Mesa it Is!! (Spring Training Talk and More)

It is all but settled that Chicago Cubs Spring Training will remain in the valley of the sun for years to come. The team intends to keep their Spring Training facilities in Mesa, Arizona pending rather than move to Naples, Florida after the current contract with Mesa. The decision to stay is pending a vote by the Mesa city council, which will take place Monday night to improve the team's Cactus League facility.

David Kaplan and the Chicago Tribune reported this story first today, then Bruce Levine added that the new facilities will most likely be 7-8 miles east of the current Cub spring home, HoHoKam Park. If Arizona cannot come up with the money for this project, the Cubs are expected to resume talks with Naples. The new state of the art stadium will include a Wrigleyville atmosphere and and a 15,000-18,000 capacity, which would make it the largest Spring Training park.

The East Valley Tribune's full coverage.

While we're talking about Cubs' Spring Training, let's take a look at WGN Radio's 2010 Spring Training broadcast schedule. Cubs Central Pregame starts 35 minutes prior the the first pitch of each game, and all times are central:

• Thursday March 4 VS Oakland 2:05
• Saturday March 6 VS White Sox 2:05
• Tuesday March 9 VS Milwaukee 2:05
• Tuesday March 16 VS Texas 3:05
• Friday March 19 @White Sox 3:05
• Saturday March 20 VS Kansas City 3:05
• Sunday March 21 @Reds 3:05
• Friday March 26 VS Oakland 3:05
• Saturday March 27 VS San Diego 3:05
• Thursday April 1 VS Rockies 3:05
• Saturday April 3 @Arizona @Chase Field 3:10

According to Bruce Miles, the Cubs have signed catcher Mark Johnson and third baseman Scott McClain to minor league deals with invites to Spring Training. Johnson was in Cubs' Spring Training last year, and ended up playing in 22 games at AAA Iowa. Mark was drafted by the White Sox organization and has spent time in the big leagues. This won't be the first trip to Mesa for McClain either. Scott has been in Spring Training with the Cubs before, and he saw 13 games with them during the 2005 regular season, going 2-14. After playing in the Giants organization for a few years, he played in Japan for most of '09. As a backup third baseman, he could make the club if he plays well in camp.

More Rumor Updates:

• Paul Sullivan reports that the Cubs have an eye on free agent outfielder Jonny Gomes.
• The Sun-Times says that they've contacted Gomes.
• The Cubs are also interested in Jermaine Dye, Reed Johnson, and Rick Ankiel and Xavier Nady.
• The Padres and Blue Jays are dangling relievers that the Cubs have interest in. Levine says that the Padres might talk to the Cubs about closer Heath Bell, while Luke Gregorson and Blue Jay Jason Frasor have also been discussed.

Please vote on our new poll on the right sidebar (yes, finally it's up!). We're close to finishing off our Cubs' all decade team, so we encourage everyone to vote on the best Cub closers of the last decade. I included all guys that had 5 or more saves as choices. Thanks to everyone who voted on the last poll.

Speaking of the right sidebar, notice that our countdown has been change from the Cubs Convention, to the day Pitchers and Catchers report. As of now, the start of the baseball season is just 27 days, 14 hours, 57 minutes and 20 seconds away- 19, 18, 17...

Baseball is right around the corner!

Numbers Breakdown: Cubs Outfield Candidates

Who will the Cubs land as their starting center fielder? Today we take a look at the numbers of Marlon Byrd, Rick Ankiel, Scott Podsednik, and Reed Johnson to see who the better hitter is (since hitting is what the Cubs need!)

Career Batting Average:
Ankiel- .251
Podsednik- .277
Byrd- .279
Reed- .282

Point Johnson

2009 Batting Average
Ankiel- .231
Podsednik- .304
Byrd- .283
Johnson- .255

Point Scotty Pods

Career OBS
Ankiel- .763
Podsednik- .720
Byrd- .762
Johnson- .755

Point Ankiel

2009 OBS
Ankiel- .672
Podsednik- .764
Byrd- .808
Johnson- .742

Point Byrd

2009 HR
Ankiel- 11
Podsednik- 7
Byrd- 20
Johnson- 4

Point Byrd

2009 RBIs
Ankiel- 38
Podsednik- 48
Byrd- 89
Johnson- 22

Point Byrd

2009 SB
Ankiel- 4
Podsednik- 30
Byrd- 8
Johnson- 2

Point Pods

So Marlon Byrd wins this numbers breakdown 3-2-1-1. However, it's hard to say who is the best of these players because they are all completely different. It's interesting that the Cubs are looking at all of them, because they are so different. Rick Ankiel has the best career hitting wise, but he had a down year in 2009. Marlon Byrd is a power guy that would go in the middle of the Cubs order, maybe hitting 5th. Podsednik could hit at the top of the order, but he's more of a speed and defense guy. Reed could be brought back in addition to signing one of the other three because the Cubs need bench depth/someone who could platoon with Kosuke in right.

Remember, the numbers don't lie!

Mid Week Notes: Dempster on Waddle & Silvy, Top 10 Cubs of the Decade, Marlon Byrd, and More

• Ryan Dempster will throw out the ceremonial first pitch on the ice on Saturday to celebrate the grand opening of an ice skating rink next to Wrigley Field.
• Now that Mike Cameron is signed, the Cubs are looking at Marlon Byrd to fill the center field void. Byrd is now their first choice.
• Bringing back Reed Johnson is still a possibility. Rick Ankiel and Scott Podsednik are also on the radar.
• The Cubs were one team on hand to watch Kelvim Escober throw today according to Efrain Zavarce.
• Joel Pineiro is looking for a 4-year deal. Buster Olney reports that the Cubs are one team with interest in Pineiro.
• Paul Sullivan thinks that Jim Hendry could sign an outfielder like Byrd before dealing Bradley.
• The Cubs are long shots for Aroldis Chapman.
• Bruce Miles points out that Byrd had two good years under new Cub hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo.
• Hee-Seop Choi has climbed a mountain and turned his career around.

Top 10 Cubs from the Decade from ESPN Chicago

• 10. Mark DeRosa
• 9. Mark Prior
• 8. Ryan Theriot
• 7. Moises Alou
• 6. Sammy Sosa
• 5. Ryan Dempster
• 4. Kerry Wood
• 3. Derrek Lee
• 2. Carlos Zambrano
• 1. Aramis Ramirez

Ryan Dempster joined Waddle & Silvy on ESPN 1000 yesterday:

• Dempster is excited with his event coming up to raise money for the illness that his daughter has.
• Ryan's daughter is doing well. The baby was born on April 1 last year and that made his season hard for him.
• Tom, Mark, and Ryan agree that the "Wii Fit" isn't real exercise. They think people should get outdoors.
• In 2009, the Cubs don't play the level of baseball that they were capable of.
• When asked about Milton Bradley, Dempster said it's hard to judge someone else's experiences. Ryan said that Bradley is a "really, really good guy who handled certain things poorly."
• Demp thinks it would be a little uncomfortable if Milton returns next season. However, he is a very forgiving guy, and if Bradley is back on this team, Ryan wants him to enjoy the rest of his experience with the Cubs.
• Move info about Dempster's upcoming event: http://www.mywrigleyville.com/
• He is focused on getting ready for the season, and Jim Hendry will handle making the team's offseason moves. The Cubs need the guys who were with the Cubs last year to play better.
• Ryan thinks that the Ricketts family are great people, and the truly want what's best for the Chicago Cubs. They plan to put money back into this team.
• Dempster can't wait until the opening of the new skating rink that he will be at on Saturday.
• It's fun to watch the current Blackhawks team. Dempster thinks that the Hawks have a solid young team.

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

The Eve of the Winter Meetings

Tomorrow is the first day of Baseball's Winter Meetings!

New Poll
First thing- we have a new poll up on the blog! We are continuing to form "The All Decade Cubs". This week's voting is for the best Cubs' short stop from the 2000s. Please vote based on performance in the last decade on the Chicago Cubs only. If there's anyone I forget to make an option that is noteworthy, let me know via comment or email at cubsblogmailbag@aol.com.

Piniella back in 2011?
Next up, Lou Piniella made some pretty big news at Redsfest this weekend. When he was asked about retiring after the 2010 season, he left the door open for a return in 2011. Quotes from the Sun-Times:

-''I don't know [what it would take to want to return]. I like to talk about our baseball team, our organization. I don't like to talk about myself. We'll see what happens. I enjoy what I do, and as long as the organization is pleased -- but let's see. I'm 66 years old. I'm no spring chicken.''

-'We'll see,'' Piniella said. ''But I'm really looking forward to this season, working with our new owner and his family and getting this team back on top again. I met [Ricketts] in Phoenix [at the Cubs' organization meetings] about a month ago, and I came away very impressed. This is what the Cubs needed, a guy who's been a Cub fan his whole life and who is competitive and has built a successful business, and now he wants to win with the Cubs. I'm looking forward to that transition.''

-''I've been doing this a long time, and sooner or later it's time to [retire],'' Piniella said. ''Look, I've been managing for I don't how many years -- 22, 23 years? We have new ownership over there. Let's just wait and see how things go.''

Interesting. If you're the Cubs, do you want Lou back after next season? Right now, I think it depends on how the Cubs do this season and if Piniella is still in to it this season.

First some rumors and then some more Winter Meetings talk:

• Lou expected to meet with Mike Cameron's agent at the meetings.
• Texas and Tampa are still the front runners for Bradley according to Wittenmyers' report.
• Will Carroll of Baseball Prospectus tweeted that a signing of Cameron is waiting on the trade of Bradley. Milton being traded has been "imminent for 72 hours.
• Jon Heyman shot down Carroll's reports. Heyman says the Cubs are still not close to dealing Milton.
• He adds that the Giants and Padres have been mentioned as other possibile destinations for the Cubs' rightfielder with the Cubbies getting contracts such as Gary Matthews Jr., Aaron Roward, Jose Guillen, or Luis Castillo in return.
• Bruce Miles had a few interesting tidbit in his story previewing Indy. He says that the Cubs would like to trade Milton, move Kosuke to right, sign a center fielder like Cameron or Byrd, and add a right handed hitting outfielder who can play right field to platoon with Kosuke.
• Rick Ankiel is not high on the Cubs priority list according to Miles.
• Bruce says Hendry feels that the starting pitching is OK, even with Lilly out to start the season. However, Hendry would like to acquire a veteran right handed reliever to toss into the bullpen mix.
• Miles has arrived in Indianapolis, and the buzz is Milton Bradley.
• Signing Mike Cameron may be at the top of the Cubs wish list once Milton is gone, because the Granderson trade is unlikely right now.
• Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com said yesterday that "nothing is hot" right now on the Bradley front, but the Rays remain the front runner.
• Jim Hendry and Lou Piniella were a part of a large Cubs contingent that attended the Indianapolis Colts' game today.
• A Texas Source told Carrie Muskat that Bradley was a headache the first time around, and the Rangers may not want to deal with him again.
• No Jumbotron for Wrigley Field.
• Paul Sullivan sees Mike Cameron as a clubhouse leader "like Eric Karros in 2003 or Cliff Floyd in 2007".
• Sully says that what the Cubs need is a guy that lightens the mood inside the clubhouse.
• Cameron played for Piniella in Seattle.
• The Cubs are looking for a left handed hitting second baseman to platoon with Jeff Baker.
• Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com reports that the Cubs along with the Yankees, Mets, Orioles, Tigers, Red Sox, and Astros, are interested in relievers Rafael Soriano and/or Mike Gonzalez.
• Jim Hendry wouldn't mind keeping Lou in 2011, but he has not talked about a contract with Piniella yet.

What else is going on this week during the meetings?

• Monday, the Veterans Committee ballots will be unveiled. Ron Santo is not up for voting this year, but he will be back on the ballot in 2011. This year's announcement will be made at 9 AM CT tomorrow.
• On Tuesday, Cubscast is holding a #"Dawson4TheHall" event on Twitter at 1:20. Click for more.
• Bruce Levine will chat Cubs and White Sox Monday-Wednesday. He will have his normal chat at noon on Tuesday and special 45 minute chats on Monday and Wednesday nights.
• Speaking of Cubscast, they'll have a new episode Monday.
• The MLB Network will host Hot Stove live from the Winter Meetings Monday through Wednesday from 5-7 Pm CT.
• Baseball Tonight Hot Stove Special will be on ESPN2 Monday through Thursday from 4-5 PM CT this week.
• Thursday will be the Rule 5 Draft.

Everything Cubs Will Have Full Coverage

This very site will have full coverage of the meetings throughout the week. It's going to be a very busy week for me, so I'll do my best to post rumors as often as possible. I plan to update at least 3-4 times every day this week. There will be plenty of rumor and news posts, but there will be no usual posts such as Numbers Breakdowns, Cubs Fun & Games Tuesdays, Getting to Know the Cubs, and Winter Ball Reports. Wednesday night we'll have a Rule 5 Draft Preview, with a recap on Thursday night. Also, Thursday will be a very special day for this site, so stay tuned for that...

In Case You Missed It

There have been a lot of posts and news lately, so check these out to catch up:

• Bruce Miles Q&A
• Fox & Miles Traded to Oakland
• Friday Roundup
• Some Radio Recaps and More
• Cubs in Winter ball Updates

Past Years at the Meetings

How often are the Cubs active during Baseball's Winter Meetings?

• 2008- Lots of rumors surrounding Jake Peavy and more, but no action.
• 2007- trade Omar Infante and Will Ohman to the Braves for Jose Ascaino.
• 2006- Signed Ted Lilly, and traded Freddie Bynum
• 2005- Cubs acquired Juan Pierre for a package that included Ricky Nolasco and Renyel Pinto.

How will Hendry fair this year? Stay tuned...

Frick & Spink Awards

In past years, the J.G. Tayler Spink Award (baseball writer) and the Ford C. Frick award (baseball broadcaster) winners are announced during the Winter Meetings.

This year, that is not the case. The Frick and Spinck awards will be announced later in the offseason. The Ford C. Frick Award voting is going on on Facebook right now. The top 3 from the fan voting will be placed on the final ballot. Former/current Cub broadcasters up for the award include:

• Thom Brennaman
• Chip Caray
• Pat Hughes
• Andy Masur
• Ron Santo
• Steve Stone
• Dewayne Staats
• Lou Boudreau
• Pat Flanagan
• Vince Lloyd
• Hector Molina

Well I hope you enjoyed are Winter Meetings Warm Up. This is one of the best weeks in the baseball offseason, so let's enjoy. Check back here for updates often!

Rumor Roundup: Arbitration, Saito, the Stove, and More!

No Arab Offers for Cubbies
Tomorrow is the deadline to offer arbitration to free agent players. The Cubs are not expected to offer arbitration to Kevin Gregg, Rich Harden, Reed Johnson, or Chad Fox. Gregg is a Type A free agent, and Harden is a Type B, so if the Cubs offer them arbitration and they reject it, the Cubs would receive a draft pick or two. However, if the player were to accept the arbitration offer the team would be stuck with signing them to at least a one year deal at market value.

Teams that do not offer salary arbitration to free agents get nothing in return if the players sign elsewhere. It does make sense that Hendry will not offer arab to Gregg, because if he would likely accept. However Harden, a "type B", would most likely not take the offer, especially if you told him that he would be used in long relief.

Are the Cubs making a mistake by letting these guys leave without receiving any draft compensation for them?

Cubs Interested in Saito?
The Cubs are one of 8 teams interested in right-handed reliever Takashi Saito, according to MLB Trade Rumors. The White Sox, Braves, and Mets are three of the other teams interested. Saito had a 2.43 ERA in 55.2 innings of work for the Boston Red Sox in 2009.

Hot Stove Notes
The Hot Stove on the MLB Network listed the Cubs as one of multiple teams interested in Rick Ankiel and Chone Figgins. MLB Network insider Jon Heymon mentioned that there is still a chance that Curtis Granderson will stay in Detriot.

Perry Finds New Job
Former Cubs hitting coach Gerald Perry has been named the hitting coach of the Pawtucket Red Sox. The Paw Sox are the AAA affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. In addition, Torey Lovullo was named the Pawtucket manager.

Caray Out at TBS
In other former Cub related news, Chip Caray will part ways with TBS after coming under fire for inaccurate calls during the 2009 postseason. When Chip broadcast for the Cubs, he and Steve Stone left the team after some controversy with players.

Naples Update
Cubs owner Tom Ricketts and president Crane Kenney are scheduled to meet with Naples officials tomorrow to discuss the possibility of moving Cubs Spring Training. "We take it seriously and we'll react accordingly," Mesa mayor Scott Smith said. Smith is not going to part ways with the Cubs without a fight.

Recap of a Slow Weekend
Not much is going on as far as the Cubs are concerned right now, but things are expected to heat up at the Winter Meetings, which start a week from today. If you didn't check out the site this weekend, there's a lot of posts for you to catch up on:

• What are Cubs Fans Thankful for?
• Who's on the Cubs Shopping List?
• Cubs Roundup: Talkin' Baseball Recap HOF Ballot & More
• Numbers Breakdown: Cubs Second Base
• My Early Opening Day Roster Prediction
• Don't forget to vote on our poll on the right sidebar!

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