Come To Think Of It...Chicago Cubs Are Considering Moving Versatile Mark DeRosa

For many Cubs fans, Mark DeRosa was the MVP of the team last year. Still, for others, he was a very useful player who not only put up career numbers but could play almost anywhere on the diamond.

Well, I guess other teams have taken notice.

For one, Mark DeRosa's name has come up recently as part of the ongoing Jake Peavy rumors. It seems that one rumor has the Philadelphia Phillies being engaged as a third team in the trade. Under this scenario, the Phillies would send pitchers the Padres desire and the Cubs would give them DeRosa. 

DeRosa is wanted by the Phils because he fills two voids. First, he could play second base while Chase Utley recovers from surgery. Then, when Utley comes back, DeRosa could slide over to left field to replace free agent Pat Burrell.

However, the Phillies aren't the only team inquiring about DeRosa. Another rumor has the Cubs talking to the Minnesota Twins about DeRo, with the Cubs apparently selecting from a list of pitchers that the Padres would like.  Again, the end goal is to help fortify the offer to San Diego so that the Cubs can complete the Peavy trade.

Sounds like a lot of stuff that has to happen for this Peavy thing to go down, so I'm not convinced it's going to happen. This is sounding more and more like last year's constant Brian Roberts rumors. In fact, those rumors still won't completely die to this day.

Look, DeRosa is a good player and I'd hate to lose him, but I understand what the Cubs are trying to do.  In addition to trying to acquire a former Cy Young winner to bolster the pitching staff, DeRosa's main two positions, second base and right field, just so happen to be the two places the Cubs are looking at trying to fill their need for a lefty hitter.

Additionally, Mark can become a free agent following this season.

If DeRo goes, Mike Fontenot would likely play second base.  He's a left-handed hitter who would likely have a veteran second sacker around to split time with, in the event that Fontenot can't hit lefty pitchers on a regular basis.

Also, the Cubs are still looking for that lefty hitting right fielder.  They don't want to spend the money for Ibanez, Dunn or Abreu, although one of the three is not definitely out of the picture. Clearly, they'd rather do it via the trade route and so they are looking at names like Teahen, DeJesus, Hawpe and Hermida, among others. Among free agents, Milton Bradley is an intriguiing name. The man can hit. But I digress.

Like Kerry Wood, who is said to be very close to signing with the Cleveland Indians, I sure will miss DeRosa if he goes. But I guess you have to give quality to get quality, come to think of it.