Report: Stone could be next Cubs GM

Chicago -- Former major league pitcher Steve Stone reportedly is a possible candidate to be the next general manager of the Chicago Cubs.

The Chicago Tribune reported Thursday Stone, a longtime analyst for Cubs' games on WGN-TV, is a friend of local financier Lou Weisbach, who heads one of four groups known to be interested in buying the National League baseball team.

Another possible GM is former Cubs' outfielder and hall-of-famer Billy Williams.

The newspaper said Williams had no comment,and efforts to reach Stone for comment Wednesday were unsuccessful.

The Tribune Company has owned the Cubs since 1981 when they were purchased from the Wrigley family for $20.5 million. The team is thought to now be worth $700 million to $1 billion.

Representatives from the Tribune Company announced six months ago the club would be sold in conjunction with an $8.2 billion buyout of the company, which is headed by real estate billionaire Sam Zell.

© Copyright United Press International.