A month after it was first reported in the Sun-Times, the Cubs officially announced Wednesday an agreement to switch their Midwest League affiliate from Peoria to the Kane County Cougars - putting a key Class A affiliate just a suburban commute from Wrigley Field.

``It is exciting to know we have a Cubs affiliate right in our backyard,'' Jason McLeod, the Cubs' top scouting and player development executive, said in a news release.

In breaking from Peoria, the Cubs end a longstanding relationship that included the development of such players as Greg Maddux and Mark Grace and the managerial debut of Ryne Sandberg.

The Cubs on Wednesday also announced they've renewed their player development contracts with Class A Boise and advanced-A Daytona.

All three new agreements are two-year deals that run through 2014.

The spotlight on the National League Central race could yet shine this week directly on Wrigley Field, where Dusty Baker's Cincinnati Reds have a shot to celebrate a second division title in three years on Thursday.

Asked whether it would mean anything to clinch at Wrigley, where he did nine years ago as manager of the Cubs, Baker downplayed the idea.

``No,'' he said before this week's three-game series between the Reds and Cubs opened Tuesday. ``I thought about that a few days ago. But they [second-place Cardinals] have to lose every game while we're here and we have to win [all three].''

Actually, that wasn't entirely true.

With their 3-1 win over the Cubs Tuesday night, the Reds still have a chance to clinch Thursday, despite St. Louis' win over Houston Tuesday.

The Reds need to win tonight and Thursday, with the Cardinals losing to the last-place Astros both days for it to happen.

But Cincinnati takes a big advantage in their half of the equation considering pitching matchups the next two days that feature Cubs rookie Chris Rusin and 28-year-old journeyman right-hander Jason Berken facing Mike Leake (three wins in last four starts) and Cy Young candidate Johnny Cueto.

Despite the lowly opponent, the Cardinals might not have as easy a road against Houston, which won four its previous six before Tuesday's loss.

The Cards send Lance Lynn to the mound tonight for just his second start since a 2 1/2 -week demotion to the bullpen. He'll face Houston's top-performing starter this season, Lucas Harrell, who has won three straight starts and has a 2.81 ERA in his last four.

On Thursday, Jaime Garcia, the Cardinals' worst-performing starter this season, goes in the finale against Houston, facing Bud Norris - who's 7-4 with a 2.61 ERA in his career against the Cards.

And if this storyline gets through tonight intact, the Houston-St. Louis game starts 35 minutes before the Cubs-Reds scheduled start Thursday, giving those in the dugouts at Wrigley the best view of what's at stake as their game winds down.

``Our goal is to just win,'' Baker said. ``I don't care where we clinch it, really. We just want to clinch it. Then we can go for Step 2, and then hopefully Step 3, and then Step 4, and then go home.''

The Cubs aren't playing for anything - unless you count that ``avoid-100-losses thing'' - but at least one interesting subplot is on display this week as the top two second basemen in the National League wage a three-day, head-to-head case for a National League Gold Glove.

Cincinnati's Brandon Phillips is going for his third straight and fourth overall. Barney is going for his first.

For Barney, this matchup may have begun during a brief conversation he and Phillips had during a spring training game in 2011.

Both stood near second base as the inning ended, and Barney said, ``Hey, man, I saw you last year turning some double plays when you were coming back from being hurt. I'm making the move to second base and I don't feel very comfortable turning double plays. What can you tell me?''

Phillips took a few minutes to share his thoughts and offer tips to Barney - who earned the starter's job that spring and this year might unseat Phillips for the top-defender award.

``From then on, I've had a lot of respect for him - not about how he plays the game or anything, but just for who he is, the kind of guy he was to me,'' Barney said. ``Not every guy who's the best in the game defensively is going to stop and talk to a guy that's got a couple months in the big leagues. That meant a lot to me at the time.''

Phillips said he remembered the talk.

``I don't really know how he's been doing,'' he said. ``The only thing I know is I just worry about myself and worry about the team. And whenever a guy wants to know something and they ask me a question about anything, I let them know what I think about it.''

So does Phillips consider Barney a threat to his Gold Glove run?

``To tell you the truth, I don't pay attention to things like that,'' Phillips said. ``I'm too busy winning. That's what I worry about. I just worry about winning, and I let everybody else worry about that kind of stuff.''

If you're Theo Epstein, what do you do with Carlos Marmol?

That could be one of the biggest questions the Cubs' front office faces in its first full offseason at the helm once the season ends in two weeks, considering the winter figures to once again include more tinkering-level moves than pursuit of a pennant.

Marmol makes $9.8 million next year in the final year of his contract. That's more than a quarter of the roughly $38 million committed to the four players already under contract for next year (also Alfonso Soriano, Starlin Castro and David DeJesus).

Does a team one year into a radical rebuilding process need a $10 million closer? Obviously not.

But what is Marmol's trade value this winter - even after 19 straight converted saves and a 1.52 second-half ERA so far? And how will that compare to next July, when the market for back-end bullpen guys tends to get hot? And what might Marmol's numbers look like at that point next season.

For his part, ``I'm going to be honest with you man,'' Marmol said, ``I'm going to try to stay here in Chicago and do the best I can to stay here and see what happens. That's what I'm doing right now.''

Marmol has become a new pitcher for manager Dale Sveum and pitching coach Chris Bosio since an early season demotion out of the closer role and strict orders since then to throw what the catcher calls. It's meant using his fastball more and -- with occasional characteristic exceptions - has resulted in much better command than he had when the season opened.

The irony for Marmol is that the production that helps justify his contract and has contributed to some of the few wins the Cubs have cobbled together is also what has turned him into an intriguing offseason question.

``I hope they give me a couple more years,'' he said.

The latest game ever at Wrigley Field started Monday night and ended in the early hours Tuesday with the Pittsburgh Pirates defeating the Cubs 3-0 to gain a split of the four-game series.
The Cubs had only two hits, both from Darwin Barney, against Pirates starter Kevin Correia (11-9), who worked seven innings. Cubs starter Travis Wood (6-12) gave up only four hits and struck out a career high nine, but he took the loss.
Cubs pitchers struck out 15 in the game.
The game was scheduled to start at 7:05 p.m. Monday but was delayed 3 hours 37 minutes by rain. The 10:42 p.m. start was the latest ever at the ballpark that got lights in 1988. The game ended at 1:27 a.m. Tuesday.
Before Monday, the latest start time was the July 26, 2005 game that started at 9:48 p.m. and featured Greg Maddux' 3,000th strikeout.
There is no longer a curfew for games, but there is for the Wrigley organ. It was not allowed to play after the game began but did play for the 7th inning stretch.
Only several hundred people were in the crowd, though the tickets sold totaled 33,017. The few who were sitting in the upper deck were encouraged to move to the lower seating areas.
Fans also were given a 25 percent discount on concessions for the game.
The game was played because the Pirates remain in contention for a National League wild card and did not have a remaining day off to reschedule the contest.

Two-time All-Star Starlin Castro has goals in sight for 2013, and they go beyond being a consistent .300 hitter and driving in runs.
His dreams are about teaming with Darwin Barney as the best middle infield pair in baseball.
``I look at him all the time and what he's done,'' Castro said of Barney's record-setting errorless streak which stood at 131 games Monday before the Cubs played the Pittsburgh Pirates in the finale of their four-game series.
Rain delayed the start of the game for three hours 37 minutes.
``I want us to be the best middle infield in the major leagues. That's why I know I have to keep working on my defense because I know I can hit better,'' Castro said. ``I want my defense to be better, too.''
Cubs manager Dale Sveum has made his opinion clear about Barney deserving the Gold Glove.
``To have two Gold Gloves side by side--that's something that doesn't happen too often,'' Sveum said.
Defense was a point of emphasis in general for Sveum this season and for Castro in particular. Though he still leads all shortstops with 25 errors, Castro has made improvements, Sveum said.
``He's come a long way and there are other things he still needs to get better at. Coming across the bag on double plays and turning the double play, and his throws are better. But he still needs to have better awareness of things around him.''
At 22, time is an ally for Castro. And now with a seven-year, $60 million contract, so is peace of mind.
``My mind is nice and relaxed now,'' he said, admitting the negotiations that began this season on the long-term deal became a distraction.
``I said `do what you have to,' [he told his representatives]. This year has been tough with the contract. I had that on my mind.''
Castro began the season with an 11 game hitting streak as he headed for a second straight All-Star appearance. But his .300-plus average began to slip at mid-season and he endured a stretch from July 31 to Aug. 7 when he went 2-for-28.
But since Aug. 8 he is hitting .309 (46-for -149), leads the club with 46 multi-hit games and has a career-high 13 home runs, 75 RBI and 25 stolen bases. And the contract was completed as August ended.
``I'm proud I have more RBI this year,'' he said, Castro the first Cub since Sammy Sosa to have 25 steals and at least 75 RBI. ``I know I'm not a guy who hits .270 or .280. I know I am a better hitter than that,'' he said, confident that statistic will climb.
Sveum has used Castro in different spots in the lineup, but of late has hit him behind Alfonso Soriano.
``He's the kind of hitter where his approach is never going to change much. He's seeing his pitches, and hitting behind Sori, it's been a nice little combination.''
Soriano and Castro are their own valuable combination, the elder veteran mentoring his young Dominican Republic countryman on and off the field since Castro joined the team May 7, 2010.
But Castro is the player likely to carry the mantel forward, already in elite company as only the 28th player in history to have 500 hits before turning 23. The only other active player in that category is New York Yankee Alex Rodriguez. He leads all National League players with 511 hits since his arrival in the big leagues.
Yet this season also has been ``tough,'' he said.
``It's tough when you lose, but I trust these people,'' he said of Theo Epstein's team. ``I think they'll do good things.''

The Cubs are moving their winter Convention from the Hilton and Towers in the south Loop to the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers at 301 E. North Water Street.
The move will be the first time the 28-year-old winter gathering won't be held at the Hilton.
``We're excited to offer our fans new experiences at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers as Cubs players, coaches, legends and executives come together to kick off the 2013 season,'' said Wally Hayward, executive vice president, chief sales and marketing officer of the Cubs.
He did not say why the change was made.
The convention will take place from Jan. 18 to Jan 20. Tickets will be available starting Wednesday. Hotel bookings for $179 per night plus tax can be made by calling the hotel at 800-233-4100 and asking for the Cubs Convention rate. Those who book rooms will be permitted to purchase as many as four convention tickets for $20 each. Tickets for those attending the convention but not staying at the hotel will cost $60 each.

Alfonso Soriano (3-for-5) drove in two runs to reach 101 RBI, the third time in his career to get at least 100 and now within his career mark of 104 in 2005 with Texas.
``It would be better if we had a winning record, but now everyone is trying to have fun in the last two weeks of the season,'' Soriano said.
``If anyone watches how he goes about his work every day, his work ethic, always with a smile on his face, and with the [sore] knees he has,'' manager Dale Sveum said. ``If any of these young guys think they're hurting and see what this guys goes through every day to play--a guy making $18 million and still going out and working hard every day.
``Other than his 40-40 season [46 homers and 41 steals in 2006], it's as good a season as he's had,'' he said. ``Not too many 36 year olds have this kind of season.''

Fall is an awkward time for Jeff Samardzija even in the best of times, as football kicks in around the former Notre Dame wide receiver.
But it is especially awkward now that baseball pitcher Samardzija doesn't even have his chosen pro sport to play.
``It's totally tough,'' he said Sunday, a week after his final start of the season, an outstanding 4-3 complete game victory against the Pittsburgh Pirates. ``You get in a routine and your body knows when it's ready to go.
``It's hard watching real competition going on and not participating.''
The decision to shut down Samardzija at 175 innings and after 28 starts in his first full season in the rotation was a choice made by the new Cubs hierarchy.
But Samardzija made the most of that time (9-13, 3.81 ERA, 180 strikeouts to 56 walks) to make a strong impression on team president Theo Epstein.
``He's been a big development positive for us,'' Epstein said last week. ``I'm really proud of Jeff. He made the decision on what he wanted to accomplish. He had a plan. He set a clear goal for himself and executed it. It's really impressive the way he developed.
``He moved into the forefront of our plans.''
The end of 2012 continues to be about plans for 2013, with several players making cases for themselves in Sunday's dramatic 13-9 comeback victory against Pittsburgh.
Anthony Rizzo's six-RBI day that included his first career grand slam ``was spectacular,'' manager Dale Sveum said, and he singled out pitcher Jaye Chapman's work in the seventh when he gave up a leadoff triple to Starling Marte--but got him as the third out in a rundown play.
For Samardzija, what's left of the season has become a head start on his off-season preparation.
He still is part of the team, with Sveum calling upon him to pinch run in the ninth inning Saturday as the Cubs threatened a comeback before falling 7-6.
And Samardzija showed the same zeal running to take his place at second representing the winning run. ``With two outs, it would be an easy situation--you go on contact.''
But pinch running is probably all he will do in the last two weeks.
``Hopefully we have enough guys [to pinch hit],'' Sveum said with a laugh. ``Let him know it would be Travis Wood [a home run and three doubles] or even Chris Rusin [a triple] before [Samardzija.]''
Indeed, if there were something left for the 6-5 right-hander to prove this year, it would be that he could get an extra base hit.
He's the only one of the original starters without one.
But batting practice isn't really part of his routine anymore.
``I do the same things I did before, except the fifth day is vacant,'' he said. ``Playing catch, working out. I'm just trying to stay ready.
``There are a lot of young guys here, so you try to be available for them every time you can,'' he said. ``I still feel I'm part of this team. You try to pay attention as much as you can because there's always something to learn.''
But there are moments when the television cameras may catch him with a far-away look--``like a little puppy dog at the window when the owner leaves,'' he admitted.
``This has just pushed my off-season [routine] up a month early,'' he said.
Next season will be a full six months of pitching as far as he is concerned.
``Absolutely,'' he said of shedding the innings limit. ``There should be no chains whatsoever next year.''
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Anthony Rizzo's first career grand slam was part of his first multi-homer game and best-ever six RBI in the Cubs' 13-9 comeback victory Sunday against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Rizzo's 13th and 14th homers of the season were two of three homers by Cubs, the other Joe Mather's fifth of the season.
It was the first time a Cub has had six RBI in a game since Aramis Ramirez had six against the Houston Astros on July 20, 2010.
The victory was another blow to the Pirates' hopes of securing a National League wild card spot, but it helped the Cubs lower their ``magic number'' to avoid 100 losses to five.
The marathon four-hour game saw each team use seven pitchers.
Alfonso Soriano drove in his 100th and 101st RBI of the season in a 3-for-5 game. It's the third time in Soriano's career to drive in at least 100 runs and the first since 2005 when he had a career-best 104 with the Texas Rangers.

Starting pitching is the main ingredient to winning baseball, but Cubs manager Dale Sveum has been steadfast all season in singling out someone else as the ace of the staff--reliever Shawn Camp.
``Besides Alfonso Soriano, Shawn Camp probably has been our MVP,'' he said Saturday. ``If we don't fill that void [at the back end of the bullpen] with him, it would have been even tougher times.''
That wouldn't have seemed likely when Camp, 36, came to the Cubs in spring after he was cut by the Seattle Mariners, who had just signed him to a one-year contract a month earlier.
Camp signed a minor league deal with the Cubs, the first National League team he would play for after time with the Kansas City Royals, Tampa Bay Rays and Toronto Blue Jays.
Few signings have paid as big a return.
``In the off season, I had no idea where I would be,'' Camp said. ``This was a good opportunity, coming to the National League and a fresh start.
``I worked really hard this off-season. I like to go into every year thinking it could be your last. It drives you a little bit.''
Camp could end up leading the majors in appearances, though he had a day off Saturday as he watched his teammates nearly pull off a ninth-inning comeback against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Pirates closer Joel Hanrahan (35th save) barely hung on for the 7-6 victory, giving up two runs--including walking Luis Valbuena with the bases loaded--before striking out Dave Sappelt to end the game.
The victory ended the Pirates' seven-game losing streak.
The Cubs and Camp have been a perfect match, though the irony of success is Camp's strong season (3.55 ERA, 51 strikeouts to 19 walks in 71 innings) will make him an attractive commodity as a free agent after the season.
``He's a very valuable commodity who can pitch in multiple situations,'' Sveum said. ``He's the type of pitcher you want to see out there because he throws strikes and you don't seem him imploding with walks.''
Camp has been an asset as a teacher as well.
``It's a young team and you have to start from somewhere,'' he said of these Cubs. ``I think everyone knows they have a job and a role. I have a job, too, to not only take the field every day but also help [young pitchers] along.
``They're young and they ask questions, and I've been around a while. It feels good to help young guys have some success and grow as players.
``I felt I've learned a lot more this year than I have in the past, too,'' he added. ``That's what it's about--learning and growing every year.
``A lot of times when you get opportunities like this, you want to run with it. That's what I felt I've done, and hopefully I can continue doing it for the Cubs in the future.
``I like it here. It's a great place to play. There are 40,000 people here every day. They cheer for you here. They cheer for you on the road. I feel comfortable here.
``If I take care of myself, I think the rest will work itself out.''

Jorge Soler had never been to a major league ball park before Saturday, which only added to his first visit to Wrigley Field carrying the mantel of future Cubs superstar.
``It felt good,'' he said through translator Louis Eljaua, a special assistant to general manager Jed Hoyer. ``At first I was a little intimidated because I was never in a big league park before, but then it felt comfortable.''
The 20-year-old Cuban native who chose the Cubs over other pursuing clubs took batting practice as a throng of observers watched, including team president Theo Epstein, Soler's agent Barry Praver, and Soler's father, Jorge Sr.
The younger Soler, projected as a multi-talented power hitting outfielder, signed a $30 million deal with the Cubs in June and played for the Mesa rookie team before being promoted to Class A Peoria. In 20 games at Peoria, he hit .338 with three home runs and 15 RBI.
He and top draft pick Albert Almora leave Sunday for the fall Instructional League in Arizona where they will be roommates again after rooming together in rookie ball.
``He helped me a lot in Arizona,'' Soler said of Almora, 18, a Miami native where Soler and his father are now living. They first met as rivals in the World Junior Championships in Canada when Soler played for Cuba and Almora for the U.S. team.
Soler said he is adjusting to life on and off the field in the states. He is as anxious as the Cubs brass tol make Wrigley Field a permanent home.
``As long as I keep making adjustments, time will tell when I'll get here.''