Wood is Back and Other Cubs Notes....

- Kerry Wood signed a one year deal worth 1.5 million to come back to the Chicago Cubs. He turned down a multi-year offer from the Yankees and a one-year deal worth 3.5 million to pitch for the White Sox. What a class act Kerry Wood is and I want to say welcome home Kerry. The Cubs are expected to make a roster move before the signing is official on Friday.

- With the addition of Wood it gives the Cubs flexibility to turn Andrew Cashner into a starter. I think Cashner would excel in both relief and in the rotation.

- Rumors are running wild about the Yankees targeting Carlos Zambrano alot of it is media sparked stating that Zambrano might want to reunited with pitching coach Larry Rothchild in NY. Barry Praver, Z's agent, says the Cubs have not asked Zambrano about a trade and Z has not asked to be traded. A deal is unlikely according to my sources.

- Ken Rosenthal says the Cubs have enough prospects to put together a package for Matt Garza. He did say that Tom Gorzelanny, Randy Wells, and/or Carlos Silva would have to be traded.

- The Cubs are looking to trade Fukudome but will not just give him away.

- The Cubs still would like to sign Brandon Webb, if they do that they will likely trade Gorzelanny or Randy Wells.

- Rumors of the Cubs being interested in Joe Blanton are unfounded.

- Bryan LaHair and Brad Snyder got ST invites.

- The Cubs still have luke warm interest in trading for Darren O'Day and Chris Davis but the Rangers are waiting to see if those pieces are need to land a guy like Matt Garza.

- The Cubs checked in with the Twins about Francisco Liriano, the Angels about Jered Weaver, the O's about Jeremy Guthrie, and the Dodgers about Clayton Kershaw according to sources but talks did not go too far. One of the sources says the Cubs could re-start talks with the O's about Guthrie if they do not add Garza or Webb.

Until Next Time....

Rumors Rounding out the Week.

- The Cubs are still very interested in trading for Matt Garza. The Rays said they are not pushed to trade Garza but will save at least 6 million by trading him now rather than the deadline.

- A Garza trade will likely include 4 prospects that are close to ML ready that are not in their arbitration years. Robinson Chirinos, Hak-Ju Lee, DJ LeMahieu, Brandon Guyer, Jay Jackson, Chris Carpenter, Trey McNutt, and/or Josh Vitters could be apart of a package for Matt Garza.

- Players that won't be included in a Garza deal are Chris Archer, Starlin Castro, Tyler Colvin, Brett Jackson, and Andrew Casher. They are untouchable according to Hendry.

- According to multiple reports Brandon Webb is the Cubs top target and he is expected to meet with the Cubs this week. His decision is expected to be made before Christmas with the Cubs and Nationals the top landing places for the former Cy Young award winner.

- Sources say if the Cubs sign Webb they will likely still try to land Garza because Webb does not cost players just money. If the Cubs do trade for Garza and sign Webb that means Gorzelanny has already been traded or will be soon traded after those transactions are completed.

- One source says do not be surprised if the Cubs make a flurry of moves before Pitchers and Catchers report. He says "it is not impossible to think that the Cubs could trade for Garza, sign Webb, and complete the long rumored trade with Texas that would net them Darren O'Day and Chris Davis to the Cubs." If that happens without giving up Colvin, Cashner, Castro, Brett Jackson, or Chris Archer then I would give Hendry an A this off-season.

- The Cubs are still interested in trading for Jason Frasor. Please do not make this move!

Until Next Time....