Another year like 99 others for Cubs  —  According to one headline, this weekend's Cubs Convention was expected to provide a “glimpse of what's on the way."  —  What would that be?  Blood?  Pain?  Regret?  Carlos Zambrano's right arm falling off?  Ronnie “Woo Woo” Wickers' ownership group buying the Cubs?

Wilkerson in the mix  —  As was first suggested by MLB Trade Rumors, it has been learned that the Red Sox do have some interest in outfielder/first baseman Brad Wilkerson, although there still figures to be healthy competition for the free agent.  It has been reported that he is asking for a three year deal worth $21 million.

Santana not worth the tariff  —  Any contending team in a major market would want Johan Santana to anchor its starting rotation.  Yet the Minnesota Twins have not been able to trade the two-time Cy Young award winner despite months-long talks with the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, and more recently, the New York Mets.

Cano & Wang seek hefty raises; Yanks ink Betemit  —  The Yankees received bargain-rate production for most of the past three seasons from Robinson Cano and Chien-Ming Wang.  —  No more.  —  The youthful Yanks want hefty pay raises more in line with the salaries of many of their veteran teammates in 2008 …

Friend says Pettitte wasn't pals with Clemens  —  A mutual friend of Roger Clemens, left, and Andy Pettitte, right, says the two were never as close as the media made them out to be.  (AP Photo)  —  Andy Pettitte is said by friends to be upset with Roger Clemens because of Clemens' aggressive defense …

Rays aim to be destination spot  —  ST. PETERSBURG - Having spent considerable time and money over the past 27 months trying to make the Rays at least competitive, principal owner Stuart Sternberg took a break from writing checks Friday to acknowledge their progress.

A-Rod turns mentor for UM ballplayer  —  A UM ballplayer meets his idol — New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez — and gets to train with him  —  New York Yankees superstar Alex Rodriguez is used to being followed by fans.  —  But one college-age kid who followed Rodriguez around …

Name of Possible Witness Emerges in an Audiotape  —  For the past five years, it has been Jim Murray's job to tend to the needs of the New York-area clients of Hendricks Sports Management, the Texas agency that built its name on its representation of Roger Clemens.

Reds Sign Affeldt  —  According to Ken Rosenthal, the Reds signed southpaw Jeremy Affeldt to a one-year, $3MM deal plus performance bonuses.  First and foremost the Reds view him as a cheap rotation option, but they'll move him to the pen if it doesn't work out.  —  I'm very surprised that he signed for just one year.

Pen help on the way?  —  The White Sox are no strangers to pursuing relievers who recently wore the powder blue of the Kansas City Royals, but as of Friday afternoon, the club was keeping mum on reports that it had agreed on a two-year, $11 million contract with Octavio Dotel.

Seeking bigger role, Sosa won't return to Rangers  —  Sammy Sosa won't be back for another season in Texas.  —  Rangers GM Jon Daniels and Sosa's agent, Adam Katz, told ESPN.com on Friday night that Texas was interested in bringing Sosa back in a more limited role than last season.