The Cubs have certainly been looking to trade right fielder Jacque Jones all offseason. It’s not a matter of performance or salary – Jones played a respectable right field last year for a mere $3MM. He’s due $9MM for 2007-08.
But as Chris De Luca reports, Jones hasn’t been comfortable in Chicago since the beginning of last season. His source indicated that both parties feel a trade would be best. However, De Luca makes a good point in that the Cubs need Jones right now. Why trade him and then sign Steve Finley or someone to bridge the gap until Felix Pie is ready? The Cubs should just keep Jones and use him in center. He hasn’t played more than 10 games in CF since 2000, but it’s worth a shot.
De Luca also says the Cubs are reluctant to sign Cliff Floyd until Jones is dealt. The Cubs have been aggressively trying to swing a Jones to anywhere trade all offseason.
Meanwhile at the Tribune, which owns the Cubs, Paul Sullivan mentions that "Floyd has told friends he intends to be a Cub, while Jones isn’t expected at the weekend fan convention, indicating he’s likely on his way out of town."
