Cubs

The 2009 Cubs were a major letdown, and the loss of Mark DeRosa the previous offseason was seen as a big reason for the failure.

The Cubs this week signed much-traveled two-time Tommy John surgery patient outfielder Xavier Nady to an incentive-laden one-year contract. While this signing would normally indicate just another moment when the Cubs aim low and strike dirt, it also marks the first signing of a sixth in team history.

The Sun-Times once again proved itself to be Chicago's No. 1 news Web site Wednesday morning by breaking a story no one else had heard of when it boldly announced that Andrew Dawson--presumably Andre's younger brother--will enter the Hall of Fame as an Expo. Naturally, the Sun-Times was thrilled at its news-reporting prowess.

The offseason has been rough on the Cubs' starting rotation, which lost Rich Harden to free agency, Ted Lilly to offseason shoulder surgery and potentially Carlos Zambrano to any number of cramp-related injuries.

Great news: The Heckler's January issue has hit the streets just in time for the Cubs Convention where The Heckler will once again have a booth (No. 58 in the NW Hall.) We'll also be Tweeting like crazy, because that's what everyone else is doing.

The Cubs hired Greg Maddux as a special assistant to GM Jim Hendry Monday, but it wasn't all peachy news as the team announced the future Hall of Fame pitcher won't be able to wear his familiar No. 31, which was retired in his honor last season.

Maligned slugger Mark McGwire finally admitted to long-standing abuse of performance enhancing drugs Monday, saying he wish he never played during the Steroid Era.