Cubs Sign Reed Johnson

1:48pm: The Chicago Tribune says the deal is for $1.3MM. BP's Nate Silver weighs in on the move here. 12:35pm: Levine now reports that the Cubs have signed Johnson. For a team focused on winning now, it's not a bad move. Only drawback might be the Murton situation. Meanwhile, Evan Grant says the Rangers reduced their demands for Marlon Byrd but the Cubs still decided to pass. 11:41am: It's all Reed Johnson, all the time here at MLBTR. Bruce Levine of ESPN 1000 says the Cubs will make a contract offer to Johnson once he clears waivers about twenty minutes...

Cubs Outfield Situation: Crisp, Johnson, Byrd

Quite a bit of info is floating about this evening regarding the Cubs' quest to add an outfielder. Let's put it all together. SI.com's Jon Heyman names Coco Crisp, Jay Payton, Marlon Byrd, and Brandon Inge as possible targets. Inge makes the least sense given his salary and the Tigers' need for him while Curtis Granderson is out. ESPN's Jayson Stark confirms Ken Rosenthal's assertion that the Cubs are leading the pack for Reed Johnson. Stark speculates that such an acquisition could prompt the Cubs to trade Matt Murton. ESPN's Peter Gammons says Red Sox scout Allard Baird is currently...

Three CF Options For Cubs

SI.com's Jon Heyman reiterates the Cubs' concern with Felix Pie, setting out the three main trade candidates for the team. Coco Crisp probably won't get dealt until he proves he's healthy. Even then, as I've said, $11MM over two years is a lot for a fourth outfielder. The Cubs may have competition from the Rays and A's for Crisp. Jay Payton would be a salary dump given the $5MM owed to him this year. The Cubs could take him while passing off the $16.25MM owed to Jason Marquis. The Cubs would love to move Marquis, though Jon Lieber's willingness to...

Cubs Still Talking To Rangers About Byrd

MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan writes today that the Cubs' talks for Marlon Byrd still have some life. Not much has changed - the Cubs would give up Matt Murton, but the Rangers want young pitching. Since the potential Brian Roberts acquisition seems to be on the frontburner, perhaps talks for Byrd would move to the next level if that's completed. The Rangers may have to wait and see whether the Cubs bring Jay Payton in and which pitching prospects they give up. Ken Rosenthal quoted a scout today who suggested the Cubs will never fully commit to center fielder Felix Pie...

Cubs Eyeing Coco

Last Sunday, I discussed how either Chicago ballclub were good suitors for Coco Crisp. Today, Gordon Wittenmeyer of the Chicago Sun Times is reporting the Cubs interest do indeed lie with the web gem specialist, Crisp. "With only one other lefty bat in the lineup (right fielder Kosuke Fukudome), the Cubs hoped to get a secondary lefty near the bottom of the order while assuring a good glove in center from their top two near-ready outfield prospects. While Hendry's attempt to trade for Rangers outfielder Marlon Byrd was meant to provide a right-handed complement to the center-field winner, the focus...

Gammons' Latest: Bonds, Murton

ESPN's Peter Gammons has a new blog post with some hot stove info. Gammons has a quote from Andrew Friedman that should be the final word on Barry Bonds to Tampa Bay: If I didn't entertain ideas, be it a signing of a great hitter like Bonds or a trade, I should be fired. But that is past. Let's take Friedman at his word and rule Bonds out for the Rays. Gammons notes that the Cubs have discussed Matt Murton with the Rangers and Red Sox, but he alone wouldn't get them Marlon Byrd or Coco Crisp. Murton was drafted...

Odds and Ends: Spiezio, Pavano, Gross, Jackson

Links, rumors... Scott Spiezio is in trouble with the law, and the Cardinals decided to release him for it. Joe Ostermeier notes that the Cards now have about $20MM in dead money on the payroll for '08. Evan Grant believes the Rangers would want Jose Ceda or Donald Veal in a deal for Marlon Byrd. Call it informed speculation, but Mike Berardino wonders whether Carl Pavano could end up back with the Marlins eventually. Ken Rosenthal recently wrote that the Padres were eyeing Gabe Gross. Tom Haudricourt found out that Kevin Towers never inquired on the Brewers outfielder, but that...

Brian Roberts Rumors

Yesterday, SI.com's Jon Heyman wrote that the Cubs-Orioles Brian Roberts trade talks still have a little life, and the O's are scouting various young Cubs. On Sunday Jim Salisbury said the Orioles only needed to decide which pitchers they want to complete a deal. Today, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times checks in with the latest. To begin with, Mark DeRosa's heart complications seem under control, and won't force the Cubs' hand. Wittenmyer adds that the ball is indeed in Baltimore's court, and their scouts will need at least a week to observe various Cubs. He says the Orioles are...

Cubs' Talks For Byrd Reach Impasse

The Cubs have been interested in Rangers' center fielder Marlon Byrd for some time now, apparently offering Matt Murton. However, MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan says the Rangers' insistence on good young pitching in the deal has caused a stalemate. The Cubs like Byrd, but not at that price. Evan Grant wrote recently that one of Jason Botts, Nelson Cruz, or David Murphy is likely to be dealt before Opening Day. A Byrd trade might allow the Rangers to keep all three.

Murton Reads MLBTR

It was pretty cool to learn today that Cubs outfielder Matt Murton reads MLBTradeRumors.com. Welcome! Unfortunately, I can't imagine it's thrilling to read about yourself in trade rumors all winter. Murton is a left fielder, and the Cubs obviously have Alfonso Soriano there. Right field is now filled by Kosuke Fukudome. Lou Piniella couldn't help but admit that Murton's role on the Cubs is as a fourth outfielder. The Herald's Bruce Miles has heard rumblings that the Cubs will try to trade Murton to a team where he can play regularly. ESPN's Keith Law thinks Murton would be good for...