General pitching rumor updates: http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-061127cubs,1,2546868.story?coll=cs-cubs-headlines "The Cubs seem willing to wait until next week's winter meetings to see where the market is headed." ... Ugh. I don't want to wait a week. "It doesn't appear the Cubs will be signing Schmidt or Barry Zito, the big two in the free-agent market, before next week's meetings." ... Hey there's still a chance we get Schmidt! "A second-tier Japanese pitcher, 27-year-old left-hander Kei Igawa, also is coming to the U.S., and the Cubs are believed to have put in a bid for his rights, although Hendry would only say Monday—the deadline for submitting proposals—that 'we are considering it.' Igawa is considered an end-of-the rotation starter or perhaps a long reliever. The Cubs just traded for a similar pitcher, the White Sox's Neal Cotts." ... Doesn't sound like Dave van Dyck is too high on Igawa ... "Trades also are a possibility, although the Cubs have little to give in return, especially if outfield prospect Felix Pie is untouchable. The White Sox have Mark Buehrle or Freddy Garcia—in the last years of their contracts—available, but there seems to be no match in players returning." ... Great. So there are no good free agents besides Schmidt and Zito, Igawa is bad, and we have nobody to trade. Sounds fantastic. Also ... http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/sports/1164535554291440.xml&coll=2&thispage=1 "Indians GM Mark Shapiro told the Plain Dealer he has no interest in trading Jake Westbrook for bullpen help. However, they are looking to acquire Scot Shields from Anaheim, and are also looking to sign Trot Nixon, who has been with the Red Sox. " This was a summary of the article on mlb-rumors.blogspot.com. I remember the GM said before that he wasn't trading Westbrook period. Now it's just not for bullpen help. Good news?