Deal could be close for Cubs
TRADE WINDS | Jones likely one to go -- perhaps to White Sox -- so 12th pitcher can be added
Indications are the Cubs will step up their efforts to make another trade of a position player before Monday, when they plan to add a 12th pitcher to the staff.
That likely would mean moving Jacque Jones, who has gone from the Cubs' Opening Day starter in right field to essentially the Cubs' fifth outfielder. According to baseball sources, the San Diego Padres, Texas Rangers and even the White Sox have shown recent interest in Jones, who has been shopped again by the Cubs in recent weeks.
That likely would mean moving Jacque Jones, who has gone from the Cubs' Opening Day starter in right field to essentially the Cubs' fifth outfielder. According to baseball sources, the San Diego Padres, Texas Rangers and even the White Sox have shown recent interest in Jones, who has been shopped again by the Cubs in recent weeks.
Cubs general manager Jim Hendry didn't rule out a trade as a way of making room for the imminent addition of a pitcher when the Cubs return to National League play Monday at home against Colorado.
(AP)
Cubs general manager Jim Hendry didn't rule out a trade as a way of making room for the imminent addition of a pitcher when the Cubs return to National League play Monday at home against Colorado.
''We're always open for business,'' Hendry said before Friday's victory over the Sox.
''I don't have anything that I'm going to be able to tell you in the seventh inning today that's going to happen, but we obviously aren't playing as well as we'd like. ... We'll continue to try to explore options and make ourselves better.''
Jones, who's batting .234 with just two home runs, has one more year left on a contract that pays him $4 million this year and $5 million in 2008. The Cubs could be faced with picking up a substantial part of that obligation, especially if they want to make a move quickly.
The Sox' outfield needs might increase significantly depending on the outcome of an MRI exam on the sprained left ankle center fielder Darin Erstad aggravated in the first inning Friday.
Meanwhile, the Cubs seem to have few better choices for making room on the roster once they're done with interleague play Sunday and Aramis Ramirez (knee) gets eased back into playing in the field next week. Manager Lou Piniella said Mark DeRosa, the starting second baseman who moved to third while Ramirez was on the DL, can move around the field to stay in the lineup. And DeRosa's fill-in at second, Mike Fontenot, has been impressive enough since being recalled from the minors that he's not going anywhere -- unless it's across the bag to shortstop for an occasional game.
That also makes shortstop Cesar Izturis, another who went from season-opening starter to backup and trade bait, even more expendable.
Padres general manager Kevin Towers told San Diego media after acquiring Michael Barrett from the Cubs on Wednesday that the Cubs told him over the previous week that several Cubs were available.
Almost three months into the season, Piniella has reshaped the look of his lineup and roster, and suggested again Friday that he feels the team is close to being in the competitive shape he wants.
When asked if his roster was where he wanted it right now, Piniella hemmed, hawed and said, ''We're working [on it]. We're going to get back to 12 pitchers. That's all I can say. And I don't know what else is going to happen here roster-wise.''