The Latest from the Rumor Mill

The Major League Baseball Trade Deadline is just a week away. So far, things have been relatively quiet around baseball. The Cubs have been silent. Will they end up making any moves???

Here is a list of players potentially on the chopping block and the latest on each one:

• Aramis Ramirez: There has been interest, but he does not plan on waiving his no-trade clause. Will likely not be back next year and has a high value right now, but he will now allow the Cubs to trade him. The Angels would love to add Rami.


• Carlos Pena: Will become a free agent at season's end, does not have no-trade protection and seems like a good candidate to be shopped. However, Patrick Mooney of CSN reported today that Pena my stick with the club through the end of the season and beyond.


• Kerry Wood: Lot of teams would like him with his low salary, but he does not want to leave. It makes sense for him to stay in Chicago because of his family and Foundation situations. Woody will likely finish his career in a Cub uniform.


• Sean Marshall: Jon Heyman reports that the Cubs continue to receive calls about the lefty, but he's not going anywhere. They are not taking offers for Marsh, who could fit into the team's bullpen plans for the next few years.


• Reed Johnson: Buster Olney does not think the Cubs will get very good offers for Reed.


• Alfonso Soriano: The most overpaid of all the overpaid Cubs. Don't call him untradeable just yet however. The Cubs are willing to pay the majority of the $60M left on his contract and Sori has said that he will be willing to waive his no-trade clause to go to a contender.


• Kosuke: Bruce Levine has reported that the Indians are very interested. The Cubs are looking for pitching in return. Kosuke makes perfect sense to be traded since he is in the final year of his contract.


• John Grabow: Levine thinks that there might actually be interested in the veteran southpaw. Hopefully the Cubs can find a taker.


• Marlon Byrd: Judd Sirott said on the Cubs broadcaster earlier this month that the Pirates may be a fit. Byrd still has a year left on his contract, which could increase the interest level from several teams. I believe that the Cubs see him as a part of their team next season.


• Jeff Baker: Ken Rosenthal wrote a piece last week that said the Cubs do not want to part ways with the utility man. They think that he will help the team next season. The Red Sox are among the teams who have asked about Baker.


• Matt Garza: Peter Gammons has said that the Cubs have no interest in moving Garza, who is under contract for two more seasons.


• Ryan Dempster: Gammons also reported that Demp is not going anywhere.


• Geovany Soto: The Giants and Pirates have taken a look at him, but I don't expect Geo to be leaving town anytime soon.


• Koyie Hill: The Giants could also have an eye on the Cubs backup backstop in order to rectify their catching situation.


• Carlos Zambrano: I haven't heard much about trades involving Z as of late. He's always said that he'll waive his no trade clause if need be.

I will keep you posted throughout the week as we get closer to the deadline!