Swap Meet

Miller for Barrett seems to be a decent deal on the face. Younger and cheaper. Okayfine. But the real kicker is buried in this story in today's Trib:

"Hendry declined to rule the Cubs out of the picture for catcher Javy Lopez but said no offer had been made to Lopez or Ivan Rodriguez."

A non-denial-denial (line from one of the greatest movies of all time). If they could still swing one of these guys, the move becomes even better as Barrett can backup 3 positions. Bako becomes your third string catcher and your last man on the bench.

The real problem here, though, is that the Cubs have failed to upgrade at 4 positions, and are likely worse at two of those.

Patterson-Goodwin is a huge downgrade from Lofton-Patterson
A Gonz is a push with A Gonz. And he sucks.
Grudz is a push with Grudz, but probably a downgrade as Grudz played over his head last year.
Miller-Bako is a push with Barrett-Bako.

This team is incredibly weak up the middle.

And good SS and 2B on the non-tendered lists?