Derek Smart says that Ryan Theriot should not be an everyday shortstop, but instead should play the super-sub role. And he is right. Barring a trade for Miguel Tejada (for whom the Cubs refused to trade Mark Prior straight up in Winter 2005), Ronny Cedeno should be given an even shot to win the job in spring training.

FoxSports.com reports that the Cubs are in talks with the Orioles for a deal that would send Prior to Baltimore and Tejada to Chicago but "talks are stalled, a source says, over the Cubs' insistence that the Orioles give up left-hander Erik Bedard along with Tejada if they want Prior – and the Cubs' refusal to include top outfield prospect Felix Pie or a top pitching prospect in return."

Both teams are also in discussions with Boston for a three-way deal that would send Manny Ramirez to the Orioles and Tejada to Chicago.