Trucks loaded with the Cubs equipment depart on Tuesday from Wrigley Field for Fitch Park in Mesa ... pitchers and catchers report in eight days.

According to a report in the Tribune, Jim Hendry feels "the club significantly improved" from a disappointing season a year ago. Hendry admitted, "We knew a couple of years ago this would be a year a lot of the contracts we did would restrict us."

Hendry explained he "feels good" about the players he brought in and conceded the fact the Cubs need players to perform better than they did a year ago.

The Cubs GM took responsibility, once again, for the decisions he made last winter.

Historically the Cubs' system has not been known for producing position players. Outside of Shawon Dunston, Joe Girardi, Mark Grace and Ryan Theriot, the Cubs' organization has produced several one-year wonders and a catcher in Geovany Soto that the book is still out on.

Most that follow the Chicago Cubs know the name Starlin Castro ... the soon-to-be 20-year old shortstop that reportedly possesses all of the tools to be a solid shortstop at the big league level. But other than Brett Jackson, Josh Vitters and Kyler Burke, the top prospects in the Cubs' system are middle infielders.

The Cubs have depth up the middle with players such as Starlin Castro, Hak-Ju Lee, Darwin Barney, Junior Lake, Ryan Flaherty, Logan Watkins and DJ LeMahieu. These players could end up playing a role in the future of the Chicago Cubs, either on the field or in trades to improve the big league club ... but also the athleticism it takes to play up the middle could provide options for the Cubs down the road at other positions.

Is there some big event that the Cubs are not involved in on Sunday afternoon?

Players are preparing to make their way to camps in Arizona and Florida and a couple of Cubs have already reported to Fitch Park ... Carlos Zambrano and Kevin Millar. Another sign that Spring Training is just around the corner, trucks depart from 1060 West Addison on Tuesday for Mesa filled with the team's equipment.

While the world is focused on Miami ... here is the latest on the Cubs with updates on Carlos Zambrano, Ryan Theriot, second base, Ted Lilly and the bullpen. Plus, in honor of the shield's biggest game of the year a few baseball commercials from yesteryear.

During Talkin' Baseball on ESPN 1000 Saturday morning, Bruce Levine indicated the Cubs would still like to add an arm to the backend of the bullpen.

With Carlos Marmol going into camp as the closer, the Cubs are looking for a pitcher to replace Marmol as the primary right-handed setup man. If they go outside of the organization, there are two realistic options.

According to Bruce Levine, the Cubs have serious interest in two pitchers ... Jason Frasor and Luke Gregerson.

Kevin Millar is a long shot, at best, to make the Cubs' Opening Day roster but one thing is certain ... he gets it. There is nothing loveable about being a loser.

Kevin Millar spent a little time on Friday with Waddle and Silvy (ESPN 1000). The always-talkative former idiot discussed the Cubs and his chances of making the team out of Spring Training.

Baseball teams cannot win the pennant during the winter, but they sure can lose it. The Hot Stove is followed closely by those in as well as interested in the game. Signing and trades are analyzed and broken down by hundreds of pundits, and fans are sent into a tizzy, either positive or negative, based on the action or inaction of their favorite club.

In recent years, the off-season strategies of the Chicago Cubs are questionable, at best. Let's take a look at the past 6 winters, beginning with the end of the 2004 season.

According to a report from ESPN Chicago, the Cubs avoided arbitration with Carlos Marmol on Thursday morning. The two sides agreed on a one-year deal worth $2.125 million.

Marmol in his first year of arbitration was seeking $2.5 million and the Cubs offered $1.75 million.

Baseball Prospectus updated their projections for the upcoming season on Tuesday. After projecting a 77-85 record for the Cubs less than a week ago, PECOTA still projects the Cubs to finish third (tied with the Milwaukee Brewers) in the National League Central but with a 79-83 record.

Baseball Prospectus admitted they made errors in the initial release of their PECOTA projections last week.

The Cubs' former closer could have one more impact on his previous employer. Kevin Gregg has reportedly agreed to a one-year contract with the Blue Jays worth $2.75 million ... according to a tweet from Jon Heyman, the deal includes two options that could make Gregg's new contract worth close to $12 million.

Kevin Gregg will compete with Jason Frasor and another former Cub, Scott Downs for the Blue Jays' closer job this spring. But according to Bruce Levine, the addition of Kevin Gregg could "lead to more talks between the Jays and Cubs about Oak Forest native Jason Frasor."

According to a report from Bruce Levine, the Cubs and Ryan Theriot have cut off negotiations ... and appear to be headed for an arbitration hearing.

The hearing will likely be held in St. Petersburg, between February 8 and February 20.

The Chicago Cubs and Ryan Theriot appear headed for arbitration. The two sides have not budged on the numbers submitted last month. Theriot submitted a $3.4 million figure and the Cubs offered $2.6 million. Ryan Theriot is not backing down.

According to Bruce Levine, the Cubs "are not thrilled about the direction this arbitration has taken." The Cubs feel Theriot and his agent could have avoided arbitration weeks ago. As reported, the Cubs have not been to an arbitration hearing with a player since Mark Grace in 1993 ... for the record, the Cubs won.

An arbitration hearing is a lose-lose proposition for both sides.

From the Sun-Times, "Ryan Theriot will sit across the table from Jim Hendry as a team representative tries to convince a three-member panel Theriot's not as valuable as he thinks he is."

Here is the latest from Bruce Levine and the rumor mill, notes from interviews on XM Radio with Ron Santo and Gary Hughes and an explanation of the arbitration process ...

As the television voice of the Cubs since 2005, Len Kasper has endeared himself to many Cubs fans. His professional approach, accurate descriptions and disciplined preparation allow Len to execute his job in an efficient and successful manner.

When you invite the Cubs into your living room every day, you are inviting Len Kasper in as well. He is a major part of the Chicago Cubs organization and he took time to answer a few questions for the CCO ...