Cubs Rumor Mill Spins On

MLB Trade Rumors is reporting that there are all kinds of specualtion surrounding Cubs personnel:

Let's talk Cubs.

• First things first - the Cubs need to lock in their GM. ESPN's Buster Olney says the Cubs are currently trying to convince Jim Hendry not to opt out of his contract in December. Olney expects a new long-term agreement.
• Gordon Wittenmeyer of the Chicago-Sun Times talked to Cubs CEO Crane Kenney, who anticipates another payroll bump despite ownership uncertainty. Maybe the $140MM range?
• Lot of talk about the Cubs adding a left-handed hitter for balance. Names suggested by Olney, Wittenmeyer, and Andy Dolan of Desipio.com: Raul Ibanez, Bobby Abreu, David DeJesus, Milton Bradley, and Brian Roberts.
  Regardless of the path the Cubs take, they seem likely to accept shaky right-field defense in exchange for a middle-of-the-order bat. The Cubs could also consider Aubrey Huff or Adam Dunn, but they'd be even more of a stretch in right. One other thought - Brian Giles cannot veto a trade to the Cubs.
• Dolan would like to add a more complete shortstop. If the Cubs feel the same, they could again pursue switch-hitter Rafael Furcal and finally move Alfonso Soriano out of the leadoff spot.
• Everyone expects Rich Harden's $7MM option to be exercised, setting the '09 rotation. Wittenmeyer recommends an aggressive run at C.C. Sabathia, which
  seems unlikely.

I am a little nervous that we will go out and overpay for a left-handed bat in reaction to this playoff meltdown. Let's be clear about something: The meltdown had little to do with our lack of left-handed bats and more to do with our complete lack of motivation and focus.