Though it isn't likely to be announced until next week, the Cubs and Rockies have agreed in principle to a trade that will send starting pitcher Jason Marquis to Colorado in exchange for reliever Luis Vizcaino.In a vacuum, Marquis is probably the more valuable player, if for no other reason than he's a starter, but of course moves like these don't happen in a vacuum. The Cubs aren't losing much in Marquis other than mediocrity, and while that has very real value in the major leagues, they have the depth to easily replace him. It's been a rocky couple of years for Vizcaino, who Chicago is receiving in return, but he still misses bats, and he's sliding into one of the deepest bullpens in the league, meaning he won't have to shoulder too much responsibility.
Perhaps more importantly, the Cubs are shedding $10 million in salary by dealing Marquis. Lightening the payroll is the first domino that needed to fall for GM Jim Hendry to round out the rest of the roster. Hendry now has the flexibility to add an outfielder like Milton Bradley or Bobby Abreu and maybe even revisit the Jake Peavy trade talks.
As for the Rockies, Marquis gives them another low-ceiling groundball pitcher to go alongside Aaron Cook in their rotation. He's probably not going to win them the division, but he won't keep them from doing so either.
