Second baseman/outfielder Jerry Hairston Jr.

Wade Miller's signing most likely is the last major addition to the pitching staff before spring training opens in three weeks.

The Chicago Cubs and pitcher Wade Miller agreed Monday to a one-year contract that will pay $1 million in salary and up to another $1 million in bonuses based on the number of starts he makes.

Although Sammy Sosa does not have a home for next season yet, the former Cub has no intention of playing in Japan, although he has received offers from at least two Japanese teams, sources told the Japan Times.

Five Cubs could be headed for salary-arbitration hearings scheduled between Feb.

General manager Jim Hendry will attempt again to reach 2006 contract agreements with Mark Prior, Carlos Zambrano, Juan Pierre, Jerry Hairston and Will Ohman, but it's highly possible that all five Cubs will file salary figures by today's deadline for potential arbitration cases.

The Cubs are considering using Kerry Wood as a reliever, at least at the outset of his comeback from shoulder surgery.

Mark Prior told reporters he never was upset at being the subject of trade talk, despite a published report he was "peeved.

There may be some backlash about Mark Prior's name surfacing in the Miguel Tejada trade talks.

The Nationals have expressed interest in free agent outfielder Sammy Sosa, according to a baseball source.

The Cubs continue to work behind the scenes to trade second baseman Todd Walker.

Cubs president Andy MacPhail said Tuesday he will consider during spring training whether to give general manager Jim Hendry a contract extension before deciding at a later date when to make the expected commitment.

Bruce Sutter was elected to the Hall of Fame on Tuesday, becoming just the fourth relief pitcher given baseball's highest honor.

Pitcher Kerry Wood, who had shoulder surgery in late August, started light throwing in Arizona last week.

The Cubs will still entertain trade possibilities before pitchers and catchers report to spring training in Mesa, Ariz.

The Cubs finally may have found a taker for Corey Patterson: the Baltimore Orioles.

Chicago Cubs pitcher Mark Prior voided the final year of his contract, making him eligible for salary arbitration.

The Cubs will make an announcement today, but barring something unexpected, it won't be about a trade for Baltimore Orioles shortstop Miguel Tejada.

The Cubs likely will bring in center fielder Marquis Grissom, who turns 39 next April.

Miguel Tejada makes a good point about the Baltimore Orioles.