Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated is reporting that discussions between the Cubs and Orioles involving 2nd baseman Brian Roberts “were starting to get serious.”

Heyman writes that one of the trade proposals being debated includes Orioles outfielder Jay Payton along with Roberts.  Throwing Payton in the trade would presumably act as a salary dump by the O’s as Payton is owed $5 million next year and has seen his offensive production decrease dramatically over the years.  Payton hit .256 with seven homers and 58 RBIs in 2007.

As many of you know, the teams have been talking about a potential Brian Roberts trade for weeks (click here for past Fleece Factor updates), with Cubs young pitchers Sean Gallagher and Sean Marshall being mentioned often as part of a return package for the Orioles.  Perhaps a deal is finally coming to fruition.  Then again, Baltimore owner Peter Angelos is involved here, so expect the Orioles to back away from this about forty-three more times before they eventually trade Roberts.

Filed under: Baltimore Orioles, Chicago Cubs