Preparing for the Big Day

Tomorrow is Opening Day at Wrigley Field! The Cubs host the Washington Nationals at 1:20. The game will be televised on WGN-TV with Len Kasper and Bob Brenly and broadcast on WGN Radio with Pat Hughes and Keith Moreland. For the second consecutive year, Ryan Dempster will receive the opening day nod for the Chicago Cubs. Young right hander Stephen Strasburg will take the hill for the Nats.

Dale Sveum settled his bullpen today to figure out the final spots on his roster. In addition, infielder Luis Valbuena was claimed off waiver from the Blue Jays in a surprising move. He will fill a spot on the 25-man roster, serving as Starlin Castro's backup at shortstop. The Cubs will go with 14 position players and just 11 pitchers to start the season.

According to Carrie Muskat the six man bullpen will be made up of Kerry Wood, Carlos Marmol, James Russell, Rafael Dolis, Shawn Camp and Lendy Castillo. Rodrigo Lopez will not start the season on the roster but is expected to be called up quickly. Frankie De La Cruz was outrighted, while Manny Corpas was also cut from the big league squad.

Tomorrow's lineup is still pending whether or not Bryan LaHair, who stat out the last four Cactus League games with a back issue. Either Blake DeWitt, Joe Mather or Jeff Baker will start in his place if he cannot go. There is a 50-50 chance that LaHair will start. Tony Campana is still with the team in case a disabled list stint is necessary.

Today the Cubs worked out at Wrigley Field for the first time this season. According to multiple reports, the ivy is already green. Bill Murray will throw out the first pitch and sing the 7th inning Stretch on Opening Day. Friday is an off day before the series continues Saturday at 12:05.

The games that count are here! David DeJesus and Ian Stewart will make their Cubs debuts today.

"I don't care who wins as long as it's the Cubs!"

Breaking Down the Gorzelanny Trade

Before we talk about the trade, the Cubs avoided arbitration with Sean Marshall and Matt Garza today. Marshall received a two year worth $4.7 million, while Garza got $5.95 million for one year. Last week the Cubs avoided arbitration with Geovany Soto by inking him to a one year, $3 million deal. With Gorzelanny traded and the other three locked up, the only arbitration eligible player left in Carlos Marmol. The two sides are working on a multiyear contract and it is not expected to go to a hearing.

The Cubs acquired three prospects yesterday in a deal that sent left handed starter Tom Gorzelanny to Washington D.C. Here is some information about each of the players that will join the Cubs' farm system.

Michael Burgress

• Position: Outfielder
• B/T: Left
• Height/Weight: 5'1'', 195 lbs
• Age: 22
• Birthday: Oct. 20
• Drafted: by the Nationals in the first round (49th overall) in 2007
• 2010 Teams: 101 games at Class-A Advanced Potomac, 21 games at AA-Harrisburg
• 2010 Stats: Combined .265 AVG, .357 OBP, 18 HR and 85 RBIs in 122 games
• Career Stats: .257 batting average over four seasons

A.J. Morris

• Position: Pitcher
• B/T: Right
• Height/Weight: 6'2'', 185 lbs
• Age: 24
• Birthday: Dec. 1
• Drafted: by the Nationals in the 4th round in 2009
• 2010 teams: 23 games at Class-A Advanced Potomac, 4 games with Rookie Bal
• 2010 Stats: 5-3 with a 3.77 ERA in 27 games (16 starts)
• Career Stats: 5-7 with a 3.64 ERA in 37 games (26 starts) over 2 seasons

Graham Hicks

• Position: Pitcher
• B/T: Left
• Height/Weight: 6'5'', 170 lbs
• Age: 20
• Birthday: Feb. 9
• Drafted: by the Nationals in the 4th round in 2008
• 2010 teams: 1 game at low-A Vermont, 15 games at Class-A Hagerstown
• 2010 stats: 2-6 with a 5.02 ERA in 16 starts
• Career Stats: 7-12 with a 5.33 ERA in 31 starts

Let's hope this deal turns out to be a good one for the Chicago Cubs.

Breaking News: Gorzelanny Traded to Washington

Cubs left handed pitcher Tom Gorezelanny has been traded to the Washington Nationals. The Cubs will receive two pitchers and an outfielder in the deal, which is pending a physical. According to one report the outfielder is Michael Burgess.

Update 6:10 CT: Bruce Miles reports that the two pitchers are right hander A.J. Morris and southpaw Graham Hicks. I will post details about the prospects at some point.

I will update this post with more information soon.