The Baltimore Orioles are going to give former Cub Scott Moore a look in the outfield as a way of bolstering his chances of making the team, reports the Washington Post. The Orioles acquired Moore in the ill-fated Steve Trachsel trade.

Baseball Prospectus' Marc Normandin profiles former Cubs and top flight prospect and current fourth outfielder type Corey Patterson. (Sub. req'd.) "Patterson's inability to make changes in his game has kept him from improving from the player he was in his earlier years, and his tendency to pull the ball with the power he doesn't have is part of this discussion." ... more

Based on a quick review, there are no current Chicago Cubs players linked to performance enhancing substances in the Mitchell Report. There are, however, a number of former Cubs discussed, along with rumored acquisition target Brian Roberts. Sammy Sosa's name is absent, other than a brief mention that he declined to answer Mitchell's questions.

Larry Bigbie told Mitchell that "Roberts admitted to him that he had injected himself once or twice with steroids in 2003." Roberts declined to meet with Mitchell.

The Cubs are intent on acquiring a left-handed hitting outfielder this offseason. Here's one available: Corey Patterson. Patterson, now 28, hit just .269/.304/.386 for the Baltimore Orioles in 2007.

Shawon Dunston is eligible for the Hall of Fame for the first time this year. With a career adjusted OPS 5.5% below league average, he is not going to make it, or even come close. But he will be remembered. Writes Baseball Prospectus's Jim Baker (sub. req'd): "When somebody does something better than the very best people in his field, it's pretty jarring. Remember the first time you saw Dunston make a throw from shortstop? Didn't your eyes just about unhinge from their sockets? Dunston is already in the Arm Hall of Fame. It's one of the many satellite Halls of Fame located near but not in Cooperstown, New York."

According to ESPN.com's Buster Olney, Ron Mahay is the "the most coveted free-agent middle reliever." Who would have thought that when the Cubs released him after the 2002 season, after Mahay allowed 6 home runs in 14.2 innings for the big league club that year? Especially since Mahay was 31-years-old when the Cubs released him.

Going through the list of Cubs' catchers who have caught Steve Trachsel that Phil Bencomo at Cub Town compiled brings back some memories. I really don't remember Tyler Houston catching that many games. And Brian Dorsett? If they weren't in Cubs' uniforms a decade apart, I would have confused him with Brian Dayett.

From MLB:

As most of you know, Rod Beck passed away at the age of 38 today. He left behind many good baseball memories. His 51 save, 144 ERA+ performance in the fun 1998 season stands out, of course. Though his 1999 season was a disappointment, Beck made a memorable comeback attempt in 2003 following Tommy John surgery the year before. He pitched lights out at Iowa for two months. Last year, I called Jim Hendry's failure to find a bullpen spot for Beck that season one of his worst moves as a GM. Beck ultimately caught on with the Padres and pitched very well.

Other Rod Beck coverage:
Rod Beck and His Trailer (5/16/2003)
"Looking at the Iowa pitching stats, Rod Beck appears to have been the best option if the Cubs wanted an extra reliever . . ." (5/11/2003)
"Adding further intrigue to the bullpen story, Rod Beck’s line at Iowa looks mighty impressive . . ." (5/5/2003)

"The Orioles have agreed in principle with former Chicago Cubs and Minnesota Twins executive Andy MacPhail to be the club's next chief operating officer, a baseball official confirmed today," reports the Baltimore Sun. The position appears to be similar to the president's position MacPhail held with the Cubs for twelve years. MacPhail was not able to build a consistent winner on the north side of Chicago. Now, it appears, he will have the opportunity in Baltimore. The Orioles are working on their tenth straight sub-.500 season. Joe Girardi could be the new Orioles' manager. Camden Chat has more.

Sosa's back to blowing kisses after homers (Jorge Arangure Jr., ESPN The Magazine, 6/16/2007)

It's a good thing the Cubs didn't resign Juan Pierre. Baseball Prospectus's Marc Normandin discusses how bad Pierre has been at the plate this season:

Interesting, it is, that the St. Louis Cardinals -- 13th in the NL in ERA coming into Sunday -- are to the point of using failed a Chicago Cubs relief pitcher as a starting pitcher. They have sent down the 0-8 Anthony Reyes to AAA and are inserting Todd Wellemeyer, whom even the Kansas City Royals released earlier this season, into the starting rotation. Wellemeyer had a memorable debut with the Cubs, but it was all down hill from there. He has a career ERA 19% below league average in 185 innings, all out of the bullpen.

"The Orioles have agreed to terms today on a one-year deal with Corey Patterson, avoiding salary arbitration with their center fielder, according to a club source," reports the Baltimore Sun. "Patterson will make a base salary of $4.3 million in 2007. He had asked for $4.6, while the Orioles had offered $4 million."

Patterson had a .262 EqA and played 102 Rate2 defense in CF for the Orioles last season.

Patterson made $2.8M in his last season with the Cubs, in 2005.

Former Cub Mark Bellhorn has signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds.

Bellhorn had one of his bad years last year, posting a 66 OPS+ with the Padres in 288 plate appearances. Both of his good years -- 2002 (Cubs) and 2004 (Red Sox) were quite good.