And....more Roberts talk. What else?

From The Baltimore Sun, Jeff Zrebiec reports on the status of the Roberts trade. MacPhail is still working on a deal.

"I've been telling everybody by the end of the month,"..."But it's not necessarily a calendar issue. There is no magic date between January 22 and February 2. The date that probably matters more is Feb. 13."....The Chicago Cubs remain the likely landing spot for Roberts for a package that is expected to include pitcher Sean Gallagher and one of the Cubs' young outfielders. The two teams have discussed several scenarios, but have yet to agree on a package.

Cubs' young outfielders.
Hmmmmm.....
Matt Murton
Felix Pie
Sam Fuld
Tyler Colvin
Josh Kroeger
Eric Patterson (but MacPhail is willing to settle for Corey - see the article)
Jake Fox

Scratch Colvin and Kroeger, they're not ML ready, which is want Andy wants. Fox isn't a proven outfielder - which also means we can scratch EP, unless Andy wants to go Patterson-Cheap, just to avert going Patterson-Free-Agent-Boras-Rip-Off.

That leaves Felix, Matt and Sam. Could the Cubs be dangling Mr. Tools and Defense knowing that have Sam Fuld in the wings? Most likely, they're offering Murton, who doesn't have a place to play in Chicago.

Of course, if MacPhail moves Bedard for Adam Jones, the calculus changes. Cubs should try and get first trade advantage - close the deal before the Mariners do.