Cubs ready to get Roberts

Brian Roberts Rumors

MONDAY:SI.com's Jon Heyman says a Roberts to Chicago trade still has a little life, and the Orioles are scouting Cubs' players.
SUNDAY: Check out this piece by Jim Salisbury of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Here's the one-liner that has caught some readers' attention:
Sources say that Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts will be traded to the Cubs as soon as the Orioles decide which pitchers they want in return.
All sorts of Cubs pitchers have been rumored in these talks: Sean Marshall, Sean Gallagher, Jason Marquis, Jose Ceda, Donald Veal. It's been said that the Cubs won't part with Ceda. My best guess is that this deal does get done before Opening Day.

 

From ESPN Insider today

The Baltimore Orioles will be sending a scout to Mesa Ariz., the site of the Chicago Cubs spring training.

The two teams have been in discussion for months about a possible deal that would send Brian Roberts to the Cubs in return for infielder Ronny Cedeno, pitching prospect Sean Gallagher and possibly a third or fourth player.

"I don't really think much about it anymore," Roberts told the Baltimore Sun. "I know a little bit about the situation, and I'll cross that bridge when I come to it."

 

Brian Roberts update: Stark talked to a club official who's in touch with the Cubs and O's. That guy expects a deal to be done next week. Plus, Stark sees the O's as an active suitor for Kyle Lohse at the right price.

 

Cubs Add Ceda To Roberts Offer

We've actually got some movement this morning on the Brian Roberts front. According to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times, the Cubs have added hard-throwing 21 year-old reliever Jose Ceda to their offer. They'd also send Sean Gallagher, Ronny Cedeno, and Donald Veal to Baltimore. The Cubs had been holding out on Ceda, a nasty relief prospect. With him included, they'd be sending their three best pitching prospects (according to Baseball America) in the 4-for-1 deal.
Wittenmyer also notes that the deal could be expanded to a 5-for-2 with cash if Jason Marquis and Jay Payton are included. He believes a deal will get done before Opening Day, but it may go down to the wire.