June 2012 - Chicago Cubs Wiretap

Trade talks between the Phillies and Cubs are reportedly heating up as the two teams continue to discuss Alfonso Soriano.

Philadelphia is in the market for a corner infielder with some power. Soriano matches that profile almost perfectly hitting over 30 HR last season and committing only 1 error in 151 games.

Jim Bowden reported that the Cubs and Phillies had a deal tabled for Soriano on Friday night.

In an online chat, Bruce Levine of ESPN was asked what it might take to scare the Cubs front office into action in 2013.

"How big of a dip in attendance is necessary to frighten Cub management in 2013?" he was asked.

"A very good question," Levine responded. "It's interesting when a business of a baseball team plays chicken with a fan base. I believe the Cubs are changing some of their philosophy by going after Sanchez and Jackson. There is genuine concern about holding the fan base."

The Cubs have agreed to sign Hisanori Takahashi to a minor league contract with an invite to spring training.

Yuniesky Betancourt is drawing a good amount of interest that will result in a major league deal, according to agent Alex Esteban of Miami Sports Management.

"I can assure you that Yuni will be signing a Major League contract. Currently, there are four teams we are in conversations with and we expect to be finalizing a deal shortly after the holidays," Esteban said.

Betancourt spent 57 games with the Royals last season, posting a .228/.256/.400 batting line with seven homers. 

The Cubs have been linked to him as an option at third base.

Sandy Rosario has changed teams for the fifth time since Oct. 17.

Rosario, a 27-year-old right-hander, has spent the better part of nine seasons in the minors.

Here is his travel log:

• Selected off waivers by the Red Sox from the Marlins on Oct. 17.
• Traded to A's by the Red Sox in exchange for a player to be named later (Graham Godfrey) on Nov. 28
• Selected off waivers by the Red Sox from the A's on Dec. 10.
• Selected off waivers by the Cubs from the Red Sox on Dec. 12.
• Selected off waivers by the Giants from the Cubs on Dec. 21.

The Cubs and pitcher Edwin Jackson agreed to terms on a four-year, $52M deal, a source told ESPN's Jim Bowden on Thursday.

Jackson, 29, was 10-11 with a 4.03 ERA in 31 starts (189 2/3 innings) with the Nationals in 2012. 

The Cubs added another right-handed pitcher in Carlos Villanueva, who has agreed to a two-year contract, a major league source told ESPNChicago.com's Bruce Levine. The deal is pending a physical.

The Cubs are moving closer to completion on a four-year, $52M deal with Edwin Jackson, sources told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney on Thursday.

Jackson, 29, was 10-11 with a 4.03 ERA in 31 starts (189 2/3 innings) with the Nationals in 2012.

The Cubs have announced a one-year deal with Ian Stewart.

Stewart is guaranteed $2 million if he makes the opening-day roster and can earn another $500,000 in incentives.

Chicago acquired Stewart from last December, he batted .201 in 55 games and had season-ending left wrist surgery

The Cubs and Tigers are fighting for the right to sign Anibal Sanchez, who did not make a decision on his future on Thursday night.

Chicago thought they had Sanchez signed, but Detroit increased their offer.

The Braves aren't interested in acquiring Alfonso Soriano from the Cubs.

It has been reported that Chicago would pay $26 million of the $36 million remaining on Soriano's contract as long as they receive a legitimate prospect in return.