Buster Olney's latest includes speculation on the Chicago Cubs' finances, the Mariners' draft strategy, and the current "very good" teams in the majors.
- Olney says that the Cubs' debt will impact their pursuit of free agents, suggesting that they may want to instead look to player development and the upcoming draft.
- Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik has had his best success in the draft picking position players, so it would not be surprising if the Mariners go for a position player with the No. 2 overall pick.
- Olney writes that there are no great teams in the majors at the moment, but rather, there are a handful of very good teams that have some distinct flaws. Of all teams, he feels that the Texas Rangers have the highest potential ceiling.
- Aramis Ramirez and Alfonso Soriano have no trade value, but Kerry Wood will have some. The Cubs would presumably let Wood decide whether he wants to be traded midseason, as he gave the Cubs a hometown discount this year ($1.5MM) because he wanted to return.