Talkin' Baseball

Bruce Levine and Jonathan Hood talked baseball on ESPN 1000 on this snowy Saturday morning:

• Levine says that the deck was stacked against Milton Bradley from the beginning.
• Hood didn't like Gordon Wittenmyer's article about black players struggling at Wrigley Field right before Milton's first game at Wrigley Field.
• Hate mail is "part of the gig", and most pro athletes get it.
• The bottom like for Bradley was play on the field.
• Hendry has said that the Cubs are going to move on the from this. He stepped up and took the blame for himself. It was his choice to sign Milton.
• Getting $9 million back was the key to the deal, and that money will help him improve the 2010 Chicago Cubs.
• Carlos Silva was a work horse for the Twins, but then things fell apart when he went 4-15 for the M's.
• Even if the Cubs get nothing out of Silva, Levine still likes the deal because the Cubs get some money in the deal to help them go after a player that they do want.
• Levine mentioned to Seattle radio hosts that the Cubs have an aggressive media in Chicago.
• Having lots of media here was too much for Bradley.
• Todd Hunley was the first Cub to be booed out of town.
• The White Sox crowd "is no different" now then the Cubs crowd.
• We have a tougher media who ask tougher questions. The beat reporters are more involved in not just reporting the news, but also giving their opinion.
• Bruce sees a guy who couldn't handle Chicago and failed.
• Jonathan thinks that Seattle could be Milton's last chance, but Bruce doesn't think so because when someone thinks you still have talent a team will still give you a chance.
• Bradley failed in Chicago, and that will always be remembered. He still has a chance to do good in Seattle.
• Jim Hendry talked with the Yankees about a possible trade for Melky Carbera to fill the outfield vacancy.
• Bruce thinks Melky would be a good addition in center field for the Chicago Cubs.

Matt Capps joined the guys to talk baseball:

• Capps loves Chicago. Every time he's been there he's always enjoyed it.
• The people and the atmosphere at Wrigley help make it a great city and a great sports town.
• He has had a lot of success as a set-up man and as a closer.
• At this point Matt wants to win, and he wants to go to a team with an opportunity to win. Whether it's pitching in the 7th, 8th, or 9th; he'd rather be with a winning team.
• If the opportunity and the fit is right, he'd say that the chances of coming to the Cubs are pretty good. There's still a lot of work to be done with Capps' agent and the Cubs; but Matt seems to like Chicago.
• There's just as good a chance as him being a Cub as him going anywhere else.
• He has had some talks with the Cubs.
• The injury he suffered at Wrigley Field did set him back a little bit, and by the end of the year he was over it.
• Pittsburgh is a phenomenal sports towns. When the Steelers and Penguins are playing, there's a great atmosphere. They've had night like that at PNC Park, but the Pirates hasn't had a whole lot of excitement the last few years.
• When the tides to turn and the Pirates get back to winning, that will be a great town to play in.
• Capps admitted that his wife loved the city of Chicago. Matt's wife is very good friends with the wife's of Tom Gorzelanny and John Grabow.

The the guys talked more Cubs:

• Bruce said that it might be between the Cubs and Washington right now for the services of Capps.
• $5.5 million will come to the Cubs this year, and $3.5 will come next year.
• Levine called the Cubs' bench "not very good" right now. Jeff Baker is a great backup, but right now Mike Fontenot is the starting second baseman.
• Hendry has a lot of work to do still, but it's December 19 and there's plenty of time next until the season starts.
• The people in Seattle are calling their GM a miracle worker. The M's fans are ecstatic that Silva is gone, and they are also happy with adding Bradley.
• Cub fans will tell them that there were 7 or 8 guys on the Cubs who had more RBIs than Milton Bradley, who was batting in the middle of the order all year long. Milton finished with just 40 RBIs.
• Seattle loves the idea that Bradley could be a productive player for them.
• Tyler Colvin is not projected as a staring center fielder for the 2010 Chicago Cubs.
• Signing a free agent center fielder is easier for the Cubs because they want to hold on to their good young players at this point.
• Jim Hendry is trying to win next year, and keep his good young players in the organization.
• One of the keys to this winter for the Cubs is how much the rest of the division does.
• Levine says that if the Cubs make a few good moves and have good health they could be right there with the Cardinals in 2010.
• The guys talked about how when someone is working hard in the offseason, it's really doesn't tell fans anything.

That's it for now, much more to come this weekend!

Cubs Close to Signing Marlon Byrd

The Cubs traded Milton Bradley earlier for Carlos Silva (click for more info on trade plus radio recaps), and the Cubs are looking to move forward with their offseason.

Soon after the trade, more Cubs rumors started to fly. According to the Dallas Morning News, the Cubs are close to signing Marlon Byrd. Evan Grant is "looking for confirmation on the rumored deal".

Bruce Levine says this trade could free up money for Matt Capps and Marlon Byrd.

I'll keep you posted!

Milton Bradley Traded to Seattle

Updated at 4:30 CT with Radio Recaps (bottom of post)

According to ESPN Chicago.com the Cubs have traded Milton Bradley to Seattle for right handed pitcher Carlos Silva. The Mariners will sent a total of $9 million to the Cubs, and $3M of that amount will be to even out the difference between Silva and Bradley's salary in 2010. The other $6 million "constitutes payroll relief for the Cubs and will be paid out over 2010 and 2011.

Bruce Levine says that the money could be used to help the Cubs add a center fielder so that Kosuke can be moved to right.

The Cubs have watched Carlos Silva in Venezuela the last 7-10 days.

As Paul Sullivan points out, the Cubs will visit Seattle for interleague play June 22-24.

Here is the official press release from Cubs.com.

Info on Carlos Silva:

• 30 years old
• Right Handed Pitcher
• 1-3 with an 8.60 ERA in only 8 games in 2009 due to injuries
• 4-15 with 6.46 ERA in 28 Games in 2008
• Career 60-64 record with an ERA of 4.72
• Signed by the Phillies as an amateur free agent in 1996
• MLB Debut: April 1, 2002
• Played for Phillies (2002-2003), Twins (2004-2007), and Mariners (2008-2009) before being traded to the Cubs
• Currently playing for Caribes in the Venezuelan Winter League. He has an ERA of 8.00 in 4 games there so far, going a total of 9 innings.

Ryan Theriot joined Waddle & Silvy today to talk about the trade & more:

• When asked about his mood after the Bradley trade, Theriot said he's doing better because the sun is out, and he heard a trade rumor that the Cubs are doing their best to get Drew Brees.
• Ryan saying that his memory of the Saints growing up is his dad throwing the remote at the TV by the second or third quarter because they were so bad. Now it's good times in New Orleans.
• When asked if he was avoiding the (Milton Bradley) topic, Theriot said, "What topic?"
• Theriot said that it really is surprising to him that Milton was traded to the Mariners.
• He said that he knows Silva is a bulldog and a good guy to have on your staff.
• Silvy said Silva has a good reputation.
• Ryan isn't worried about the Cubs.
• Talent wise, the sky is the limit for Milton Bradley. "Just my judging last season, it's really a coin flip what you're going to get," Theriot said.
• If things would have been going well on the field, it would have been a totally different story.
• Ryan learned how to stay humble and professional no matter what from Kerry Wood.
• Bradley was a wear on the entire Cubs team. Ryan did everything possible to try to help the situation, but it was just difficult for everybody. Bradley being gone will help the clubs focus and make the Cubs much better.

Bert Blyleven also joined the Waddle & Silvy show today to talk about Carlos Silva:

• Bert was there the day when Milton Bradley tossed the ball into the stands.
• As a Twins broadcaster and fan, he kind of liked Bradley's move to toss the ball into the stands.
• He also likes Jim Hendry's move to trade "his headache".
• Silva went to Seattle and had a miserable year after pitching well in Minnesota.
• Carlos has had some back problems, and in 2009 his shoulder flared up, so he made only 6 starts.
• Silva has good control, a good sinking fastball, and is a battler.
• Blyleven compared him to Carlos Zambrano, except he doesn't walk or strikeout a lot of guys.
• Carlos gives up a lot of home runs. In 2006, he gave up a league leading 30 home runs. When his sinker stays up in the strike zone, it's a very hittable pitch.
• Silva has a chance to turn over a new leaf with the Chicago Cubs. All is not lost.
• He "works his rear end off", has a great work ethic, and is a great guy to have in the clubhouse.
• Carlos is dedicated to the game of baseball. If he's healthy, Blyleven thinks he will be a great fit for the Cubs.

Yesterday (before the trade) Ron Santo talked with Waddle & Silvy:

• Ronny's feeling well. Marc had just had dinner with Andy Masur in San Diego, and Marc was talking with Marc for the first time in awhile.
• As long as he's feeling good, Santo will do as many games as he can broadcasting on WGN Radio next season.
• Ron has been working out every other day all winter.
• When he doesn't travel with the team, he goes nuts at home. He says he's better off being there.
• "I just love working with that man. He's the best," Ron said of his partner Pat Hughes.
• There was no doubt in Ron's mind that he'd be back for the next 3 years. He's been surprised that everyone has been calling him congratulating him on the 3 year contract.
• Broadcasting and watching the Cubs at the ballpark is like therapy for him. When he walks in the ballpark, he feels really good.
• Ron loves the Ricketts family taking over the team because he came up with the Wrigley family. He liked playing for a family owned team because it's more personable.
• Tom's definitely going to bring a winner here. The talent is there and the Cubs are on the right track.
• Ron believed definitely that Bradley would be moved. He was right. Santo added that there will be other moves for the Cubs.
• He thinks we'll see more trades than free agent signings.
• The key for the Cubs returning to postseason play is health. When you have 4 of your main pitchers out for a month, Aramis Ramirez out for 2.5 months, and bad years from Soto, Bradley, and Soriano, that's what happens. Soto has the talent to come back and stay healthy, and Ronny thinks Soriano will be back next year. Santo thinks Kosuke will be moved to right field.
• He likes Theriot in the leadoff spot or the number two spot, but the Cubs are still looking at other leadoff men.

Paul Sullivan joined Boers and Bernstein on 670 the Score today:

• When asked how he was, Sully said "Can you here the champagne?"
• Half the time you could get a good interview with Bradley half the time he was a lunatic.
• Hendry knew what he was getting with Milton Bradley
• Jim took all the blame, and rightfully so.
• Paul says that lots of this is Bradley's fault, but Hendry will have to live with the move to get him the rest of his career.
• Tom Ricketts was paying close attention to the Bradley situation to ensure that Hendry made the right move.
• At one point Jim thought he could get a serviceable player, but he got sick of trying to work out a better trade than Silva.
• The Cubs did not want to take this through Christmas.
• Marlon Byrd could be the next move. Sully is not a big fan of Byrd, he would rather the Cubs make a play at Jermaine Dye and leave Kosuke in center.
• The Cubs lack a power hitter for the 5th spot in the lineup.
• Sullivan says that the Cubs need to look at all options before they move Kosuke to right.
• Byrd is going to want a 3 year deal, he has the same agent of Milton Bradley, and he's getting older.
• Guys don't draw a lot of walks under Rudy Jaramillo. Rudy likes guys to swing.
• It's going to be interesting to watch what Jaramillo can do to reshape the Cubs bats.
• Sullivan says that the window is still open for the Cubs team because the division they play in is going to leave it open.
• Once you win the division and get in the playoffs, who knows.
• If Soriano and Soto have better years, that will help tremendously.
• It's hard to stay how much the Bradley stuff really affected the Cubs' play on the field.
• There were a hand full of people who didn't speak to Milton the entire season according to Sullivan.
• Once Hendry told the team the news that Bradley was going to be suspended for the last two weeks of the season, the team celebrated and cheered in the clubhouse.

Still more to come, expect this post to be updated once again.

Cubs Announce Minor Leauge Coaching Staff

As announced at the Winter Meetings, Ryne Sandberg will move up to coach AAA Iowa. Bill Dancy, another former big pro, will take over Sandberg's previous position as the manager of the AA Tennessee Smokies. Dancy spent most of his playing career in the Phillies organization as a middle infielder. In 2005 and 2006, he was the Philliles' third base coach. Last year he coached in the Royals system.

Dennis Lewallyn will be on Dancy's staff as the Smokies pitching coach. Tom Beyers is their hitting coach.

Jody Davis, a former Cub catcher will return to managing as he takes over at Class A Boise. Davis managed the Class A Daytona Cubs in 2008, before becoming the organizational catching instructor in 2009. Davis will be joined on Boise's staff by Jeff Fassero, who pitched for the Cubs in 2001-2002. Over his major league career, Fassero played for the Expos, Mariners, Rangers, Red Sox, Cubs, Cardinals, Rockies, D'backs, and Giants. He finished with a record of 121-124 over 16 seasons with an ERA of 4.11.

Fassero and Davis will be joined on the Hawks' coaching staff by Ricardo Medina, who previously coached in the Dominican Summer League. Medina will serve as the Boise hitting coach.

Mark Riggins, Dave Keller, Franklin Font and Bobby Dernier all return as organizational coordinators. Carmelo Martinez will return as Latin American field coordinator, and Marty Pevey, who was the Blue Jays first base coach from 2005-2008, will take over for Davis as catching coordinator.

Buddy Bailey will return for his second year managing Class A Daytona. Tom Pratt (pitching) and Richie Zisk (hitting) will return as coaches for the D-Cubs in 2010.

Casey Kopitzke will move up to Class A Peoria next season. He managed for the Boise Hawks in 2009. David Rosario and Barbaro Garbey will join Casey's staff as the pitching and hitting coaches, respectively.

Rookie League manager Juan Cabreja will return for his second straight year in Mesa. Rick Trone has been a fixture as the Mesa Cubs pitching coach since 2001. He will return for his 10th season, while Desi Wilson joins the Mesa staff as the hitting coach. Wilson was with Peoria in 2009.

Manuel Callado, Leo Hernandez, Alberto Garcia, Anderson Tavares, and Leo Perez will coach for the Cubs' Dominican Summer League clubs.

Link from Cubs.com.

Other Cubs Notes, News, & Links:

• Carrie Muskat gives us an update on Cubs Spring Training.
• The Cubs sent a scout to see Kelvim Escobar throw. Esobar was also watched by the Rays, Brewers, Pirates, Tigers, Mariners, Yankees, Twins, and A's.
• Ryan Dempster is teaming up with D'Agostino's restaurant to throw a pizza party for a great cause. The money raised will go to Di George syndrome.
• Paul Kinzer told Ken Rosenthal that Matt Capps would accept a job as a set-up man for a contending team. This gives the Cubs some hope of landing him to bolster the bullpen. He plans to set 5 or 6 finalists by the weekend, and then announce his decision soon after.
• Bleed Cubbie Blue has been putting together a great historic photo series. Click the links to see them part-by-part: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4
• TCR Reviewed the 2000 Cubs season
• Interesting bit from AZ.Central.com: "We don't think it's in the best interest of the citizens of Mesa to make this kind of investment when we have no commitment at all as to whether the Cubs are even going to negotiate to be here," Mayor Scott Smith said.

With just over a week left until Christmas, Jim Hendry his better start shopping!

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!

Cubs Roundup: Capps, Cameron, Santo, and More

Breaking News: Mike Cameron has agreed to a deal with the Boston Red Sox. Scratch him off the Cubs shopping list.

Capps Wants to Close
We heard yesterday that the Cubs were interested in non-tendered reliever Matt Capps. Capps was a closer with the Pirates, and according to MASNsports.com "the opportunity to close" is going to be a major factor in Matt's decision as to who to sign with. Capps has 8 or 9 teams outside of the Cubs interested in his services.

Cameron Update
Do to focusing on the Milton Bradley situation, the Cubs may have lost out on another one of their outfielder targets. Mike Cameron, who the Cubs have been interested all winter, is in "serious talks" with the Boston Red Sox. Jerry Crasnik says that they have made "significant progress" towards a 2 year deal.

Santo Returns to Cubs Radio
Cubs legend and should-be Hall of Famer Ron Santo will be back in the Cubs radio booth for the next 3 years. Today he signed a new deal that lasts through 2012. Ronny and his partner Pat Hughes have been a fixture on Cubs radio since 1995. Pat is signed through 2010 and is expected to return after that. The contract allows for Ronny to take certain road trips off due to his health conditions. Santo is looking forward to the Cubs Convention in January.

Naples Update
Naples, Florida is still trying to sell it's pitch to get Cubs Spring Training. Their new effort is to get the Collier County community involved. Muskat has said that an announcement is expected next month. The Cubs may still be leaning towards Mesa, but Phil Rodgers seems to think that the Cubs are going to announce that they will spend future springs in Mesa.

Cubs Luncheon
The Chicago Cubs will host their third annual Cubs Caravan luncheon on January 13 at Harry Caray's restaurant in downtown Chicago. The luncheon gives fans to get a chance to get to know the Cubs. The space is limited to 120 guests. Lou Piniella will headline the event. The rest of the list of people that will be on the Caravan has not yet been released. There will be more stops on the week long Caravan, including several more events open to the public. I will let you know as soon as I hear anything more about the Caravan.

Fossum to Japan
Casey Fossum, a left handed pitcher who spent time in the Cubs' organization this season, has signed a one year $600,000 contract to play for the Hanshin Tigers in Japan next season. Fossum is 40-53 with a 5.45 ERA in his big league career. He had signed with the Cubs this season after opting out of a contract with the Yankees. Fossum went 6-3 with a 3.88 ERA for AAA Iowa in 12 games this year.

Notes from Carrie Muskat's Inbox

• The Cubs will head into Spring Training with 8 pitchers for 5 spots: Michael Parisi, Ted Lilly, Carlos Zambrano, Ryan Dempster, Randy Wells, Sean Marshall, Jeff Samardzija, and Tom Gorzelanny.
• Carrie thinks that drafting Parisi in the Rule 5 Draft helped give them more insurance for the rotation with Lilly injured.
• The Cubs new more about Harden's health than any other team, so they decided to let him go.
• Muskat listed Rick Ankiel, Marlon Byrd, Mike Cameron, and Scott Podsednik as possible additions to the Cub outfield.
• Ryan Theriot is the leading candidate for the lead-off job.
• The easier travel in AZ could be key factor in the Spring Training decision.
• Thomas Diamond will get an invite to Spring Training.
• Chris Robinson isn't quite ready for the big leagues, so the Cubs weren't worried about losing him in the Rule 5 Draft.

Pat Hughes on WGN Radio with David Kaplan

• It's season number 15 for Pat and Ron coming up next year.
• Pat's first interview on WGN was with Kap 15 years ago.
• Hughes can't believe it's been 14 years.
• Ronny and Cub fans everywhere always believe that next season will be a special year. Pat "doesn't think there's any other way to approach it".
• The Cubs have been a good team for the better part of the decade, so that gives the Cubs' fans reason to believe.
• 2009 was not a disaster, it was a winning season. It was disappointing because they did not win the division, but with all the things that went wrong it was really not that bad of a year.
• Pat hopes, thinks, and feels that this will be a solid team again.
• A lot can happen between now and Opening Day, but he doesn't think the Cardinals are going to be as strong next season.
• Hughes has a lot of fun with his Baseball Voices CDs. He was surprised that a lot of people enjoyed the CDs. They make a good holiday gift: www.baseballvoices.com is the website. There are 2 new ones: Milo Hamilton and Dave Niehaus.
• There is so much time to fill on the baseball broadcast, that you have a chance to have some fun. Pat says that separates broadcasting baseball from other sports.
• Hughes doesn't take for granted working with some great announcers over his career.

A few more notes from Sports Central:

When asked about Starlin Castro, Kaplan said that there are no untouchable prospects in the Cubs organization, end of story. David doesn't see any room in the budget to add a starting pitcher. The Cubs have not contacted Mark DeRosa this offseason. Castro could be there to play short stop in late 2010, early 2011.

Ron Santo on Chicago Tribune Live with Kaplan

• Santo's doing very well. Life is good, and it's always nice for him to go out and spend the winter in Arizona with his family after a tough season.
• Ron thinks that the whole Bradley thing never worked because "Bradley never made it work". He was very surprised in Milton's year.
• Ronny feels that if the Cubs win this coming year, Lou will stay on. Piniella loves Chicago, the Cubs, the fans, and he's a winner.
• If it wasn't for Lou, Ronny doesn't think the Cubs would have ended up in second place.
• Whoever plays for Piniella moves it up a notch.
• Santo hopes the Cubs stay in Arizona because the travel is so much easier. Players like to go where the cities are closer together.

Kaplan doesn't see any way the Cubs move to Florida. He would be stunned if they moved. David Schuster from 670 the Score says that he wouldn't be stunned, because "money makes the world go around, and if they feel they can make more money in Florida, that's where they'll go." If the Ricketts have a personal preference from Florida, that could sway it.

Pat Hughes joined the guys on CTL next:

• Hughes says "anything is possible" and the decision will come down to where the better deal is (on Cubs' Spring Training).
• Pat joked about Ron saying that his wife bought him a "sit-up chair". Pat asked, "Would you please explain to me what that is?"
• When asked about the Ricketts, he said, "I just hope he likes the radio broadcasts." Then added that Tom seems like a very nice man who has a great passion for the Cubs with his strong Chicago roots.
• Pat doesn't see Milton Bradley with the Cubs in 2010 in almost any scenario.
• Hughes talked more about his Baseball Voices series. He is offering free shipping on all orders, and there are a total of 8 CDs on www.baseballvoices.com.
• Mike Cameron seems like a leader, has some power, and is a very good defensive player.

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

Capps & Calero on the Cubs Radar

We've added another new poll to our blog! Be sure to vote on the right sidebar on the blog's mainpage. Our "Cubs All Decade Team" voting continues, as we move on the hot corner, third base. Please vote only once, and consider the players' contributions as a Chicago Cub in the 2000s only as always. If there's anyone you'd like to vote for that was not listed as a choice, email me at cubsblogmailbag@aol.com.

Check out my updated early roster predictions.

Now for today's Cubs news and notes:

• Paul Sullivan says the Cubs are interested in pitcher Matt Capps, who was non-tendered by the Pirates yesterday. The Cubs are not looking for a closer, but Capps could fill the right handed veteran set-up man role.
• There's no news on the Milton Bradley front this weekend. Rays VP Andrew Friedman says there's a chance that this is the team the Rays are going to Spring Training with, according to Sully.
• Kiki Calero, free agent right hander, could also be on the Cubs' radar. He was 2-2 with a 1.95 ERA with the Marlins in 2009.
• Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus gives Mike Parisi, who was drafted in the Rule 5, an 18-1 chance of staying with the Cubs.

I think that Capps and Calero would both be worth it. The bullpen needs a little improvement, and at this point so does the bench. We'll see what the Cubs do to address those areas... according to many sources the next 10 days leading up to Christmas will be full of Cubs news. Let's hope so!