Cubs Looking at Ibanez

Foxsports.com's Ken Rosenthal is reporting that there are early talks between the Mariners and the Cubs that would bring LH OF Raul Ibanez to Chicago. While the Cubs have Soriano, Fukodome, Edmonds and Reed Johnson already, they have expressed a need for another left-handed bat. The Chicago Sun-Times reported this morning that Pinella was "hinting" for more help. When asked if he needed anything before the deadline, he answered, "I've said I like my team. If you can improve it, why not?" While the Cubs have been playing good baseball all season, there are areas of concern and if there was ever a year to go for it, this is it. Even if they can win their division, they will have to contend with the Mets and Phillies, who are working hard to upgrade before the deadline. Sun-Times' Chris De Luca suggests the Cubs look at closer George Sherrill while they're at it because of the precarious nature of Woods' health and the deterioration of Bob Howry's performance of late.