Just last week, the trade of Oriole Brian Roberts to the Cubs appeared imminent as Chicago was set to jettison Ronny Cedeno, Sean Marshall and Sean Gallagher to Baltimore in exchange for the All-Star second baseman. But Orioles President Andy MacPhail–who was president/CEO of the Cubs from 1994 to 2006–has apparently soured on the deal and has asked the Cubs to increase their offer.
“Marshall and Gallagher are good young pitching prospects, but it’s going to take a lot more to acquire our admitted steroid user,” said MacPhail. “We want Felix Pie, Tyler Colvin and Jeff Samardzija. On second thought, throw in every player in the Cubs minor league organization for good measure. That would make for a fair trade.”
With Cubs officials holed up in a cramped Wrigley Field conference room pondering the proposed deal, a last-minute inclusion of Corey Patterson back to the Cubs apparently has Hendry ready to pull the trigger.
“Andy and I are still good friends and this is a fair offer,” said Hendry. “We really want Roberts and will do pretty much anything to get him. I know this trade proposal will somewhat deplete our minor league system, but I don’t see any way we go to Spring Training without him in a Cubs uniform.”
By Jeremy Barewin
