Well, it’s election day 2008. A day much bigger than anything this blog will ever talk about. If you are so inclined to do so, make the time today to vote. If you don’t want to, that’s your right too. Anyways onto the Cubs:

One of the best young right handers in the baseball business is now available via trade. The Cubs are interested, but just how creative can GM Jim Hendry get at this point. The Cubs minor league system is pretty dry. The Cubs don’t have the young pitching the Padres want, but they are now more focused on trying to find a way to bring Jake Peavy into the fold. This from Dave van Dyck’s Tribune article:

As for Peavy, who has four years and at least $63 million left on his contract with San Diego, three teams are in the running now that the Padres have announced they would trade him for the right mix of young players. The teams are believed to be the Dodgers, Braves and Cubs, although it is doubtful Peavy would be traded within the West Division.

That leaves the Cubs and Braves. And one scout said the Cubs “don’t have the talent it would take.”

The Padres need a young starter in return, plus other young players as they reduce payroll. The Braves have better young pitching, especially considering Jeff Samardzija’s deal with the Cubs includes a no-trade clause. A source said the Cubs were offering Ronny Cedeno, Felix Pie and others, but that could not be confirmed.

If Dempster were to leave and Peavy were traded to Atlanta, the Cubs might have to spend to acquire a big-time starter. The high-revenue Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, Angels and Dodgers are looking for pitching too.

Looks like Jim Hendry’s gonna have to find a partner for a three-way.