Signs of life

Sorry for the issues lately, most of those should come to an end in the new year - and chances are that if you're reading this, they are fixed for good.

Anyways, as Wrigley's playing surface is prepped to host a hockey game tomorrow, the front office personnel must have decided to come in for a half day on New Year's Eve, pulling the trigger on a deal that sends Mark DeRosa to the Indians in return for pitching prospects.

Smart money says this is groundwork for a Jake Peavy deal in early 2009.

From the Trib:

After spending much of the last two winters wondering about his job security in Chicago, Mark DeRosa was sent to Cleveland today following the signing of second baseman Aaron Miles. The Cubs acquired three pitching prospects from the Indians for DeRosa -- left-hander John Stevens, who was added to the 40-man roster, lefty John Gaub and right-hander Chris Archer.

What? They're baseball guys

For those unaware of the goings on at Wrigley Field this offseason, the Chicago Blackhawks will face the Red Wings at some point on or around New Year's Eve or Day on an open air rink at the Friendly Confines.

The ticket prices are through the roof and people are really excited for hockey, so, uh yeah?

Anyways, this was the news from Wrigley today - the Zamboni fell off the truck in the parking lot.

Of course it did.

Apparently, this sort of thing happens a lot, because the thing ran just fine afterwards. Well, except for that grinding noise, but I'm sure that happened before, too.

It's probably nothing.

Oooh, tell me more about this beard

While most hot stove rumors should be taken with a grain of salt, it's no less entertaining with nothing else happening in the baseball world this time of year.

If I were properly motivated or compensated, I'd love to go through each newspaper and start a power ranking system for who was spot on with their predictions and rumor-mongering and who was apparently making stuff up as they raided the hotel minibar and prepared to hit send on their laptops.

I'd really love to see if the writers who are seen as the gold standard when it comes to insider information really do hold up to any scutiny.

Well, sorry, that's just not going to happen this time around, but I do have a nice list compiled by Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe team that has the following notes of interest:

2. Milton Bradley is in intense discussions with the Cubs.
3. The Tigers are eyeing Kerry Wood on a two-year deal.
8. Talks were again heating up between the Padres and Cubs on Jake Peavy.
13. If the Cubs obtain Jake Peavy, Jason Marquis or Rich Harden become trade bait.
14. Jim Leyland has grown a winter beard.

God, I love Leyland. He's the crustiest old-school manager you could hope for.

(Image from: MLB.com)

Catching up with old friends

Of note to Cubs fans today are two major stories - Greg Maddux has said it's time to head home and Ron Santo was not allowed into the Hall of Fame again.

I'll point you to this feature on Maddux and wish him well. He was always one of those players where it was difficult to separate fact from fiction, in fact, I challenge you to make up a story about the man's control over his pitches and not get your friends to believe it.

The great thing about Maddux was that he wasn't some hulking monster waiting to clobber home runs to straightaway center - which is funny because he was the original "chicks dig the long ball" guy - but rather, a quiet man who got by on his intelligence and preparation.

In short, he's the player we all assume we could be if we worked that hard.

If only it was that easy.

Santo was kept out yet again in a tale that has long since being surprising. Sorry, Ron. Better luck next year. If you could keep a lid on bemoaning the fact all season, we'd all really appreciate it.