Larry Says "Later"
Rothschild Takes His Talents to South Bronx

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Whoa. Pitching coach Larry Rothschild is leaving the Cubs for the Yankees. Rothschild, who's been the Cubs' pitching coach for nine seasons, has signed a three-year deal with the Yanks. Why did he want to leave the Cubs? He gave ye olde the-Yankees-train-near-my-Tampa-house rationale, and hey, maybe that's true. So who will replace him? Greg Maddux is a definite no (bummer!), and internal candidates include minor league pitching coordinator Mark Riggins, bullpen coach Lester Strode, and Double-A pitching coach Dennis Lewallyn.

Chicago Breaking Sports: Rothschild leaves Cubs for Yankees' deal
ESPN Chicago: Rothschild leaves Cubs for Yankees
Muskat Ramblings: Pitching coach candidates
Bleed Cubbie Blue: Larry Rothschild named Yankees pitching coach

The Bad News
Before NU Game: 'Boo! This Sucks! Cubs Are Dumb!'
Football at Wrigley Field seemed like a decent idea... until the Big Ten pulled a last-minute switcheroo and said there wasn't enough room between the east endzone and the outfield wall. This, as you might imagine, brought out the haters. ESPN Chicago says the Cubs saw the game as a "money grab" and that Northwestern and the U of I "found themselves looking like jokes." In the Sun-Times, Rick Telander calls it a "spectacle" and says "it's enough to bring in Granny and the pet animals," while Crain's Ed Sherman called it "embarrassing."

ESPN Chicago: Big mistakes in planning of big game [+ video]
Chicago Sun-Times: Danger of Wrigley end zone was obvious from start
Cubbie Doctor's Examiner: You've got to be kidding me? More football at...
Crain's: Cubs surprised at Big Ten's endzone decision

The Good News
After NU Game: 'That Was Awesome! Do It Again!'
Suffice it to say the haters were in short supply after Saturday's successful game. Yes, both teams using the same endzone was... strange. But even Rick Morrissey, never known as Mr. Sunshine, called it "wholly entertaining" and said it was a strange, bizarre day, but overall deemed it "pretty cool." And Cubbie Doctor's Examiner, the excellent blog that savaged the move just a few days earlier, said it was "really cool," "really neat," and an "extremely awesome experience." The blog goes on to spell out how Wrigley could hold future games. Check it out.

Chicago Sun-Times: Whatever we saw at Wrigley, it was worth seeing
Cubbie Doctor's Examiner: What to do in order to play there again

Peer Pressure
Cubs' Aren't Only Team to Go for Public Funds
A lot of hate was spewed at the Cubs after it came out they're trying to get state funding for the Wrigley revamp. But as the Trib notes, many other teams have done the same thing. In Mesa, Arizona, the Cubs recently won a vote to get $100 million in public funds for a new facility. But bigger picture, 82 public new or renovated facilities were opened in the four major sporting leagues between 1990 and 2006. Of those, public funding accounted for 80 percent of the average costs, some egghead Harvard professor found.

Chicago Tribune: Wrigley plan in line with other stadium deals
New York Times: A stumble on Wrigley renovation, but don't be so quick to scoff

Making the Trade
Should the Cubs Trade Starlin Castro?
Yes, you read that right: Would it be a good idea for the Cubs to trade Starlin Castro? (We'll pause to let you clean the coffee off your computer monitor.) Sounds crazy, but it actually makes sense. Here's why: What if the Cubs could trade Castro and another prospect for San Diego mega-stud first baseman Adrian Gonzalez? The Outfield Ivy asks. Yes, Castro might be a star. MIGHT. But Gonzalez is already a star, and could give the team a slick fielding, power hitting, lefty first baseman. See? Not so crazy after all.

The Outfield Ivy: Should the Cubs trade Starlin Castro?

Gentleman Jim
Hendry: Prospects Are Good to Keep (and Trade)
So the Cubs want Tyler Colvin to be an everyday player. (About time.) That's according to Cubs' GM Jim Hendry, who was on ESPN 1000's "Talking Baseball" the other day. He also said the team wants to develop its own prospects to become stars, but also as trade fodder. As an example, Hendry cited the four players* (can you name them?) the Cubs swapped for Rich Harden. But he also said the team was never going to trade Tyler Colvin, Starlin Castro, or Andrew Cashner, so we're thinking Brett Jackson and Chris Archer are here for good.

*Sean Gallagher, Matt Murton, Eric Patterson, and Josh Donaldson

Chicago Cubs Online: Weekend update... Hendry talks Cubs

Joe Ricketts has some interesting thoughts on why he bought the Cubs... Bruce Levine says the Cubs will pursue free-agent pitcher Javier Vazquez... You can still buy tix to the Cubs Convention, which will be at the Hilton Chicago January 14-16... Speaking of tickets, for the first time ever, Cubs fans can purchase tickets for next season before the holidays. Holiday Gift Packs for as little as $92 go on sale today... Sorry, but we won't be putting out the Cubs Fan Report on Thursday this week. Enjoy the holiday, and we'll see you Monday, Nov. 29.

Submit your Rant on Facebook
*Don't be a Sox fan... be clever. If it's smart enough, we'll publish it here.
What's this?