Carlos Marmol’s Contract 1-yr $2.125M

Glad the Cubs avoided arbitration with Marmol, although I’ve never been sold on Marmol as the closer.

I think he’s hands-down the best set-up man in the majors, but still just an above average closer.

And while I realize he went 11-for-11 in saves last year, his many walks will certainly haunt him in the ninth inning.

Former-Cub Gregg Now A Jay

Can’t believe the Jays forked over $2.75M for Kevin Gregg.

That’s one sign Toronto’s not going to win the AL East.

Gregg led the league in blown saves with the Marlins, then nearly did the same as a Cub last year, and yet, somehow managed to qualify as a Type-A free agent. Eh?

Heath Wins Again!

While New Orleans won its first title, Heath won his second!

Thanks for the many emails that poured in, mostly notably Heath’s which came in Sunday at 3:51 EST.

Nonetheless, congrats to everyone who picked the Saints!

Thanks for playing.

Previous Winners:

I:    Big Mike – Baltimore
II:   Brian -    New England
III:  Heath -    Tampa Bay
IV:   Nicole -   New England
V:    Nicole -   New England
VI:   Talitha -  Pittsburgh
VII:  Ed -       Indianapolis
VIII: Ed -       New York
IX:   Talitha -  Pittsburgh
X: Heath – New Orleans

Super Bowl Prediction

Once a year I break away from Cubs baseball to talk a little NFL, specifically my Super Bowl prediction.

And would you believe this is the tenth year of my self titled ‘Brian’s Super Bowl Bash?’ Wow!

For the newbies, it’s very simple. I need three things: Super Bowl winner, final score and most importantly the MVP choice for any tiebreakers.

All entries must be submitted before the opening kickoff. No payment required, bragging rights only.

Remember, hundreds have played, but only six have won! I’ll post this year’s winner here on Monday…my pick is below!

The Mike Fontenot Trade

On February 2, 2005 the Cubs made a trade with Baltimore for Mike Fontenot and the pride of Naperville, Illinois, Jerry Hairston.

Fontenot was the Orioles first round draft pick in 2001 (19th overall) and Hairston a super utility player during his first seven seasons in Baltimore.

But does anyone remember who Chicago sent packing in return?

Curt Schilling’s Bloody Sock

The suffocating coverage of Dwight Freeney’s injured ankle reminds me of the Curt Schilling ‘Bloody Sock Saga.’

Believe it or not, that was just five short years ago that Schilling mowed down the Yanks in Game 6 of the ALCS on October 19, 2004.

99 pitches, seven innings, one run, four hits, four K’s, no walks.

Thing-of-beauty!

Brewers Sign Jim Edmonds

It’s easy to get caught up in baseball’s numbers, to forget just how talented major league players are — even those .230 hitters off the bench.

It’s easy to forget the human side of the game, the importance of leadership, the need for team chemistry.

It’s easy to forget that statistics tell us only part of the story, not the whole.

It’s easy to see how sabermetrics, zone ratings and slugging percentages can mislead teams like the Cubs to sign a Milton Bradley vs. a Mark DeRosa.

And, of course, it’s easy to laugh at the notion that a 40-year-old Jim Edmonds can still pick’it in center field or hit home runs better than that 24-year-old prospect can.