Instead of going into a hearing room in St. Petersburg on Friday, the Cubs and Matt Garza avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $9.5 million contract.

Sheri Wilken, wife of Cubs scouting director Tim Wilken, was in a parking lot during a high school baseball game in Arizona when she first met Tayler Scott's parents.

The Cubs took a progressive step in 1962 when they named Buck O'Neil to the coaching staff to become the Major League's first black coach.

An American League championship ring belonging to Chicago Cubs pitcher Matt Garza has been stolen from his California home, according to sheriff's detectives.

Free-agent pitcher Gerardo Concepcion has agreed to terms with the Cubs, according to an industry source. Concepcion defected from Cuba last June during the World Port Tournament in the Netherlands.

The Cubs on Thursday unveiled plans for their new state-of-the-art baseball academy in the Dominican Republic. The 50-acre complex is expected to take 12-18 months to build.

Ernie Banks is best known for his legendary career in the Windy City, but "Mr. Cub" honed his craft while playing for the Kansas City Monarchs.

If Theo Epstein could figure out what causes players to falter in big markets, he told guests at Fenway Park on Monday night, "I'd take it with me to Chicago." The Boston crowd ate it up.

Former Rockies closer Manny Corpas and top prospect Brett Jackson headlined a list of 21 non-roster players invited by the Cubs on Monday to participate in Major League Spring Training camp.

Starlin Castro's lineup slot, the Opening Day starter and Wrigley Field ground rules are touched on as beat reporter Carrie Muskat digs into the latest Cubs Inbox.

After battling through injuries and inexperience, Josh Vitters, the Cubs' top pick in the 2007 First-Year Player Draft, appears ready to compete for a chance to reach the big leagues in 2012.

The Cubs opened a spot on the 40-man roster for Kerry Wood on Thursday when they outrighted pitcher Manny Corpas. Corpas now will be a non-roster invitee to Spring Training.

Center fielder Brett Jackson, first baseman Anthony Rizzo and shortstop Javier Baez, who was the Cubs' No. 1 pick in last June's First-Year Player Draft, are the future of the organization, and the three made MLB.com's Top 100 Prospects list, released Wednesday.

Major League Baseball sent out a notice to clubs on Wednesday, advising them that Cuban outfielder Yoenis Cespedes -- as a resident of the Dominican Republic -- is not subject to the amateur Draft and may now sign as a free agent.

The lineup, rotation, Matt Garza and backup catcher are among the topics in this week's Cubs Inbox. Beat reporter Carrie Muskat answers questions from fans.

Jackson No. 5 on list of top OF prospects

Rizzo, Vogelbach crack list of top first-base prospects

When the Cubs' marketing department first heard about MLB Network's new game show, "Baseball IQ," many thought Wrigley Field organist Gary Pressy would be the perfect contestant. Instead, Ryan Balogh, 29, an account executive in the Cubs' marketing department, won an in-house competition.

The Cubs have signed pitcher Rodrigo Lopez and catcher Jason Jaramillo to Minor League deals, and they will be at Spring Training as non-roster invitees.

Playing baseball requires balance, coordination, skill and some kicks, according to Marlon Byrd. Also some sparring with his elbows and knees.