The Cubs are close to acquiring Jason Kendall from the A's for Rob Bowen - who they'd just acquired in the Michael Barrett deal - and a minor leaguer. They had already designated Bowen for assignment. I don't know how much of Kendall's contract the Cubs are willing to take on. Anyway, bad move for the Cubs - Kendall's done, and I'd rather just go with Bowen if I were them.

UPDATE: Via Bleed Cubbie Blue, the minor leaguer is apparently a lefty reliever named Jerry Blevins, 23, who has struck out 69 batters in 53 innings at Class A+ and Class AA this year. Blevins added a bunch of velocity this year.

Since this post is about the Cubs, now's as good a time as any to post a link to this, which is funny for lots of totally unintentional reasons.