Wrigley East

The winter meetings start next week and the Cubs are going to be making noise. Whether they make any moves remains to be seen, but there is already noise.

I've been saying for the past couple weeks that the Cubs need to avoid "biting the apple" that is Jake Peavy. Now I am hearing about a 5 for 1 trade in the works. In it, Baltimore continues their quest to turn Camden Yards into Wrigley East.

The rumor, and yes it is only a rumor, plays like this: The Cubs send Felix Pie to Baltimore in return for a highly valued minor league pitcher. That pitcher is included with Sean Marshall, Jason Marquis and two other (likely minor leaguers) to San Diego for Peavy.

The biggest thing wrong with this is why would San Diego take on Jason Marquis. The idea is that the Cubs won't take Peavy without unloading Marquis, but San Diego wants to cut salary, so why would they take on someone who is only 2 million cheaper than Peavy?

I don't see it happening, but it's the winter meetings. They've got to talk about it. Especially since the White Sox are making some actual moves, bumping Javier Vasquez to the Atlanta Braves. There is some positive action from a team.

I wouldn't be surprised if the only thing that happens to the Cubs next week is that they sign Bobby Abreu to play right field. Even that is reaching. Although it is a strong possibility, that may not happen until January.

We'll keep watching.