Chicago rumors

If the Bears do decide to axe Lovie, I hope they move quickly. ESPN reports that Bill Cowher is likely to coach in 2010, and has already been mentioned in connection with potential job openings in Carolina and Tampa Bay.

While Mike Shanahan was rumored to have interest in a potential Bears job, ESPN's Adam Schefter recently tweeted: "Despite speculation to contrary, Mike Shanahan will not wind up coaching Chicago nor Houston. Too much respect for Lovie and (Gary) Kubiak.''

I'm not sure that "respect" precludes you from succeeding a fellow coach, but this would be disappointing if true. Either way, it seems likely that the Bears would have better coaching options this offseason than next. But those options could start to dwindle shortly after the season's end.

Fernando Who?

Phil Rogers suggests that the Cubs could look at the Rays' Fernando Perez to fill their center field void. The move would certainly be a gamble, as Perez played just 18 games last year to the tune of a .206 average.

Meanwhile, Bleed Cubbie Blue prefers a Reed Johnson/Sam Fuld platoon. I'm not necessarily sold on Fuld from an offensive standpoint, but I wouldn't mind seeing Reed Johnson as part of the solution. I will say that Johnson and Fuld in center with Fukudome in right would significantly improve the Cubs' outfield defense over last year.

Vinny survived Christmas; what about New Year's?

ESPN indicates that the Bulls have already decided to fire Coach Vinny Del Negro, but would like to have a replacement in place before making it official.

Not only would a new coach still have time to turn this into a respectable season, but he'd have the opportunity to build a reputation in the hopes of luring some of the big-time free agents due to hit the market this summer. The Bulls will have more cap space than almost any other team this offseason.

Hopefully Paxson will be able to snag a coach who already has a reputation, though, such as Avery Johnson, as opposed to another guy who has never coached a game in his life.