Morning Marquee: Wrigley Field renovation continues; Tsuyoshi Wada named to Japan series All-Star team

While the colder weather moves in to the Midwest, the Chicago Cubs continue work on the renovations of Wrigley Field. Currently the right field and left field bleachers have been demolished, making way for structural work before they are expanded further out. The work will also allow for the two video boards to be placed in the outfield as well. The 1060 Project as it is known, will be done in four phases over the next several years.

Tsuyoshi Wada will have the opportunity to visit his native Japan as a member of the MLB All-Star team playing there this week. The MLB team will play “Samurai Japan”, the Japanese national team, for a five-game series, as well as two exhibition games. The series had taken place every other year from 1988 to 2006 before the brief hiatus. The MLB team is 9-1 in series against Japan.

Joe Maddon continues to work out the final details of his coaching staff, deciding on if he will want to make any changes to the existing staff. Gary Jones left after Rick Renteria was fired, but he was the only opening on the staff. Doug Dascenzo and John Mallee were just hired this fall. Should Maddon decide he wants to clean house and start from scratch, should the Cubs allow him to? If this is the man they believe is the one to lead them to a World Series, that should be an emphatic yes.

Here are some of the headlines from yesterday:

‘Work continues on the Wrigley Field renovation project’ – Cubbies Crib

‘Cubs’ Tsuyoshi Wada joint Japan series All-Star roster’ – Cubbies Crib

‘Philadelphia Phillies looking for at least three prospects for Cole Hamels’ – Call to the Pen

‘What if Joe Maddon wants to fire the entire Cubs’ coaching staff?’ – Cubbies Crib

‘Free agent Pablo Sandoval to meet with four teams next week’ – Call to the Pen