Talkin Baseball, Spring Training, Ownership.....

I will start with a spring training update:

Calos Zambrano threw to live batting on Saturday mourning. He threw 25 pitches.

Alfonso Soriano work out in the offseason for the first time in his career, I guess Soriano wants to win the bid reward (World Series).

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Jeff Samardzija is going to start the first catus league game on Wednesday. After that is undetermined on who will pitch.

The Cubs are planning on stretching out guys such as Mitch Atkins, to see what he can do when he pitches and also to see what to do with Jeff Samardzija.

Carlos Marmol will now know by Sunday id he will pitch in the WBC.

Talkin Baseball: Lou Pinella joined Bruce Levine and Jonathan Hood on ESPN 1000.

Lou Pinella hinted that Kevin Gregg is going to be the closer. Pinella said the reason we brought Greg in, is to take Kerry Wood's spot as closer. I'm fine with that and now the Cubs can use Marlmol as the setup man.

Pinella said the only roles he has to still figure out are the bachup roles and the bullpen. He said the 2 main positions to figure out are CF and 2B.

Pinella said they hoped Kosuke Fukudome was in Mesa, instead of the WBC.

Len Kasper on XM radio:

Len Kasper said Pinella would leave Soriano in the #1 hole and when Soriano is not in the leadoff hole, he would use guys like Theriot, Fontenot, and Miles. Kasper thinks Kosuke is the best fit if he hits like he did last year in the beginning of the season.

As of right now Sean Marshall has the lead for the 5th starter job. Kasper also mentions that the Cubs might go with 6 starters, to rest Harden a little more.

Kasper says that Jeff Samardzija could be the long relief man in the bullpen. He also thinks that it would be good for him to start in Iowa.

Bruce Levine notes:

The Ricketts family will have to come up with 50% of there own money to finalize the deal for the Cubs.

Before the sale goes through, WGN and Comcast Sportsnet will have to rework there deals.

Levine has been told that the ownership will be finalized in late April, early March.

Levine does not think Reed Johnson is a everyday outfielder.

Levine is concerned about Carlos Marmols and the workload he has been through the past 2 seasons.

He also mentions the Cubs are still looking for a guy to back up Ramirez at 3B and Lee at 1B. He did not mention any names. The names the Cubs could be going after are Nomar Garciaparra and Valentine.

I will keep you posted.