Cubs Rumor Bag: Soto, Soriano, Baez, and Padilla Talks

The Cubs were 2^nd place for the bidding on Yu Darvish. Although the bid price was way below what the Rangers offered.

The Cubs have signed second round draft pick Duane Underwood. Albert Almora is the only unsigned player in the top 20 the Cubs have not signed.

Baseball America labels Javier Baez at the 25^th best prospect in baseball. This is like awesome!

Some officials rank Matt Garza as a better trade chip than Grienke and Hamels considering he is more than a rental.

Many clubs love the idea of getting Darwin Barney but his asking price remains high.

The Rays and a “mystery” NL team have been in heavy talks about Geovany Soto.

Dempster will get the start Sunday.

The Pirates are now emerging as favorites to land Soriano given their need for a power hitting corner outfielder.

Doug Padilla had a chat from Thursday-

• The Cubs like Valbuena but also like Vitters bat.
• Padilla differs from Levine in that he thinks Vitters will be a Sept. call up.
• Dempster rumors will heat up and Maholm trade value is going up.
• The only way the Cubs trade Starlin Castro is to get two Starlin Castro type players.
• No slam dunk #1 player in next season’s draft.
• Lake could be a guy that plays every day at 3^rd for the Cubs.
• LaHair is only traded if a contending team wants to pay a steep price for a 1^st baseman.
• Cross-town trades are not a good idea.
• Padilla thinks two of Dempster, Garza, Soriano, and LaHair get traded but does not think Soriano will get dealt.
• A lot of minor moves could me coming soon.
• Soto will not fetch anything good by himself.
• Pitching prospects are high on the Cubs brass list.
• DeJesus may mean more to the Cubs than his current trade value because of work ethic and clubhouse presence.
• Again he thinks Soriano stays on the north-side.
• Dodgers will have to pay a lot for a guy like LaHair in terms of prospects.
• When more prospects are ready is when the Cubs will start signing big free agents