After Bradley is gone, he can start making "some lateral moves."
• The Cubs are not likely to go after Chone Figgins.
• If Hendry get Burrell for Bradley, he'll have to turn around and trade him again.
• The Cubs would love to add Curtis Granderson, but the Tigers are asking for a lot. "It's hard to see a good matchup between the teams, because the Cubs are not going to trade Starlin Castro.
• Levine has mentioned Orlando Hudson as a fit with the Cubs on every chat for weeks.
• Bruce thinks the Cubs need to hold on to the top prospects to sooner or later will have to establish their own group of high-profile, low-pay stars.
• The rumor is that Derrek Lee is a favorite of the Ricketts family.
• If the Cubs have another down season, Jim Hendry probably will be fired.
• The Cubs would love to add Roy Halladay, but they'd have to dump Zambrano and his no trade clause first.
• Bruce thinks Gorzelanny is better as a swing man. He doesn't think Gorzo is the answer to the 5th spot in the Cubs rotation.
• Harden's injury history is the main reason that the Cubs are not looking to resign him.
• He reiterated that the Cubs have no money to spend.
• The Cubs don't need all that much added to the team to be back up their and win the division again.
• Levine thinks Soto has a good attitude but poor work ethic.

Levine's Chat, Cubs Spring Training Schedule, and More

Bruce Levine had his weekly chat yesterday, so let's take a look at the Cub-related highlights:

• The Granderson situation is real, but the names haven't really been figured out.
• Texas and Tampa Bay are still the front runners for Milton Bradley.
• If the Cubs swap with Texas to get Bradley, it appears that they would receive Kevin Millwood. If they trade Bradley to the Rays, Pat Burrell would be coming back in the deal.
• Jim Hendry's top priority is "Bradley, Bradley, and Bradley." He should also sign John Grabow to a 2 year $7-7.5 M deal sometime before the Winter Meetings.
• Kevin Milwood would compete with Tom Gorzelanny, Sean Marshall, and Jeff Samardzija for spots in the rotation if he becomes a Cub.
• Levine hinted that Granderson may not be a part of a platoon if he comes to the Cubs. "I could live with Granderson hitting .200 against lefties and playing solid defense, letting someone else win the game that particular day or drive him in because of his speed on the bases."
• The Cubs like Sam Fuld, but they are concerned with making him the starting center fielder because of his lack of durability due to his diabetes.
• Carlos Marmol is the guy for the closer's role "for now".
• The Tigers are not interested in backup players like Fox, Hoffpauir, and Marshall in a Curtis Granderson trade. A package could include Vitters and 2-3 other prospects.
• Bradley's going to be moved, but it won't be an easy process.
• Don't expect Starlin Castro or Andrew Cashner to be included in any trades this offseason.
• Detriot is not interested in Milton Bradley.
• Levine thinks that the odds of Rich Harden returning to the Cubs are zero.
• Bruce likes the idea of the Cubs going after Ben Sheets.
• Grabow and Marmol are 1-2 at the back of the bullpen. The return of Heilman and/or Marshall to the bullpen is still up in the air.
• Esmailin Caridad and John Gaub will be given chances to make the pen in Spring Training.
• Levine has said many times that Orlando Hudson and Orlando Cabrera could be fits for the Cubs middle infield for a one year deal.
• Koyie Hill is the catching backup plan for now, but Bruce threw the name Pudge Rodrigez out there.
• They will not get both Marlon Byrd and Granderson and make Kosuke a 4th outfielder.
• Mark DeRosa is not a good fit for the Cubs.

Cubs Spring Training

The Cubs are one of the final Major League Baseball teams to announce their Spring Training Schedule, but now we have it! The Cubs will close Spring Training against the D'backs at Chase Field, they open March 4 VS Oakland, and they play the White Sox in Vegas March 12 & 13. The Cubs have 5 split squads and just 1 off day. They play 35 games. Here's the rest of the schedule:

• March 4 VS Oakland
• March 5 VS Arizona
• March 6 VS CWS
• March 7(ss) @CWS, VS LAD
• March 8 @Oak
• March 9 VS Mil
• March 10 VS SF
• March 11 @SD
• March 12 (ss) VS CWS in Las Vegas, @Mil in AZ
• March 13 (ss) VS CIN in AZ, VS CWS in Vegas
• March 14 @LAA
• March 15 @COL
• March 16 VS TEX
• March 17 Off Day
• March 18 @LAD
• March 19 @CWS
• March 20(ss) VS KC, @Oak
• March 21 VS CIN
• March 22 VS CLE
• March 23 @KC
• March 24 @TEX
• March 25 @Arizona
• March 26 VS OAK
• March 27 VS SD
• March 28 @SEA
• March 29 VS CIN
• March 30 VS SF
• March 31(ss) @MIL, VS LAA
• April 1 VS COL
• April 2/3 @Arizona (Chase Field)

Cubs Spring Training tickets go on sale Jan. 4.

Other Notes:

• Zack Greinke won the AL Cy Young.
• Mike Scioscia is the AL manager of the year, and Jim Tracy takes the award in the NL.
• The Cubs have donated $20K to the DR community.
• Tom Ricketts will have a chance to meet the other MLB owners at a private dinner tonight.
• The Ricketts family will meet with Florida officials after Thanksgiving weekend to discuss future Spring Training options for the Cubs.
• MLB.com's Q&A with Randy Wells.
• According to FOX Sports, the Cubs are one of 3 anonymous teams interested in Billy Wagner.
• The Cubs are reportedly a possible landing spot for Pedro Martinez.
• David Kaplan says the Cubs and Rangers are is serous talks about a trade that would ship Bradley to Texas.

That's it for now, I'll keep you posted as the Hot Stove season continues!