Reports from the MLB winter meetings say that the interest that the Diamondbacks had in Paul Konerko may be fading. In fact, Arizona may be targeting former Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee to fill the vacancy left when Adam LaRoche left for free agency. It would be ironic if the Cubs then signed LaRoche — nearly a trade of similar first basemen.
The Cubs, however, appear to now be targeting former Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Carlos Pena. Reports this morning that Cubs payroll may be cut 15-20% might make him unaffordable, though it’s not known how valid those numbers are.
Another report out this morning says the Cubs are “aggressively” shopping Tom Gorzelanny. The lefthanded had a decent year, though he missed time twice after being hit by batted balls. The Cubs would have to get a good return on such a deal to make it worthwhile, given the fact that Gorzelanny is lefthanded and relatively cost-controlled.
We’ll have updates in this StoryStream™ for both the Cubs and White Sox during this week if and when they make any actual moves.