baby steps
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Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer tells Doug Padilla of ESPN Chicago that he's already had dialogue with several teams in advance of the GM Meetings. Hoyer expects the offseason to unfold more quickly thanks to changes to the CBA (collective bargaining agreement). The team's biggest need will be starting pitching. Third base is an area of need, but the team wants to determine Ian Stewart's health first.
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The Cubs have agreed to terms with Scott Baker on a one-year contract, the team announced. The deal includes a $5.5MM base salary with $1.5MM in incentives
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The Cubs announced that they have signed catcher Dioner Navarro to a one-year contract. Navarro will earn a base salary of $1.75MM with 250k in performance bonuses
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Christina Kahrl suggests a trade the Red Sox should consider: “Trade to get Alfonso Soriano’s next two seasons and the last year that Matt Garza is under club control, sending Chicago a package of [Ryan] Kalish, [Jarrod] Saltalamacchia and minor-league prospects Alex Wilson and Matt Barnes.”
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Patrick Mooney of CSN Chicago is reporting Jackson is in the fold at four years, $52 million, pending a physical.
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Cubs President Theo Epstein has come to realize Alfonso Soriano is an excellent clubhouse presence because of his willingness to help younger players. With that and his excellent 2012 season, Epstein wants a player of note in any deal where the Cubs eat a majority of the $36MM left on Soriano's contract.
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The Chicago Cubs are planning to spend $300 million and five seasons to do a complete renovation of Wrigley Field, the team announced officially on Saturday.
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The park is slated to include features like:
Expanded concourse
New roof decks and outdoor concessions
Replaced roof
New seating
50 million pounds of steel and concrete removal
Batting tunnel for players
New clubhouse and locker rooms
Renovated suites and lounges
New press box
Increase number of restrooms by 42 percent
Increase concession and sales points by 107 percent