According to ESPN's Steve Phillips, the Cubs and Rockies are close to a swap of starter Jason Marquis for reliever Luis Vizcaino (saw it scroll across the screen on ESPN2).  Marquis is set to earn $9.875MM in '09, while Vizcaino will make $3.5MM plus a $4MM option for 2010 with a $500K buyout.

Marquis, 30, tossed 167 innings of 4.53 ball in 2008.  He did roughly the same in '07.  Vizcaino, 34, posted a 5.28 ERA in 46 innings.  He dealt with a strained shoulder and later expressed concerns that he didn't pitch enough.  His velocity was up from '07 and he whiffed more than a batter per inning, but he was done in by walks and home runs.  Vizcaino added a DUI to his resume in October.

Anyone else see this as the long awaited catalyst to the Rays finally getting their DH.  This trade allows the Cubs to sign whatever soon to be injured outfielder they want with the $6 mil saved, which will most likely giving us an idea of what the ceiling is again or if its changed since Raul Ibanez [Because the Cubs will pay too much].  This move is going to be important for several players and have a bigger effect than where two mediocre/bad pitchers play next year.