Report: Cubs to Trade Jason Marquis to Rockies

Reports are circulating that the Rockies are in discussions with the Chicago Cubs in regards to acquiring Jason Marquis in exchange for reliever Luis Vizcaino.

Marquis, who will turn 31 in August,  has been a 10 game winner five straight years, including the 2007 season in which he went 11-9 with a 4.53 ERA in 28 starts for the northsiders. 

The Rockies have been in search of help for their rotation.  They have several in-house options, including prospect Franklin Morales, who helped the team reach the World Series in 2007, as well as Jason Hirsh, a promising star before injuries sidelined him for the majority of 2008 campaign.

The Rockies are deciding to go the free agency route after trying to build from within failed them last season. 

Morales was expected to carry a large load, but was clearly not ready for the pressure of being the number three in the rotation. 

With Morales sent back to Triple-A Colorado Springs, and Jason Hirsh sidelined, the Rockies were forced to turn to Kip Wells and Mark Redman to fill the rotation. 

Redman and Wells combined to go 3-7, while giving up 59 runs in 72-2/3  innings. 

The Cubs will reportedly receive reliever Luis Vizcaino, who struggled with the Rockies after signing a club record two year deal worth $7.5 million dollars.

Vizcaino pitched 46 innings, going 1-2 with a 5.28 ERA. He struggled mightily and complained about a lack of time pitching in big innings.

Lefties hit .385 off of Vizcaino in 2008.

Presumably, for the deal to get done, the Rockies will have to pick up a large chunk of what is left of Vizcaino's contract.

Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd was quoted in late September as saying that he made some mistakes in signing free agents that did not have the character makeup that they have looked for in the past. 

The comment was thought to be referring specifically to Vizcaino, due to his complaints about playing time.

His fate may have been sealed with the Rockies when he was arrested in late October for suspicion of DUI near his Tampa home.