Last year I said that Neil Cotts was going to bring a lot of value to the Cubbies, and that the trade that sent David Aardsma to the White Sox in return was not a bad deal. As of now, having witnessed yesterday's two pitch debacle by Cotts, in which he gave up a bases loaded home-run to A.J. Pierzynski, I eat my words. (Aardsma of course is doing great for the South Siders.)

I wondered about Lou Piniella's judgment when Cotts was called in to relieve Zambrano, given that this was a high tension moment and Cotts might not relish it. Then when I realized he was facing A.J., the one guy on the White Sox who probably understands his pitching better than anyone, I got really scared.

In a very thought provoking article in today's Sun-Times, staff reporter Gordon Wittenmeyer notes that all the money spent has not created a cohesive team form either the offensive or defensive perspective. See: http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/360635,CST-SPT-gordo27.article

One question I have is whether there should not be an even bolder change in the field. Why not put Alfonso Soriano back into a second-baseman role? That could give Cliff Floyd playing time, keep Pie around, and let Murton fight it out with Jones and Derosa for right. Keep Theriot playing as long as he is hitting. Izturis and Jones could be traded, for that matter.

Just a thought. Soriano might feel relieved to be back at second and start hitting.

If the rumors are correct and Sam Zell buys the Tribune Company, that is reason for cautious optimism about the future of the Cubs. The good news is Zell is a long time Chicagoan. The additional good news is he is very smart. The question is whether his likely affection for the City and the team will translate to him keeping control or selling off the organization to ease the debt burden on the Tribune. If he chooses to sell off, one hopes he will favor local ownership. Maybe he will get creative and offer shares to fans. In any event, it is better that he wins the contest for the Company than a non-Chicago person.

As sad as it is to see Mark Prior not doing well in Spring Training, it is important the Cubs really get the "Prior/Wood" monkey off their backs. Prior is in need of extended work to hopefully regain his form and confidence. He should (and likely will) be sent to the minor leagues. Lou Piniella is thankfully not burdened by the franchise's all too common tendency to deny reality. He would be doing less than his job not to give Mark Prior a chance to get better, which can best occur out of the limelight.

I just can't help feeling a little genuine optimism about the Cubs' prospects for 2007. This is indeed a dangerous concept, since many too many years as a Chicagoan have taught me never EVER to doubt this team's aility to disappoint. Nevertheless they have put out a considerable effort and a lot of money to bring a better roster and, I personally think, a better manager to the friendly confines of Wrigley this season. Don't get me wrong. I think they have major challenges in putting together an effective batting order and finding a pitching rotation that will be reliable enough to win more often than not. But they deserve a "gold star" for the offseason, and there are actual reasons for hope (as opposed to just wishful thoughts).

In a headline that makes a Cub fan gulp, Carlos Zambrano has indicated that the Cubs must give him a contract now "OR ELSE" he will be gone after 2007. What better way to bring negotiations to a climax, huh? My take on this is that this is Zambrano letting his real feelings show. He has himself pumped up. He is a proud man, and he feels he has earned a new contract with a whole lot of money (and he has). Whether his ego and agent will be satisfied in a deal between now and arbitration is a very important question for the Cubbies. It would be ironic for them to quibble over the last million or two, given what has gone on in the market for lesser talents. My guess and hope is that they reach a deal extending for four years, with increasing pay increments and bonuses galore.
See the ESPN story: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2763803&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines

As much as I have fun reading about the history of the Cubs and their Curse, I have difficulty accepting the twists to the story that emerge from a Mike Downey column in the Tribune today. Per Downey, the "curse" may really have started in 1908 when the owner of the Cubs, a man named Murphy, was not invited to a party. Huh? Are you kidding. Downey is really shilling as a publicity man for Harry Caray's in this piece, announcing they will hold a seance involving the 1908 Cubbies and Mr. Murphy. Anything for customers, right? Even playing games with the honored tradition of the Billy Goat. (Now if they could just improve the food at Harry Caray's maybe they would not have to depend on gimmickry.)

See: http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/col...

More potential buyers are emerging for the Cubs organization, and the results of the bidding for the Tribune Company lead some to think that the chance of a private buyout of just the team (or the team and the TV network) has increased. The bids did not contain a hoped for eye-popping offer for the stock of the Company. Thus Crain's Chicago Business and other sources report the chance of a selected asset sale are greatly increased. Local wire and cable magnate Jim Anixter is now in the mix, along with Don Levin and others, as possible Cub owners. (Hey guys, are your egos compatible?? After all the White Sox ownership is really by a small group.)

Yours truly's Tribune stock went bye-bye under a stop-loss order in effect over the holidays. The Tribune story today says the Chandler family (the insiders who started this rumble for a sale) now assert the stock is overpriced. (Could that be because they low-balled an offer themselves??)

Anyone wishing to ponder this further may check out the following link to Crains: http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/n...

There's an item on the AP that says Carlos Zambrano has demanded $15.5 Million Dollars next year. That is over $4 Million above what he got this past year. I think he is worthy of a huge raise, giving what they pay mediocre pitchers. See http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/apps/pbcs....

Andre Dawson made a respectable showing, but he failed to garner the needed votes for the Hall of Fame. See AP Link.