Cubs Notes: Z to Fish? Kenney Out? Dempster Staying? and more....

- Bruce Levine is stating that the Ozzie Guillen’s new team the Marlins may look to trade for Zambrano to bring buzz to their new ballpark. Carlos and Ozzie are really good friends and both have talked about being on the same team together more than once. Well from many reports and rumors I am hearing it could be a forgone conclusion that he ends up there.

- The Marlins are not only going to look at current Cub Zambrano but have interest in bring in long-time Cub and free agent 3rd baseman Aramis Ramirez.

- Dempster will likely start Weds. on deciding on whether to pick up his player option. The free agent market would likely bring Dempster a three year deal worth 40 million.

- Ricketts said it will ultimately be up to the new GM on the direction the Chicago Cubs will take this winter. He says whether that be a youth movement, adding a player here or there, or adding several impact players. Ricketts says the money will be there for the right situation and he will have a say but the new GM will have the majority of the responsibility on him for forming a team.

- I am hearing that Crane Kenney will not be President of the Chicago Cubs after the World Series concludes or sooner. I am hearing one of two things will happen with Kenney; 1) He will be fired and removed from the Cubs completely or 2) He will accept a newly created position for him that strictly involves the renovations, ticket sales, promotions, facilities, etc. thus making a void in the Cubs Team President position. I am then hearing one of two things could happen from that 1) The Cubs will hire a separate Baseball Operations Team President like a Pat Gillick or 2) To make the new GM position more attractive to guys like Friedman, Beane, Epstien, etc... The Cubs will combine the Baseball Operations Team President position with the GM position which would be a huge selling point for the Cubs.

- I am also hearing the Cubs have a better chance at getting Theo Epstien from the Red Sox if they do not make the playoffs.

- If the Cubs cannot trade Soriano he will likely be released according to Cubs execs.

- There is speculation that Marlon Byrd could be trade bait this winter given the weak CF market.

- Ryne Sandberg will likely be linked to the White Sox manager job and may even receive an interview.

- Matt Szczur will be on the 40 man roster next season because his contract says he has to or it becomes void. It is not out of the realm of possibility that he makes his Wrigley Field debut sometime in 2012.

- Cashner and Shark will be competing for spots in the rotation next season.

- If Quade is replaced; Bob Brenly could be a managerial candidate or at the very least offered a coaching position on the Cubs staff.

GM talk and rumors are expected to heat up the next week or two and Ricketts is said to want one in place before November. So for the latest Cubs rumors and news check HotStoveCubbies and follow me on twitter at @HotStoveCubbies; until next time….