Dec 31, 2008 9:15 AM EST

The Cubs and Rockies appear close to a deal involving pitcher Jason Marquis, which could allow Chicago to sign free agent hitter Milton Bradley.

Sources confirmed Tuesday night that the Cubs and Rockies are close to a trade that will send Marquis and most of his $9.8 million contract to Colorado for embattled reliever Luis Vizcaino.

It has been considered a foregone conclusion throughout most of baseball the last two weeks that Bradley is headed to the Cubs, with mainly the payroll issue delaying the inevitable.

Via Chicago Sun-Times