Winter Meetings 2008: Cubs Waiting to Pull the Trigger

post from ChicagoCubsOnline.com on 10 December 2008 01:46:40 AM. © ChicagoCubsOnline.com

Are there any truths buried in all of the rumors coming from the Bellagio in Las Vegas? The second day of the Winter Meetings were filled with more of the same for the Chicago Cubs....a lot of talk and speculation. According to the Tribune, Jim Hendry spoke with "representatives of three of four free agents" and according to multiple reports the Cubs appear to be the holdup in the trade that would net them Jake Peavy.

Mark DeRosa is "considered expendable because he's in the final year of his contract and doesn't have a no-trade clause" according to the Tribune. Also, Jason Marquis and half of his $9.875 million dollar contract replaced Sean Marshall in the proposed trade for Peavy. The Sun-Times indicated Mark DeRosa might not be in the proposed three to four-team deal after all.

The Tribune also indicated the Cubs are "focusing on a left-handed, middle-of-the-order hitter, and may be closing in on switch-hitter Milton Bradley." The Cubs have interest in Bobby Abreu, but "there had been no formal talks as of Tuesday evening." Abreu's agent said he is interested in the Cubs.

Here's the rest from a confusing Day Two at the Winter Meetings....