Talking Baseball..Other Notes...and thoughts...

Bruce Levine has the latest in Cubs rumors-

- The Cubs and Nationals are leading candidates for Matt Capps. The Nats already offered Capps and one year deal worth 4 million.

- Capps was on Talking Baseball and said that he loves Chicago and Wrigley, Closing games is not a big priority for Capps because he just wants to contend, and that his wife really gets along with Grabow and Grozelanny. This points to him signing with the Cubs in my mind.

- The Cubs are looking at Scott Podsednik, Rick Ankiel, and Marlon Byrd for CF according to Levine. Bruce Levine likes the idea of Rick Ankiel playing CF for the Cubs but it seems Byrd is their top choice.

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I want to outline what I think the Cubs should do next to make this team contend next season.

Step one- Sign Marlon Byrd or Rick Ankiel to a two year deal. Would be the Cubs starting CF next season.
Step two- Sign Kiko Calero or Matt Capps for the setup job in the pen.
Step three- Sign Orlando Hudson or Felipe Lopez to play 2nd for the Cubs next season.
Step four- Trade for Ty Wigginton or Nick Swisher to strengthen the Cubs bench next season. Wigginton is a poor mans DeRosa and would be very good off the bench and offer pop as well. Swisher a good clubhouse guy would be ideal as well playing 1st and the corner spots in the outfield as well as some center.
Step five- Sign Gary Sheffield or Rocco Baldelli as the Cubs 4 outfielder and platoon partner for Fukudome. Sheffield and Baldelli kill lefty pitching and Sheffield would be another impact bat off the bench much like what the Cubs had in Cliff Floyd and Ward a couple years ago. If the Cubs go Byrd I could see them pursing Swisher and Sheffield and if they got Ankiel they would likely move to Baldelli and Wigginton.

I know the the Cubs would have to spend some coin to get this done and give up some talent but it would be worth it. The Cubs could use Marshall, Grozelanny, Fontenot, and some other young players for trade bait to get Wigginton or Swisher. I think the Cubs could get Wigginton for Marshall and Fontenot while Swisher might cost some good prospects and cost the Cubs more money wise. Money wise the Cubs should go with Byrd, Lopez, Capps, Wigginton, and Baldelli. Talent wise the Cubs should go with Byrd, Hudson, Capps, Swisher, and Sheffield. The Cubs should go for talent!

Lineup RHP
Hudson 2b
Fukudome RF
Lee 1st
Aram 3b
Byrd CF
Soriano LF
Soto C
Theriot SS

Lineup LHP
Theriot SS
Hudson 2b
Lee 1st
Aram 3b
Sheffield RF
Soriano LF
Byrd CF
Soto C



Until next time.....