10:32 PM CST: Here's a new name in the mix, Chone Figgins, from an article in the LA Times blog. Apparently the Cubs have asked the LA Angels of Anaheim about the leadoff batting, switch hitting, infielder/outfielder. The Angels don't have a good idea of what they would want in return until they get beyond the possibilities regarding Mark Texeira or a new closer such as Brian Fuentes. File this under good stuff that could get put in the ol' Christmas stocking on Dec. 24th. (Cubster)

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9:40 PM CST: Jayson Stark writes that the Peavy deal "doesn't seem so inevitable anymore," adding that all the reports of the Cubs' willingness to move Mark DeRosa have really chummed the trade waters:

Since word leaked out that DeRosa might be available, the Cubs have
been bombarded with calls from other clubs interested in DeRosa. So
some of those teams report that Cubs GM Jim Hendry is telling them he
might deal DeRosa separately, but he doesn't really want to deal him at
all. So that, said one source, "has opened up a whole 'nother can of
worms."

(Cubnut)

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9:20 PM CST: Bruce Levine with his evening update on the show (ESPN 1000) with Carmen and J. Hood said that Kevin Towers, if he does get Jason Marquis, expects that he can flip him in a secondary trade for additional prospects or more cash. Apparently Hendry and Towers met for 90 minutes earlier this evening and if a deal gets accomplished he doesn't expect it to be announced until late weekend or early next week, if you include physicals and possible ownership signoff issues.  (Cubster)

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6:47 PM CST: Levine must have been at the same lunch as Bruce Miles, but he got that a deal for an outfielder should be done very soon, either Raul Ibanez or Milton Bradley, with the odds favoring Bradley. (Rob G.)

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5:07 PM CST: The rumor queen is back saying that, oh just maybe they will move DeRosa in the right deal. She then regurgitates a Steve Phillips story that the deal could be DeRosa to the Phils for Happ or pitcher Carlos Carrasco and shortstop Jason Donald and then those two prospects plus Felix Pie, Josh Vitters and Jason Marquis (and you have to assume cash) to the Padres for Peavy.

- Bruce Miles says that Randy Johnson is still very much in play if the Peavy deal doesn't happen, the Twins and a number of other teams are interested in DeRosa if he is available and Gabor might be back as an NRI this spring competing for the backup catcher job. Lou also said he believes the left-handed hitting outfielder will come to the Cubs via free agency and not trade. (Rob G.)

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3:03  PM CST: All kinds of bullshit floating around now...

We've got BP and Jon Heyman saying the Cubs need to move Marquis and his contract before finishing the Peavy trade.

- A few odd WSCR radio reports that Hendry is just keeping the trade talks alive as a favor to Towers in hopes that another team will swoop in. I can't say that makes an ounce of sense. Followed by another WSCR radio report that Towers may just keep Peavy. Always a good time to point out that WSCR's sources are trained monkeys living at the L-station stop on Addison.

- Muskat-love says DeRosa is staying put.

- Sullivan can't get anything out of Hendry and throws a monkey wrench in there with, "According to some reports, manager Lou Piniella said
the Cubs have little interest in Peavy, which is contrary to everything
that has been said and written over the last two months." He also mentions that some think the Padres are trying to move Peavy before he blows out his elbow, not because they need the money.

He says Sean Marshall is off the table but Josh Vitters is in and Marquis needs to be moved. Then throws in some stuff on the outfielders.

- Heyman also had a note saying the Mets asked the Cubs about some of their relief pitchers (shrug). (Rob G.)

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1:52 PM CST: Bruce Levine has a blog?  Claims the current deal being discussed is DeRosa to the Phils for Happ and a second prospect and then sending Happ, Vitters, Hart and Marquis plus $3-4M for Peavy. It makes it sound like the Cubs would keep the 2nd pitching prospect from the Phils.

Levine also mentions a possible trade in the works for an outfielder.

The Kerry Wood deal sounds likes it's going to be 2/20 with some sort of option and they're just waiting for the physical. (Rob G.)

 

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10:28 AM CST: Twins may take the Phillies spot in the Peavy trade and get DeRosa. 

- Bruce Levine says the deal is 2/21 for Wood with a third year option, supposedly a vesting option. (Rob G.)

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7:00 AM CST UPDATE: Looks like the Brewers are about to become about 300 pounds less formidable.

(Cubnut)

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in which we do not bring up ED, Obama, the soon-to-be ex-Illinois Governer or Al Gore...

- Jayson Stark says there's no way a deal will get done by Thursday. Of course, Towers has already said it doesn't need to be done by Thursday, the Padres just wants their to be progress. Stark does say that it's possible that it will just be the Cubs and Padres.

- The San Diego Union-Tribune now says
the Padres do like J.A. Happ and possibly a lower-level pitching
prospect. An earlier post (same link) says the Cubs have pulled Sean
Marshall out of the talks and want the Padres to take Jason Marquis.
Padres would want at least half of Marquis' contract paid for by the
Cubs.

- Paul Sullivan has a Philly source that insists a deal is in place with them if the Cubs are willing to sign off on it. He also talked to Crane Kenney and says any prospective owners are fully aware about Peavy's contract and its impact on the Cubs budget. Sullivan mentions that the deal would be the Cubs sending DeRosa to the Phils for the 2 pitching prospects and then Marquis and the 2 pitching prospects to San Diego, although it seems like he's missing a few players.

Sullivan also says talks are heating up with Milton Bradley and the Cubs would like to acquire a left-handed hitting outfielder before completing the Peavy deal.

- Bruce Miles and Wittenmyer  with pretty much the same stories, although Wittenmyer mentions a Philly source that doesn't think the Cubs will include DeRosa and that the Phillies have interest in other Cubs players.

- It's all but official that Kerry Wood has signed with the Indians for two years with a third year vesting option. (Rob G.)