If The Ivy Could Talk - Cubs Rumors

According to a report from Nick Cafardo in the Boston Globe, Kerry Wood is drawing interest from the Chicago Cubs. Cafardo listed the Twins and the Cubs as possible destinations for Wood.

Kerry Wood is owed a lot of money for the upcoming season ($10.5 million) and has a rather large vesting option for the final year his three-year contract. Wood's $11 million club option for 2011 becomes guaranteed if Wood finishes 55 games in 2010. Carfardo pointed out the Indians would have to pick up a good portion of his remaining contract to trade him to either the Twins or Cubs.

According to a report from Jerry Crasnick on ESPN.com, the Cubs continue monitoring Jason Frasor of the Toronto Blue Jays. The Cubs have inquired, once again, about Frasor's availability after losing Angel Guzman over the weekend.

According to a radio report from Bruce Levine on Monday, the Cubs are continuing to look at Jason Frasor and Luke Gregerson. Levine said the Cubs are pushing hard for both Frasor and Gregerson in hopes of landing one for the backend of the pen.

Day Four of Camp Lou IV ended early due to rain. Pitchers got their work in before the rain cut the workouts short on Saturday. Rain is expected in the Phoenix area for the next few days but it is expected to be in the mid 60s and sunny on Tuesday for the first full squad workout.

Kosuke Fukudome and Ryan Theriot reported to camp on Saturday. Ryan Theriot said there were no hard feelings between him and the club over losing his arbitration case. There are only four position players that have not reported to Fitch Park ... Derrek Lee, Alfonso Soriano, Aramis Ramirez and Starlin Castro. Monday is the official reporting date for position players.

The Cubs are still looking for bullpen help according to Jim Hendry. The Cubs GM spent a little time on Saturday morning with Bruce Levine and Jonathan Hood during Talkin' Baseball (ESPN 1000).

Here are the updates from day four, more from Jim Hendry on Talkin' Baseball as well as an update on the Cubs' interest in Chan Ho Park ...

Charley Steiner once said, "There is something liberating about those magical words, pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training." The off-season is over ... the Cubs' baseball season begins today.

While the official reporting date for Cubs' pitchers and catchers is today, many players are already in camp and were on the field on Tuesday. On Saturday over 40 players had already reported, it appears a majority of the Cubs' Major League roster has made their way to Mesa, Ariz.

Jim Hendry and Lou Piniella are scheduled to meet with the media on Wednesday ... and the first official on field workout is Thursday. Position players report on February 22 with the first full squad workout on Tuesday, February 23.

Here are updates from Mesa with video of Geovany Soto in the cage and more on the rumor tweeted by the CCO on Tuesday night that Chan Ho Park is still on the Cubs' radar ... and Ryan Theriot's pending arbitration hearing could have an impact on Park becoming a Cub.

After meeting with the media on Tuesday, Jim Hendry spent time at the end of the week on the radio. Thursday it was Waddle and Silvy (ESPN 1000), Friday morning Mully and Hanley (The Score) and Friday night, Hendry finished up with Sports Central (WGN Radio).

The three interviews on Hendry's radio tour were very similar but each time Hendry dropped a couple of interesting tidbits. For instance, Hendry told Waddle and Silvy, "We are not going to sign anymore position guys." On The Score, Hendry said the Cubs targeted Jermaine Dye and Xavier Nady and mentioned there were three and four-team deals on the table that included Milton Bradley.

After Dave Kaplan pushed for an answer as to which player they need most to rebound this season, Hendry named Carlos Zambrano.

The incredibly long off-season that began on October 5 is almost over. Pitchers and catchers report to Fitch Park in Mesa, AZ in seven days ... and the first Spring Training game is on March 4 against the Oakland A's, just 22 days to go.

Jim Hendry spoke with the media on Tuesday as the truck carrying the Cubs gear departed for Arizona. The Cubs' GM provided updates on Ryan Theriot's arbitration case, Ted Lilly and Starlin Castro.

Here's more with a week to go ... including the latest from the mill. Plus, two new iPhone apps for the Faithful that feature the CCO.

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.

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.

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."