Ken Rosenthal’s latest column has a great take on the Manny situation and this nugget on the Cubbies:

“The prevailing wisdom is that the Cubs’ farm system isn’t deep enough for them to land a pitcher such as Sabathia, but rating prospects often is tricky. Not long ago, center fielder Felix Pie and left-hander Rich Hill were two of the Cubs’ top youngsters. Neither has become the player the club envisioned, while catcher Geovany Soto, shortstop Ryan Theriot and reliever Carlos Marmol — a converted catcher/outfielder — have greatly exceeded expectations.”

Yes, that is “so Cubs” as I am wont to say. And while that is certainly an interesting observation, the question still stands: do the Cubs have enough to get C.C. without trading any of the big league club? Likely not. Here are Baseball America’s top 11 Cubs prospects from this January.

The race to get Sabathia or even Rich Harden will have to be weak for the Cubs to be players.