Two-way Bradley deal might be Cubs' best bet

INDIANAPOLIS - Agent Seth Levinson, who represents Cubs right fielder Milton Bradley, did not wish to comment Monday when asked about the Cubs trying to trade Bradley.

Sources close to the situation say they believe the best avenue for the Cubs to move Bradley would be a two-way deal and not a three-team deal.

It's believed the New York Mets are waiting to see where free-agent outfielders Jason Bay and Matt Holiday land before considering any three-way deal involving the Cubs and Tampa Bay Rays. All of this could take a lot of time, which is not in the Cubs' best interests.

In such a scenario, the Cubs would move Bradley to the Rays for outfielder Pat Burrell. The Mets, who appear to have interest in second baseman Orlando Hudson, seemingly would deal second baseman Luis Castillo to the Cubs.

Cubs people have felt they've done enough background work where they could trade Bradley for Burrell and then move Burrell anywhere if they had to do so. The two years and $21 million Bradley has left on his contract continue to be the major obstacle for the Cubs, who insist they won't have to eat all of the money.

It also does not appear that teams have approached Levinson about Bradley. There is virtually no sentiment around the winter meetings that Bradley can stay with the Cubs.

Aces wild: The White Sox and Cubs both were talking up their "ace" pitchers Monday. Sox manager Ozzie Guillen and GM Kenny Williams both feel Jake Peavy can help their young pitchers.

"This guy, there's one thing about Jake, he's going to make (John) Danks and Gavin Floyd a lot better," Guillen said. "Plus, you have (Mark) Buehrle and Freddy (Garcia) helping those two kids to get better. He's going to help (prospect Dan) Hudson, and he's going to help our ballclub."

Cubs manager Lou Piniella set a lofty goal for righty Carlos Zambrano.

"I don't want to put any pressure on him, but this is a young man that should approach 20 wins every year with his stuff and with his physique, and hopefully this is the year he gets to that," Piniella said.

Zambrano checked in Monday that he's in Guatemala doing charity work and helping to build a church.

Sandberg moves up: Cubs Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg has been promoted from manager of the team's Class AA Tennessee affiliate to the AAA Iowa farm club. The spot opened when Bobby Dickerson left Iowa to take a minor-league coordinator's role with the Orioles.

Sandberg led Tennessee to the Southern League playoffs this year after earning rave reviews as the manager at Class A Peoria for two years.

"I've been very pleased with the progression," Sandberg told the Des Moines Register. "Getting closer to the major leagues is very gratifying. I'm looking at this as another stepping stone."

Catch this: The White Sox will have to make a decision whether they think catching prospect Tyler Flowers can stick with the big club or get more at-bats in the minor leagues.

"He's a leading candidate to be the backup," Kenny Williams said. "We've got A.J. Pierzynski. He's a gamer. He comes to play every day. Whenever Ozzie takes him out, he's fighting to get back in there. We have to weigh that against Tyler's development if we do carry him. It is carrying him with the agreement already in place that he's going to winter ball after the season."