The Arizona Diamondbacks need a 2B while the Cubs could be in the market for a corner outfielder with pop. So I propose that the Cubs offer Mike Fontenot to the D-Backs for Conor Jackson. Fontenot would likely start at 2B for the D-Backs while Jackson would likely back up at LF, RF and 1B for the Cubs next season. It is a win/win trade for both teams so it makes too much sense to really happen.

The Cubs and Blue Jays are reportedly considering a deal that would sent Milton Bradley to the Blue Jays for 30-year old righty swinging center fielder Vernon Wells. The Cubs want the Blue Jays to split the difference on the contracts meaning that they would send $43 million bucks to the Cubs along with Wells. The Cubs should jump at making this deal as Milton Bradley is a pain in the butt for team management and the fans really don’t like him either. Wells played in 158 games for the Blue Jays last season and he was 164 for 630 (.260 avg, .711 OPS) with 84 runs scored, 15 homers, 66 RBIs and 17 stolen bases. That was a pretty bad year for him so it’s possible that the slide will continue. Or, he could be tired of losing on the Blue Jays and coming to the Cubs might revive his bat. Wells has now played in 1,236 games in his major league career and he is 1,368 for 4,880 (.280 avg, .799 OPS) with 710 runs scored, 192 homers, 725 RBIs and 84 stolen bases. Wells would also give the Cubs a legit defensive center fielder so they should really consider making this deal.

The Cubs want to get Milton Bradley out of the Windy City as quick as possible. The hot rumor around town is that the Cubs would like to trade Milton Bradley and cash to the Rays for Pat Burrell who struggled as a DH in Tampa. Bradley played in 124 games for the Cubs last season and he was 101 for 393 (.257 avg, .775 OPS) with 61 runs scored, 12 homers and 40 RBIs. Those numbers are certainly not worth $10 million bucks per season. The Rays might hold the Cubs’ feet to the flame and try to extract a pitcher from them like right reliever Angel Guzman. Guzman pitched in 55 games out of the bullpen for the Cubs last season and he was 3-3 with 1 save, a 2.95 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP. Even if they had to throw in Guzman and cash to get Bradley out of town the Cubs need to do it! 33-year old righty swinging Pat Burrell would likely start in LF for the Cubs who would have to move Alfonso Soriano to CF with Fukudome (if he’s still in town in RF). Burrell played in 122 games for the Rays last season and he was 91 for 412 (.221 avg, .682 OPS) with 45 runs scored, 14 homers and 64 RBIs. He whiffed 119 times last season as he looked very uncomfortable as a DH. A return to the field would likely do him a lot of good. He has played in 1,428 games in his 10-year major league career and he is 1,257 for 4,947 (.254 avg, .838 OPS) with 700 runs scored, 265 homers and 891 RBIs.

28-year old righty starting pitcher Carlos Zambrano didn’t have his best season in 2009 for the Cubs. He has started 27 games this season for the Cubs and he is 9-6 with a 3.69 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP. In nine seasons with the Cubs, Zambrano has pitched in 258 games (237 starts) and he is 105-67 with a 3.50 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP. I know that Lou Piniella has had some problems with Zambrano this season but he would be very hard to replace especially if the Cubs goal next season is to win a World Series.

The Chicago Cubs have suspended the overpaid and under-performing outfielder Milton Bradley.  The Cubs made a terrible move in signing  Bradley earlier this year to a three-year $30 million deal.  Everyone outside Cubs nation knew this was a terrible signing, as the prima donna outfielder has never been able to fit in with any club.  The Cubs are probably going to trade Bradley after this year, but don’t expect very much in return as this guy is a cancer to any baseball clubhouse.  The Cubs are Bradley’s seventh team in nine seasons in the majors and he has been a problem everywhere he has gone.  This may be the last straw for GM Jim Hendry’s job, as this was one of the worst signings the Cubs have made in years.