Sale of Cubs Update-

Thanks to ChicagoCubsOnline.com for this one-

According to a report from the Chicago Tribune, the sale of the Chicago Cubs to the Ricketts Family "will not be completed by the owners' meeting" on May 20-21. The Tribune cited unnamed sources familiar with the negotiations.

"Despite good intentions on both sides, the transaction will not completed by the owners' meeting, said sources familiar with the negotiations. But a second blown deadline is not an indication that the deal is in trouble, sources said. One person who asked not be identified said the sale is "proceeding slowly but proceeding."

Spokesmen for the Ricketts Family and the Tribune Co. declined comment.

While many are rightfully focused on the inconsistent season of Lou Piniella's Cubs, the sale of the team must be completed soon.

"Sources blamed the slow pace of negotiations on several factors. The double whammy of a recession and a financial-sector meltdown has made it difficult for the Ricketts to secure financing. The family raised $400 million for the deal by selling personal stock holdings and planned to borrow the rest."

According to the Tribune, "both sides are reluctant to put a timetable on completing the deal." Baseball owners are not scheduled to meet again until August.

Ryan Theriot, Power Hitter?

The Cubs offense has been sparked not by Milton Bradley, Lee, Soriano, or Aram but Ryan Theriot. We heard last week that Lou told Ryan to start to drive the ball more and boy, did he take it to heart.

Ryan his hitting .323 with 3 homers, 15 RBI, 14 Runs, and 6 steals on the young season. He has recently become the spark plug of the offense and also the power supply. He has hit 3 homers in 4 days which is tied for most in his career and it is still May. In fact Ryan Theriot is hitting better than guys such as David Wright, Milton Bradley, Jose Reyes, David Ortiz, and has more homeruns than the starting infield for the Oakland A's.

It seems to me that Ryan has been bitten by the power bug and it does not look like he will let up anytime soon. All us Cubs fans have seen something similar to this before with Ryne Sandberg hitting just 7 homers in 1982 and 8 in 1983 then coming into his own by hitting 19 in 84 and crushing 40 in 1990. I by no means want to say that Ryan Theriot is the next Ryne Sandberg but I am just comparing there power trends. If Theriot can mirror about a quarter of what Sandberg was we are in for a treat.

One thing is for sure is the Cubs need to really get the bats going especially with our bullpen the way it is. Maybe Ryan can host a hitting clinic for them?

Z to DL and Scales to the Show.

- The Cubs put Carlos Zambrano on the 15 day DL with a mild grade 2 hamstring strain. It is more of a precautionary thing for the Cubs. The Cubs did call up infielder Bobby Scales and do plan on calling up Randy Wells for a spot start on Friday against the Brewers.

- News and Rumors have been slow and should pick up after May wraps up. So hand in there Cub fans!

Aram Could be Heading to the DL

- The Cubs will have Aram work on running again at Wrigley today and if nothing improves then the Cubs will put him on the 15 day DL. The Cubs would then call up Bobby Scales to replace him on the roster. Scales would be a good backup infielder and provide Lou will good defense. Hopefully Aramis is better today and plays tonight!

- New owner Jeff Moorad said the Padres would love to keep Jake Peavy but said "no one is untouchable." I would love to get Adrian Gonzalez and Jake Peavy in a deal. But that is not likely to happen.

Lets hope the Cubs can string together some wins!

Calling All Cubs!

- It may look like the Cubs are finally getting healthy. They are expect to get back Lee, Marmol, Aram, and Bradley all back in the gam tonight.

- Meanwhile Jake Fox is tearing the cover off the ball. He is hitting .443/.506/1.043/1.549 with 7 doubles, a triple, 11 homers, and 8 walks in just 18 games. The Cubs need to find a place for this guy. How bout the Cubs deal Lee to a west coast team and have Hoffpauir and Fox platoon at first? Just an idea.

Cubs Injury News and Other Talk

- Derrek Lee left the game today with neck spasms. His status is day to day with Hoffpauir more than likely to get the start on Monday in Arizona.

- Carlos Marmol will throw on a bullpen session on Monday then be ready to pitch Tuesday. Aramis could be in the starting lineup as early as Monday but it is likely he will get another day to rest. He should be available to pinch hit.

- Bradley is still a ways away from being ready but is able to pinch hit according to Lou.

- Hill and Zambrano has been taken grounders at 3rd and SS, as of right now they are the backups.

- Soriano will not move from the leadoff spot ever again. Lou said he will stay there because that is where he is most comfortable at and where he hits the best.

Cubs Losing More than Games....

You can add Carlos Marmol and Aramis Ramirez to the list of Cubs who are hurting. The first was Bradley with his sore groin, now you have Carlos Marmol with a grade A strain in his knee, and Ramirez will miss at least 3 games with a strained calf.

The one good thing is losing your stars early in the season for a short time is not a huge deal but it could hurt. The Cubs are expected to call up a guy to back up the infield. Some rumored names are Bobby Scales, Andres Blanco, and Jake Fox. The Cubs should call up Fox, he can rake!

The Cubs have other issues as well, moving the lineup around they way Lou did is simply idiotic. Having Lee hit 4th and Soriano hit 3rd does not make sense. This is what he should do-

With Aram-
Theriot SS
Fukudome RF
Aram 3b
Soriano LF
Fontenot 2b
Lee 1st
Soto C
Pitcher

Without Aram
Theriot SS
Soto C
Fukudome RF
Soriano LF
Fontenot 2b
Lee 1st
Soto C
Pitcher

With Bradley and Aram back, everyday lineup-

Soriano LF
Lee 1st
Bradley RF
Aram 3b
Fukudome CF
Soto C
Fontenot 2b
Theriot SS
Pitcher

But that is just my opinion.

MIlton Bradley to Sit and Bye Luis....

- Sweet Lou will sit Milton Bradley until he is completely healthy and it seems he is far from that after going 0 for 4 with 3 Ks last night. He has been bothered by a bad groin and may be out for a while but is available to pinch hit. Lou does not see him going on the DL. I got to say they should put him on the DL and call up Jake Fox, he has been tearing the cover off the ball in Iowa. Plus he can backup almost ever position on the field. Just my thoughts.

- The Cubs DFA Luis Vizcaino and recalled Shark from Iowa.

Cubs To Call on Shark, Deal Cotts....UPDATE....

UPDATE @ 6:30pm- Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune says the Cubs will call up Jeff Samardzija Thursday to join the pen and not start. Bradley is back in the lineup and will not head to the DL and lefties Neal Cotts and Sean Marshall will not be sent to Iowa. Sullivan speculates that Luis Vizcaino may be released which would mean the Cubs would have to eat the 4 million they owe him. I think it would be silly for the Cubs to release Vizcaino, in 3 IP he has no ER and no BBs. He has been one of the only bright spots in the pen. I think Sullivan is off on this one. I think Neal Cotts may be headed to the DL even though there is nothing wrong with him. The other thing is that maybe Kevin Gregg could be headed to the DL because of his knee and how it has effected his pitching. The last game he pitched in was the 18th which would put 15 days at May 3rd, giving plenty of time for the Cubs to deal Cotts or find out who deserves a spot in the pen. Only time will tell.

Bruce Levine said today that the Cubs could call up Jeff Samardzija as soon as the Cubs deal one of their bullpen guys that are not performing. The Cubs can't send down Patton or Guzman because they could lose them so the likely candidates would be Cotts or even Vizcaino. Cotts has basically pitched his way out of the pen and Marshall then could be placed permanently in the pen with Shark starting in the rotation.

I still think the Cubs are fine with Marshall in the rotation and they should deal Cotts and call up Waddell, not Jeff. Let Jeff continue to work on his pitches. He has not exactly been dominate in Iowa giving up 3 ER in 6 innings. Waddell on the other hand has gave up no walks and has an 1.25 ERA in 4 innings of work.

More on this later....

Milton Suspended and other notes..

- Milton Bradley has been suspended two games and fined after making contact with umpire Larry Vanover. Larry is the one that made the awful call so he should be fined as well. Milton is appealing the suspension. I think he should just take it and take it now while he is still hurting.

- The Cubs sale is still moving but slowly. It could take until the beginning of June now. The good thing is Ricketts said the first order of business is setting payroll for the rest of the season.

- The Cubs could make a move very soon by calling up a reliever or two up from AAA if things do not start improving. Chad Fox, Jeff Stevens, Jose Ascaino, Jason Waddell, and Greg Reindhard have not gave up any ER yet in AAA Iowa. Waddell has yet to walk anyone in 3 innings of work. Nice to see the guys in Iowa putting pressure on the guys in Chicago.

That is it for now. Go Cubs!!!