Names rumored to be on the Cubs radar

Well for my first rumors post I will list all the names that have been rumored to be on the Cubs radar this off season. I'll have an update coming up about what's going on with Jake Peavy and at the Winter Meetings in Vegas.

• Bobby Abreu
• Milton Bradley
• Adam Dunn
• Rafael Furcal
• Brian Giles
• Jeremy Hermida
• Raul Ibanez
• Randy Johnson
• Jake Peavy
• Brian Roberts
• Ben Sheets
• Mark Teahen
• and more

So Here's whats been going on with rumors and Cubs notes in Vegas this week at Baseball's Winter Meetings:

• Ron Santo was not elected to the Nation Baseball Hall of Fame by the Veteran's Committee on Monday. He received only 60.1 percent of the vote falling shy of the 75 percent needed to make it. I won't share many personal opinions on this blog but it's obvious that Ronny belongs in Cooperstown.

Most of the Cubs talk this week has been related to Padres pitcher Jake Peavy. Different sources have been reporting totally different things. I'll try to sort things out:

• Sources have said that the Cubs and Padres have discussed a 3 or 4 team deal involving the Baltimore Orioles and/or the Philadelphia Phillies.
• The Phills have interest in Cubs utility man Mark DeRosa. Rumors have said that DeRosa could go to the Phillies in a 3 team deal that brings Peavy to the Cubs.
• John Perrotto from baseballprospects.com said yesterday that the Cubs might shop Carlos Zambrano after acquiring Peavy. This was a crazy rumor and the Cubs shot it down today.
• Today Jim Salisbury from Philly.com said that Kyle Kendrick could be included in a deal for Peavy.
• The Twins were discussed as a possible 3rd team today.
• Carrie Muskat of Cubs.com say that the Cubs will not trade DeRosa
• Corey Brock of MLB.com said that the Phillies might want Scott Hairston from San Diego.
• Peavy's agent Barry Axelrod has left the meetings, but Buster Olney of ESPN.com says he still thinks the Cubs will get the deal done.
• Other guys that could be leaving the Cubs in the Peavy deal include: Jason Marquis, Ronny Cedeno, Felix Pie, Josh Vitters, Sean Marshall, Rich Hill, Angel Guzman, Jose Ceda, Mike Fontenot, and Wellington Castillo.
• Some sources say that the Peavy talks are being slowed down because of 3 factors: 1. The sale of the Cubs. 2. The Cubs want to dump Marquis salary before adding Peavy's big contract. 3. Some say that the Cubs would like to get a left handed bat that plays right field before adding Peavy.

Speaking of the Cubs looking for a right fielder....

• Jim Hendry met with Seth Levinson, who represents free agent outfielders Milton Bradley and Raul Ibanez today according to Bruce Levine of ESPN 1000.
• Bruce says that Lou Piniella told him the Cubs will add a left handed bat within the next couple of days.
• The Cubs seem to be closest to signing Milton Bradley.

Also former Cub Kerry Wood is close to signing with Clevlend. It will be hard to see Kerry in a different uniform and I think that was a big mistake by Jim Hendry. However, I do think Carlos Marmol will pitch well in the closers role next season.

Thanks For Reading and feel free to post comments.