Jim Hendry's Weakness

The Tribune's Paul Sullivan answers trade questions in his latest column.

The Cubs need to move Sammy Sosa, even if it means eating part of his salary. This would clear the way to pursue a trade for Steve Finley who wouldn't fit in any other way. -- Mark Hillenbrand, Palos Hills, Ill.

The Cubs are not going to move Sammy Sosa, and there's no place for Steve Finley unless Corey takes a seat ... which is not going to happen. And have the Cubs ever eaten salary?

I am sure alot of Cubs fans have wondered why Jim Hendry hasn't pulled a trigger on a trade for this team like he did last year. Well the fact is he can't. Most of the teams that were expected to be lousy are actually pretty decent. Which means very few teams are willing to give away players for nothing the way Jim Hendry likes to trade. With out that option available he is dead in the water. His negotiation skills in a straight up trades are non-existent.

Name me a player being given away? Not even Orlando Cabrera of the Expo's is being given away for nothing. Hence why you have yet to see him in a Cubs uniform. Omar Vizquel is hitting atop the #1 offensive team in the AL. Yes the Indians have rebuilt quickly with all there prospects and contending to a degree.

So what is going to happen in the next few days?

• Jose Mesa - Nope - Pirates are the hottest team in the NL right now.
• Ugueth Urbina - Nope - Detroit knows his services will be in demand and the Cubs will likely have to give up a A prospect for him.
• Jorge Julio - Likely - A shakey closer, but young. Baltimore is taking offers for him, the Cubs have expressed some interest.
• Orlando Cabrera - Likely - Though if the Cubs can't find someone to take A-gonz this drops to unlikely.
• Omar Vizquel - Nope - Indians don't really have any top of the order hitters and are in no hurry to move Vizquel.
• Nomar Garciaparra - Impossible - I would love it, but I never truely believed it was possible. Plus Boston took 2 of 3 from the Yankees over the weekend so they got some confidence back. Atleast Boston fought back to win, while the Cubs rolled over.

My predictions are usually pretty good. So if my crystal ball is plugged in, our great mid-season trades will be Jorge Julio and Orlando Cabrera and the Cubs finishing in 4th place.