More on Zambrano

David Kaplan has been all over the Zambrano situation on his twitter account today. Here's the latest from Kap:

• Zambrano hopes to remain a Cub. He wanted to return to the team Saturday but could not because he was suspended.


• Carlos says that he did not try to hit Chipper Jones.


• He does not think that the punishment is fair.


• Zambrano did say that he was thinking about retiring but it was because he was frustrated. The comments were supposed to be private.


• He received text messages of support from Sammy Sosa, Marlon Byrd, Jason Giambi, Carlos Pena, Alfonso Soriano and Ozzie Guillen.


• Soriano and Zambrano are on good terms despite their confrontation.

Believe it or not, I actually side with Carlos Zambrano on this situation. I do not think that the 30 day suspension was in order. I know that they are sick of thing like this, but he did not do much wrong. He was ejected from the game so technically he did not walk out on his team. He cleaned out his locker but returned his things that night. Z told a clubhouse worker that he was thinking about retiring... does that violate a team rule? The only thing that I think he did that was truly wrong was throw at Jones. I'm not buying his claim this the pitches were not on purpose. I think a 3-5 day team suspension would have made more sense than a trip to the 30-day inactive list. What do you think? Please comment with your thoughts!

That's it for now, but I'll keep you posted on everything Cubs as always!

The Chicago Cubs All Decade Team- Position Players

The Chicago Cubs went 733-737 in the 2000s, but the ten "average" years will never be forgotten by most fans. This winter, you've been voting on the polls on our sidebar that asked you: "Who is the Cubs top (blank position) of the 2000s?", so now we put those poll-winners together for the Chicago Cubs all Decade Team...

*Note that all stats are from 2000-2009 only, with the Cubs only!

Catcher- Joe Girardi
Years with Cubs: 2000-2002
Became a Cub: On December 15, 1999 when he was signed
Batting Averages: .278, .253, .226
Awards/Honors: 2000 NL All Star Team
Notes: This was his second stint with the Cubs!
Where is he now: Manager of the New York Yankees

First Base- Derrek Lee
Years with Cubs: 2004-present
Became a Cub on: November 25, 2003 when he was traded from Florida in exchange for Mike Nannini and Hee Seop Choi.
Batting Average as a Cub: .304 in 815 Games
Awards/Honors: 2005 and 2007 NL All Star Team; 2005 NL batting title; 2003, 2005, and 2007 NL Gold Glove at 1B.
Notes: Signed through 2010

Second Base- Mark DeRosa
Years with the Cubs: 2007-2008
Became a Cub on: November 14, 2006 signed as a FA
Left the Cubs on: December 31, 2008 when he was traded to Cleveland for Jeff Stevens, John Gaub, and Chris Archer
Batting Average as a Cub: .289 in 298 games
Notes: Played 2B, 3B, RF, 1B, LF, and SS in both seasons with the Cubs.
Where is he now: Signed with SF Giants

Shortstop- Ryan Theriot
Years with the Cubs: 2005-present
Became a Cub on: September 13, 2005 when he made his big league debut
Batting Average as a Cub: .288 in 513 games
Honors/Awards: Led the NL in singles in 2007 and 2008
Notes: Currently looking to avoid arbitration with club

Third Base- Aramis Ramirez
Years with the Cubs: 2003-present
Became a Cub on: July 23, 2003 when he was traded from the Pirates with Kenny Lofton for Matt Bruback, Jose Hernandez, and Bobby Hill.
Batting Average as a Cub: .300 in 851 games
Honors/Awards: 2005 and 2008 NL All Star; 2008 Hank Aaron Award
Notes: Signed through 2011, plus 2012 club option

Outfield- Sammy Sosa
Years with the Cubs: 1992-2004
Became a Cub on: March 30, 1992 when the White Sox sent him to the North Side along with Ken Patterson in return for George Bell
Left the Cubs on: February 2, 2005 when the Cubs sent him to Baltimore for Dave Crouthers, Mike Fontenot, and Jerry Hairston
Batting Averages in 2000s: .320, .328, .288, .279, and .253
Honors/Awards: 2001, 2002, and 2004 NL All Star; 2000, '01, and '02 NL Silver Slugger; led NL in runs scored in 2001 and '02; led league in HR in 2000 and 2002; led NL in RBIs in 2001; and led the NL in Intentional Base on Balls in 2001 (with 37!)
Where is he now?: Announced his retirement on June 3, 2009 after the World Baseball Classic. He is currently "calmy waiting" his induction into the Hall of Fame.
Notes: *

Outfield- Moises Alou
Years with the Cubs: 2002-2004
Became a Cub on: December 19, 2001 when he signed with the Cubs
Left the Cubs on: January 5, 2005 when he signed with the Giants
Batting Average as a Cub: .283 in 438 games
Honors/Awards: 2004 NL All Star
Where is he now?: On March 5, 2009 announced that he would retire after the World Baseball Classic. He is now the GM for a Dominican Winter League team.
Notes: One of the few MLB players who batted without batting gloves.

Outfield- Alfonso Soriano
Years with the Cubs: 2007-present
Became a Cub on: November 20, 2006 when he signed with the team
Batting Average as a Cub: .275 in 361 games
Honors/Awards: 2007 and 2008 NL All Star
Notes: Signed through 2014- so he could be on the "All Cubs Decade Team 2010-2020", or also might end up on the "Not-So All Decade Team 2010-2020". Time will tell.

Up Next: The Pitchers

Friday Chatter: Zambrano, Sosa, and More

Carlos Zambrano has won his 3rd Silver Slugger Award! He was the only Cub to be honored, winning the NL Pitcher Silver Slugger for the second year in a row. Zambrano hit .217 this season with 4 homers and 11 RBIs. Here are the rest of the Silver Sluggers:

1B- Albert Pujols
2B- Chase Utley
3B- Ryan Zimmerman
SS- Hanley Ramirez
OF- Ryan Braun
OF- Andre Ethier
OF- Matt Kemp
C- Brian McCann

An odd story making Chicago headlines lately has been Sammy Sosa's change in skin color. At the Latin Grammys, Sosa appeared much lighter then he did when he was with the Cubs. Sosa says the cameras and lights made his skin look lighter then it really is, and he also mentioned a facial cream he's been using. Some bloggers, writers, and fans have speculated that the change in skin color could be steroid-related. Here's some pics:












Cubscast discussed an interesting topic on one of their recent shows. "The World's Thinnest Books", a thing being discussed on Twitter. Here are a few examples of Cubs related World's Thinnest Books from Twitter:

• Soriano's defensive strategy
• other teams interested in Aaron Miles
• Milton Bradley trade rumors that sound both encouraging and plausible.
• Improving the Cubs: 2008/2009 Offseason Edition by Jim Hendry
• Objectivity in Broadcasting by Ron Santo
• Top World Series Moment of the Last 100 years by the Chicago Cubs
• Yes, I Left Early, Yes I Corked My Bat on Purpose and Yes Something is Going On With My Face By Sammy Sosa
• Endearing Yourself to Cubs Fans for Dummies by Milton Bradley
• Aaron Miles Hall Of Fame Accomplishments
• Twitter Link
• If you have any email them to me at cubsblogmailbag@aol.com

There's been some Granderson to the Cubs rumors going on, so here's notes on that and more:

• Phil Rodgers says that the Cubs are not yet actively involved in trade talks for Curtis Graderson, but they will be once the Tigers are ready for offers.
• Jim Callis thinks the Cubs could trade SS Hak-Ju Lee in the Granderson deal, not Starlin Castro.
• Some sources are saying the Cubs would give up Carlos Marmol and a top prospect for the Tiger's center fielder.
• Dock of the Rays speculates that if the Rays toss Andy Sonnanstine into a Burrell for Bradley trade, the Cubs could pay more of Bradley's contract.
• Phil Rogers says Curtis fits the clubs need.
• CCO posted some You Tube Videos of Cubs prospects today.
• BCB takes a look a Millwood for Bradley trade.
• The Seattle Mariners may have some interest in Rich Harden.

That's it for now, let's hope the moves start soon!

Hope You Had a Great Christmas

Well, It's the day after Christmas. I hope your Christmas was a great as mine. Let's get to a few more Christmas links.

• The twelve days of Christmas Cubs version from Chicago Cubs Online.
• Holiday Q&A with Kevin Gregg from Cubs.com.
• The Night Before Christmas from Hire Jim Essian

And Sweet Lou was on WGN Radio with Steve Cochran and Cory Provus on Tuesday. Here's the recap:

• Lou talks about how he is playing golf and enjoying the warm weather in Florida. (lucky him)
• Lou came to Chicago for a few days and says he doesn't miss the cold weather.
• Cory Provus came on and wished Lou a happy holidays.
• Cory asked how Lou's hammock was. Lou said he hadn't been on his hammock too much because he's trying to loose some weight.
• Piniella said he had all his shopping done for Christmas.
• Lou says Jim's working on getting a left handed bat.
• Lou said he's going up to Iowa for the fan fest in Mid-January and says he's going to be pretty busy for awhile.
• He encourages people to go to the Cubs Convention at least once in their lifetime. Fans can get autographs, ask players questions, take pictures, and have fun.
• Cory asked what his message to the players will be this year at the start of spring training. Lou says he's got to think about that and says that the first meeting in Arizona will be an important one.
• Steve asked about Santo getting nipped for the Hall again. Lou says that going back to Ron's career he was a dominate player at 3rd base for many years and says Ron should be in the elite group.

Here's the latest Cub related rumors:

• Mark Gubicza of XM Radio is convinced that Milton Bradley will sign with the Angels.
• The Rays, Yankees, Cubs, and Nationals are also interested in Bradley.
• Ken Rosenthal says that the Cubs are confident they can acquire Bradley.
• Rosenthal also reports that the Cubs could revisit Peavy talks if they get approval from their new ownership which is expected to be settled in about a month.
• Former Cub Corey Patterson has agreed to a minor league deal worth 800,000 on Wednesday with the Nationals.
• Sammy Sosa is ready to come back and play in the major league. reports say that he is waiting for an offer to play in 2009. Before he was expected to announce his retirement after the WBC, but not anymore. I think the Cubs would have interest in bringing him back if he was left handed.

Well, That's it for now. I'll keep you posted on everything throughout the weekend.

Update: Milton Bradley, WBC

Bradley Rumors:

• It looks Milton Bradley is headed for either Tampa or the Cubs.
• Ken Rosenthal thinks that Joe Maddon's club would be a better fit than the Chicago media circus and Lou Pineilla.
• Bradley would like to DH in Tampa, but the Rays could add Giambi, Abreu, Anderson, or Burrell instead.

Here is the list of Cubs expected to play in the World Baseball Classic next March:

• Geovany Soto, Puerto Rico
• Kosuke Fukudome, Japan
• Ryan Dempster, Canada
• Derrek Lee, USA

Zambrano (Venezuela) and Ramirez (Dominican Republic) have not yet decided.

Also, former Cub Sammy Sosa is expected to play for the Dominican.

The final rosters for the WBC will be announced on January 19.