As winter meetings close, Cubs content with talks

ORLANDO, Fla. -- There were no declarations of “mission accomplished” from the Cubs on the final day of the winter meetings, but they seemed more than happy with what they got done.

The Cubs on Wednesday signed free-agent first baseman Carlos Pena to a one-year, $10 million deal. General manager Jim Hendry left early Thursday morning to attend visitation services for former Cubs player and broadcaster Ron Santo, who died last week.

Assistant GM Randy Bush met briefly with reporters.

“He left early this morning happy we filled our first-base need,” Bush said of Hendry. “That was obviously something we identified early on as something we'd like to get accomplished. We've made some progress in terms of starting-pitching needs, maybe bullpen options, both with trade or free-agent possibilities.”

The Cubs continued to meet with the Tampa Bay Rays about pitcher Matt Garza, although a match might be difficult to complete. In addition, Rays manager Joe Maddon told Tampa-St. Pete media members that Garza will be pitching for him next year.

The Rays reportedly want prospects. The Cubs have some to offer, but it's unlikely they would part with pitchers Andrew Cashner and Chris Archer and outfielder Brett Jackson. Others, such as pitcher Jay Jackson and perhaps third baseman Josh Vitters, could be on the trading table.

“Our farm system is very highly regarded by other teams, I can tell you that,” Bush said. “Any discussions we've had, it's always been made very clear that we have plenty of talent to get a deal done. It's just a matter of what part of that talent we'd be willing to let go.”

Draft doings:

The Cubs did not lose any players in the major-league portion of the Rule 5 draft. They did select pitcher Mason Tobin from the Angels, but they turned around and traded him to the Texas Rangers for cash considerations.

“We've added 14 players to our roster since spring training,” Randy Bush said. “We just felt like we didn't want to tie up another 40-man spot with another very young player based on the fact that we've added so many guys recently.”

In the minor-league phase of the Rule 5 draft, the Cubs lost pitchers Ronny Morla and Casey Lambert.

Happy campers:

Farm director Oneri Fleita said about 12 players are attending a strength and conditioning camp in Mesa, Ariz., the club has named after outfielder Tyler Colvin.

Fleita said big-leaguers Ryan Dempster, Jeff Samardzija and Darwin Barney are at the camp along with minor-league prospects.

“They're doing really well,” Fleita said. “It's called Camp Colvin. I asked Tyler if it was OK to name it after him. I thought anybody who could who can go and work out like he did last year and put on 25 great pounds and improve his flexibility and running speed... he looked great as we all know.”

Fleita said pitcher Hayden Simpson, the Cubs' No. 1 draft pick from 2010, will report to Mesa on Sunday. Simpson battled mononucleosis after being drafted and did not pitch this year.

Shortstop prospect Hak-Ju Lee is working with a personal trainer in Korea, and the Cubs want him to put on about 15 pounds of muscle.

The quote:

Randy Bush on the winter meetings: It's a different schedule here. I think this is one of the most unique environments any of us will ever be in, where it's ordinary for your cell phone to ring at 1:30 in the morning and you get somebody saying, ‘Hey, are you busy? You want to get together?' It's kind of a unique environment for a few days.”