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Here lies "The House That Ruth Built" (1923-2008)

The Chicago Tribune reported on Sunday afternoon that Chicago Cubs Manager Lou Piniella has formally chosen Kevin Gregg as his closer to start the 2009 season.

This leaves Carlos Marmol as the setup man, a role in which he earned a trip to the All-Star Game last season.

Gregg was acquired in a trade for pitching prospect Jose Ceda earlier this winter, and has had a dominating spring camp in Arizona. In nine games, Gregg has 8.1 innings pitched, one win, ten strikeouts and zero earned runs allowed added to no losses and just two walks.

In the past couple weeks, the hot topic of fantasy nerds and GM wanna-be's has been Jay Cutler's pending divorce from the Denver Broncos. How much is a young stud quarterback worth in a trade?

Today, maybe a bigger name wandered into the mix. Quietly, maybe one of the five best professional athletes under the age of 26 made (and subsequently backed away from) a statement of wanting out.

As most of us know, there is more to life then sports. Kids grow up watching their favorite athletes, and view them as role models. Baseball is America’s pastime, and arguably its most popular sport. Unfortunately, baseball has been sending a bad message to children.

When Alex Rodriquez got accused of steroids, the baseball world was shocked. Arguably the biggest baseball icon was accused of cheating. When he admitted to using steroids, the media attacked him with questions for a week and eventually the news dwindled down.

In my brief time as a writer on the Bleacher Report, I've made it my practice to write about my beloved Red Sox. They are the team that makes my heart palpitate. "Born and Bred Red Sox Red" is the unofficial mantra I've coined for myself.

It's the middle of March, and spring training games are getting more competitive. Pitchers are pitching more innings, and players are starting to get back into the swing of playing Major League Baseball everyday.

Chicago Cubs Manager Lou Piniella officially named Sean Marshall the team's fifth starter, and I'm a big fan of the move.

Looking back over the past few years, the National League Central has had issues against lefties almost across the board. Andy Pettite had success in Houston, CC Sabathia was a beast last year while being rented by the Brewers, and the Cubs' Ted Lilly has had stellar success while with the team.

I suspect I'm not a whole lot different than you are in many ways. 

When 'Old Time Rock And Roll' blasts from the radio, I grab my wife's hair brush and slide across the hardwood floor wearing nothing but a white Hathaway button down and a pair of Fruit of the Looms.

It's the middle of March, and spring training games are getting more competitive. Pitchers are pitching more innings, and players are starting to get back into the swing of playing Major League Baseball everyday.

The transition from spring training to the regular season is beginning to take place.

With that in mind, there have been numerous predictions, division breakdowns, rankings, and lists about who will win, lose, win awards, an so on.

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!