Cubs Rumors -- cooked up by ESPN

Quick weekend rumour: According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the Cubs are in the process of working a trade with the Orioles for either 1B/OF utilityman Jeff Conine or 1B Kevin Millar. I shudder to think what we'd need to give up [because let's be honest, this Todd Walker at 1B and Neifi/Hairston/Bynum shit at 2B ain't going to work for 2-3 months] because the entire league knows we're desperate, but hey, might this be a reasonable idea? I mean, it's not like there are a lot of good 1Bs to spare.

From Dusty's mouth:
"There's some action. Yeah, there's some action. ... It's a difficult time of the year [to trade]. I can't say when, but I'm optimistic."

There is also speculation about out-of-favour Yankees 1B Carlos Pena, who has been languishing unhappily at AAA-Columbus. He is now third on the depth chart, and although he didn't opt out of his minor league contract, he has another "walk away" date [date he could opt out] coming up soon. This all according to the Newark Star-Ledger. Another one to watch.

Also, building on Hypo's observation just hours/minutes ago, the Cubs are currently doing this:

- lost 6 of their last 7.
- been outscored 46-5 during that span.
- been shut out 4 times in our last 6 games.

Fuck. We have possibly the least threatening lineup in the league right now.

NOTE -- Those rumours are brought to you by ESPN Insider.
ESPN Insider: finding the inconsequential minutiae so you don't have to.