Several Cubs could be gone

If history is any judge, Ted Lilly figures to be traded by the Cubs soon.

Cubs general manager Jim Hendry worked for several years under Andy MacPhail, who believed that if the team is out of contention by the July 31 nonwaiver trading deadline, you get as much money off the books as possible.

The new owners of the Cubs would welcome any financial relief, and there are a few players who have easily movable contracts.

Lilly is one of them. He's finishing up a four-year, $40 million contract, which pays him $12 million this season. With pitcher Dan Haren having gone from Arizona to the Angels on Sunday, Lilly could become even more attractive to teams such as the Tigers, Mets and Yankees.

Hendry was not at Wrigley Field on Sunday, but assistant GM Randy Bush spent time talking with Lilly in the clubhouse before the game, perhaps to keep him apprised of developments.

Other candidates to be gone before Saturday (or even after that, when waivers are required to make trades) are first baseman-outfielder Xavier Nady and second baseman Ryan Theriot.

Nady might have value to an American League club as a DH. He has been a poor fit with the Cubs this year coming off elbow surgery.

Theriot has declined rapidly on offense from a career year in 2008. If the Cubs don't trade him, they likely will not tender him a contract in the winter.

Valentine's day? One press-box wag noted that Bobby Valentine looked like he was dressed for a job interview. In fact, Valentine was in town with ESPN to broadcast Sunday night's Cubs-Cardinals game.

Valentine spent some time in the Cubs clubhouse, saying hello to players and media members as part of his pregame preparation. It appears he's interested in succeeding Lou Piniella as Cubs manager

Here's something else to remember: Valentine is a protégé of former Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda, and Jim Hendry holds Lasorda in high regard. Any recommendation from Lasorda about Valentine surely would carry weight with Hendry.

Valentine told a reporter he won't leave ESPN "unless something very special came up," and the Cubs job "falls in the category of very special."

All good: Carlos Zambrano could return to the team by the weekend in Colorado. He pitched 2 scoreless innings of relief Saturday for Class AAA Iowa. Lou Piniella termed the reports "positive." Zambrano has undergone anger-management treatment since a dugout tirade June 25.

This and that: Left-handed reliever John Grabow said pain "still bites" at his left knee and that he's still a ways from pitching. Grabow has been on the disabled list since June 29 with a knee sprain, his second bout with that injury... Reggie Golden, the Cubs' No. 2 pick in this year's draft, took batting practice with the team. He'll report to Mesa, Ariz., on Monday. Golden signed for a reported $720,000.