1) The Cubs desperately need a lead-off man. They have a gaping hole at the top of the lineup, and despite a great showing during some stretches last year, Ryan Theriot is not, and shouldn't be, an every day player.

2) Jason Marquis is now hurting this team. His big contract requires that you play him if he's healthy, and he's quickly spent the offseason descending into bad appledom. Getting rid of him would be a great plus.

3) This team needs to win now. This is by far the most important reason. You have a surplus of pitchers right now, and between Zambrano, Hill, Marshall, and three more years of Lilly, You don't have much in the way of rotation space, which means that Veal and Gallagher would more than likely be blocked for several years anyway. Ronny Cedeno has talent and potential, but is he better than Brian Roberts for this season and next? Your biggest loss here is Jose Ceda, who is a relief prospect, several years away from making an impact. Seems like a small price to pay for contention.

All in all, I would do it without thinking twice.