Pignatiello is closer to stealing spot from Marshall

Sean Marshall struggled again yesterday, walking 3 and giving up 1 run in 2 innings of work. The decision will now be made in Vegas, where the Cubs have two more games to go before the season finally starts. Carmen Pignatiello and Sean Marshall will probably get one more chance to audition for the job.

As we've said before, we would like to see Carmen Pignatiello win the job, as he's been a reliever in the Cubs minor league system. Sending Sean Marshall to Iowa to continue throwing as a starter is in the best interest of the Cubs and Sean Marshall. When Marquis begins his second half swoon or if Dempster fails or if somebody unfortunately gets hurt, Marshall will be ready to step in as a starter.

- Alfonso Soriano could bat 3rd sometime this weekend in Vegas.

- Besides having to deal with the Brian Roberts trade rumors, a problematic ticker, the flu, and a sinus infection, Mark DeRosa has also had to deal with frying his laptop and a broken windshield. Tough spring for Mark.

- The Cubs could get some teams asking for Matt Murton, if the Cubs decide to trade him instead of sticking him in Iowa. Eli's MLB Rumors and MLB Trade Rumors both run down Murtons' value and what could be expected in possible trades.

- Henry Blanco is considering a job as a coach somewhere in baseball when his career as a player is over. Hopefully he would demand that all his players grow curly mullets.

- Paul Sullivan runs down the craziness that's been Spring Training '08 for the Cubs.

- Brent Musberger will be announcing his first baseball game since 1995, and it'll be the Cubs-Brewers opener on ESPN. Unfortunately, you won't see it in Chicago, as it'll be blacked out due to the game being on WGN.

- The Cubs lead all teams in home attendance during Spring Training.

- If I were to ever face any legal trouble, Hire Jim Essian will actually need to be hired for the case. Read their email response to whack job known as CanTheCubsMendMyBrokenHeart, who claimed Hire Jim Essian broke copyright laws of some sort. As Akeem from Coming To America would say, "In the face!"