A day after appearing to agree on a deal that would send Jason Marquis to the Colorado Rockies, Jim Hendry ended the year in surprising fashion.
The Cubs signed former Cardinal Aaron Miles to a two year deal worth $4.9 million. Miles will earn $2.2 million in 2009 and $2.7 million in 2010. Shortly after signing Miles on Wednesday, the Cubs traded Mark DeRosa to the Cleveland Indians for three minor league pitching prospects….including right-hander Jeff Stevens who was the closer for Team USA and Chris Archer and John Gaub, both Class-A pitchers. The deal for Jason Marquis is expected to become official next week as well as the signing of Milton Bradley…Bruce Levine is reporting the deal is done and will be announced next week.
The trades of Marquis and DeRosa freed up around $8.3 million dollars.
Speculation is rampant that the Cubs are going to renew the talks with San Diego for Jake Peavy while XM Radio is speculating the Cubs could make a run at Brian Roberts.
Jeff Stevens was added to the Cubs 40-man roster and will be given a chance to make the 25-man roster in the spring.
The next two weeks leading up to the Cubs Convention should be very interesting….stay tuned.