Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Scott Eyre will be taking it easy for a few days as he rests his pitching arm/elbow.  Hopefully that is all Eyre will need after his elbow started to hurt over the weekend.  If Eyre does have to start the season the disabled list, look for the Cubs to use Carmen Pignatiello out of the bullpen.

The Chicago Cubs have expressed interest in Reed Johnson who was released by the Toronto Blue Jays over the weekend.  Johnson could be the right handed outfielder the Cubs have been looking for all off season.  Johnson could help out in centerfield as well as the corner outfield positions as well.  Something could happen in the next 48 hours involving Johnson and the Cubs.

Cubs Blog

General Manager Jim Hendry has said over and over that he would like to add a right handed outfielder that could possibly play all three positions before the season starts.  He has tried to trade for the Texas Rangers Marlon Byrd in the past when he offered Matt Murton straight up.

Nothing has been talked about for a few weeks until today.  It appears that the Rangers would like to do the deal, but only if the Cubs can include a pitching prospect it sounds like.  They feel that Byrd is move valuable then Murtan because of his defensive abilities.

Doesn’t sound like something will get done unless Hendry will include a pitching prospect.  If a deal does get done, Byrd will more then likely platoon with Felix Pie in center field.

Cubs Rumors

The Brian Roberts to the Cubs Rumors have not stopped even though the trade was first talked about before the Winter meetings.  If the deal were to happen today, it looks like the Cubs would be sending Sean Marshall, Sean Gallagher, and Ronny Cedeno to the Orioles for Brian Roberts.

Personall, I think two pitchers and Cedeno is a little bit too much for Roberts.  But you have to give up something to get something in return so I can see where they are coming from as well.  I just don’t like getting rid of pitching depth, when a team can always use that.  Look at how many pitchers the Cubs went through last year, it is always nice to have a pitcher like Marshall or Gallagher come in and throw some innings when needed.

Do you like a Marshall, Gallagher, Cedeno deal for Roberts?  Leave us a comment and let us know!

We would like to Welcome you to the Friendly Confines of CubsHomePlate!  Cubshomeplate is a brand new Chicago Cubs Blog where we will be blogging about our favorite team the Chicago Cubs!  The Cubs made the playoffs last season, but were swept away in the first round by the Arizona Diamondbacks.  Lets hope this next year has a different ending to it!

The Cubs have recently signed free agent Fukudome from Japan and he will be playing right field for the Cubs.  The Cubs will have to decide on Felix Pie or Sam Fuld for the center field position, and we all know that Alfonso Soriano will be playing in left field full time in 2008.

As far as the rest of the roster, Jim Hendry is still trying to get alteast one more pitcher.  One name that is being thrown around today is Joe Blanton of the Oakland A’s.  Who knows if anything will come of it however.  One thing is for sure, I do not want to see Ryan Dempster in the starting rotation for the Cubs.  Please, don’t let that happen Hendry!

I would like to welcome you to post comments about our articles.  If you agree or disagree, there is always room for some good Cubs talk!  Go Cubs!