Neil: November 2008 Archives

The Cubs and Padres were scheduled to play in the last Hall of Fame game this past summer, but the annual tradition was rained out and due to scheduling conflicts was not able to be rescheduled. Many thought the long-standing tradition would not return. After 68 years, teams no longer liked playing in the game for many reasons and most complaints centered on the difficulty of traveling to Cooperstown.

On Monday Major League Baseball announced the Hall of Fame Game has been changed to the Hall of Fame Classic and will now feature legends and old-timers of the game instead of current teams.

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According to multiple reports on Monday afternoon, the Cubs will play two exhibition games at the new Yankee Stadium next April. The Cubs have agreed to play on back-to-back days in the Bronx in the first games at the new stadium. The Cubs have finished their exhibition (Spring Training) schedule the past four seasons in Las Vegas but this coming spring will conclude the spring on the East Coast.

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Former Cub, Scott Eyre signed a 1-year, $2 million dollar contract, plus incentives, to remain with the Phillies for the 2009 season. Eyre was 3-0 with a 1.88 ERA in 19 games for the World Champions after being released and traded from the Cubs on August 7th. The former Stevie Ire told Dave Kaplan on Sports Central after the completion of the World Series that he wanted to pitch one more year in the majors and for the Phillies....one of the good guys in the game got his wish.

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According to a report by Ken Rosenthal, the Rockies likely will trade Matt Holliday to the Oakland A's in the next 48 hours. The deal and the players have not been finalized but the two teams discussed sending outfielder Carlos Gonzalez and southpaw Greg Smith (both acquired in the Dan Haren deal last winter from the Diamondbacks) along with Huston Street.

The official announcement will not be made until the players pass their physicals. The A's are planning on increasing their payroll into the $80 million dollar range and do not consider Holliday a one-year rental.

The Cardinals were rumored to be on the cusp of landing Holliday over the weekend for a package of players that included Ryan Ludwick.

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According to a report on Fox Sports.com, Scott Boras, the agent for Greg Maddux, told reporters on Monday that the former Cub and future Hall of Famer "is almost certain to retire." Maddux filed for free agency last week. Boras said Maddux has not made his final decision, "but for now it is doubtful he will play any longer." ...

According to a report from Jon Heyman of SI.com, Jake Peavy added the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim to the list of teams he would approve a trade to on Monday. XM Radio reported on Monday night that Kevin Towers is scheduled to meet with the Cubs, Braves and Dodgers at the GM Meetings this week. Peavy has put the teams in "some sort of order but the GM declined to reveal that order." The Yankees are below the NL teams on Peavy's list. ...

According to a report in the Tribune, in addition to the 40-man roster moves and players filing for free agency last week, the Cubs fired Ryuji Araki....Kosuke Fukudome's interpreter. The Tribune stated, "Jim Hendry wants to find and interpreter who jells better with the Japanese outfielder." ...

The Cubs' organization lost one of their coaches last Saturday when the Washington Nationals hired Pat Listach to join their coaching staff. Listach will assume the third base coaching duties for the Nats in 2009. Listach managed the Iowa Cubs in 2008 after managing the Cubs' Double-A affiliate (West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx and Tennessee Smokies) in 2006 and 2007. Listach was the I-Cubs hitting coach from 2001-2005. Listach joined former Cubs manager Jim Riggleman and Cub-for-a-moment, Marquis Grissom on Manny Acta's staff. ...