If you're having that hard of time of it, just pretend Wood is injured when the season starts and won't be back for 4-6 weeks. Then, just keep extending it with made-up stories about him not progressing as much as you would hope, scheduled to throw off flat ground soon, towel drills, simulated games, setbacks, etc. ----Proggy on Kerry's departure
We've hit the inevitable rut that lurks before us every off-season. Not late enough for the Winter Meetings. Not late enought for the Free Agent Frenzy. To early to look forward to Spring Training. No decent rumors floating around.
We here at LOHO are nothing if not sensitive to your needs and short attention span. Lo, I present this edition of the OBD.
Follow me below the jump for all your entertainment needs.
The Chicago Cubs have acquired Florida Marlins reliever Kevin Gregg, sources told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney.
The Marlins received 22-year-old right-hander Jose Ceda in return, according to sources.
Gregg, who was Florida's closer for most of the 2008 season, saved 29 games last season and was 7-8 with a 3.41 ERA. He blew nine saves for the Marlins in 2008.
He is the fourth arbitration-eligible player traded by the Marlins this offseason, joining first baseman Mike Jacobs, who was traded to Kansas City, and outfielder Josh Willingham and starting pitcher Scott Olsen, who were traded to Washington.
Chicago's closer, Kerry Wood, is scheduled to become a free agent at midnight.
Um . . . okay. Can't be any worse than Kevin Hart. But oooh, there are going to be some pissed off Cubs fans (Maddog, I'm looking at you) over losing Ceda. Though to me, he's just another over-hyped pitcher that will wind up sucking. You know why? Because we CAN'T EVALUATE PITCHING TALENT. That's why.
I fear for what this means about Hendry's confidence in our ability to re-sign Kerry. And apparently, my fears were not without foundation:
Cut around the outside of Ryan for a very special shortstop you can keep forever and ever
He's wee, he's French, he's got a dashing Musketeer goatee and a snappy nickname, and he's (inexplicably) a fan favorite. What's more, he's always willing to talk to the nearest reporter, fan, or homeless person raiding the dumpsters outside Wrigley after a game. Always.
But today Desipio is reporting that the Cubs/Jake Peavy transaction is "basically a done deal" and that, in exchange for Peavy, the Cubs will send to San Diego Felix Pie (sob!), Sean Marshall (meh), and . . . . (wait for it) Ryan Theriot!
I find it really hard to believe that Jim Hendry would be willing to give up his cher Theriot, but I suppose the thought of "Cubs starter Jake Peavy" does odd things to people. And, of course, we have another wee French shortstop with an even bolder attempt at facial hair waiting in the wings.
What say you, peanut gallery? Could be possibly be on the verge of getting rid of "The Riot?" Or is Hendry playing mind games with us, yet again?
There is precious little Cubs news out there today, kids.
The swirling trade rumors are harder on Jake Peavy than any of us anticipated.
We're really scraping the bottom of the Cubs news barrel today, so bear with me.
According to ESPN (again), the Cubs are still one of the front runners for Peavy:
Sources have told the Chicago Sun-Times that the three finalists to land Jake Peavy in a trade are the Cubs, the Braves and the Dodgers, although L.A. would be a long shot.
So let's have a little contest today. Do the Cubs get Peavy? If so, what do we give up? When does the deal get done?
Regular Season Record: 97-63
