Idea?

Mr. Hendry if you are reading, I will say you are welcome right now for this great idea. Why not trade for Erik Bedard?

The Cubs shouldn't just ask for Bedard, but ask for Brian Roberts and Ramon Hernandez added to the trade. This would cost the Cubs a lot, but the Orioles are rebuilding and the Cubs should help them do that. Start by offering Felix Pie, Sean Marshall, Sean Gallagher, Tyler Colvin, Geovany Soto and Tony Thomas. This would give the Orioles a bunch of prospects while helping the Cubs distance themselves from the rest of the division. First off it finally gives them a true lead-off batter, who as a bonus is a switch hitter. That lets the Cubs could move Soriano down in the order to either 4th or 5th. Bedard gets inserted into the rotation as their #2 starter behind Zambrano and puts Lilly as third starter giving him better pitching matchups. The team could then insert either Marquis or Dumpster as the 4th starter if they don't want 3 lefties in a row and then put Rich Hill as the 5th starter. While losing Soto hurts, Ramon Hernandez gives the Cubs an average dependable starter. They then could probably acquire Estrada cheap to give them a decent duo.
Then the Cubs need to offer Kosuke Fukudome a more enticing deal then the Padres. If he is half as good as people are saying, then including him in the Cubs lineup and putting DeRosa in either RF if Fukudome goes to Center or in the Super-Utility role only makes the team that much tougher. If Fukudome goes to right field the Cubs will need a CF and don't have many in their system if they make trade above. They would have to find one as a FA, Cameron (though he will be suspended to start year) and Corey Patterson are the cheap solutions, but if they really want to get serious about winning WS with their 16% increase across board on ticket prices, then sign Aaron Rowand. I know he is asking for a ton of money, but heck the Cubs are about to make a ton more money this year, and if I am correct, they made a ton of money last year. This then would make the Cubs a solid team all around with the only weakness as Kerry Wood's unproven closer role and needing another lefty out of pen. Getting that lefty will be easy, they should just trade Matt Murton since they seem not to want to use him, he would probably bring in a pretty decent lefty.

Cubs make a trade

Cubs traded Will Ohman and Omar Infante to the Braves today for minor league pitcher Jose Ascanio. While Bobby Cox tried to talk up Ascanio, I think it was more of a move to rid themselves of 3.5 million (which I would say good move, but after raising ticket prices 16% not like they don't have the money). Infante leaving probably means that the Cubs are happy with the progress that Ronny Cedeno has shown over last few months. I like Cedeno, but he still has to prove that he can hit major league pitching consistently and off the bench. Ohman didn't figure in the Cubs plans especially after being left off the playoff roster last season, the change of scenery might be good for him also.
The Cubs have been very quiet this off-season in improving their team and need to get the ball rolling soon. If they think they can just sit back with the same type of team as last year they are very mistaken. Also I have no idea why I keep hearing Nate Mclouth rumors. He sucks and I don't care if he is lefty, he doesn't get on enough. I understand not wanting to have a bunch of righties in the lineup, but if they can hit righties and lefties, does it really make a difference?

Sign Wood, get lucky on Matsui.

The Cubs signed Kerry Wood earlier this week to a 1 year deal worth about 4.25 million with him being able to get a bunch more in incentives. I think that this is a good deal and he should be better as a closer than Dumpster was last season. This also mean that Dumpster and Marquis are both suppose to be in the rotation and that doesn't bring me much faith in success. I am hoping that the Cubs can trade one of them for anything, a low end prospect would do. This also would open up a spot in the rotation for the Cubs to use one of their young guys or get a decent veteran.
Kazuo Matsui decided that he wanted to go to Houston instead of Chicago and that is a good thing for the Cubs. I have never been a fan of Kazuo Matsui and he his offensive numbers for last year really aren't that great especially if you consider that he played in Colorado last year. I think what the Cubs have within their organization is just as good and much cheaper.