Cubs close to acquiring Aaron Heilman

[nate]

Here:

10:55am: Ken Rosenthal confirms the deal, saying the Cubs are on the verge of landing Heilman for Cedeno and a minor league pitcher. The deal is expected to be announced today.

10:25am: According to ESPN Radio's Bruce Levine, the Cubs are close to acquiring pitcher Aaron Heilman from the Mariners. The Ms want shortstop Ronny Cedeno and pitching in return. Heilman was dealt to Seattle in the J.J. Putz trade earlier this winter. Earlier this month, Ken Rosenthal mentioned that the Mariners were likely willing to trade Heilman, "who they did not consider a key component of the Putz trade."

Heilman, 30, is set to earn $1.625MM in '09. He'll be eligible for free agency after the 2010 season.

Levine also mentioned that three teams are interested in out-of-options Cubs hurler Rich Hill.

[LawFive]

when you look at the list of forums before signing in, this topic shows "Cubs close to acquiring Aaron...". Had me scared for a sec there!

[flyer85]

Heilman Hill and Cedeno are three guys the Reds should be looking at

[flyer85]

Done deal.

Heilman for Cedeno and Olson.

[Johnny Footstool]

Kind of weird that the Cubs weren't willing/able to simply trade Pie for Heilman straight up. Seems like the Mariners would be aching for another young outfielder right about now.

[RedsManRick]

Kind of weird that the Cubs weren't willing/able to simply trade Pie for Heilman straight up. Seems like the Mariners would be aching for another young outfielder right about now.

Ichiro
Franklin Gutierrez
Endy Chavez
Wladimir Balentin

Why would they need another OF?

[*BaseClogger*]

jojo should be excited...

[jojo]

jojo should be excited...

I'm already used to the notion that an Ms deal is a good one. This isn't a marquee trade but there's upside with Cedeno and Olsen is a decent bet to contribute some useful innings.

Heilman is a better pitcher than Olsen but Cedeno/Olsen is better for the Ms than Heilman.

Maybe Yuni will rediscover his range with some competition in spring training.

[camisadelgolf]

Any trade that sends Cubs prospects packing is fine by me. They have enough talent to be competitive for a while, but I hope their lack of minor league depth catches up to them soon.

[*BaseClogger*]

Any trade that sends Cubs prospects packing is fine by me. They have enough talent to be competitive for a while, but I hope their lack of minor league depth catches up to them soon.

Yep, at this point I don't really care if they improve from a 98-win team to a 99-win team if it mortgages their future...

[Johnny Footstool]

Ichiro
Franklin Gutierrez
Endy Chavez
Wladimir Balentin

Why would they need another OF?

The Chavez/Gutierrez duo certainly strikes fear in the hearts of opposing pitchers.

[jojo]

The Chavez/Gutierrez duo certainly strikes fear in the hearts of opposing pitchers.

and bravado in the hearts of their own....

[blumj]

The Chavez/Gutierrez duo certainly strikes fear in the hearts of opposing pitchers.

And Pie would?

[Yachtzee]

Heilman playing in Chicago? They should call him "Old Style."

[Johnny Footstool]

And Pie would?

Younger that the other two, and projects to be a much, much better hitter. Plus he's a good fielder. So yeah, Pie would be better than Chavez and Gutierrez.