The off-season on the North Side has begun and while the organizational meetings are not until October 19th in Mesa, the Cubs made a little news this week....and the mainstream media lit the fire on the Hot Stove. The Cubs' payroll is expected to increase in 2009 from the $130 million dollars the organization spent to field the 2008 squad. While a specific number has not been reported, with the escalating salaries of the players under contract, an increase would be necessary in order to improve … [Read more...]