Sun-Times
Cubs seek to add up to 80 premium seats (Spielman)

Tribune (Reg. Req.)
Cubs propose placing ads behind home plate (Washburn)
Stone: Nothing's in works with White Sox (Mitchell)

From around the country
The New York Times has another Minaya/Sosa piece preparing Mets fans for the (possible) arrival of Slammin' Sammy next year, but in their article on Pedro, they actually have some minor Sosa news down near the bottom (regarding the state of Hendry/Minaya negotiations). A password may be required to view these articles.

Tribune (Reg. Req.)
Plenty of shopping days left for free agents (van Dyck)

From around the country
According to the Fort-Worth Star Telegram (Reg. Req.), Todd Walker "is being courted to be the Rangers' designated hitter in the No. 2 spot in the order. "

From around the country
New York Newsday: Minaya developed Sosa; now he wants to make him a Met

Herald
Cubs sorting through key issues (Miles)

From around the country:
New York Daily News: Sosa deal fading fast over money
Newark Star Ledger: Mets acting prudent in Sosa talks
Fox Sports: Looking around the league (more Sosa chatter)

Cubs Free Agent Watch II: Todd Walker

Tony Womack, just the other day, was at the “top” of the Cubs’ “wish list” according to the Sun-Times, not to mention Ken Rosenthal at the Sporting News. That was then. Today, it seems those claims were somewhat inaccurate, if you believe the next batch of spin. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch says that “negotiations stalled earlier this week”. Someone at The Cub Reporter has an ESPN Rumor Central account and says that column is claiming Todd Walker’s the choice du jour. Also, anyone who read down to the bottom of the Trib’s Dan Kolb article on Monday would have seen some back pedaling regarding Womack. Too early to say “Phew?”

Who is stalking Walk? Jim Hendry?

Actually, it’s the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and the Texas Rangers. According to his hometown paper, the Shreveport Times, Walker is planning to take his time making a decision this off season, although the Cubs would be his preference.

Sun-Times
Kasper hails Cubs TV job as best in baseball (Ginnetti)

Tribune (Reg. Req.)
Cubs to advertise new look behind plate (Sullivan)

Herald
'It's the best play-by-play job in sports' (Cox)

Southtown
Kasper OK as shtick in the mud (Vorva)
Baseball Notebook (Vorva)

We can expect a lot of hype on Len Kasper (who? Oh yeah, him) today and tomorrow. The Cubs are having a press conference to introduce him today at Wrigley Field. Wish they'd save the big splash for someone who will make a difference on the field.

Free agent Kent Mercker is again getting his side out, on the Cubs website, seeing as teams are now wondering if he's bad for the clubhouse.

Tribune (Reg. Req.)
Cubs call about Brewers' closer (van Dyck)

From around the country:
New York Times (Reg. Req.): The Boo Birds Are Circling a Fallen Star (Sosa profile)

The NYT website requires free registration. The article doesn't have anything new about the progress of trade talks with the Mets, but implies that they are very much alive. Mainly, it is a description of how Sammy fell from grace in Chicago, and it has quite a downbeat tone throughout.

Tribune (Reg. Req.)
When Hendry talks, GMs listen (Rogers)

In case you didn't want to bother registering to read the Mercker story from Ohio the other day, here it is reprinted in the Trib (where you're more likely to have a password). Mercker says he never screamed at Steve Stone.

From around the country:
This is something I don't understand. Ken Rosenthal in the Sporting News says that the Cubs are "getting closer on a deal" with Tony Womack. If Womack is so great, why did he warm the Cubs' bench in 2003 when Mark Grudzielanek was the starter? Why are the Cubs letting Grudz go and now apparently going after Womack? Personally, I think Todd Walker should get to start all year for the Cubs but he won't be signed if they get Womack. Walker is supposed to be a bad defender and I understand that he is a little below average statistically, but I remember him making a lot more great plays last year than bad ones. More importantly, I like his bat and his relative patience at the plate. Womack is probably being targeted because he is a "true leadoff hitter" (and a supposedly better defender), but I prefer Walker, who somehow always inspires confidence when he comes to bat. He's been consistent at the plate during his career, while Womack has been flakey and flukey.

Further to yesterday’s post about Matt Clement and his suitors, there is something in the New York Times (Reg. Req.) today about the current free agent starters on the market which says that his strike out and walk rates for the last two years are by wide margins the best among his free-agent competition. And the Tribune (Reg. Req.) posted something late from today’s paper on Matt’s off-season as well.

Southtown
Prior down on Sosa (Whalen)

Herald
Rusch signing official (AP)

From around the country:
Boston Globe: Alou goes to bat for Sosa
Dayton Daily News (Reg. Req.): Mercker's take on Stone Saga

Cubs Free Agent Watch

Which teams are targeting the heroes, villains and “lemons” of the 2004 Cubs roster? Carlos Beltran is coveted by a laundry list of teams, but who is looking at Moises Alou? Who is talking to Todd Hollandsworth’s agent? Which teams hope Matt Clement will be pitching for them in 2005?

We’ll try to figure it out over the next few weeks of the off-season, and we’ll start with the most coveted soon-to-be former Cub, Matt Clement. Although Clement was taken out of the rotation towards the end of the season after an extended period of rough starts, Matt was very much the number one or two starter on the team in the first few months of the season. At no point during the season was he really expected to remain on the roster after 2004, and although the possibility still exists if he goes to arbitration (the Cubs have not made him an offer), Clement is the one guy we expected to be saying goodbye to in October. His difficulties on the mound in the second half (plus, according to a recent report, his leaving the team at some point to attend to his pregnant wife, which apparently irked Dusty Baker), meant we never did get to say goodbye.

Teams looking at Clement (relevant articles linked):
Blue Jays
White Sox
Tigers
Rangers
Indians
Red Sox

Herald
Cubs will sign Rusch for 2 years (Miles)
Closing late, Kasper wins job with Cubs (Rozner)

Sun-Times
Kasper choice as Cubs' new TV voice (Ginnetti)

Tribune (Reg. Req.)
Kasper the friendly host (Sherman)
Ticket prices going up again at Wrigley (van Dyck)

Herald
Re-signing Rusch could be first move (Spellman)
Vasgersian back in lead for Cubs job (Rozner)

From around the country:
San Diego Union-Tribune: Cubs interested in Vasgersian

Tribune (Reg. Req.)
Cubs still looking for closer (van Dyck)

Sun-Times
Urbina, Renteria, Dye could land in Chicago (De Luca)
Kasper, Vasgersian in Cubs' TV voice hunt (Ginnetti)
Cubs not out of options for closer (Kiley)

Herald
Here's one way for Cubs to deal Sosa (Rozner)

Tribune (Reg. Req.)
Bullpen solution to visit Cubs (van Dyck)
ESPN won't play ball with Cubs (Sherman)

Herald
Report indicates Sosa's $18 million option could be dropped (Spellman)
Cubs boxed themselves in with Sosa (Rozner)

Southtown
Floyd, Cubs already have something in common (Vorva)

From around the country:
New York Newsday: Sosa deal complex

Tribune (Reg. Req.)
Agent cools Sosa talk (van Dyck)
O'Brien needs ESPN, Mets OK (Sherman)
Wrigley may move its walls (Washburn)

From around the country:
New York Daily News: Union won't stop Sosa clause drop
New York Newsday: Sosa quest in full swing

Out of 12 teams interested in him, the Cubs are one of six that Troy Percival is considering, according to today's Detroit Free Press and MSNBC. Meanwhile, Ken Rosenthal at The Sporting News says the Cubs are "backing off" Normar Garciaparra.

Both the Daily Southtown and Sun-Times have stories on Sosa/Katz, but they are basically the same as the others above.

[No Cubs news this morning.]

Sun-Times
Sosa's deal could be revised for trade (De Luca)

Tribune (Reg. Req.)
Sosa tries to help Cubs trade him (van Dyck)

From around the country:
New York Daily News: Sosa-to-Shea now an option

Sun-Times
Vizquel offer near; Indians eye Clement (Ginnetti)

From around the country:
Newark Star-Ledger: Mets: Sosa more than just an option
New York Post: Mets, Cubs Talking about Sosa

Tribune (Reg. Req.)
It might be, it could be O'Brien (Sherman)
Let bidding for Beltran begin (Rogers)

Herald
Brenly confident fans will accept him (Spellman)

Sun-Times
Cubs narrow choice for TV voice (Ginnetti)
Farnsworth wasn't in uniform, either
Last Run

Tribune (Reg. Req.)
Minaya cautious about Sosa reunion (Rogers)

Herald
O'Brien has inside track for Cubs job (Rozner)

From around the country:
Rocky Mountain News: Rockies on fringe of Sosa talks
Arizona Republic: Return to booth likely for Brennaman, Grace
New York Times: Mets Ready to Deal; All They Need Is a Trade Partner

Note: News that breaks during the evening is posted in the following day's breakfast

Sun-Times
Hendry says Sosa likely to stay put (Ginnetti)
Brenly back in Cubs' fold (Ginnetti)

Tribune (Reg. Req.)
Brenly says friendship with Baker no obstacle (Sherman)
Alou looking for 2-year deal

Herald
Brenly replaces Stone (Cox)
Brennaman now seems a possibility (Rozner)

Southtown
Brenly gets call to fill one spot in TV booth (Vorva)
Brenly: No aspirations to return to managing (Vorva)

From around the country:
Seattle Times: Mariners bring Baylor on board

Tribune (Reg. Req.)
Brenly to be Cubs' analyst (Sherman)
Bringing heat: Wood sounds off on Cubs' flop, Sosa's AWOL (Mitchell)
Cooking up some hot Sosa deals (Rogers)

Daily Herald
Sosa key to moves Hendry will make (Miles)
Brenly, Cubs 'very close' on agreement (Rozner)

Daily Southtown
Sosa's agent says trade unlikely (AP)

From around the country:
LA Daily News: Dodgers balk at talk of trade

This article about Shawn Chacon from the Denver Post bizarrely seems to imply that the Cubs may have some interest in Kenny Lofton:
Several teams show interest in Chacon

Maybe this is a good time to mention that this is a "best efforts" service. We will not necessarily provide Cubs for Breakfast 365 times per year, although it will be on the table almost every day (yes, we are that obsessed).

Some Sunday Highlights Served up Cold:

Sun-Times
Hendry reportedly trying to send Sammy to L.A. (Ginnetti)
Sosa-for-Green idea brings a big smile (Mariotti)

Daily Herald
Cubs want Brenly if he wants them (Rozner)

From around the country:
Kansas City Star: Lefebvre happy here, but if Cubs want to talk he'll listen

Sun-Times
Cubs sign backup IF Perez

Daily Herald
Cubs re-sign Perez; Hendry hopes GM meetings productive (Miles)

Tribune (Reg. Req.)
Easement, land may cost Cubs $3 million (Washburn)

From around the country:
LA Times: Dodgers and Cubs to Discuss a Possible Green-Sosa Trade (Reg. Req.)

(Posted after lunch CST due to system problems)

Daily Southtown
Wrigley expansion may have to lose some seats

Tribune (Reg. Req.)
Too late for Cubs' brass to call Costas (Sherman)

Sun-Times
Cubs, Sox will let the big one get away (Mariotti)

From around the country:
Shreveport Times: Walker will be patient in free agency
Sun-Sentinel: Cubs' gain could be Marlins' loss
Philadelphia Inquirer: Three coaching jobs remain open

Tribune (Reg. Req.)
A 3rd All-Star SS to Yanks? (van Dyck)
City plans design limits for Wrigley expansion (Washburn)

Daily Herald
Percival may be good fit for Cubs (Miles)

Daily Southtown
Cubs Notebook (Vorva)

Sun-Times
Maddux wins 14th Gold Glove Award (Ginnetti)
A blown save in the booth (Harris)

From around the country:
Rocky Mountain News - Krieger: Stone's void leaves little for Cubs fans

Daily Southtown
Mets, Rockies, Marlins may be interested in Sosa (Vorva)

Daily Herald
Is there more to Speier hire than meets the eye? (Rozner)

Website
Cubs voices up for Frick Award (Muskat)

Tribune (Reg. Req.)
Grenade found at Wrigley Field

Sun-Times
Stone's self-analysis: management -- maybe (Ginnetti)
Fall guys: Sosa joins bad company (Couch)
To move up, Cubs must move on (Mariotti)
Truth in booth -- Stone was a gem (Slezak)

Daily Southtown
Stone doesn't add more fuel to the fire (Vorva)
Cactus League opener slated for March 3 in Phoenix (Vorva)

Yahoo
Broadcast Search Continues (Holley)

"As long as Andy MacPhail is still there, I won't go back to Chicago." -Mark Grace on the booth vacancies, on Yahoo news.

Website
Cubs mailbag: Offseason dealing

Sun-Times
Sosa rant shifts Cubs' PR disaster into overdrive

Tribune (Reg. Req.)
Cubs' 2005 spring training schedule set