Cubs.Com today released a nice article about the 2006 Cubs team.  From injuries, to bad coaching, it covers pretty much the high and lows of the Cubs on a month to month basis.  It is definately worth a read so check it out if you have time.

Cubs.Com 2006 Review

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New Peoria Chiefs manager Ryne Sandberg will join the Cubs Caravan in central Illinois on Jan. 17 at the RiverPlex.  Sandberg, the Hall of Famer named last week to manage the Cubs Class A affiliate, will be joined by Cubs general manager Jim Hendry, pitcher Rich Hill and Minor League infielder Eric Patterson.

Nice to see Sandberg make a public appearance with the caravan.  He will be signing autographs for 45 minutes as well as talking with fans.  Hopefully the community gets out and sees Sandbergs and support the Peoria Chiefs!

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Reports are coming out that the Chicago Cubs and starting pitcher Jason Marquis have agreed on a three year contract for around 20 million.  I don’t expect great things from Marquis but if he can eat some innings and pick up 10 wins it might not be too bad.  I would have rather kept Sean Marshall in the rotation then spend another 20 million on a player like Marquis.

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Has Jim Hendry got that left handed bat to come off the bench that he has been wanting?  Bruce Levine from ESPN1000 in Chicago is reporting that Daryl Ward and the Cubs have agreed on a contract but it will not be official for two days.

As long as this deal is for 1-2 million and 1 year I like it.  Ward can provide a little pop off the bench for the Cubs.  Don’t expect him to be playing in the field much unless he is forced to because of injuires.

More Cubs Rumors Here

Gil Meche will not be a Chicago Cub after agreeing on a 5 year contract with the Kansas City Royals this morning.  Not that a bad deal for the Cubs, I didn’t want them to spend another 40 million for a 4 year contract like the one they just signed Ted Lilly too.

So now Hendry as he is in the hospital works the phones about possible deals with Jeff Suppan or Jason Marquis.  I don’t want either of them unless it is only a 1 year deal.  I would rather give Angel Guzman or Sean Marshall the 5th spot in the rotation.  They would come by much cheaper and I think another season of experience would help out either of them.

Chicago Cubs Blog

Jim Hendry was able to get a starting pitcher today at the Winter Meetings as Left hander Ted Lilly accepted the teams 4 year 40 million offer.  Lilly chose the Cubs over the Yankees.

The left-hander still has to pass a physical, to be done next week in Chicago, before the deal is finalized. The final package may also include a $4 million signing bonus.

Hendry mentioned that they are still going after a left handed bat, so look for him to make a strong push for Cliff Floyd. 

The Cubs dealt outfielder Freddie Bynum to the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday for a player to be named.Bynum, 26, appeared in 71 games with the Cubs last season. He batted .257 with four home runs, 12 RBIs and eight stolen bases, starting 15 games at second, 13 in left field, eight in right field and two in center.

He was sidelined because of inflammation in his right shoulder in late June, and was not activated until Aug. 21.

The Cubs acquired the left-handed-hitting outfielder on March 31 from Oakland in a trade, and Bynum made the Opening Day roster.

The Cubs are getting closer and closer to signing one of the free agent starting pitchers.  Now they just play the waiting game as Ted Lilly decides between the Cubs and the Yankees.  Whichever team Lilly decides to goto, he will probably make around 10 million a year.  Thats too much for him in my opinion.

Lilly, 30, has a career 59-58 record in eight major-league seasons with Montreal, the Yankees, Oakland and Toronto. He went 15-13 with a 4.31 ERA for the Blue Jays last season.

Ryne Sandberg really wants to manage in the Major Leagues and says the Cubs Manager would be his dream job.  So he has to start somewhere and what better place then the Chicago Cubs Minor Leagues.

Sandberg was named Tuesday as the manager for the Cubs’ Class A Peoria Chiefs. Sandberg follows his former Cubs teammate Jody Davis, who managed the Chiefs for one season and was assigned to the Class A Daytona team for 2007.

It will be interesting to see how Sandberg does with the young players and if he moves up in the organization as a manager.  I wish him the best, and it would be awesome to see him stay in the Cubs farm system until he gets that call to the big leagues again!

Rumors are coming out of the Winter meetings that the Chicago Cubs, Colorado Rockies, and Pittsburgh Pirates are close on a three way trade.  Here is what the rumored deal is so far:

CUBS GET:
Jason Jennings (COL)

PITTSBURGH GETS:
Brad Hawpe (COL)

If the Cubs do get Jennings for Marmol and Jones I like that deal.  You are basically trading Jones salary for Jennings, but getting a starting pitcher with some experience.  If you lose Jennings after this year due to free agency, then you should atleast get a draft pick for him which would cover Marmol.  A starting pitcher is alot harder to get then a outfielder like Jones so that is what it comes down to for me.  What does everyone else think?