What looked to be like a sure thing fell through as Chicago reporters waited around Jacque Jones to hear his feedback regarding being traded to the Florida Marlins. Unfortunately for the reporters, it didn’t happen.

Jacque Jones is still a Cub, but for how long is the question. Jones is the odd man out in the myriad of what is known as the Cubs outfield. Besides Soriano, no one has a set postion. Angel Pagan has played well, Felix Pie is a coveted future talent, Cliff Floyd is a decent left-handed bat, and Matt Murton is biding his time down in Iowa. Jones hasn’t played in the last six games and is currently hitting .234 on the year, well below his career .278 average. His fielding is suspect and his arm is probably one of the worst in terms of an outfielder. With Pagan and Floyd showing good stability in the field and heating up at the plate, Jones has been trade bait for most of this year. He needed a hot start to the season in order to keep the rest of the crew on the bench, but that didn’t happen.

For now, Jones is simply a worm on a hook hoping for a taker. He would be a good platoon outfielder for other teams and has decent power from the left side of the plate. Unfortunately, his trade value has decreased and wearing his jersey with the Cubs is only part of his contract responsibilities.

With the Cubs down to only six relievers in the bullpen (one of them recently called up from AA and Ryan Dempster departing for the DL), the Cubs need to find some stability to add to their pitching situation. Jones was being offered to Florida for a prospect and cash, however, the Cubs may need to structure a deal to get someone ready to join the bullpen immediately. The starting pitching has been solid of late, but at some point, the bullpen is going to lethargic and thus will blow games in close situatons.

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