...Sorry, just sorry.

FYI - ESPN here in Chicago has whispered today, April 29th, that Boldin-to-Tennessee is apparently not dead.

Also, I do not have ESPN Insider, but on the front page of ESPN.com is an update - dated today - suggesting that Anquan Boldin's new QB in 2009 will be Kerry Collins.  Anyone with Insider can read this link.

That's all - Perhaps there's nothing to it all, but it was something I could not let go unposted.

Anyone who can post any of the aforementioned stuff, please do.

Again, sorry!

The ESPN guys (even on radio, here) seem to insist that Boldin is not off the trading block - a sentiment Drew Rosenbucks seems to share as well. With a move to get Cook, despite two Pro Bowl TEs on the roster, and the talk that Arizona was perhaps at least considering a Todd Heap + 2nd round pick for Boldin, I just have to ask (or perhaps dream): Thoughts on whether there's any chance of resurrecting a trade for Boldin, considering the drafting of Cook? Perhaps a Bo Scaife or Alge Crumpler + pick(s) for Anquan Boldin exchange? Dare to dream?

The Ravens are unlikely to trade for wide receiver Anquan Boldin, a team source said Monday. The sticking point is that the Ravens consider the Arizona Cardinals' asking price too steep, according to the source. The Cardinals are looking for first- and third-round picks in exchange for Boldin. The Ravens, who have six picks in this weekend's NFL draft (their fewest since 2000), would consider the trade if it did not involve multiple draft selections. They would become interested if they had to give up only a first- or a second-round pick and a player, the source said. The problem is, the Dallas Cowboys set a high bar for receivers when they traded picks in the first, third and fifth rounds for Roy Williams last season.

Baltimore Sun

---So along with ESPN, we now have two sources saying the asking price is a first and a third round draft pick for Boldin, who still has two years left on his contract but hopes to sign a long-term deal if traded.---

Considering where the Titans pick, and the fact that they have 10 total picks, this seems like a deal the Titans should jump on.  I know Boldin is a pipe dream, but I submit this for your discussion:  Fair price?  Would you have the Titans take the plunge, given the choice?

Possible?

So sayeth Nick Zaccardi / MLB.com / Cubs.com

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081123&content_id=3689727&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc

Ugh.  Only thing worse than the Cubs getting a guy I really do not want is having them overpay for that guy I really do not want.

.255/15/59 = Teahan. 

I'd really rather stay in-house if this is the best they're looking at.  Frankly, I'm still hoping Ibanez winds-up in Wrigley for 81 games........hoping........

Hey folks!

Just wanted to start an open thread - WIDE open thread - on any/all offseason moves, trade rumors, Free Agent news, wish lists, etc.

My Hopes:

1.) Jake Peavy - obviously.  Not much to argue against here.  Many praises for the dominant RH SP.

2.) Raul Ibanez - (or another lefty RBI man).  ESPN says Cubs are giving him a good look in Seattle.  Salary isn't that bad, I'm reading.  Gives the Cubs time to solve the future OF with more developed youth.  Solid OF, Good RBI man, splits Lee and Ramirez in the order.

3.) Keep Dempster - looking like he'll test FA waters, though I hope not.  Zambrano/Lilly/Peavy/Harden would still be a formidable four without Ryan.  With Ryan, best rotation around.

4.) Explore Furcal - I realize there's a budget, but he would make a nice addition and open up some players for trade.  Solves two "problems" quickly.  Still, there's a reason I have this fourth on the wish list to the other priorities.

5.) Just in general, Cubs Management, don't be satisfied fielding the same team.  Even World Series champions are always looking to improve in the offseason, and should be.

My two cents!  Plenty of room for yours!!!

Hey BCB-ers!

I was wondering if anyone has the current salary breakdown for 2007.  With Wood likely lowering his cost and Maddux gone, I'd like to see how much money the Tribsters have to work with for potential Free Agent acquisitions.

I know that someone here at Bleed Cubbie Blue will have all the information; at your leisure, please post any info you've got!

Thank you!!!!

Two-part diary from a guy who visits daily but doesn't post a lot.

One part of the diary is just a poll to get a true count (not just diary posts) on Cubs fans' feelings about the trade.  Yes, the last option in the poll is my own personal opinion and doesn't necessarily fit - I know.  ;-)

The second part is an open blog/inquiry.  Humor me.  Is it still within the realm of REALISM to believe that Hendry might have a few more trades ready to go using the post-deadline waiver-trade avenue?  Any realistic ideas, BCB-ers?

From the daily Herald:

Vidro out there

"If there are any teams on the North Side of Chicago looking for a second baseman, Washington still has two, and one of them is Jose Vidro, who says he wants to play 160 games this year.

Vidro told MLB.com that his knee is close to 100 percent, and two weeks ago he did squat and jumping exercises in front of Washington team doctors without any pain.

Just in case there's a team on the North Side of Chicago looking for a second baseman."

Question: in light of Hendry's apparent inability to deal with Todd Walker as the starting 2B-man, would a healthy Vidro be worth a pickup, especially if all that was primarily involved from the Cubs was cash?

For what it's worth, Fox Sportsnet gives the Cubs a "D" grade.

I disagree with them on Juan Pierre; I think he'll be just fine.  

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/5198854

Excerpt: "Additions: RP Scott Eyre (three years, $11M), OF Marquis Grissom (minor league contract), RP Bob Howry (three years, $12M), OF Jacque Jones (three years, $16M), OF/INF John Mabry (one year, $1.075M), INF Neifi Perez (re-signed; two years, $5M), CF Juan Pierre (acquired from Marlins), SP Glendon Rusch (re-signed; two years, $6M)
Subtractions: OF Jeromy Burnitz (Pirates; one-year contract), SS Nomar Garciaparra (Dodgers; one year, $6M), OF Todd Hollandsworth (Indians; minor league contract), C Mark Johnson (Brewers; minor league contract), RP Sergio Mitre (traded to Marlins), OF Corey Patterson (traded to Orioles)

Needs: Outfielders, shortstop.

The lowdown: The Chicago Sun-Times reports that the Cubs are still in talks with the D-Rays involving SS Julio Lugo.

Off-season grade so far: D.

Pierre is roundly overrated, and the Jones signing smacks of a "well, we've got to do something" manner of non-move. The Cubs have done little to improve."

Fire away, Cubs fans!  If this was previously posted, I was unable to locate it at BCB, so my apologies to all!

Okay, let's break down the three names we've heard in the past few weeks (as well as most of the offseason) as possible acquisitions for the Cubs before the 2006 season begins.  These are just the most recent rumors:

1.) Barry Zito.  Sources here include Ron Santo at the convention, Dave Kapland on WGN radio, CBS Sportsline, and 670 AM The Score.  

2.) Julio Lugo.  Sources here include ESPN, CBS Sportsline, 670 AM The Score, ESPN Radio 1000, Fox Sports Net, and CNN/SI.

3.) Aubrey Huff.  Sources here include Fox Sports Net, CBS Sportsline, Bruce Levine from ESPN Radio 1000, and CBS senior baseball writer Scott Miller.

There have been other rumors this offseason, but these are the only ones with any quality sources I've heard in the past 10-14 days.  If I left anybody out, I apologize because I don't remember any other very recent rumors.

This is an open thread to discuss further offseason moves and these rumors.  Please feel free to pontificate, dream, and/or gripe.  

Also included is a poll.  Please vote on what you think will happen with these moves before the season starts.  Mind you, this is not a poll of what you'd like to see (that's what the open thread is for), this is a poll of what you genuinely, truly think WILL happen before the season starts!

Have at it, Blue-bleeders!!!

Just as a general question, how would you guys feel about a Manny Ramirez acquisition?  I know it's not even on the radar, but would this go over as well in Cubdom as it would with me?  Yes, I know it's never going to happen; but if it did, what would the general reaction be here?

I'm just looking for feelings/votes here.

Second question:

If you were posed with these two EXACT scenarios, which one do you take?

Scenario 1.) Cubs acquire Tejada and Bedard, lose Prior, acquire Zito, end offseason moves.

Scenario 2.) Cubs pass on Tejada, keep Prior.  Cubs acquire Zito, Huff, and Vidro, end offseason moves.

Again, just getting a general feel here.....