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Rogers seems to disagree with me I guess. The title of his new article says: Hendry won't be Trader Jim Cubs GM doesn't see many teams dealing because of contracts

In Sullivans new article it says: "but within the last week he has positioned the Cubs to become players for Zito and Schmidt, the top two names." Then later Hendry says: Hendry did not rule himself out of the picture with either Zito or Schmidt, however. "I'm interested in anybody who can make us better," Hendry said. "The names are the names." Maybe Jim is playing it quiet on the Zito front with hopes of landing the lefty. He makes it sound more and more like he will be a player with Schmidt and Zito.

With the meetings starting tommorrow we should look at the market for pitching. It seems Hendry will spend most of his time at the meetings focusing on pitching. That being said I think he will get one of his pitchers via trade during these meetings. Here are some realistic names that we may here in the coming days: Rodrigo Lopez- Have seen his name mentioned already with the Cubs. Is durable but overall is not the pitcher we should be looking for Jake Westbrook- We all know the rumors about him Cleveland says he's not going anywhere but it still seems it could be a possibilty Joe Blanton- His name has surface in trade rumors lately. He is a good young pitcher who is durable would make a quality mid rotation starter Tim Hudson- Atlanta would most likely deal him for a decent package. I still think he can be a good pitcher, and he comes with a large contract Jason Jennings- Fine young arm who has been rumored for Jacque it may take more than that, but I think Hendry will try real hard for this one Aaron Cook- Jennings teammate, could make an OK 4th starter might just be better to go with in house options though Brad Penny- This is one that Jim should pursue hard. Penny has been good recently and with the Dodgers having 7 starters some have to go and Penny's larger salary make him most likely Jon Lieber- Lieber has been very solid and durable over the years. He has a high salary which would make him easier to aquire. Lieber would be a very good mid rotation guy Paul Moholm- Would the Pirates deal with us again? They are said to want a hitter (Jacque) and I don't think they would give up Duke or Snell. Maholm is a young guy with good control who could log some solid innings These are some names I think will pop up around the Cubs this week. All are pretty good pitchers. If I had to pick one it would be Penny or Lieber. I think due to their age and higher salaries they could be had a little easier than some of the other guys. Westbrook or Jennings would be great, but I think it would take way to much to get them.

I think this would be a good move because I don't think there is a way we could get another impact bat. The want a lefty bat, but there are no good CF out there that could be had that are power lefties. If we moved Soriano to center then we could possibly get one to play the RF, but even then they may not be much better than Jones. Hendry will have to be very creative in getting the lineup figured out.

good deal for the M's, high upside with that contract wouldn't have fit anywhere here I dont think

because he would be coming to a team with two pitchers with good enough stuff to show up Barry Bonds. Because it seems like no one else wants him

I like the idea. You could even platoon him with Murton giving him the time off that his body needs. I would love to see him break a window across the street again, only this time in a Cub uniform

Don't forget they may still re-sign Maddux too

That avatar is pretty damn big, but funny

He could have been a good utility guy. Will probably play 1st for the Giants.

He's OK. Basically all-around average. Not real good at anything. I think the Cubs want a lefty for CF though. Plus, I would much rather have Jones out there than Payton. Why get Payton when you have Jones. If they get a CF it should be an upgrade not a downgrade.

Tim Kurkjian talks about teams that could be trading at the meetings. "They have seven major league starting pitchers: Derek Lowe, Brad Penny, Hong-Chih Kuo, Randy Wolf, Brett Tomko, Chad Billingsley and Mark Hendrickson. One of them could be used as part of a deal" Maybe Hendry could work out something to bring one of these guys here. I think Penny could be had for a decent offer. He has fallen out of favor in LA and has been good over his career with a 4.02 career ERA. Thats the guy I would like to see Hendry go for. Tomko and Hendrickson stink. Billinglsey, Kuo, and Lowe are good and I don't think the Dodgers would want to trade them. Would you guys like to see any of these guys in Cubbie blue?

Maybe Hendry has been laying in the weeds with Zito. All reports out of New York suggest that neither the Yankees or Mets are really interested. If we were to get Zito, we would nolonger be able to get Lilly, leaving us with Batista or Marquis as our 4th starter.

This Lilly deal is not looking good at all. I would rather see Miguel Batista than Lilly. As someone pointed out Lilly has terrible day splits while Batistas are very good. They have both had an ERA around 4.50 the past few years. Batista is more durable and has pitched over 200 innnings before. That being said if you could pay Batista say $12 mil. over two years why pay someone who has similar numbers $38 over 4 years.I have seen people today saying Lilly would be our number two guy, number two, Yikes he may be the worst # 2 in baseball. I hope this Lilly thing does fall through. Sign Schmidt and Batista isnstead Jim.

This from Rosenthal, "If the Cubs sign Schmidt, the other pitcher they acquire likely would be a less expensive back-of-the-rotation type. Another possibility would be to sign one pitcher from a group that includes left-hander Ted Lilly and right-handers Gil Meche and Miguel Batista, then trade for another — someone, perhaps, such as Orioles right-hander Rodrigo Lopez. The Cubs are still pursuing free agent Julio Lugo with the idea of playing him in center field next season, then moving him back to the infield in 2008." Maybe its Lopez that would come in a trade for Jones. That would be horrible because Lopez sucks. He has had anr ERA over 4.50 almost every year

Jon Heymans latest says that Wolf turned down 3-year offers from the Phillies, D-Backs, and Cubs to go to the Dodgers so he could be at home and around his mom. Good to see the Cubs threw their hat in on him at least. Hendry must be looking for that pitching

He was going up against some pretty good lineups out east. Westrbook did to in the central, but pitching in the AL east will lead to a lot of homers given up.

This may be one of the worst ideas I've ever heard.

Exactly, he will get a shorter deal, and if he is being undervalued as the GM said he will probably come cheap.

According to Rosenthals latest: "One general manager describes free-agent right-hander Miguel Batista as "one of the most underrated guys out there." Batista, 35, is very intelligent and stays in excellent condition. The Cubs, Mets, Royals and several N.L. West clubs are believed to be among the teams pursuing him. Batista was 11-8 with a 4.58 ERA for the Diamondbacks last season, working 2061/3 innings ." If you could get him for about 5 mil. a year to be the #4 guy I would have no problem with that anymore than that and I would not like it so much. His ERA was almost 2 points lower during day games, and he had a rough sept. that raised his ERA as well. Then you would have to get a solid number 2 like Schmidt or Pettite someone else via trade.

I still am a firm believer that Hendry will make a trade for a starter. I think it will happen next week at the meetings as well. With all the holes he knows hes gonna have to make a trade sometime, and making trades is Jim's forte

Bruce says this isn't true. Then again, Gammons is on the 20 dollar bill so it's hard to believe he's not right. I'm perplexed here. I don't believe an offer was made. Remember, agents like to float a lot of things, especially to get the market going. Do you believe that they are interested enough to make an offer in the 3-4 year range at close to 15 per year? Have you heard anything about the Igawa bid? thanks Bruce. I don't believe the Cubs will go $15 mil per year for Schmidt. Don't get too excited worrying about Igawa. He'll land elsehwere. Thanks for all info. Bruce, all good scoop

Bruce have you heard anything on the Schmidt front?

For once lets hope the Cubs lose :lol:

Peter Gammons thinks that Schmidt could get around $60 million. He didn't metion over how many years though, I would assume 4. The Cubs may have to offer a little more to get him to come to the midwest.