PrimeTime

According to ESPN.com's Buster Olney, talks between the Cardinals and Albert Pujols are "not moving at all." Olney suspects that Pujols is seeking a "Mt. Everest" contract -- something similar to the 10-year, $275 million pact that Alex Rodriguez is currently operating under with the Yankees. As baseball's best hitter, Albert has no real reason to budge from that asking price because he could probably have it met as a free agent next winter. But the Cards are obviously having trouble justifying such a lofty commitment. The club's payroll rarely tops $100 million in a given year. Pujols wants talks to cease once spring training opens. Source: ESPN.com

So they're comparing him to a Shane Victorino eh? I don't know much about the guy and I'm not as knowledgeable on a lot of the minor league guys as most of you, but what's the deal with this prospect? Speedy, little bit of pop? Great move though since he seems to be highly touted and replenishes our farm system a bit for what we just gave up in the Garza trade.

http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2011/01/wells-i-got-too-big-for-my-britches.html Cubs' Wells: 'I got too big for my britches' So basically he comes out and says he was out partying and drinking all during the season and thinking he's some huge star and puts the blame on that for last years season. His ego went through the roof it seems after he won some games his rookie season. This comment from someone on the board is pretty funny "Wells is from Belleville, Illinois, just across the river from St. Louis where I live. Therefore, he grew up as a Cardinals fan, and that should be all you need to know about whether or not he has rocks in his head. And by the way, he gets his hair cut at the same place I do. Sometime during last season, one of the girls there was telling me that whenever he was in town and stopped in to get his haircut, he would wear sunglasses and a hat and act all secretive in order to "to disguise himself"...because, ya know, apparently he really thought he was a big stuff around here and seemed to think people around this area actually gave a damn about him! Sooo, after reading this article, now I know that what she told me was absolute fact. He really DID get too big for his own britches. I give him credit for realizing and admitting it. Now I just hope he snaps out of it and uses his talent instead of his arrogance to get him by!"

Could care less really about the other guys in the trade, basically this trade was Archer and Lee for Garza. I really would've liked to see an infield of Castro and Lee, but you gotta give up talent to get talent. Unfortunetly those were the 2 guys they really wanted and Archer was a must have to get the trade done or they would've traded Garza to Texas. Prospects are prospects though, and never know how they'll pan out until they hit the majors, we all seen how highly touted and untouchable Rich Hill and Felix Pie were and got offered some big names for them and then their value hit rock bottom and they were worthless. so I doubt Hendry wanted to chance that again. Some people like the trade and some don't. We get a front line starter who's only 27 with control for 3 years and can always flip him for prospects if we choose to later on. I was kinda ehhh at first with what we gave up, but now Im happy with the trade since we have a proven major league front line starter in the rotation.

From Levine The Cubs did not want to include Chris Archer and Hak-Ju Lee in the Garza deal. The Rays asked for either Chris Archer or Trey McNutt. The Cubs feel McNutt was the better of the two and decided to let Archer go. # The Cubs consider Trey McNutt a superior prospect to Chris Archer. The Cubs are projecting Chris Carpenter and Trey McNutt to be in the rotation in the near future.

Trade is officially completed per Roto. Heres some of their takes on the top guys in the deal Cubs acquired RHP Matt Garza, OF Fernando Perez and LHP Zachary Rosscup from the Rays for RHP Chris Archer, SS Hak-Ju Lee, C Robinson Chirinos, OF Brandon Guyer and OF Sam Fuld. A Cubs rotation with Garza, Ryan Dempster, Carlos Zambrano and two from the group of Randy Wells, Tom Gorzelanny and Carlos Silva looks pretty good. Still, Garza isn't exactly a top-flight pitcher and the Cubs gave up four significant talents to bring him in; they're going to regret it unless this is the year Garza takes that step forward. Since the rotation is crowded, there's a good chance they'll trade Gorzelanny now Rays acquired RHP Chris Archer, SS Hak-Ju Lee, C Robinson Chirinos, OF Brandon Guyer and OF Sam Fuld from the Cubs for RHP Matt Garza, OF Fernando Perez and LHP Zachary Rosscup. Archer, 22, went 15-3 with a 2.34 ERA between Single-A Daytona and Double-A Tennessee last season. Probably the Cubs' top pitching prospect, he has No. 2 starter ability if improved command comes with experience. The Rays probably won't need him this year, but it's possible he'll make the jump in the second half if injuries strike. Shortstop Hak-Ju Lee was sent from the Cubs to the Rays in the Matt Garza deal. Starlin Castro made Lee expendable in Chicago, but the 20-year-old projects as a fine starting starting shortstop. He hit .282/.354/.361 in low-A ball last year, and some power should come with age. He's not going to help the Rays before 2013, but he might be the most valuable player to come out of this deal. Heres the others we received OF Fernando Perez and LHP Zachary Rosscup were acquired by the Cubs as part of the Matt Garza deal. Perez missed most of 2009 with a dislocated wrist and then struggled upon returning last season, batting .223/.280/.299 for Triple-A Durham. Back in 2008, he was looking like a potentially excellent fourth outfielder with a pretty good bat and plenty of speed and defense. His bat needs to bounce back, but he could prove very useful for the Cubs, particularly if Kosuke Fukudome gets moved. Rosscup, a 28th-round pick in 2009, was not viewed as one of the Rays' top pitching prospects.

Talent evaluators spoken to by ESPN's Buster Olney don't seem to be overly impressed with the Matt Garza deal from either end of things. Our View: The consensus seems to be the Cubs might be overestimating their chances of competing in 2011, making the deal unnecessary, while most believe the Rays aren't getting any impact prospects in return. And while it's surely a disheartening move for Tampa fans, Garza, while a great MLB pitcher, isn't exactly a once in a generation hurler, or even a true ace.

Nothing really new, but this was posted on Chicagocubsonline.com so I thought I'd just post the latest update I seen. The CCO's first weekend update of 2011 ... it might be a New Year but Jim Hendry remains focused on making improvements to his pitching staff. Matt Garza is still at the top of the GM's wish list and according to Bruce Levine, Hendry is "trying like heck" to trade for Garza. Here is the update including more on Garza, plus notes and rumors from Talkin' Baseball ... Notes and Rumors from Talkin' Baseball The always-informative Bruce Levine provided some insight on the Cubs' off-season New Year's Day. Along side Fred Huebner, the talk ranged from the players Jim Hendry is still working to acquire and keys for the Cubs in 2011. The keys to the Cubs' upcoming season is Carlos Zambrano ... along with Alfonso Soriano and Aramis Ramirez, plus the continued development of Starlin Castro and Tyler Colvin. Here are the highlights ... Jason Frasor is probably still available and Levine thinks the Cubs are still interested. Frasor is coming off a down year (3-4 with a 3.68 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP in 69 games) compared to a strong 2009 campaign (7-3 with a 2.50 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP in 61 games). Levine did not mention what the Cubs would have to give the Blue Jays for the Oak Forest native. The Blue Jays offered Frasor salary arbitration and he accepted it instead of opting for free agency. Frasor earned $2.65 million last year. The Cubs are still very much interested in Matt Garza ... along with several other teams. According to Levine, the Rangers are now out of the mix for Garza. With the signing of Brandon Webb, coupled with their desire to develop their young pitchers, Texas has decided to move on. The Nationals could be one of the other teams in the mix for Garza. The Rays continue to ask for three or four top prospects (again, top prospects not the top four prospects in the Cubs organization). The Cubs have to address their starting pitching according to Levine. While they want to build a strong organization they still must compete in 2011.

I'm struggling to find the humor in this deal, regardless if you're a douche bag White Sox fan or not I live in the southwest suburbs and Im not really surprised by that comment, theyre all cocky,narcissistic assholes with no baseball knowledge. Half of them think Paul Konerko plays left field.

Gotta love Kerry and his loyalty. You see all these other relievers like Scott Downs getting 3-6 Mil per year and you know he would get in that range on the open market easily and getting offered 2 year deals and he signs with us for only 1.5 mil. Also, saying he would never wear a White Sox jersey to top it off. You gotta love this guy. =D>

Latest on Roto A source told AOL Fanhouse's Ed Price on Friday that he is "certain" Rays right-hander Matt Garza will be traded this winter, probably to the Cubs. The Rays were unimpressed by the offers they fielded for Garza during the Winter Meetings and there's been no indication that proposals have been sweetened. But the Cubs could sure use a guy like Garza. He finished with a 15-10 record, 3.91 ERA and 1.25 WHIP over 204 2/3 innings this year in the AL East. The National League Central is quite a bit easier on pitchers. Source: Ed Price on Twitter

Bill Ladson of MLB.com reports that two executives outside the Nationals' organization believe Washington will sign free agent first baseman Carlos Pena. "We know what the list is. We are still working on a whole bunch of different options to improve the club," general manager Mike Rizzo said. Pena batted just .198 this year for the Rays, but he did slug 28 home runs while tallying 84 RBI. He is known as a solid defensive player and appeals to Washington as a veteran that could lead a young infield, which includes shortstop Ian Desmond and second baseman Danny Espinosa. Source: MLB.com

Do you think he parties with this guy? http://www.millerparkdrunk.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/braun.jpg

I remember him saying he didn't like Wrigley or the city at all, or something of the sort. then found this in a interview with ESPN, not sure how long ago. DP: What's the toughest ballpark as far as fans heckling you? LB: Wrigley Field. I'll probably get scalded for saying this, since people like Wrigley because it's nostalgic, but if they blew that place up it wouldn't bother me at all. People think it's a good hitter's park but it really isn't, because they keep the grass about knee-high in the infield and when the wind blows in you can't see. And the temperature's never comfortable -- it's either freezing cold or sweltering hot. It's just a tough place to play. DP: What about the fans? Do they get on you? LB: They do indeed. DP: Give me a sampling. LB: Well, a lot of what they say can't be repeated in a magazine or otherwise. They're definitely the most vulgar fans in the league.

Starlin just got hosed by a shitty ump call

Get him and put him at 1st base and bye bye DLee

I think we all need to call WGN radio and demand " Everybody loves the Cubs" is the intro every year.

Oh man, Thanks! "Everybody Loves the Cubs" is so catchy, Ive been searching forever for that and could never find it.Greatly appreciated

All these people on Facebook are depressed and crying that Theriot is gone...One guy is comparing him to Lou Brock..LOL

This happens once every 25 games where everything clicks and you wish they could play like this every game. Then it goes back to the same ol crap fest. :sigh:

What piss poor sportsmanship....It's the national league TEAM...Game and rivalry aside, its a sport with bunch of guys having a good time, playing baseball,it's not the world or you take something up personally with someone for no reason. During the all star break especially, it's just supposed to be a laid back, good time for all the players. What an ass.

Wow..Corey Hart is doing this?

Did one of the announcers just call Big Papi " Jose Ortiz" ?

Theriot with his pure domination

LOL on Espn of them burning Lebron's jersey