Aragua Advances to Caribbean World Series

Tigres de Aragua, of the Venezuelan Winter League, will be apart of the Caribbean World Series next week because they defeated Caracas 7-3 on Friday. Here's what the guys with "Cubs Connections" did in the VWL Championship Series game 7:
Aragua:
Sam Fuld- 0-5
Ronny Cedeno- 0-5

Caracas:
Jose Ascanio- 2.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 0 K

For the full schedule and info on all 4 teams that and their players with Cubs Connections, click here.

I will be having a recap of each game this week. There will be 2 games a day one at 5, and one at 8 or 9. I'll have a recap of the 4:00 game that night, and have the recap of the later game the next day. My recaps will include the final score and stats from all the players who are either current Cubs or former Cubs. Ronny Cedeno, Felix Pie, and Rich Hill will all be playing in this so we will get a chance to see how the 3 guys that the Cubs have given up on do. And of course, I'll also have all the Cubs rumors, news, and more this week.

Enjoy the Super Bowl today, my pick to win is the Steelers, but I wouldn't mind seeing the Cardinals pull of an upset. I know you Bear fans won't be to happy about this, but I am a Green Bay Packers fan. They'll be back next year just like the Cubbies!

Only 13 days until pitcher and catchers report!
Join me for my Cubs Chat this Wednesday at 7:00 PM CT (chat will be up at 6:45 so you can start sending in your questions!

Cubs traded Cedeno and Olson for Aaron Heilman

Big News Today! The Cubs have traded Ronny Cedeno and Garrett Olson to Seattle for Aaron Heilman. With the trade the Cubs cleared a spot off their 40-man roster, so they could sign Paul Bako in the next few days. I'm not sure what to think about this deal. I'm shocked that they traded away Garrett Olson because we've heard that the Padres want him, and were assuming that they would trade him in a Jake Peavy deal. I like this move over all, because it adds depth to the pen, but if it means the Cubs aren't pursuing Peavy, I'm not too happy. But we'll have to wait and see.

Aaron Heilman:

• played 2003-08 with Mets.
• Traded to Seattle in December in a 3-team deal for J.J. Putz.
• Right Handed.
• 2008 Stats; 3-8 with a 5.21 ERA in 76 IP.
• career stats; 22-33, 25 starts, 280 relief appearances, 4.24 ERA.
• more stats on baseball reference, bio on wiki

This trade will be one of the many Cubs topics on tonight's chat right here on this blog at 7:00 CT. I'll be answering all Cubs questions, and I'll also have a few live polls and videos all Cub related.

I'll keep you posted.

Cubs Live Chat Info

Big News: My blog will be having its first live chat! I will be having the live chat this Wednesday night at 7:00 Central Time. So mark your calendars, Wednesday January 28, 2009 at 7:00.

I will be having 1 chat every week here on this blog, and Phil Wilson will have one each week on his blog. Thanks to Phil for including me in his great idea!

Phil had the first chat on his Cubs blog today. It was great! Click here to read the chat from today. That should give you an idea on what I will be talking about.

The next chat on this other Cubs site will be on Saturday at noon.

I hope you can join us for both chats! This is perfect for all of us who are counting down the days until Spring Training. Get your questions ready, I'll answer anything; if you want info, opinions, or whatever. I would prefer Cubs questions, but if you have anything you want to ask about the rest of baseball or Chicago sports that's fine too. Also feel free to tell me your opinions on the Cubs, this off season, Peavy, the new owner, or anything else Cub related.

Shifting gears, Let's take a look today's Cubs rumors and news:

• Bruce Levine reported yesterday that the Cubs might be looking at Juan Uribe as an infield back-up.
• The Mariners are interested in Ronny Cedeno, and according to Levine, he could be traded for Aaron Heilman.
• Ken Rosenthal says that Brian Roberts is looking for a 4 year extension to stay with the O's.
• Levine thinks that the Cubs could be looking at Kevin Millar/ Rich Aurlia type players that can back up first and 3rd.
• Bruce mentioned a Peavy package that would send Vitters, Castillo, Olson, Hart, and Stevens to San Diego.
• XM Radio says that the Angels could be in the Peavy mix.
• Lee Hamilton says that the Peavy talks are back on.
• Cubs assistant GM Randy Bush was named the Executive of the Year by the Pitch and Hit Club of Chicago at their 63rd annual awards dinner.

Remember: Wednesday night Cubs Chat 7:00 spread the word! Comment with your thought!

I'll keep you posted.