I'm pretty perturbed over the Cruz trade. Not because I think the Cubs should have kept him, but because they didn't trade him optimally. They could have used him at the trade deadline last season. They could have moved him over the off-season for more than Pratt and Lewis. Heck, I'm reasonably sure they could have moved him yesterday for more than they got.

(Yes, I spoke with other teams and they all said "I could beat that offer." I'm not sure whether Hendry would agree.)

It's a fun time at the end of camps where there are actually some useful parts on the waiver wire. Chris Kahrl will be working hard, as usual, to fill us in, but GM's will be working harder.

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Mark Verstegen and Pete Williams have a new book out called "Core Performance." I wish it came out sooner because I talk a lot about core strengthening in STP and this would have helped. (Wonder why Rodale didn't fill me in? Oh.) Still, STP will only be a half-step back and I do point people towards Mark anyway. It's not just for pitchers either. Check it out.

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Massive BPR tomorrow. Omar Minaya, Fred McGriff, Dan LeBatard, Allen St. John, and Mitchel Lichtmann. Not a bad interview in the bunch. Worth checking out (espn950.com at 8am EST; team990.com at 10am EST, but only the first hour).

Next week? Michael Lewis and Tracy Ringolsby. Oooh, them there's good radio.

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My bracket is hosed. Worst I've ever done. Guess watching a couple hoops games this year might have helped.

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Hey Jay, at least I didn't get excited about Gary Cherone!

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TFD got a tour of Petco Park. Start writing, D ...

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Alex Ciepley joins the A-B family, moving his balls ... err, ball talk over to Cub Reporter. Solid addition and great guy.

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I may actually post something with, ummm, numbers and stuff this week.

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Bushies are pretty well screwed? "We weren't in the Situation Room!" (Yes, you were.) "Let's declassify stuff for political gain!" (I don't think that will sound like such a good idea when you're out of office.)

Kerry needs to slam Bush now. Slam. Not punch, not jab, but slam. One lesson I've learned is you DO need to kick somebody when they're down.

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A Pizza Feed at 5am? Dave, this sounds like another one of your crazy ideas ...