The Chicago Cubs and right-handed pitcher Kerry Wood have agreed to terms on a one-year contract worth $4 million.    more »

Ballots are being prepped as you read this and soon, they will be in the hands of the most powerful electorate in the world - The Baseball Writers Association of America. Twenty-five candidates grace this year's ballot - 11 newcomers and 14 holdovers from previous elections. Of the new names on the list, there's little to get excited about, with only Tim Raines (in my opinion) a legitimate Hall of Famer. Joining Raines is Jose Rijo, Chuck Knoblauch and David Justice.   more »

I always wondered how some guys got those little trophies on their baseball cards.  Here are the guys who will be honored when you unwrap a fresh pack of 2008 Series 1 cards on January 28:

1B James Loney, Los Angeles (N.L)
2B Dustin Pedroia, Boston
3B Ryan Braun, Milwaukee
SS Troy Tulowitzki, Colorado
OF Delmon Young, Tampa Bay
OF Chris Young, Arizona
OF Hunter Pence, Houston
C Carlos Ruiz, Philadelphia
RHP Brian Bannister, Kansas City
LHP Hideki Okajima, Boston

Loney, Braun, Delmon Young, Chris Young and Hunter Pence were unanimous selections by the panel of major league managers.  That alone, makes some of those choices interesting and worth debate.  Chris Young gets on every ballot cast, yet some managers ignore AL Rookie of the Year Pedroia?  Oh well...

Past winners include Johnny Bench, Rod Carew, Gary Carter, Carlton Fisk, Willie McCovey, Paul Molitor, Joe Morgan, Eddie Murray, Tony Perez, Kirby Puckett, Cal Ripken, Ryne Sandberg, Tom Seaver, Ozzie Smith and Billy Williams.  Nice company, if you can keep it.