The Chicago Cubs have made trade inquiries about third baseman Chone Figgins, but it will be difficult for the Angels to figure out what they might even ask for in return until they determine whether they can retain free-agent first baseman Mark Teixeira or acquire a closer such as Brian Fuentes

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2008/12/cubs-inquire-ab.html

How outstanding would this be? If we trade DeRosa in the Peavy deal Figgins would be the perfect replace and a perfect fit for the Cubs. He would be our automatic leadoff man. I don't know how much Figgins make or what we would have to give up but this would be sweet.

What a perfect offseason this would be:

-Trade DeRosa/Marquis and others for Peavy in 3-team deal

-Sign Milton Bradley

-Trade for Chone Figgins

Ok, now that i've had a couple of days to let this crushing defeat sink in I think I'm ready to talk about next season. I don't know if I'll be able to get as invested in the Cubs next year as I was this year, but I'll defintely still watch them.

The first priority is to get Jim Hendry a contract extentsion. Best GM in baseball.

Then the next priorities need to be resigning Dempster, Wood, and accepting Rich Harden's option(which I believe tomorrow is the deadline). I think we should resign Henry Blanco also.

Crane Kenney already said he expects the payroll to jump up in 09' which means there are defintely a couple of moves that are going to be made.

Rafael Furcal is a FA this offseason and I have a feeling the Cubs are going to make a big push for him. If that doesn't work out they'd likely pursue a trade for Brian Roberts. I'd prefer Furcal because we wouldn't have to give up prospects, but either way I expect one of these guys to be on the team next year.

Raul Ibanez --who the Cubs pursued at the trade deadline -- is a free agent this summer and i'd think he would get alot of consideration He is a great clubhouse guy and would give us the left handed bat we need in the middle of the lineup. Milton Bradley would be a nice option also if we can't get Ibanez, but he has some question marks with his attitude and injury history. Bobby Abreu is another option.

I think they'll likely add another bullpen arm or two. Someone like Damaso Marte maybe. They also might try to pursue another SP like CC Sabathia or AJ Burnett. That seems highly unlikely but who knows..

My projected lineup for 09:

1.Rafael Furcal, SS
2.Ryan Theriot/Mark DeRosa, 2B
3.Raul Ibanez, RF
4.Aramis Ramirez, 3B
5.Alfonso Soriano, LF
6.Derrek Lee, 1B
7.Geovany Soto, C
8.Reed Johnson/Kosuke Fukudome/Felix Pie, CF

Pitching Staff:

1.Carlos Zambrano
2.Ryan Dempster
3.Ted Lilly
4.Rich Harden
5.Jason Marquis/Rich Hill/Chad Gaudin/Jeff Samardzija

The #5 spot is completely up in the air. There might be a few other candidates for that spot also.

Thoughts?

http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=429942

"If Golden State needs a point guard, the Bulls have long been interested in Al Harrington (whose deal is up in 2010). A straight swap for Kirk Hinrich makes some sense. The salaries match up, but the problem is, Harrington's deal is up in 2010, while Hinrich is on the books till 2012. The Warriors might not want to take on that much salary."

I think that seems like a realistic possibility, and I think Harrington would be a good fit. His contract also expires in 2010, which clears out cap space for us to make a run at D-Wade. Larry Hughes' contract is also up in 2010...