Mark Cuban to the Windy City?

Sources say Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is interested in purchasing The Chicago Cubs organization and taking a venture into baseball. Cuban filled out an application to take over the team which has been up for sale since April by the Tribune Co.

Cuban has owned the Mavericks for seven years and has improved the franchise greatly since his arrival with a 20% increase in overall winning percentage and a trip to the NBA finals. The Mavs had previously never reached the finals.

Cuban has always been known to be an aggressive and outgoing owner with a great sense of enthusiasm during his tenure with the Mavericks. A personality that is needed for the Cubs. An organization that has seen its share of hard times and could absolutlely use the optimistic lift that Cuban brings to the table.

However, Cuban must first get through Commissioner Bud Selig and Chicago Sports Mogul Jerry Reinsdorf. Considering Selig has the power to deny the purchase to Cuban at his expense. But why would Selig want to deny Cuban ownership? Because Selig is very close to Reinsdorf who is the owner of the White Sox and the Bulls. The same person who voted against Cuban purchasing the Mavericks in 2000 during the owners voting session. He lost 29 to 1. The connection between the two men may prevent Cuban from getting into Chicago.

But from a business aspect, how could you not want Cuban running the show in Chicago? What negative aspect does he bring to baseball? Cuban has proven to be dedicated to his team and has done wonders for the Dallas franchise. Cuban knows he can be the difference maker in Chicago and I think the team and fans know it too. He brings a level of enthusiasm that Chicago has not seen in quite some time.

If your Bud Selig, you have to consider Cuban to take part in a franchise that has tried so hard to stay alive for years. Especially in a market that is there for the taking. Who knows. Maybe Cuban could even persuade a certain Rodriguez to join the Cub family next season.

A-Rod will be Guaranteed $30 Million Annually says Boras

New York Yankees third basemen Alex Rodriguez's agent Scott Boras has indicated that he will not be negotiating with the Yankee ballclub during the season and has raised the ante on what it will take to keep the league's best hitter in New York, according to the New York Post.

During a telephone interview with the Post, Boras indicated that Rodriguez will opt out of his contract at the end of the season that will pay him an estimated $28 million in 2008. This conversation coming only two days after the Yankees announced that they will break tradition and re-negotiate A-Rod's contract during the season.

Rodriguez is already among the highest paid players in the league along with teammates Roger Clemens and Jason Giambi.

It is also noted that if A-Rod does opt out of his contract, then the Texas Rangers will no longer have to pay their share of his contract due to trade stipulations back in 2003.

A-Rod Off to a Much Needed Start

Yankee's third basemen Alex Rodriguez has come off an off-season filled with publicity and speculation. Between his public comments of teammate Derek Jeter, his run-in with the press at his children's book signing, and contract talks about his upcoming extension option with the Yankees for 2008, Rodriguez has not had it easy.

Coming off of a dismal post-season (.071 BA, 4 SOs in 4 games) and a first round playoff exit for the second consecutive year, A-Rod was a nickname not in good graces with Yankee nation this winter. Rodriguez will earn $27 million this season making him the highest paid player in baseball; six million in front of teammate Jason Giambi.

Needless to say, the pressure dial has been turned up on A-Rod this spring. The expectations in Yankee nation are high and thus far Rodriguez has delivered. Throughout the first six games of the season Rodriguez has hit .360 with six homeruns and thirteen RBI's, the most homeruns hit in the first six games of Yankee history. The last of them being a game winning grand slam in the 9th against the Orioles, the second homerun of the game. Without a doubt this is the hottest start of his Alex's 13 year career and it could not have come at a better time.

The question that continues to surround A-Rod is his ability to perform in the clutch. Last season Rodriguez hit .237 with 4 HRs in 76 at bats in late and close game situations, not to mention his lackluster performance during the playoffs in 2005 and 2006. So far this season he has hit two homeruns and six RBI's in three late and close game situations including the walk-off grandslam on Saturday.

Rodriguez has tried to win over the hearts of New York fans for three years now and many people believe three years is long enough. Rodriguez won both the American League MVP and a Silver Slugger Award in 2005, yet he was scrutinized for his performance in the 2005 post-season. New York fans can acknowledge and appreciate A-Rod's yearly Regular Season numbers, but they have 27 million reasons why he should perform in the clutch more consistently. Then again, money grows on trees in YankeeLand.

The other question that must be answered by this season's end is A-Rod's future with the Yankees. Rodriguez may opt out of his contract in November and with the arrival of Lou Pinella in Chicago, Alex may want to revisit his relationship with his first former manager from Seattle. That is, if New York fans do not warm up to him to his liking. If Rodriguez performs at a high level this season(say above .300 with at least 45 HRs) and Yankee fans do not cheer for him more than recently, then expect A-Rod in a Cubs uniform next season. Therefore, my advice to Yankee nation: Cheer on your MVP third basemen next time you're at Yankee Stadium, or else.