We May Have Found Our Shortstop...

Miguel Tejada wants to be traded, and the Cubs need a shortstop. He's got four years left on his contract, although he's due $56 million over that period - which is slightly more than what the Cubs were reportedly offering Furcal.

My fear is that we will end up seeing a Manny-for-Tejada deal (recall that the Sox already shipped Renteria). In any event, perhaps losing Furcal wasn't that bad after all - if Hendry can work this one out:

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic -- Baltimore Orioles shortstop Miguel Tejada said Thursday he's unhappy with the team's direction and wants to be traded.

"I've been with the Orioles for two years and things haven't gone in the direction that we were expecting, so I think the best thing will be a change of scenery," Tejada told The Associated Press during a telephone interview in his native Dominican Republic.

Tejada signed a $72 million, six-year contract with the Orioles before the 2004 season.

He hit .304 with 26 home runs and 98 RBI this year, but Baltimore finished 21 games behind the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox in the AL East.

"I've done many things with this team and I haven't seen results, and the other teams are getting stronger while the Orioles have not made any signings to strengthen the club," said Tejada, the 2002 AL MVP while with Oakland.

Wouldn't it be something if the Hendry pulled this one off?

This would go a long way toward bolstering this team's chances next year.