Brian Roberts Rumors

Here’s the latest on the Brian Roberts situation.  From Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times:

Cubs want the switch-hitting leadoff hitter, are ready to deal from a pretty deep hand of prospects and would like to have Roberts in camp by the time the full squad reports next week. But nobody at Fitch Park seems to be counting on that, given the teeth-pulling, teeth-gnashing nature of talks with the glacial O’s.

And then there’s Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun:

Will Roberts be the next former Oriole?  Perhaps, but maybe not right away. President of baseball operations Andy MacPhail has engaged in trade talks about the All-Star second baseman for months, so it won’t be surprising if he pulls something off soon. But there’s really no rush.

To sum it up: there’s nothing new, nothing imminent.  Wittenmyer also dismisses a rumor that the Cubs are after Joe Nathan.  The Cubs have the pieces they need to field a strong team, if they use them properly.