Bruce, is the supposed interest in McLouth genuine? If so, as a fallback to Kosuke or just as an extra guy? Who might they be looking at to satisfy the LHH infielder fetish? Any interest in Felipe Lopez?
I wonder if Hendry is trying to get Teahen as a 3B for the Pirates and come out of the exchange with McLouth. The Pirates wanted to get Headley from the Padres for Nady and McLouth. Teahen to the Pirates. McLouth to the Cubs. Murton to the Royals. Balance as necessary.
There is zero chance that the Cubs can get Nate McLouth for Neal Cotts. Not 0.00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000001%. Zero.
That's a nice little deal for KW. Burke is at least as good as...oh, I don't know...Kaz Matsui. "Kaz Matsui" - Japanese for "Chris Burke" - Houston sports radio
It's been fashionable to consider Neal Cotts a definite non-tender, but, given the market for pitching, I won't be surprised if the Cubs offer him a contract.
Hamilton really needs to get out of the Reds organization. Dusty would probably have him over to the house to listen to new age music and burn some "incense".
The Cubs are having all sorts of trade discussions involving Mark Prior. The Rangers and Padres are said to be two interested parties. Of course the Cubs still have Kosuke Fukudome in their sights. But they also have their eye on Oakland's Nick Swisher and Arizona's Orlando Hudson. Both are switch-hitters, by the way. http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2007/12/levines-latest.html
Someone go kidnap Jim Hendry and impersonate him and actually make good moves. To pull off the disguise, you'll need one of these: http://www.dumbanddumbercostumes.com/2nd_blue_tuxedo.html
Chone is a tough guy to figure out how much you should trade for him. There's a decent chance you'll be able to get a sammich pick for him next offseason, but it's not a sure thing, especially if you use him in less-than-fulltime duty.
If the Cubs could manage to assemble a good offense for a change, Dempster/Marquis/Marshall/Gallagher/Hart could be a very successful back end of the rotation. Sadly, Jim Hendry knows very little about putting together a legitimate MLB offense.