Cubs deny that spring-training decision is near

By Paul Sullivan

The Cubs denied a report in the East Valley Tribune that a decision on their spring training site will be made Friday.

The suburban Phoenix newspaper quoted Mesa City Manager Chris Brady, who said an announcement is imminent between Mesa and Naples, Fla.

"What we're being told is they'll make a decision (Friday)," Brady said. "We don't know when the announcement will be."

Cubs president Crane Kenney was unavailable for comment. Cubs spokesman Peter Chase responded to the report by saying: "The club still expects to have a decision on which spring training group it will negotiate with exclusively by the end of January. There is no precise date at this time."