It'd help for the win now and later. I'm really curious to see what names are being discussed. I'm assuming Archer, Jackson and Cashner are not included because I remember reading the Cubs made them off limits when they were talking to the Padres about Gonzalez. It's probably some combination of Lee, Carpenter etc.

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Team Cutler.

Garza is a great young pitcher, but for this current team and for what I fear Hendry will give up I hate this move. Garza is not pulling this team away from competing with Houston and Pittsburgh for last place the next few years. Once this team is ready to compete Garza will command 100 mil or more. He will then go to the yankees and the cubs will look for some youth to fill up the void he has left. They will then realize they once had the youth but traded all of it away to get Garza in the first place.

It does completely depend on what they would be trading, but I fear it will be half of that top 10 prospect list. A good idea for Hendry would be to propose a trade to the Orioles for one of their top young players and see which prospects McPhail wants. Completely cut off those trade talks and offer that entire list to Tampa for Garza.

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That's my purse! I don't know you!

Gorden Wittenmyer is out on a limb here. I wonder who his source is. As for Hendry and his ability to make a good deal, obviously the confidence factor is low. We shall see what we shall see.

I just read another article where Olney said the Rays are unlikely to trade him until the deadline next year.

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That's my purse! I don't know you!

Obviously getting Garza would help. But he isn't worth giving up a Greinke-like haul. If they want to give up Trey McNutt and Schlitter for him I am not going to be upset. But I really wouldn't be shocked if there is no smoke and no fire on this story. I wonder if Bucky Chris' guy has the real story.

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Max Ramirez was apparently claimed by the Cubs today off waivers from the Red Sox. I actually got to see him play a bit in the minors when he was with the Rangers organization and he was fairly decent. He is probably better than the current backup who sucked so much I have actually managed to erase his name from my memory.

http://twitter.com/jonmorosi/status/24556413149777920

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That's my purse! I don't know you!

Its tough to be worse than Koyie Hill. When your ABs have me wishing that you lost your entire hand in a table saw accident you are probably having a bad year.

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I just saw this. So why the hell did they go get Max Ramirez? 850k? Wellington is even better than him.

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That's my purse! I don't know you!

Thats about $800,000 too much. Reed is back?

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Reed Mantle > Sam Fuld

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The signing can't hurt. Reed is a quality backup at all 3 positions BUT this might hurt the chances of a young minor leaguer to crack the roster. I think Quade might favor a ML he knows in the system before a Reed Johnson.

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favrefan said:"Chris Coghlan isn't gonna pay your rent, Jimmy."

Can't hurt to bring to spring training, but he is always hurt. Good clubhouse guy for sure.

Doesn't make sense to tie up a 40 man roster spot for Ramirez and bring Hill back. Maybe a trade is in the works for minor leaguers as decent catchers are in somewhat short supply.

Prospect and former football star at "Nova Matt Szczur has opted for a life of baseball with the Cubs organization over football. His deal is for 10 times less than the Shark and he looks to be 10 times better.

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/ ... with-cubs/

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That's my purse! I don't know you!

Football star at Villanova = oxymoron

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Brian Westbrook calls bullshit.

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That's my purse! I don't know you!

Then gets concussed

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Was just coming to post this. Really great news and makes the farm look a whole lot better after moving Archer etc.

He's immediately a top 5 prospect in the Cubs system.

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Team Cutler.

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