Chicago

Let the shopping begin.

Twenty-five days have passed since the Cubs' final regular-season game, and the team has already begun to make moves. The Cubs started off by firing their manager, Dale Sveum, on October 1 merely hours after their regular-season finale against the St. Louis Cardinals.

2013 must be an unlucky number. At least, the Cubs would say so.

2013 was a season of struggle for the Cubs, who finished in last place in the National League Central Division. With an abysmal record of 66-96, the Cubs were anything but entertaining.

Needless to say, the end of the baseball season wasn't exactly a tragedy for fans of Chicago baseball. Neither Chicago team was a privilege to watch; the Chicago White Sox finished the season at 63-99.

The 2013 MLB Draft is rapidly approaching as only 16 days remain until the draft kicks off on June 6 in MLB Network's Studio 42 in Secaucus, New Jersey.

The Chicago Cubs hold the second pick in the 2013 draft, following the Houston Astros. Pitching is always a concern, and the Cubs will have no shortage of pitching choices in 2013.

Here is a look at three pitchers the Cubs should target in the 2013 draft.

Despite holding a 4-8 record, the young 2013 season has been far from uneventful for the Chicago Cubs.  Fans have been sent through a whirlwind of chaos and confusion, from late-game meltdowns and suspense to mysterious goat packages and Jorge Soler's attempted assault on an opponent.

The Chicago White Sox are used to some chilly nights in early April as they get the season started. Friday night, in their series opener with the Seattle Mariners, two hurlers who made their marks a season ago saw their fortunes turn, at least for one frigid evening.

According to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com, left-handed pitcher Dontrelle Willis has signed a minor league deal with the Chicago Cubs—the team who originally drafted him in the eighth round in 2000.  

DeWayne Wise is a familiar face to Chicago White Sox fans. He could find his way back to the the scene of his more memorable moments before the 2012 season draws to a close. It just might help the Chicago White Sox win a division title to boot.

The White Sox signed Wise to a minor league contract. He has played two games with Triple-A Charlotte. The 34-year-old outfielder was released by the Yankees July 31.

The Chicago White Sox let a lot of salary walk away in the offseason. Despite losing some key pieces of their 2011 club, the White Sox are much better off.

A quick look at the standings is all it should take. At this point in 2011, Chicago was sitting at 52-53, three games behind the Tigers in the AL Central. After 105 games in 2012, the White Sox are 58-47 and 2.5 games ahead of Detroit.

The Chicago White Sox have two opening day starters who are looking ready to come off the disabled list this weekend. My advice to the club: don't be so quick to get them back in the lineup.

The Chicago White Sox have cried uncle in their attempt to use Chris Sale in the starting rotation. Forget Sale's goal of a 200-inning season. The White Sox are ending the ruse after just 32.

Am I suggesting that Chicago was never serious about the notion of Sale returning to the role of a starting pitcher? I'm not sitting in the White Sox clubhouse, but I'm sifting through the early details of this move and something doesn't add up.