The only downside to this deal is that it will take some of Maddux's spotlight tomorrow.

That said, commence your happy dance. Direct your prayers to our lord and savior, Jim Hendry, in north Chicago. Hurry to the sporting goods store to get that extra Cubs jersey lettered with "NOMAAAHHHHHHH."

The Cub Reporter and others are covering this one, but simply put, Jim Hendry robbed everyone. I'll wait to get completely obnoxious until I see the numbers, but there is simply no downside here. The Cubs gave up a potentially useful reliever (who will be replaced by Ryan Dempster), a decent prospect (at least two years away in an organization loaded with pitching prospects), and Alex Gonzalez to get a difference maker and a #1 pick. I'll take it.

Now, the Cubs SHOULD look like this tomorrow:

2B Walker (Grudz in a pseudo-platoon)
SS Nomahhhhhh
RF Sosa (I'd rather see Lee here, but Dusty won't move him)
LF Alou (I'd rather see Aramis here, but again ...)
3B Ramirez
1B Lee
CF Patterson
CA Barrett (Bako with Maddux on the hill)
SP Maddux

Whoa. That looks good. Not catch-the-Cards good, but Marlins-won-the-Series-as-wild-card good.