(Courtesy of The Sports Xchange) Since 1993, when Mark Grace lost in an arbitration hearing, the Cubs have always settled up with arbitration-eligible players before the process went before an independent arbiter.

The Cubs' thinking is that it's an ugly process that usually causes hard feelings between the player and the team.

Star pitcher Carlos Zambrano and the Cubs are still far apart in their negotiations but have plenty of time to iron things out. Zambrano's hearing date is Feb. 20 in Phoenix.

(Courtesy of The Sports Xchange) One of the duties of new Cubs bench coach Alan Trammell is to work with the infield.

The four-time Gold Glove-winning shortstop, who helped turn 1,321 double plays in his career, is looking forward to his duties with an infield that has two Gold Glove players and a pair of question marks.

First baseman Derrek Lee and shortstop Cesar Izturis are former Gold Glove winners whose 2006 seasons were shortened because of injuries.

(Courtesy of The Sports Xchange) Carlos Zambrano, who is in a close race with Arizona's Brandon Webb and St. Louis's Chris Carpenter for the National League Cy Young Award, gave up four runs (two earned) on three hits with four walks and nine strikeouts in seven innings, but fell to 16-7 as the Cubs lost to Colorado, 5-2.

(Courtesy of The Sports Xchange) Aramis Ramirez is not looking back. He is looking ahead.

Ramirez opened a three-game series at Philadelphia on Monday night with a two-homer, seven-RBI night, bringing his season totals to 35 homers and 110 RBIs.

Those numbers are respectable, and with an "out" clause in his four-year contract this winter, he could find some huge money on the free agent market.

(Courtesy of The Sports Xchange) Cubs manager Dusty Baker is not sure where he will be managing in the next couple of years, but he has plans to get back to postseason action as soon a possible.

(Courtesy of The Sports Xchange) The Cubs figure to activate shortstop Cesar Izturis from the disabled list either Monday or Tuesday, and they need to figure out what to do with rookie infielder Ronny Cedeno.

Cedeno, who has been subbing for Izturis, likely will move back to second base. However, the Cubs have been impressed with Ryan Theriot's play at second in recent weeks.

(Courtesy of The Sports Xchange)  It seems as if next year's rotation for the Cubs will consist of Carlos Zambrano, maybe Mark Prior (if he's healthy) and ... and ...

Well, that's the rub.

(Courtesy of The Sports Xchange) Mark Prior was hoping to come back this season -- even as a reliever if possible -- but indications are that it's a long shot.

(Courtesy of The Sports Xchange) Les Walrond's emergency start on Sunday, in which he was not able to complete three innings, was likely not good enough for him to make another start for the Cubs.

(Courtesy of The Sports Xchange) Mark Prior said he wants to beat the odds and come back this season, even if it means he would return as a reliever.

(Courtesy of The Sports Xchange) Michael Barrett is closing in on having enough plate appearances to qualify for the batting title race.

Barrett, who is hitting .329, joins Minnesota's Joe Mauer in the American League in bidding to become the first catcher to win a batting title since 1942.

(Courtesy of The Sports Xchange) Cesar Izturis wants to prove he's more than a good defensive player.

Heading into this season, he drew rave reviews about his glove but only has a .295 on-base percentage in 2,245 major league at-bats. That was consistent with his .294 on-base percentage in 1,957 minor league at-bats.

(Courtesy of The Sports Xchange)  Will Derrek Lee's inflamed wrist keep him out the rest of the season? And did he come back too early from a fractured wrist injury in the first place? Those are questions most Cubs fans are wondering in the wake of Lee heading to the disabled list Monday.

(Courtesy of The Sports Xchange) The trading deadline is getting nearer and the Cubs are getting further away from not only a playoff bid, but a .500 record as well.

For some teams, that's a recipe for a huge fire sale before July 31. But that's probably not going to happen in Chicago.

(Courtesy of The Sports Xchange)  Cubs veteran pitcher Greg Maddux is the hot topic of trade rumors even though he lost 10 of his last 12 decisions.

The 40-year-old, who has a wealth of postseason experience (30 playoff starts), is in the final year of a three-year deal and does not have a no-trade clause in his contract.