Tribune Co. owner of the Chicago Cubs is close to selecting a winning bid for the team from three finalists, according to people familiar with the sales talks. The Tribune could announce the winning in as soon as 10 days. Three prospective buyers made offers for the franchise at the end of November: Chicago real estate investor Hersch Klaff; the Ricketts family, founders of online brokerage TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation and a group led by Marc Utay, a New York private-equity investor who grew up in Chicago. If the winning bidder is able to finalize a contract with Tribune Co., the buyer must be approved by three-quarters of baseball owners. It is also possible a bankruptcy court judge will have a say in the process, because Tribune Co. filed for Chapter 11 protection Dec. 8. The Cubs are not included in the filing, but the sale would generate proceeds for debtholders. Maybe now we can make big trades for people such as Jake Peavy
Jason Marquis is offically a Colorado Rockie. The Cubs got Luis Vizcaino in return. The trade freed up just under 5 Mil and that would to Milton Bradley. Luis has a life time 4.34 ERA. I would expect him to take the role of short relief around the 6th inning.
NHL Top 5 Teams Power Rankings
1. San Jose Sharks 29-4-5
-Powerplay is unstoppable, be disciplined if you want to keep up with the men out west.
2. Boston Bruins 29-6-4
- Just another dominate team from Boston. Led by Phil Kessel, the winning streak snapped, the Bruins attempt to begin an even longer one.
3. Detroit Redwings 26-7-5
- 3-0 week, and 2 wins against divsional opponent Chicago keeps them the heavy favorite to keep the top seed in the West
4. Chicago Blackhawks 21-8-7
- well after last week.. they have more allstars then the redwings!!! Huet is weak, time to trade him for a 5th round draft pick.
5. Washington Capitals 26-11-3
- if 1st line Forward Alexander Semin didn't fight like a girl, then the Caps would be 4th. Better luck next time
Updated Power Rankings frequently
JTS
The Chicago Cubs have agreed to a three-year, $30 million contract with free-agent outfielder Milton bradley . Pending a physical of course, this fills the Cubs need for a power hitting left hander. Adding Bradley was one of the top priorities this offseason for the Cubs, who got swept out of the playoffs for the second straight year after a lineup loaded with right-handers struggled against the Dodgers. Bradley batted .321 with 22 homers for the Texas Rangers.
ESPN.com reports that the Cubs have traded Mark DeRosa to the Indians for three undisclosed players.Chicago set up the move by signing Aaron Miles to a two-year contract Wednesday morning, but he's a major downgrade from DeRosa offensively. It remains to be seen how the Indians plan to align their new-look infield, but using DeRosa at second base with Jhonny Peralta at third base and Asdrubal Cabrera at shortstop would likely be the best setup defensively. He was so good last year....what does this mean the Cubs will do?
The Chicago Sun Times reports that the Cubs have agreed to terms with Aaron Miles on a two-year, $4.9 million contract. St. Louis cut Miles loose because they didn't want to pay him around $2.5 million via arbitration, so it's a surprise that he's able to get a two-year deal. Chicago already had infield depth with Ronny Cedeno on the bench, so signing Miles seemingly could lead to the Cubs shopping Mark DeRosa.
The Rockies are looking to add depth to their rotation. Instead of getting caught up in a bidding war for the likes of Tim Redding, who was nontendered by Washington and suddenly has a handful of teams running up his price, they could turn their attention to a more proven commodity such as Cubs right-hander Jason Marquis. Marquis also is the other guy in a rotation but has proven to be durable, working at least 167 innings each of the past five seasons. And with the Cubs anxious to move him to ease their rotation overload, they would seem likely to eat roughly half the $9,875,000 he is guaranteed in 2009. The Rumored Deal involves Marquis to the Rockies for SP Luis Vizcaino
The Cubs are considering inviting two Japanese relief pitchers to spring training. The pitcher they're most interested in is Ken Kadokura, a 35-year-old right-hander, and they also had a tryout for 34-year-old left-hander Shigeki Noguchi. The Yomiuri Giants released both veterans after the 2008 season. Kadokura, who spent most of '08 in the minors, has a career record of 76-82, with 10 saves and a 4.36 ERA. The Cubs believe having another Japanese-speaking player around will help Fukudome feel more comfortable.
And there goes John Paxson's newest investment. Luol Deng left in the Bulls roll over loss to the Heat last night in the 4th quarter after severely spraining his ankle. Coach Vinny Del Negro has ruled Deng out for the next two games possibly more. Deng signed a big contract in the off season but does not seem to be a good fit with the Bulls future star Derrick Rose...maybe this is a sign Pax should go.
Free agent Sammy Sosa said he's open to returning to the majors if someone makes him an offer.Sosa probably could have gotten a job last year, but he wanted regular playing time and at least $7 million. Sosa previously said that it was intention to retire following the World Baseball Classic, but he's in shape and apparently hoping for another opportunity.Source: Rotoworld
To launch his newest sneaker, LeBron James and 20,000 fans will turn Quicken Loans Arena into an indoor winter wonderland. When the Cleveland Cavaliers face the Washington Wizards on Christmas night, James will be wearing a "chalk" version of his signature Nike shoe, a tribute to his pregame ritual of tossing and blowing hand rosin into the air above the scorer's table before he takes the court. Nike will provide packets of confetti for fans to throw along with James, who began the routine a few years ago. The "Chalk" shoe is the ninth edition of James' Zoom LeBron VI line. Last month, he wore a "Big Apple" model of the shoe when the Cavs played in New York. The new shoe includes a silhouette of James' chalk toss on the tongue. James' foundation will also host 25 families at the game. They will be treated with gifts and a pregame visit from the superstar. Source: AP
The Rockets traded Steve Francis and a 2009 second-round draft pick to the Grizzlies on Wednesday. In exchange, they get a conditional draft pick in 2011.
SI.com's Jon Heyman believes the Cubs are showing interest in free agent Derek Lowe.Lowe would prefer to pitch on the East Coast, but if the Yankees and Andy Pettitte can work out their differences, there might not be a AL or NL East contender willing to give him the dollars he wants. The Red Sox have some interest, but would probably offer just three years. The Orioles and Nationals could certainly use him, but Lowe is said to want to join a contender. The Cubs might have a legitimate shot if they're willing to spend $15 million per year. First, they'd likely have to dump Jason Marquis.Source: SI
The Cubs signed a left-handed-hitting outfielder on Tuesday, but it's probably not who you expected.The Cubs picked up some speed when they signed outfielder Joey Gathright to a one-year, $800,000 contract. Gathright is not the big-bopper type outfielder Cubs manager Lou Piniella wanted for the middle of the order, but someone who will be handy during double switches, pinch-running, pinch-hitting and able to play all three outfield positions. He was non-tendered by the Kansas City Royals on Friday after batting .254 in 105 games this past season with no homers and 22 RBIs. Piniella knows him well. Gathright played for him in Tampa Bay and stole 20 bases in 2005. He swiped 22 total in 2006 with the Rays and Royals, but this season was bothered by a bone bruise in his right shoulder.
With a growing list of teams such as Miami, Chicago and Charlotte using undersized centers out of necessity, Miller will draw interest. Source:ESPN
With the Kings' woeful record and Spencer Hawes' vast improvement, Brad Miller's exit could come sooner than expected. Numerous team sources said the Kings will continue to test the market for Miller leading up to the February trade deadline. The approach, it appears, will be one of high ambition and low motivation; the Kings are far from desperate to move Miller but more than willing to do so soon if the deal comes with enough payoff.
Outfielder Joey Gathright has popped up on the Cubs' radar
Cubs manager Lou Piniella knows Gathright well. The speedy outfielder played for Piniella in Tampa Bay and stole 20 bases in 2005. He swiped 22 total in 2006 with the Rays and Royals, but was bothered by a bone bruise in his right shoulder this season.
Source: Cubs.com
According to several league sources, the Wizards and Chicago Bulls nearly had a deal worked out in October that would have sent Antonio Daniels and Etan Thomas to Chicago as a part of a package for Larry Hughes, a former Wizards guard. The deal collapsed after Hughes injured his shoulder.
