View From the Bleachers breaks down what the Cubs might be looking to trade and trade for.

Matt Clement is the one name that you could see in trade talks. With the quality pitching put in by Glendon Rusch, Clement becomes expendable, especially because of his contract demands next year. Prior, Wood, Zambrano, and Maddux are locks to be here. With Guzman on the way, Rusch could serve as an acceptable stop gap until Guzman arrives next year.

Prediction - As much as it pains me to say it, I look for Matt Clement to be pitching somewhere else down the stretch. I think it would be a huge mistake but the Cubs to rely entirely on Rusch, but you have to get something for Clement before you lose him. With the Phillies and Yankees struggling with injuries to their rotation, both could be suitors for the young right hander down the stretch. I wouldn't be surprised to see Clement go to the Yankees with Mark Grudzielanek in a package deal. It would be a great investment for the Yanks and not cost them in the long run.

If your a contending team you DON'T need to trade someone because you might lose them in free agency.

I was reading Peter Gammons six trades that made sense, and it re-kindled the crazy side of my brain trade thoughts.

GM Terry Ryan and the entire Minnesota organization have done a remarkable job contending for three straight years, with one more playoff series won than the Astros and Rangers have in their combined histories. But keeping the club afloat with a limited payroll and some very good players like Torii Hunter ($8 million per year) is difficult and will be treacherous this winter, which is why it will be difficult for them to take on any contracts.

With Hunter, Doug Mientkiewicz, Joe Mays and Shannon Stewart, they already have close to $25 million in commitments for 2005. Cristian Guzman has an option for $5.25 million that the Twins are unlikely to pick up. Brad Radke and Corey Koskie will be free agents as well at season's end.

And check their list of arbitration eligibles: Jacque Jones (fifth year eligible, coming off making $4.35 million this season), Kyle Lohse, Joe Nathan, J.C. Romero, Carlos Silva, Johan Santana, Luis Rivas and Matthew LeCroy. That many players means they'll have to find replacements at second base, shortstop and third base.

I would think along the lines of sending Moises Alou, Mark Grudzielank, Francisco Beltran, and Matt Clement to Minn for Shannon Stewart, Christian Guzman, Brad Radke and Joe Nathan.

Why would Minn want to get older? Who the hell knows its my crazy thought. In all Minn would move $20.4 million in Payroll and the Cubs $18.3 million.

Minn isn't going to resign Radke or Guzman, and they have a glut of talent OFer's. We would lose Radke at the end of the year much like Clement but atleast we might be able to pull some other players that might stick around.

Shannon Stewart would replace Moises Alou and give us the top of the order hitter we need. Minn has a glut of OF talent and Alou would only play half a season on astro turf(or DH) and then get released. Michael Cuddyer would probably take over in LF for Minn in 2005. Christian Guzman is an expensive risk if you pick up his option, but he can get a half season audition much like Am-Ram had last year to see what he can do.

Joe Nathan would be the power arm we need to add to the bullpen and return Hawkins to his best role, setup man.

If Minn is playing .500 ball around the break, the deal looks pretty good. If they are contending for the division lead it looks much less appealing.

Of course just throw out Beltran and Nathan if Minn didnt want to deal its closer(which I wouldn't do if I was Minn GM). The main point is the deal doesnt hurt either team, it might improve them in different areas, but doesnt hurt either team. The only player I care about getting and keeping after this year is Shannon Stewart. We have Lee, Am-Ram and Sosa, for the heart of our order, what we don't have are players for #1 or #2 spot. Stewarts addition solves the lead-off spot and if we move Grudz, solves the second base job and #2 hitter slot.

Imagine a Cubs team with 2 guys in the #1 and #2 slots who don't strike out a ton, hit around .290-.300, and have OBP around .350, consistently day in and day out. No more shuffling up Martinez/Barrett/Ordonez/Patterson/Macias in these spots ever again unless it is a day off or someone gets injured.

Hmmm maybe Ivy Chat should add Stewart to his wish list.

Chances of this trade happening? Slim to none, like I said the crazy side of my brain. Flame away.