Chicago Cubs

Spring training is a time when possibilities are endless.

There's room for unheralded youngsters to raise eyebrows. There's room for grizzled veterans to latch on to new teams.There's even room for those whose best days were behind them to find new life.

Case in point: Corey Koskie.

Former Minnesota Twins' third basemen Corey Koskie is hoping to latch on with the Chicago Cubs as a non-roster invitee. He's been out of baseball for two-and-a-half years with post-concussion syndrome.

This year, doctors say he's fit enough to give it a go.

When it is all said and done, and his career is over, Albert Pujols will be the best hitter to ever play the game of baseball. He is 29 years old, had 2 MVP awards, and World Series ring, two National League pennants, and a 7-time all star. Here are some of his career statistics-

• Batting Average- .344
• Hits- 1,531
• Doubles- 342
• Home Runs- 318
• RBI's- 977
• Slugging Percentage- .624

As a preface to this article, please read my previous article: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/139760-report-red-sox-break-off-contract-talks-with-jason-bay

It was reported on Sunday evening that the Boston Red Sox and left fielder Jason Bay have been unable to reach an agreement on a contract extension, and that the Red Sox are backing away from the negotiating table.

Time for a big time trade idea!

ESPN is reporting that the Boston Red Sox attempts to extend the contract of left fielder Jason Bay have stalled, and the team is backing away from the negotiating table.

Now what?

Last year, when the contract situation of Manny Ramirez became one of the ugliest situations between a team and a star player in recent memory, the team traded him in a blockbuster deal that brought in Bay from Pittsburgh.

Now, with Bay's contract expiring after 2009, the team faces the same situation this coming season.

In the 1990s, there were very few certainties in professional sports. Other than escalating contracts and the possibility of a strike-shortened season, the only thing you knew was going to happen annually was the Atlanta Braves winning their division.

The Braves had maybe the best starting rotation of the last 30 years, headlined by Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and John Smoltz. They brought players up through their organization, like Chipper Jones and David Justice, and mixed in quality veterans like Marquis Grissom and Terry Pendleton to create a dominating team for over ten years.

Only 21 days left until Opening Day, Cubs fans. With the seemingly never-ending spring training in full bloom in sunny Arizona, now is a good time to examine the potential roster for the 25-man club that will go north with the team.

Today, let's take a look at the pitchers, since there is a little more uncertainty there than with the position players.

The Fifth Starter's Competition Is All But Over

Filed:March 12th, 2009

Kosuke Fukudome (Cubbie Nation/File)

Manager Lou Piniella continued the Cubs' strong commitment to Kosuke Fukudome this week, by announcing that all is well, and Kosuke should expect to hit second in the lineup to start the season for Chicago.

For as little as Americans don't care about the World Baseball Classic, it's obvious watching the games that this tournament means as much as anything to the rest of the countries participating.

And last night, when the Netherlands defeated the favored Dominican Republic, the Caribbean stood still.

The first round elimination is being touted as a national disgrace in the Dominican today, with an entire nation in mourning because their all-world all-star team didn't win the tournament.