Cubs name new announcer, enter Pujols sweepstakes

A lot of developments regarding the Cubs have taken place today. Just another indication that baseball season is almost here!

Moreland to be new radio announcer

The Cubs have chosen Kieth Moreland to succeed Ron Santo as the color announcer on the Cubs Radio Network, which contains stations in eleven different states, including flagship station 720 WGN. Moreland was an outfielder for the Cubs in the 1980s and went to the playoffs with the team in 1984.

Moreland is, of course, going to have a hard time filling the spot. Fans loved Ron Santo and will miss his fan perspective. Despite this, I think it was a good selection. Moreland is well-known by the fans, he has experience in broadcasting at the University of Texas, and he filled in for Ron during Cubs games several times. Moreland will announce his first game February 27, the Cubs first Spring Training game.

Deal not met by deadline, Pujols up for grabs

Albert Pujols will be playing his final season as a St. Louis Cardinal this year. Much to Cardinal fans dismay, the team and their superstar failed to make a deal between today's 11:00am CST deadline.

Of more interest to Cub fans is the possibility of seeing Pujols in a Cubs uniform in 2012. BleacherReport.com says the Cubs are the leading contender to get Pujols because their first baseman, Carlos Pena, is only on a one-year deal, Pujols has excellent numbers at Wrigley, the Cubs have already freed up salary room, and it would help eliminate St. Louis as a division contender.

Other teams in contention would be the Yankees and Red Sox, as usual, and the Kansas City Royals. New York and Boston have not spoken much about it, but Kansas City did say they will most likely not persue Pujols because they are not able to financially compete with the Yankees, Red Sox, and Cubs, three of the richest teams in baseball.

I am excited about this possibility. It would be a huge slap-in-the-face to Cardinal Nation, and it would give the Cubs a player that would lead the team, be the face of the organization. I will continue to watch this story and others as we prepare for the 2011 Cubs season.