Chicago Cubs: Sean Marshall and 10 Players Sure to Be Shopped Till Opening Day

The latest MLB rumor has the Chicago Cubs sending left-handed pitcher Sean Marshall to the Cincinnati Reds for a package including pitcher Travis Wood. This isn't the first time this offseason we have heard president Theo Epstein dangle one of the Cubs upper-echolon players, and it likely won't be the last.

Epstein and his team, including general manager Jed Hoyer, are apparently looking to turn things upside down on the North Side, and they are ready to get rid of pretty much anything that smells like Jim Hendry. Epstein and Hoyer obviously want to build from the ground up, starting with young star shortstop Starlin Castro.

The Cubs have already moved players like Tyler Colvin and DJ LeMaheieu. The moves are not close to an end, and many more players will be shopped before Opening Day.

Randy Wells

The Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Randy Wells is quite a bargain. Once his arbitration numbers are settled, he is expected to make $2.2 million this upcoming season.

The Cubs could be looking to move Wells because he presents some value to teams that are looking for a solid No. 4 or 5 starter in their rotation. Wells has started for the last three years for the Cubs, but he has been on a constant downfall.

He started out in 2008 going 12-10 in 27 starts with a 3.05 ERA. He was a force his rookie season, allowing only 165 hits in as many innings. He also had 104 strikeouts on the year.

Wells went in the opposite direction his sophomore season, recording a record of 8-14 with an ERA of 4.26 in 32 starts. His strikeouts did raise to 144, but Wells lost much of the ability and dominance he possessed a season ago.

This past season, Wells suffered from injuries, and in result his numbers obviously were not good. In 23 starts, Wells went 7-6 with a 4.99 ERA.

His numbers each season have been getting worse, and there is no time better than now to move Wells. Otherwise, he has the potential to become worthless.

Blake Dewitt

With the Chicago Cubs bringing in Ian Stewart from the Colorado Rockies, a player like Blake Dewitt has become extremely expendable.

Dewitt would be special if he was the only left-handed bat on the bench, but fact of the matter is, the Cubs already have that in Jeff Baker and now Stewart. Also, the depth in the infield has become rather deep, and Dewitt seems like the logical player that would be least harmful to move.

Through two seasons with the Cubs, Dewitt has a batting average of .258 in 174 at-bats. Dewitt hasn't been a threat as a hitter or on the bases.

It isn't really clear how much value Dewitt will have, or how much he will make this year in arbitration. Still, getting him off the books would be nice for Epstein and crew.

Geovany Soto

A trade for Chicago Cubs catcher Geovany Soto likely will not surface until spring training gets started, as the Cubs likely want to see how the young Wellington Castillo fares this spring.

If Castillo impresses, the Cubs may look to move the former Rookie of the Year in order to get a few pieces. Soto hasn't been the same player since his 2008 All-Star and Rookie of the Year campaigns. With his batting average dipping all the way to .228 this past season, it may be time to explore his value.

There is a chance that Soto could bounce back, but that was pretty much the hope for this past year. After Soto batted .280 with 17 home runs in 105 games for the 2010 season, many figured Soto was ready to take that step back towards becoming elite. 

Many clubs would likely be interested in Soto, and he is one of the few players on this team's roster that could have a nice return.

Carlos Marmol

Carlos Marmol's tenure with the Chicago Cubs really all depends on what the Cubs do with pitcher Sean Marshall. If the Cubs keep Marshall, Marmol is an expendable piece as Marshall could essentially take on the closer role.

If the Cubs do trade Marshall, well than suddenly Marmol becomes an essential piece as the Cubs have no other pitcher that presents the type of late inning threat that Marmol does.

Marmol is a very special pitcher, but he is sporadic. He is like a mini Carlos Zambrano, but without the temper. He either will flash signs of greatness, or he will absolutely throw the game away. Just depends on who shows up.

Many teams would be highly interested in Marmol if he showed up on the block. He has one of the dirtiest sliders in baseball, and he would be a huge addition to any team's bullpen.

Jeff Baker

Jeff Baker's status with the Chicago Cubs in 2012 goes along the same lines as Blake Dewitt's. The addition of Ian Stewart hurts both player's chances of sticking around, and one of them is likely going to be moved before the season starts.

Baker has been a nice utility piece for the Cubs, as well as a nice pinch-hitter. Baker has never been lights out, but in three years with the Cubs' organization he has batted .283. This past season was his worst season in relation to batting average, but he also appeared in his most games as a Cub.

Baker is a better option compared to Dewitt, but Baker likely possesses more value. It will remain to be seen what his cost will be following arbitration. 

Jeff Samardzija

The Chicago Cubs will have a decision to make on relief pitcher Jeff Samardzija this offseason. He is going to be making at least $2.6 million for the next two seasons (after the club restructures his deal), and the flame thrower does possess some value despite his inconsistencies.

It hasn't been clear on how Epstein and Hoyer see Samardzija in their future plans, but the fact that they declined his option likely means they don't see him having much time left on the North Side.

Samardzija is coming off his best season yet, having an ERA of 2.97 over 88 innings. It looks like Samardzija is starting to come to form, but his past mistakes should make Epstein and Hoyer hesitant.

Right now his stock his high, and that means sell. Perhaps Samardzija will be even better next season, but if the Cubs can get something nice in return for the former Notre Dame product, they should be open to taking offers.

Sean Marshall

Sean Marshall is a player that many Chicago Cubs fans would have a hard time letting go of, but he does possess a ton of talent and value.

Standing at a towering 6'7", the left-handed Marshall was the Cubs biggest threat coming out of the bullpen last season. In 75.2 innings, Marshall had an ERA of 2.26 and struck out 79 batters. Marshall also only allowed one home run the entire season.

There is no doubt that Marshall is one of the more coveted players on the Cubs roster, and it will certainly take a nice package of players in order to attain his services.

If the Cubs are able to get a package including the Cincinnati Reds' Travis Wood, the Cubs would be able to add a nice piece to their rotation considering they are lacking a left-handed starter.

Update: Marshall has been traded to the Reds for Wood and two prospects

Josh Vitters

It would be hard to imagine the Chicago Cubs moving prospect third baseman Josh Vitters, but after five years in the minor leagues, it is unsure how well Vitters is shaping to be a MLB player.

This past season in Double-A, Vitters batted only .283 with 14 home runs and 81 RBI in 129 games. While Vitters is still considered one of the Cubs' top prospects, many have to question whether or not he will be able to make the impact that many have expected.

At this point, Vitters should be playing Triple-A ball, and be on the verge of entering the MLB. Instead, he has struggled at the Double-A level the last two seasons.

Vitters will likely get his shot this spring, but if he fails to show up, Epstein and Hoyer will likely look to ship the 22-year-old.

Vitters still has a chance to make something of himself, but his value is decreasing every year he doesn't make a significant improvement in his play.

Carlos Zambrano

In all likelihood it won't happen, but Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer will likely continue to try to find a way to move disgruntled starting pitcher Carlos Zambrano onto a new team. 

There is no secret to what kind of trouble Zambrano has caused for the Cubs over his career, but his contract is too big to move.

The Cubs are going to owe Big Z $18.5 million this coming season, and that is a huge chunk of change considering how cautious the Cubs have been with spending this offseason.

In any move, the Cubs are likely going to have to eat up a lot of Zambrano's contract. A move that would be beneficiary for the Cubs would be to move Zambrano for a starting first baseman.

Going after a guy like the Miami Marlins Gaby Sanchez would really benefit the Cubs, while the Marlins would get a guy who could add some value to their weak starting rotation.

Matt Garza

Starting pitcher Matt Garza's name will not be off the hot stove until he is either traded or Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer tell teams that it's off. Considering the value that Garza possesses, his name will likely remain on the block as long as teams are interested.

The Cubs are looking to add as many solid young pieces as they can, and no player can make that turn around better than Garza.

The Cubs gave up a whole lot of big pieces to attain Garza, so they will likely be looking for an overwhelming package in return.

Garza outplayed his 2010 season, striking out 47 more batters and dropping his ERA 57 points in one less start. Garza has been linked to trades to the Texas Rangers and San Diego Padres, but neither trade has ever really come to life.

Garza will continue to be linked to teams till the season begins, so it will remain to be seen if he will be on the North Side to start the 2012 season.

Jeff Chase is a Featured Columnist for the Chicago Cubs and Arizona State Football.