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More photos » by David Banks - AP

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Thanks to BCB reader eths who posted this information in this FanShot late last night; I wanted to post additional information on the front page.

Wally Hayward, according to Phil Rosenthal's Tribune article, founded the Relay Worldwide agency (WARNING: link plays video without permission) and was involved in the Chicago 2016 bid, is, like his new boss Tom Ricketts, a Cubs fan:

A lifelong Cubs fan, Hayward is acutely aware of the sensitivities involved in trying to cash in on Wrigley Field and its association with the Cubs. But he also understands the equally unique opportunities that exist because of the passion that drives fans to be so reverent of those properties.

"If this was just selling regular signs at another club and the sales inventory, that wouldn't have appealed to me," said Hayward, 41, who grew up in the Chicago area and is a 1990 graduate of Northwestern University. "The thing that gets me excited under the new ownership, with the Ricketts family, is the entrepreneurial feel and startup mentality of looking at all of our assets and what we can do differently to change the game on and off the field for the Cubs and create the ultimate experience here at Wrigley Field."

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10:59 pm CST tonight is the deadline for teams to fill out their 40-man rosters with players they want to protect from the Rule 5 draft next month.

With the trade of Aaron Heilman yesterday, the Cubs' 40-man roster stands at 33 players -- so they've got plenty of room to add players they want to protect. This article from the Atlanta Braves website gives some details on how this process works and also about some other upcoming deadlines.

The number of players added by tonight may also give us a clue as to upcoming trades or free-agent signings -- if the Cubs don't fill out the roster to the full 40-man limit, it may presage some acquisitions.

Post your guesses as to who the Cubs might add to the 40-man roster (or who -- cough Neal Cotts cough -- might be removed). Once the Cubs post the full list, I'll update this post, either later today or tomorrow.

UPDATE: From the press release today:

The Chicago Cubs today added five players to the 40-man roster, including left-handed pitcher John Gaub, right-handed pitchers Rafael Dolis and Blake Parker, catcher Welington Castillo and outfielder James Adduci. Chicago's 40-man roster now stands at 38.

Gaub and Parker are no surprise, as they were in the Arizona Fall League and expected to be in the mix for the 2010 bullpen. There are two open spots; this could portend a trade, a free-agent signing or possibly a Rule 5 pick the Cubs have their eyes on. Stay tuned.

More photos » by Al Behrman - AP

No scenes like this will be seen in 2010. Aaron Heilman is headed to Arizona.

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With all apologies due to BCB reader brian custer, a close friend of Aaron Heilman, he'll have to head to Phoenix to see his buddy pitch in 2010 -- the Cubs sent Heilman to the Diamondbacks today for two minor leaguers.

Personally, I'm happy about this -- Heilman did pitch a little better in September, which probably increased his trade value. This means it was a good thing that Jim Hendry didn't let him go for just the waiver price in August; at least a couple of minor leaguers will return. This also gives Esmailin Caridad and Justin Berg a better shot at making the 2010 bullpen; I like both those guys.

Details from the press release, after the jump.

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More photos » by Chris Carlson - AP

Derrek Lee signs autographs in Mesa last spring.

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The Cubs announced their spring training schedule today; it includes 15 games at Mesa and 20 on the road -- the road games include the two previously announced games vs. the White Sox in Las Vegas and the two games announced yesterday vs. the Diamondbacks at Chase Field that will end the spring season on April 2 and 3. There are more split-squad games this year, due to the addition of the Reds to the Cactus League, making 15 teams in Arizona. From the press release:

Individual game tickets for the 2010 Chicago Cubs home spring training games at HoHoKam Park will go on sale Tuesday, January 5 at 10 a.m. CST on www.cubs.com or by calling 1-800-905-3315. The ticket box office at HoHoKam Park will open for the sale of individual game tickets beginning on January 12, 2009 at 9 a.m. MST.

Season tickets for 2010 at HoHoKam Park go on sale Monday, January 4 at 9 a.m. MST and group tickets go on sale Tuesday, January 5 at 9 a.m. MST at the HoHoKam box office or by calling 480-964-4467.

Fans may direct ticket and additional spring training questions to info2010@mesahohokams.com.

Complete schedule after the jump. This schedule will be placed permanently on the left sidebar.

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More photos » by David Zalubowski - AP

Jim Tracy matches his SBN manager of the year award with one from the BBWAA. Lou Piniella got no votes.

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No surprise here, and the SBNation awards announced last week agree with both these selections.

Tracy got 29 of the 32 first-place votes. Two first-place votes went to Tony LaRussa and one to Joe Torre.

In the AL, Scioscia got 15 first-place votes, Ron Gardenhire 6, Joe Girardi 4, Don Wakamatsu 2, and one for Ron Washington.

BBWAA's NL Cy Young Award Winner will be announced tomorrow.

More photos » by Ross D. Franklin - AP

Lou Piniella says, "Get me out of here!" the last time the Cubs played in Chase Field; they lost 10-0 on April 29.

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The Diamondbacks released their spring schedule today; included was the information that the Cubs will play the Diamondbacks in two exhibition games at Chase Field on Friday, April 2 at 8:40 Chicago time, and Saturday, April 3 at 3:10 Chicago time.

The last time the Cubs and D'backs played a similar exhibition schedule at the end of spring training was in 2003. The Cubs won both games and went on to make the playoffs. Just sayin'.

More photos » by ED ZURGA - AP

Zack Greinke is the AL Cy Young Award winner. But that doesn't make this jersey any more attractive.

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Greinke got only 25 first-place votes (of 28) -- why this wasn't unanimous is a little bit puzzling. Felix Hernandez got two of the others, and Justin Verlander the other one.

In a bit of strange scheduling, the NL Cy Young winner will be announced on Thursday; tomorrow, they'll reveal the Manager of the Year balloting.