Cubs Starting Pitching: 2010 & Beyond
Tonight I am starting the first of my series looking at the various positions within the Cubs organization, analyzing their depth and predicting what 2010 and the future holds.  Leading off is the starting pitching. 2010 Starting pitching was a strength for the Cubs in 2009 and it looks to be again in 2010.  The only starting pitcher who is a free agent for the Cubs is Rich Harden and although he is interested in returning to the Cubs in 2010, it appears that the Cubs will let him walk. With Harden’s likely departure, the Cubs are left with a rotation of Ted Lilly, Ryan Dempster, Carl

Rumors update and what’s ahead
Not much news on the rumors front over the weekend. Paul Sullivan put together a nice summary of all the recent rumors involving the Cubs, including Roy Halladay, Milton Bradley, Curtis Granderson, Marlon Byrd, Matt Holliday and Mark DeRosa. Although the 3-way deal involving Milton Bradley, Luis Castillo and Kevin Millwood has been shot down, it sounds like the Cubs are interested in Castillo but still would need to find a taker for Bradley, as the Mets don’t want him (if he can’t handle the Chicago media, how’s he going to handle the New Yor

A few more rumors for the weekend…
Leading off with the biggest name, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports that the Blue Jays contacted the Cubs to gauge their interest in Roy “Doc” Halladay.  Obviously the Cubs would love to have Halladay, however its unlikely to happen, since the Cubs don’t have room for his $15.75 million salary and the Blue Jays have no interest in Milton Bradley. Next, John Heyman of SI.com lists the Cubs as a potential suitor for Matt Holliday.  Again,

Milton Bradley Rumors & More
ESPN’s Jayson Stark suggests that 3 teams, Tampa Bay, Texas and Toronto look like the most likely destinations for Milton Bradley.  But Jim Hendry appears to be holding firm on not eating a large part of Bradley’s contract, telling teams that the hiring of Rudy Jaramillo means they do not have to trade Bradley. So its likely that if Bradley is traded, it will be as part of a bad contract swap, suggesting that the Cubs will receive one of Pat Burrell (Tampa Bay), Lyle Overbay (Toronto) or Kevin Millwood (Texa

Aaron Heilman traded to Diamondbacks
NOW THAT’S MORE LIKE IT!!! According to John Paul Morosi of Foxsports.com (via Twitter), the Cubs dumped Aaron Heilman on the Diamondbacks today for minor leaguers Scott Maine (LHP) and Ryne White (1B).  Heilman earned $1.65 million in 2009 and was probably going to get a raise through arbitration, so this move helps to make room for John Grabow’s bloated contract. Stay tuned for more hot stove news and rumors.