A new tournament has turned baseball's time tested preseason rituals on its side this spring. The inaugural World Baseball Classic, which is set to open March 3rd, will feature 16 teams from 16 countries paired off into four, four-team groups. The preliminary rounds will be played in Phoenix, Orlando, Puerto Rico and Tokyo. The 16 teams' rosters are stocked with hundreds of baseball players from the major leagues and their minor league affiliates.

Of course, you can't have a World Baseball Classic without including the Chicago Cubs. Pin-stripers Derrick Lee, Michael Barrett, Carlos Zambrano, Henry Blanco,...more

The Chicago Cubs locked down the final piece of the puzzle that is the 2006 team roster on Saturday in signing right handed pitcher Carlos Zambrano. With this deal in the books, the Cubs wrapped up their last player who was arbitration eligible and officially avoided an arbitration case of any kind for the 12th consecutive season.

The 24 year old Zambrano, who made $3.76 million in 2005, was signed for one season at $6.5 million (he was asking for $7.2 million). In Zambrano, the Cubs secured the services of a feisty competitor who has emerged as...more

Here are a few simple words to warm your bones while we all deal with another cold and snowy winter -- Chicago Cubs pitchers and catchers report to spring training in 5 days. Start looking for your ball glove now, folks; Spring is right around the corner.

Today is the last Friday of the year with no baseball until after the World Series.

Let's go Cubs!

Thursday in signing new center fielder Juan Pierre and relief pitcher Will Ohman. The team secured the services of Pierre for one year at $5.75 million, with the hopes of signing him to a long term deal sometime in the near future. Ohman was also signed for one season, but came a few dollars cheaper at $610,000.

The Cubs are counting on Pierre to be the catalyst of the offense and to patrol the gaps in an uncertain outfield. In Pierre, the Cubs got a hard worker who shows up to play everyday. Pierre played in all...more

The Cubs signed second basemen/utility outfielder Jerry Hairston to a one year, $2.3 million deal on Monday. Hairston played wherever he was needed in 2005, hitting .261 during limited action in 114 games. Hairston is a smart, patient veteran who will once again provide depth and strength to the Cubs bench. Last season, Hairston filled in admirably during extended stretches of time for both Todd Walker at second base and Corey Patterson in centerfield. The offensive production of the Cubs outfield will be under a microscope this year, and Hairston may well be called upon to play a bigger...more