Cubs Looking At Hamilton, McLouth

The Chicago Tribune’s Paul Sullivan has a new column up discussing a couple of outfielders in the Cubs’ sights aside from Kosuke Fukudome.  Apparently they’re after someone who can handle center field in case Felix Pie falters.

• Those Josh Hamilton rumors are real – and the Reds are asking for Sean Marshall.  I think the Cubs would pull the trigger on that one.  Jerry Crasnick first suggested this match about five hours ago.  He thought Marshall wouldn’t be enough and I agreed.  Guess we’ll see.  Sullivan notes that Lou Piniella had some contact with Hamilton back when he managed the Devil Rays.
• The Cubs are also in talks regarding Nate McLouth.  Sullivan thinks McLouth would come cheap – for a reliever like Carmen Pignatiello, Neal Cotts, or Will Ohman.  Damn, that’s cheap.  We learned today that the Giants, Padres, and Marlins like McLouth; Sullivan adds the Braves to the mix as well.