Cubs general manager Jim Hendry had hoped to have his 2009 team pretty well set by Christmas, but it looks as if Hendry will be working deep into January or even beyond.
The only big-ticket player the Cubs had interest in was Padres right-hander Jake Peavy, and talks for a trade died at the winter meetings. It's possible Hendry will revisit a trade for Peavy, but nothing is hot on that front. The market for middle-of-the-pack free agents has been a slow one this winter, and Hendry continues to play a waiting game as he seeks a left-handed-hitting outfielder. Switch hitter Milton Bradley, late of the Texas Rangers, has been Hendry's top target most of the offseason, but Bradley has been talking with several teams.
One problem hampering the Cubs is money. They spent with unprecedented abandon during the past two offseasons, but the imminent sale of the team -- which they hope will be completed by spring training -- has put a crimp in the finances.
Hendry is actively shopping right-hander Jason Marquis, and the Cubs are willing to eat some of his $9,875,000 salary for 2009. Second baseman/outfielder Mark DeRosa isn't on the block, but Hendry will listen to offers to free up $5.5 million more.
One of the problems holding up the Peavy deal was money. Not only did the Padres want the Cubs to pick up the entire $63 million owed to Peavy over the next four years, but Hendry fretted about the salary he'd have to spend to replace the players the Cubs would have to send to San Diego.
A long offseason is nothing new to Hendry. He signed Greg Maddux just as spring training opened in 2004. The next winter, he waited until February to trade Sammy Sosa and sign Jeromy Burnitz.
