If you are looking for an under-the-radar starting pitching prospect with the potential to make an impact in 2010, the Cubsa Jay Jackson may be your answer.A While his name may not be well known, at least not yet, the 6a 21a 3, 195 pound 22 year old reached Triple-A in 2009 and is potentially on the precipice of making an impact.

I don't know about the rest of you, but I can't figure out Carlos Marmol. There probably isn't a more frustrating player on the entire club.

The Cubs are one of the teams the Blue Jays have contacted regarding former Cy Young Award winner Roy Halladay.

At this time last year I wrote to our Chicago sports writers and Bob Murphy of WGN regarding the Cubs.

As the Cubs look toward 2010, General Manager Jim Hendry has to be pleased with the quartet he has assembled atop his starting rotation.

Carlos Zambrano recently received his third Silver Slugger award, and second straight, as the best hitting pitcher in the National League.

The Phillies' second baseman earned his fourth straight Silver Slugger award, becoming the first second baseman since Ryne Sandberg to achieve that feat.

While the Cubs' team goals have been sunk for weeks, it's never too late for players to boost their statistics.

It's awards time in Major League Baseball, meaning Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee and pitcher Carlos Zambrano could be back in the spotlight.

Mark Prior had no-hit stuff against the New York Mets Wednesday at Shea Stadium, looking at times like the pitcher once compared with Tom Seaver.

For a losing baseball team. In the middle of a recession. Who does that? "It was my idea" said new Cubs Owner Tom Ricketts, as he smiled and looked out over one of the Wrigley Field skyboxes, noting the work that needs to be done.

And thus, at least a few of us expected Carlos Zambrano to have this kind of year.

Two weeks ago, I begged other Cubs fans to watch John Lackey pitch this October.

The Maxwell Street market has moved, Marshall Field's is Macy's and Soldier Field looks like it has been sideswiped by a UFO.

Sometimes Cub fans embarrass me. Actually this is pretty typical -- if you are a Cub fan, no matter how idiotic you may act, sooner or later you'll encounter some other Cub fan who makes your face burn an embarrassing shade of red, leaving you to apologize to the non-Cub-fans around you.

Carlos Zambrano of the Chicago Cubs throws a pitch during a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Cubs manager Lou Piniella calls 2010 ''an important year for this organization.'' He talks about re-establishing the contender status that peaked -- so far -- with a 97-victory season in 2008 as the team builds on a streak of three consecutive winning seasons that's already the longest for the franchise since 1967-72. But he's only partly right.

Milton Bradley should come with a recorded warning similar to the ones you hear on television for prescription drugs.

Neither the hitter-friendly dimensions of Coors Field nor a tender left hamstring bothered Freddy Garcia.

Remember Mitch Williams ? "Wild Thing"? Sure you do. He was the 1989 Cubs closer who notched 36 saves and gave countless more fans heartburn, or worse.