Chicago Tribune: Chicago Cubs remain confident a trade involving Milton Bradley will be consummated

Now that crunch time has arrived, Hendry is finding it difficult to deal the mercurial outfielder unless the Cubs take on almost all of the remaining $21 million on his contract.

The stalemate could go on for a while, though the Cubs remain confident a trade will be consummated before long.

Sources outside the organization insist the best bet remains a deal with the Rays involving Pat Burrell, whom the Cubs would try to deal elsewhere, possibly to the Blue Jays for prospects.

A three-way deal discussed last month in which the Cubs would send Burrell to the Mets for second baseman Luis Castillo appears dead because the Mets aren’t interested in Burrell, who is better suited as a DH.

Rumors that the Royals and Mets are interested in Bradley proved to be false, leading to speculation it’s either Tampa Bay or bust.

Hendry spoke to five or six clubs about trade possibilities Monday on the opening day of the winter meetings. But if the Rays are the only serious suitor, they could wait out the Cubs, hoping new owner Tom Ricketts will eventually decide that eating the bulk of the contract is preferable to another year of distractions.