Rumors from the north side:
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Cubs, White Sox unlikely to make strong bid for Buehrle - chicagotribune.com
"The Cubs don’t appear to be in the market for any high-priced free agents and Buehrle falls into that category. In fact, his likely $14 million asking price for four years probably is also too expensive for the White Sox." -
Cubs look for pitching help - Muskat Ramblings
"The Cubs do need pitching — a lack of depth was a problem last year. SI’s Jon Heyman reports the Cubs and Royals are talking to Scott Boras about pitcher Bruce Chen." -
Cubs, Red Sox manager decisions could come next week - chicagotribune.com
"The Cubs have interviewed six candidates and have said they are having continuing follow-up phone conversations with Sveum, Pete Mackanin, Sandy Alomar Jr., Mike Maddux, Terry Francona and DeMarlo Hale." -
The Case For The Cubs Signing Mark Buehrle - Bleed Cubbie Blue
"Mark Buehrle has been one of the most consistent pitchers in the American League for the last decade. He doesn't get hurt. He doesn't miss starts -- he's started at least 30 games for the last 11 seasons. Here is a list of all the other pitchers in baseball who have accomplished that feat: (0)"
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Cubs have eyes on pair of Cuban defectors - Chicago Sun-Times
"The Cubs are one of numerous teams with top scouts in the Dominican Republic this week to look at power-hitting Cuban defector Yoennis Cespedes. But the Cuban defector the Cubs are targeting with greater interest, according to sources, is another athletic, hard-hitting outfielder — a seven-years-younger version of the flavor-of-the-month Cespedes: Jorge Soler, 19." -
Jed Hoyer: New Chicago Cubs general manager says a lot, reveals a little - chicagotribune.com
In which Hoyer says not very much about Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder, or "anyone else with a high cost." -
Theo Epstein, Please Don't Be Jim Hendry - Bleed Cubbie Blue
"Clearly, Epstein isn't going to tell sportswriters that he's done with Zambrano -- that would kill any trade value that Z might have. It appears that there are specific things that Z must do before spring training. Whether those things are doable, and whether Z will do them, remains to be seen."