David Patton News

View full size photo>> Last season, one of the principal reasons the Cubs won only 83 games was the failure of Kevin Gregg as closer.

Chicago Cubs GM Jim Hendry almost made another free agent mistake on Wednesday. Thankfully, money means more to some players than the chance to win.

The Cubs ended baseball's winter meetings Thursday right where they started, with no acquisitions and one big albatross still on the roster.

Four-time Cy Young Award winning pitcher Greg Maddux and his agent Scott Boras. December 11, 2009 Maybe we can add the Giants' Brian Sabean to White Sox general manager Ken Williams' list of GMs not dealing with Boras.

The Cubs added some depth to their pitching staff when they selected right-hander Michael Parisi from the St.

The Cubs never were interested in bringing pitcher Rich Harden back, even at a lower, incentive-laden deal.

Cubs general manager Jim Hendry would love nothing more than a "throwback" winter meetings, full of wheeling and dealing in the trade market.

Reports surfaced over the weekend that the Florida Marlins would be willing to trade stud right-hander Josh Johnson if the "right package" comes along.

The Cubs have agreed in principle on a two-year contract with left-handed reliever John Grabow, securing a key player in the bullpen.

The Ricketts family, Spring Training, Carlos Marmol's backup, and center field and second base options are among the topics in this week's Inbox.

On Tuesday, the Chicago Cubs were officially eliminated from the playoffs. On Friday, they went down without a whimper against the Arizona Diamondbacks in a lacklustre effort in front of the Wrigley faithful.

It's time for Monday morning quarterbacking on the Cubs. Who stays? Who goes? Cubs general manager Jim Hendry needs a budget first, which means the parent Tribune Co.

The Cubs have played three times since they officially fell from playoff contention Tuesday.

"Oh, brother," says Gorz, "I should have asked to start last night." Browse more photos>> All paid tickets for the Oct.

Manager Lou Piniella said it. And Randy Wells wasn't happy about it. And it might be one more reason for the Cubs to like the way their pitching staff looks heading into next season.

After watching their pitchers get cuffed around the previous evening by the Chicago Cubs , the Milwaukee Brewers returned the favor Wednesday night at Wrigley Field.

By the time Looper's back started stiffening up in the third inning, the Brewers already had scored five runs on their way to a 9-5 victory over the Chicago Cubs.

This year or next year? In the race or out of it? Cubs manager Lou Piniella talked both ways Wednesday night before his team went out and lost 9-5 to the Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field.

The proverbial "managerial wheels" were turning last night. The Cubs still lost.

Looper Wins 13th For Brewers Share + Sep 16, 2009 10:41 pm US/Central Looper Wins 13th For Brewers Box Score - Cubs v. Brewers CHICAGO Braden Looper pitched five innings for his career-high 13th win and Alcides Escobar went 4 for 5 with three RBIs as the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Chicago Cubs 9-5 Wednesday night.