Recovering from the Milton Bradley Trade Hangover? The week ahead.

Have you recovered from the Bradley trade yet? I'm almost better.

So what should we expect to happen over the next week?

Well, if you are listening to me, you'll probably be completely misled since I was way off last week when I said that Bradley was not going to be traded until after the Cubs convention.

But, I'll go ahead an list what I figure will happen anyway.

With Bradley gone, and an extra $6 million to play with, (really the $6 million will be split between two seasons, but since the Cub have more payroll flexibility in 2011, look for them to use more of that $6 million this year) center field is at the top of the list of things to take care of.

Most people's favorite for the job was Mike Cameron. Boston signed him. Number 2 on that list has been Marlon Byrd. He will likely receive an offer from the Cubs this week. If Byrd is out, Rick Ankiel or Scott Podsednik would be next on the list. Coco Crisp was the other to be rumored as being of interest to the Cubs...but it looks like the A's will be grabbing him off the heap.

A rumor even exists that the Cubs might even look to try to trade for a center fielder. The Yankees' Melky Carbrera and Brett Gardner have been mentioned by Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi as possible targets by the Cubs. I think this is rather unlikely as the Yankees really don't have any other solution for center field on an every day basis. A deal with Sam Fuld and/or Micah Hoffpauir might possibly work, but I'd dismiss this.

Anyway, back to the point...what to expect this week. The other thing near the top of the Cubs list now is a setup man in the bullpen. Matt Capps looks to be the main target for the Cubs right now. Competition for Capps might be rather high. It was a bit of a surprise that the Pirates let him go. One big benefit for getting Capps would be that he could save games if Marmol is ineffective as closer.

Rumors also exist for a starting pitcher (Ben Sheets or Aroldis Chapman) and a second baseman/utility infielder.

I think the Cubs are going to probably try to fill those first two positions then stand pat for a while and see what players might fall through the cracks when spring training comes.

Other stuff to look forward to this week at CDE...

Wrigley Field...what is going to be done.
Some interesting stuff I dug up from a 1984 Cubs program I found stashed in a box while de-cluttering my house.
I will be doing the position eval on Thursday this week, since Friday is Christmas. This week we'll examine the top of the pitching rotation.

And, as usual, I'll be posting comments on whatever other Cubs news pops up around the web-o-sphere this week.

Enjoy watching the Bears lose a snowball fight to the Ravens today.