Oct 27, 2011; St. Louis, MO, USA; Texas Rangers left fielder Josh Hamilton (32) prior to game six of the 2011 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-US PRESSWIRE

Friday was another quiet day for the Chicago Cubs and their front office, though the team did avoid arbitration with starting pitcher Matt Garza. With Garza and the Cubs reaching an agreement, that may put the Garza trade rumors back into focus. Up to this point, the two teams that have had the heaviest of dialogue with the Cubs have been the Toronto Blue Jays and Detroit Tigers. Though, with the Tigers signing Prince Fielder to a $214 million contract, that does not bode well for their ability to land Garza. As for the Blue Jays, who have remained in discussions with the Cubs regarding Garza, they have been unwilling to meet the Cubs’ demands for their top starting pitchers. After the Jump we will take a look at the incentives in Garza’s deal, my thoughts on Josh Hamilton, and a potential Cubs’ target is off the market.

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Saturday Starters: Hamilton, Garza, Coffey - Cubbies Crib - Cubbies Crib - A Chicago Cubs Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

Nov 1, 2011; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs vice president of scouting Jason McLeod (left) , president of baseball operations Theo Epstein (middle) and new general manager Jed Hoyer (right) in attendance at a press conference at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-US PRESSWIRE

The Chicago Cubs completed part one of what they hope to be a Cuban Three Party. Similar to when the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association having Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Kevin Garnett; and the Miami Heat having Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, and LeBron James; the Cubs are hoping to have their own party of three. The first invite to the party was 18 year old left handed starting pitcher Gerardo Concepcion. Concepcion to multi-year major league deal that is worth $7 million. The Cubs are now hoping that they can add Cuban outfielders Yoenis Cespedes and Jorge Soler to the party as well. The addition of Concepcion has already improved the Cubs’ farm system, as Kevin Goldstein projects Concepcion as the Cubs’ sixth top prospect. After the Jump, we travel around Cubs nation to see the reactions to the Cubs signing Concepcion.

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Gerardo Concepcion Signing Reactions - Cubbies Crib - Cubbies Crib - A Chicago Cubs Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

September 26, 2011; San Diego, CA, USA; Chicago Cubs smanager Mike Quade (8) walks off the field after making a pitching change during the eighth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-US PRESSWIRE

The biggest news to come out of Thursday for the Chicago Cubs, obviously, was the signing of Cuban pitcher Gerardo Concepcion. Cubbies Crib will have the reactions to the Concepcion signing later today, but that was not the only Cubs’ related article to be in the news on Thursday. The Cubs made another minor league signing on Thursday, former manager Mike Quade spoke out against new manager Dale Sveum, and the Cubs unveiled their plans for their baseball academy in the Dominican Republic. Continue after to the jump to get the latest on all of those stories and stopping a rumor before it gets going.

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Friday’s Finest: Quade, Dominican Academy, Lannan, Rowland-Smith - Cubbies Crib - Cubbies Crib - A Chicago Cubs Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More