Back to Work after the Winter Meetings

post from ChicagoCubsOnline.com on 16 December 2008 01:30:00 AM. © ChicagoCubsOnline.com

There are only 15 days remaining in the year and Jim Hendry has quite a bit of work to do. The Cubs GM is still looking for a left-handed bat for the middle of the lineup, maybe a little speed at the top of the lineup....but a comment from Sandy Alderson late Monday could have spelled the end of the Cubs' quest for Jake Peavy.

A report also surfaced on Monday night the Cubs were close to signing Joey Gathright, who was recently non-tendered by the Kansas City Royals. According to Cubs.com, Joey Gathright could sign with the Cubs this week and he would "compete for a spot on the bench" in the spring. This would not be the first time Jim Hendry has shown interest in Lou Piniella's former outfielder in Tampa....the Cubs were rumored to be looking at the speedster before they traded for Juan Pierre.

There has not been an official announcement of the Cubs agreeing to terms on a contract with Gathright or if the possible deal would be a Major League, or Minor League contract with an invitation to Spring Training.....if it is a Major League deal, the signing of Gathright could signal something is on the horizon that could possibly involve Felix Pie.

Here's the rest from the update desk as well as a link from one of the Faithful....