MLB News and Rumors

The Chicago Cubs have signed Xavier Nady to a 1 Year Deal worth $3.30 Million plus $2 Million in incentives for games played according to Sports Illustrated's Jon Heyman.

---When Xavier Nady is healthy, he is a very solid player. He is coming off an injury plagued 2009, but in his last full season (2008) he hit .305 with 25 HR's and 97 RBI's. I think this is a great signing by the Cubs because if someone were to go down to injury or someone doesn't play well, you have a viable replacement.

Ben Sheets has signed a 1 Year Deal worth $10 Million plus incentives according to Sports Illustrated's Jon Heyman.

---The long time ace with the Brewers moves to the AL. That is a great deal for Sheets considering he missed the entire 2009 season. Sheets has a career 86-83 record to go with a 3.72 ERA. Sheets has made 30+ starts in only 4 of his 8 years in the big leagues. If he can stay healthy though, he will make a big time impact for the A's.

The St. Louis Cardinals signed Rich Hill with an invitation to Spring Training.

---Hill was 3-3 with a 7.80 ERA in 13 starts with the Orioles last season. If anybody can fix a pitcher it's Dave Duncan. Rich Hill showed flashes of brilliance with the Cubs in 2007 with an 11-8 record and a 3.92 ERA. If Hill could somehow get back into that form, the Cardinals would have a solid back end of the rotation starter.

The Los Angeles Dodgers re-signed Ronnie Belliard to a 1 year deal worth $825,000.

---I really like this signing for the Dodgers as they are bringing back a great utility player who hit .351 with 5 HR's in 24 games. He is a good clubhouse guy, and if someone were to go down to injury in the infield, Belliard could step up.

Rumors around the League

Although Ben Sheets signed today, the A's are still trying to go after Johnny Damon. It was supposed to be a one or the other situation but it doesn't look like Oakland wants to settle for 1. If the A's offer more than 2 Million (what the Yankees offered) I would not be surprised to see Damon with Oakland.

Chicago Sports

-The Chicago Bears are now having a tough time hiring an offensive coordinator. Hue Jackson, who the Bears were supposed to interview for the job signed with the Oakland Raiders today. The Bears list is growing short and it is rumored to be because Jay Cutler is very tough to work with. Cutler is a great talent and if the Bears could find a coordinator either in Mike Martz or Brian Billick that want to work with him, that could turn their team around.

Cristobal Huet is officially in goal for the Blackhawks tonight against Edmonton. I see this being a 50/50 situation between him and Niemi the rest of the year until one of them shows they are better than the other (which Blackhawk fans hope is sooner than later.)

The Bulls went to San Antonio and beat the Spurs 98-93 yesterday. Derrick Rose had another great game with 27 points and 6 assists, while Kirk Hinrich also added 18. The Bulls have now won 3 in a row and are now 3-2 on this tough 7 game west road trip.

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