italianocubsfan7

The possibility of Andy Masur coming aboard means Judd Sirott is probably out. Hollandsworth would be an interesting choice.

Heard today that Judd Sirott is on the way out too, so this could get interesting. Two new guys with Pat could be a nice energizer to the booth. It has gotten a bit dull the last couple years (granted, the team has been bad, but still).

Free agent managers this winter: Jim Leyland, Ned Yost, Don Mattingly, Ron Gardenhire, Joe Girardi, and Eric Wedge, among others. It would be worth it for the Cubs to explore other options besides Sveum. Even if the team won't be in contention until 2015 or 2016.

Usually they like to have a former player/coach in the color spot. It's all politics what about a talk show host? As an addition to the booth with Pat?

FYI: This is the last year of Moreland's contract. I think WGN will open it up after the season, and may get creative with it. Maybe a new stats/sabermetrics guy?

John Smoltz?

I don't think the Cubs would want Grace from a PR standpoint. Two DUI's is a big reason why he didn't get renewed in Arizona. Any chance Steve Stone comes back, or is his contract with the Sox still going? Lou Piniella?

Time to get serious about a replacement. I heard Nomar might get a look if he gets out of his ESPN contract.

D'Back reporter Nick Piecoro tweeting today: "Source says Dbacks expected to reach out to Cubs announcer and former manager Bob Brenly about announcing vacancy, if they haven't already." Apparently, D'Backs are also pursuing Steve Stone, FWIW. They are looking for two new guys on the TV side.

There could be a new TV broadcast team in 2013. Bob Brenly's contract is up after this season, and with no extension deal figured out yet there is already speculation about him joining another team's broadcast booth or going after a managerial job. Not really sure where to begin on possible names to replace Brenly in the booth, but hopefully not Hollandsworth. At the end of the day, it looks like Brenly will be returning, though: http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-brenly-confident-hell-return-to-cubs-booth-20120826,0,860596.story

93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh just reported that the Pirates are "aggressively kicking the tires" on Soriano (not sure how that works, but yeah). Indications are that after Victorino-to-Dodgers and Pence-to-Giants, the Pirates feel they need to add offense in order to keep pace for the playoff push.

Josh Vitters is hitting .302 with 13 HR's and 48 RBI at Triple-A. He has an OBP of .356, OPS of .866, and has struck out just 52 times in over 300 at-bats. I like the way Valbuena has played 3B for the last month, but he's clearly a stop gap. Why not bring up Vitters soon and give him a look at the major league level? The Cubs would still have him under control for several years if they choose to promote.

Weirdest lineup in Cubs history. Why not just put LaHair in LF and leave Campana and DeJesus in their spots?

Was just looking back on this thread I made last year when the Cubs were searching for a radio color commentator. My question: With Moreland working the color for a year-plus now, are you pleased with him on the broadcast? How is he with Pat Hughes? I've heard some discussions more recently about Moreland, especially about his one fill-in inning per game, which usually isn't very good since he does PBP during that time. I don't dislike Moreland as the color, but it is what it is. I'm interested to see if Kerry Wood takes the seat next to Pat when Moreland's contract is up in a couple years. If not, I'd like to hear Doug Glanville next to Pat. We'll see...

Phil Rogers is bad. Really bad. I don't think he double checks any of these "rumors" he hears. Tribune needs to force Phil's retirement sooner rather than later.