Not a bad trade. Maybe a precursor to bigger deals for the Cubs.  Gerut gives them a lefthand bat, that can play all 3 OF positions, plus has some potential untapped left. (He was injured - Knee damage.)

AJ Burnett is going to be an Oriole? The Yankees and Bo Sox must be stressing over what deal they will accomplish before the deadline.  Rumors are Jason Schmidt is heading either to Boston or Chicago White Sox.  How about those Yanks? Did they run out of cash? Finally ran out of prospects to trade for legit MLB players?  Will see.

Cubs need to fill these holes:

• LF - Murton is a future guy ( Burnitz contract expires, when?)
• Closer/Setup - Unless Scott Williamson comes back a world beater, they still need help
• CF - Gerut may not be the answer.  Corey is definitely not it. So will see.

My thinking is this: If by July 29th, you are 53 or 54 wins and 48 losses, you have to make a final trade. 36-24 is a doable record, with the right players.

Nomar is scheduled back August 1st.  He'll give you (hopefully) a quality bat in the 2 hole.  So, leadoff is the need.  Juan Pierre? He is a guy that has only an option year left. He has the ability to disrupt on the base paths (though he doesn't walk much) and that could help. He plays CF. And that is a need.  A change of Scenery is usually a way to improve a guy's performance IMO.

Baltimore has two unhappy pitchers: Steve Kline and Sidney Ponson.  Both have had success (Kline more than Ponson) and might come Relatively cheap (as far as prospects.)  I'd look for a trade with them.  They also could use a Corey Patterson patrolling their OF.  So Patterson for either Kline or Ponson (with other details to be worked out) could be a great deal.

Cubs have enough talent - but they have wholes to fill - and these trades could really put them in a advantageous position.

JP out.