According to legend, when the Phillies unloaded Von Hayes, the local Philadelphia paper, I think it's called The Astonisher, queried Lenny Dykstra about the deal. When told that Von Hayes was traded, Dykstra is said to have remarked, "Great trade! Who'd we get?"

Both come to mind when considering the two most recent Cub transactions, Sosa and Farnsworth. Some suggest the team is stockpiling some potential trade bait for a closer. That may be true. It may also be true that scouts in the system see something in these players that the stats don't show. Or maybe it's addition by subtraction. Or all three.

All this increases the gnawing anticipation of Spring Training, when life begins again.

Soon.