***The Cubs continued to unload payroll as they prepare for the Winter Meetings in Indianapolis next week. Unpopular(and bust)Aaron Miles and Jake Fox were sent to Oakland for three minor leaguers.The key was getting Miles’ $1.9 million dollar salary off the board for this coming season. Fox was a good clutch hitter off the bench and filled in as best as possible at different positions, but he’s really suited to be a DH,and going to Oakland should serve him well. STILL nothing new on dumping Milton Bradley(but they are trying).

***Thursday was a landmark day for the Blackhawks as Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Duncan Keith got contract extension. Keith got a 13 year extension worth $72 million bucks,while Kane and Toews each got five years added on for $31.5 million.

***The Bears have lost four in a row,and look horrible on both sides of the ball. Their best player Lance Briggs may miss Sunday’s game with the Rams at Soldier Field, yet they are favored to beat St.Louis. After all,the Rams have only one win.

***The Big Ten finally beat the ACC in the 11th annual ACC-Big Ten Challenge(6 games to 5). The ACC had won the previous ten Challenges. Northwestern and Illinois did their jobs by beating N.C.State and Clemson respectively,and Wisconsin’s upset win over Duke was a great game also. Does this mean the Big Ten is better than most thought? Or is the ACC perhaps down a bit this year?

LES