That, according to U.S.S. Mariner: "There’s a real chance that you could find several gold bars, one of the first photographs in american history, and the original copy of the declaration of independence. Or you might find a pair of false teeth, a hoard of rats, and a shirt containing remnants of the bubonic plague." You know, the Cubs aren't all that different. One of the best things the Cubs have going for them is that they play in the NL Central. And they don't have Carl Pavano as their opening day starting pitcher.

Ex-White Sox starter Parque invited to Mariners camp (Jerry Crasnick, ESPN.com, 2/2/2007)

Former Chicago White Sox starter Jim Parque, attempting a comeback after being out of baseball three seasons with shoulder trouble, has agreed on a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners.

Parque, 30, will attend major league camp and probably begin the season with Triple-A Tacoma as a starter. "He can build up arm strength and stretch out, and then we'll all figure out how far back he really is," said agent Paul Cohen.

I love comeback stories.

The Seattle Mariners have problems, writes CBS Sportsline.com's Larry Dobrow:

Hot-off-the-wire news flash from my embedded moles at the winter meetings: Not only were several members of the Seattle Mariners brain trust in attendance, but they seemed to be going against recent practice and actually attempting to make the team better. (They didn't succeed, but more on that in a bit.)

Color me impressed. After a five-year stretch in which approximately two of the club's personnel moves worked out -– importing Kenji Johjima and bringing back old pal Raul Ibanez -– it's tough to believe that GM Bill Bavasi and his crack team haven't intentionally been trying to sabotage the franchise.

The Philadelphia Phillies have traded for Seattle Mariners pitcher Jamie Moyer, reports the AP. (Despite trading Bobby Abreu and having a sub-.500 record, the Phillies are still in the NL wild card race.) "He’s expected to start for the Phillies on Tuesday [(8/22)] against the Chicago Cubs."

18 years. That's how long it's been since Moyer has stepped foot on Wrigley Field's mound.