Two nights ago, just a short time after the Evil Empire traded for the best shortstop in baseball, ESPN reported (in the middle of an on-air debate between two baseball analysts) Greg Maddux will sign with the Yankees in the coming days.

I was heartbroken, but I didn’t believe it. I ran to my roommate’s room and told him what ESPN had reported but thought to myself, “I’ll believe it when I see it.”

All of Tuesday went by and there was no news of Maddux signing with the Yankees. There was, however, an interview on ESPN where a reporter stuck a microphone in the passenger window of George Steinbrenner’s car, and he said the Yankees were not interested in Maddux.

Being a Cubs fan for the last 21 years, I’ve learned how to hope. The Steinbrenner interview gave me a glimmer of just that. Promptly after that interview I thought Maddux’s agent, Scott Boras, probably started the rumor just to get a better deal for his guy. That’s just what his guy got.

Jim Hendry made an offer to Maddux on Jan. 14 worth between $10 – $12 million. It was reported Hendry upped the ante to $12 – $14 million on Feb. 15.

Tuesday night, just before I went to bed, I watched SportsCenter. I saw the ticker on the bottom of the screen say Maddux.

Greg Maddux has reportedly agreed to a three year $24 million deal. Hold on now Cubs fans, he hasn’t signed yet.

Maddux was talking to the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Francisco Giants. There were also reports that some players on the St. Louis Cardinals were restructuring their contracts to make cap room for Maddux.

But, all that aside, it all seems just about done. Lets just assume it is done and take a look at what might be this year.

The rotation will include: Kerry Wood, Mark Prior, Matt Clement, Carlos Zambrano and Greg Maddux. The only other starting five that can compete with those five guys is probably the Yankees.

Many people think the Red Sox have a tough staff. Yes, they have a solid three in: Pedro Martinez, Curt Schilling and Derek Lowe, but that’s only three.

Even the hated Central Division rival Houston Astros have a tough rotation in: Andy Pettite, Roger Clemens, Roy Oswalt and Wade Miller, but again, that’s not a complete rotation. Imagine throwing Maddux into that one! Ugh! Better yet, lets not think about that.

The Yankees starting five: Mike Mussina, Kevin Brown, Javier Vasquez, Jon Lieber and Jose Contreras are each capable of winning 20 games.

Pitching wins championships, and the Cubs have pitching to go along with their big bats. 2004 prediction…Cubs over Yankees in five.