The deal to bring Orioles All-Star second baseman Brian Roberts to the Cubs that appeared to be imminent just a few weeks ago has come to a complete standstill in recent days. However, GM Jim Hendry still has high hopes that Roberts, and perhaps lefty Erik Bedard, will become Cubs sometime in relatively near future.
“Sometimes these trades just don’t come together as quickly as we’d like,” said Hendry. “We’ve given the Orioles a firm deadline 20 years down the road to decide which prospects they want from us in order to complete this deal.”
If the trade takes that long to become finalized, Roberts will be 50, which suits Hendry just fine.
“My philosophy has always been to acquire players well after they’ve hit their prime,” he said. “Why do you think I brought back Jon Lieber and Steve Trachsel to the North Side?”
