Cubs' Recent Transactions Are a Precursor

In the past 24 hours the Cubs have traded Mark DeRosa and Jason Marquis, while acquiring a handful of prospects and a versatile, switch-hitting, super-sub in Aaron Miles.

So the Cubs are shedding payroll and stockpiling prospects. Is this a team that doesn't think it can compete this year, or is this a team in desperate economic shape needing to save money? I'd answer neither, which means these moves are not the end of Jim Hendry's offseason activity. Obviously, the next move on the docket is a left-handed power hitter to play right field -- speculation continues to center around Milton Bradley.

Diving deeper, however, makes me start to get my hopes up for Jake Peavy again. What were the problems during the winter meetings on the Cubs not landing Peavy? Payroll and the lack of trading chips. Check and check. Adding Miles gives the Cubs someone who can back up infielders Aramis Ramirez, Ryan Theriot, and Mike Fontenot -- who I'm guessing gets the everyday gig at second base. With this in mind, Ronny Cedeno is free to be dealt to the Padres as a shortstop replacement for Khalil Greene.

If I'm wrong and these moves were the end of the Cubs' offseason maneuvering, I will be quite irate in what could be construed as replacing Mark DeRosa with Aaron Miles.

I don't think I'm wrong, though. I believe Jake Peavy is going to be the Cubs' opening day starter in 2009. These recent moves are all pointing in that exact direction. Even Cubs haters can't deny that.