Another day, another potential blockbuster rumor with little chance of happening. Cubs.com is reporting that the Blue Jays called the Cubs about potentially making a deal for Roy Halladay. Normally a report like this would cause a ton of excitement, but the Cubs are in such poor financial shape that it probably cannot happen. His $15.75 million salary in 2010 would be way too much for the Cubs to take on right now, and it really is too bad.

Halladay would immediately become one of, if not the, best pitchers in the NL. In the weak NL Central who knows how low his ERA would be. The Cubs would right away have one of the best rotations in the game and if they could get Halladay to sign an extension it would be in place for three years. A pitcher this good doesn't come to you very often.

If the Cubs had the money to make this deal it would take a boatload of players. Starlin Castro would be involved, probably so would two of Carpenter/Cashner/Jay Jackson, plus a number of other guys. If the Cubs were serious about winning now they would make the deal. Heck I wouldn't mind Hendry asking to expand payroll for such a special pitcher. Unlike the Curtis Granderson situation, we have a no doubt certified superstar player in Halladay.

Unfortunately money is short, Hendry probably wants to keep his prospects, and Halladay will be moved elsewhere. Good thing we have Milton Bradley rumors to keep us going.

Speaking of Milton, it looks like the Texas rumor is the main one on the table now. Phil Rogers (yeah I know) tweeted earlier that a Bradley/Millwood/Castillo swap could be in the works. I can't tell you how stupid this would be for the Cubs. With Millwood at least you get a starting pitcher who produces at an average level. I don't want to watch two years of Castillo at second. Hopefully the Cubs keep the deal between Millwood and Bradley.

That is the second Milton rumor and it reads like many Cubs fans dream come true. Bradley and Aaron Miles would go to Texas for Kevin Millwood. This pretty much matches up overall salary because Millwood has a back loaded bonus due over the next five years. MB and Miles end up being owed $23.7 million and Millwood $27. Eating $3.3 million isn't that bad. This comes from some radio reports and some other blog chatter.

Cubs.com says that there are 4-6 teams interested in Milton, but they downplay any MB to Texas talk. It is all very confusing, though I think MB going to Tampa is on the backburner because they want the Cubs to eat too much money. Again I would rather just keep him, but we are past that.

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