Beltran Chase Over

Three articles today that lead you to believe that Carlos Beltran will not be a Cub. The Trib, SunTimes (lovely headline - what is the right time? When he's NOT available?) and Daily Herald all pretty much douse the idea. Two of the three place the signing of Todd Hollandsworth in the Beltran context. The Herald and SunTimes continue to portray the fiction that Sammy Sosa must be traded for the Cubs to afford Beltran.

What’s interesting is what the Trib says about Beltran.

Nothing.

Now, this can only have 2 possible meanings. 1) The Cubs are truly out of the Beltran derby. 2) The Cubs are sitting by the side trying to keep the price down.

Given Jim Hendry’s history of signing free agents (no Jim Thome, Maddux kicking and screaming), I’m going with #1.

Oh, by the way. An outfield of Sosa, Korey Patterson and Hollandsworth/Jason DuBois is a recipe for another third place finish.