With barely a rumor coming out of the Cubs camp just days before the trade deadline, we're all wondering if something's boiling or not. The Cubs, in fact, are one of the few teams with no real speculations and rumors flying around, but lots of "advice" coming from the outside...and even much of that has to do with the offseason. For example, Dayn Perry (of Fox Sports) thinks the Cubs should start gearing up to trade Kerry Wood before Opening Day 2006.

However, let's float a few "what if" thoughts around...and yes, most of these are probably wacky, but then again...this is the team that let Alou and Clement both go, not to mention never dealt with the bullpen situation...so who really knows what's wacky and what isn't?

1. Manny Ramirez reportedly wants out of Boston. Sure, this is annual, but why not help him out? Meanwhile, the Red Sox need an outfielder and probably young arms down the stretch, with so many of their starters struggling...so why not send them Patterson and, say, Wellemeyer, Leicester, or Mitre for Ramirez? Let's face it, the Cubs have a stockpile of young arms aching not from injury, but from needing big league use in a non-Rothschildian atmosphere. Ramirez and Garciaparra might just both benefit from a reunion, especially with Walker involved.

2. There's validity to the claim that we'll basically be trading for two solid relievers and bulking up the bullpen when we get Wood and Williamson back in there...I think that's a good point. However, these guys are re-entering big league play or adjusting to new roles during August, so we'll still be "emerging," as Dusty would say, while the Astros are running away with our hopes for the Wild Card. While very few solid relievers remain available, perhaps a gamble is all we have. This winter, people buzzed about pursuing Urbina (especially once Percival was signed), so he's an option, as is Wise (Milwaukee) or even the Rockies' Fuentes (albeit a long shot).

3. Hill and Williams are pitching fairly well, and they've been pleasant surprises in the past few weeks. However, with Wood gone as a starter for the season and the bullpen still very iffy, not to mention the fact that much of the remaining season is divisional play and these new guys may get figured out pretty quickly, the Cubs shouldn't rule out the option of a high-quality starter...say Kevin Millwood. Putting young starters repeatedly in front of teams like St. Louis, Houston, and even (yes) Cincinnati brings to mind the phrase "like lambs to the slaughter," and this Cubs team simply can't afford very many 3 or 4 inning starts.

Anyway, just a few thoughts...please feel free to deconstruct them or tell me I'm crazy for even considering them.