Micah Hoffpauir

Cubs want to lock up key contributors

Other pitching-hungry teams will target Dempster, Wood CHICAGO -- It isn't a question of which free agents the Cubs will pursue, but which ones they'll be able to keep. Ryan Dempster and Kerry Wood, both key contributors to the...

Winter Forecast: Offseason outlook for Cubs

The Cubs, under manager Lou Piniella, returned to the playoffs for a second consecutive season. But their 100-year World Series drought continued as they were swept in the first round for the second season in a row, this time...

Church thankful to be healthy

Hard-charging right fielder confident looking ahead to 2009 Ryan Church batted .276 with 12 homers and 49 RBIs in 319 at-bats in 2008. Obscured in the blackout and blur of the moment and all the moments of concern, confusion,...

Ward files for free agency

Cubs' veteran pinch-hitter will test open market CHICAGO -- Daryle Ward filed for free agency on Saturday, leaving the Cubs to weigh their options for left-handed pinch-hitting. Ward hit .216 with four home runs and 17 RBIs in...

Mailbag: Who will patrol center field?

Beat reporter Carrie Muskat answers Cubs fans' questions Uncertainty about Jim Edmonds' plans for 2009 leaves center field up in the air for the Cubs. (AP) The Cubs' plans for the center-field position, the 2009 schedule, Micah...