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Come To Think Of It: For Chicago Cubs, Marlon Byrd Is the Word

Posted: 16th December 2009 by Bob Warja in MLB
Now that the Cubs' first choice, Mike Cameron, has been signed by the Boston Red Sox, it appears that former Ranger Marlon Byrd is the target of choice for GM Jim Hendry in his ongoing search for a center fielder. The caveat, of course, is that Hendry has to move Milton Bradley before he can add payroll, so signing Byrd is no sure thing. By the time some team agrees ...

Come To Think Of It: Cubs Interest in Matt Capps Hits Snag

Posted: 14th December 2009 by Bob Warja in MLB
The sudden interest in former Pirates closer Matt Capps really has me scratching my head. I guess teams smell blood, and want to seize an opportunity to sign a pitcher recently given his walking papers by a team badly in need of pitching but who realizes his value in arbitration would be over-inflated by his save totals. It may seem a cheap and easy way for the Cubs to improve the ...
The Vegas books have made the Chicago Bears a nine-point favorite over the Rams Sunday. Yes, the same Bears who have lost four in a row and six of seven are more than a touchdown favorite over another professional football team.á This says two things. One, Vegas wants more money bet on the Rams, and, two, the Rams are really, really bad. But you know what? Not only are the Bears really, ...
In a move sure to spark significant controversy around the league, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced today that Bears QB Jay Cutler's salary will be equally distributed to all of its teams, effective immediately. Said Goodell of the surprising move, "Look, Cutler does his damnest to throw the ball to each team he plays, which helps them win, right? Well, then it's only fair that the money the Bears are paying ...
I keep reading and hearing from both Cubs fans and the media alike that Jeff Baker is likely to be the starting second baseman for the Cubs in 2010. If that happens, I think it will be a mistake. You see, Baker has never done anything outside of Coors Field. It would be a leap of faith by Cubs general manager Jim Hendry to expect Baker to post the same numbers over a ...
Today may be what they call "Black Friday", the busiest shopping day of the year. But for the Chicago Bears team, the only shopping they should be doing is to stock up on some Advil, because they may be pretty beat up come Sunday night. It used to be the Bears doing the beatdowns. But this Minnesota Vikings team is really good. If it's not the Bears bodies that will be ...
Hey, the Denver Broncos finally ended their run of futility, and all the reports focus on only one thing. The winásnapping Denver's four-game slide? No. Brian Dawkins' inspired play? Nope, that's not it either. Instead, a swear word uttered by coach Josh McDaniels that was accidentally broadcast by the NFL Network during the game Thursday night took center stage. It had been 38 days since the Broncos had won a game, yet all ...

Come To Think Of It: Some Lower Cost, High Upside Options For Cubs

Posted: 26th November 2009 by Bob Warja in MLB
We know all too well that the Cubs are financially constrained this winter. In addition to focusing on moving Milton Bradley, GM Jim Hendry has numerous issues to address on a ball club that seriously underachieved in 2009. But I'm always here to help my friend Jimbo, so, as usual, here are some moves and/or signings that wouldn't necessarily break the bank, yet may provide some high upside for the ...
Matt Holliday...Roy Halladay...this offseason is so damn confusing. But we know one thing - both players are available and at least one will sign a huge deal this off-season. Will one of the teams that bites be the Red Sox? Look, with apologies to Jason Bay and John Lackey, Matt Holliday is the best free agent on the market. Lackey is good, to be sure, but he's the best starting ...

Come To Think of It: The Curse of the Honey Bears

Posted: 24th November 2009 by Bob Warja in NFL
Chicago Cubs fans have certainly heard of the Curse of the Billy Goat, while the Red Sox killed the Curse of the Bambino when they won the World Series in 2004. But have you heard of this one? Yes, ever since then-President Michael McCaskey got rid of the Bears cheerleading squad, the team has not won a Super Bowl. While it's not surprising that a guy like McCaskey wouldn't be interested in ...