Finally, Both Aaron's Are Gone - Footnote Edition

After inexplicably rushing to give an over-market deal to Grabow, Hendry is now atoning for those mistakes from last offseason. The Aaron's sent by Satan to further torment Cubs' fans are both finally gone after Aaron Miles was traded to the A's along with Jake Fox. Let's take a look at some quotes from Henry about the deal with some helpful [1] footnotes.

"It's a real good trade for everyone [2]," Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said. "Jake [3] will help the A's, hopefully Aaron will get back on track [4]. It gives us three good young players [5] and a power arm with a chance to make the club in Gray[6]."

"We've been given a very fair [7] budget the last few years," Hendry said. "[Cubs chairman] Tom Ricketts is going to be an outstanding owner [8]. He's made no bones about how he wants to be here for a long time and build for the future and keep [9] developing our players. We're in a year where if our budget is approximately the same area it's been in the last 12 months, then we have to maximize the opportunities [10] and be creative [11] and make some trades, and that's what we feel like we're doing."

Gray, who was added to the Cubs' 40-man roster, split time between the A's and Triple-A Sacramento in 2009.

"He certainly doesn't have a lot of experience pitching in the eighth or ninth [innings] yet," Hendry said. "His arm strength is very good [12]. He's not old by any means as far as bullpen guys [13]. He's got the stuff to be able to pitch in any area of the bullpen, if he's able to harness it a little bit better [14]. He throws very hard and throws strikes. Our scouts felt his arm strength was a lot like [Angel] Guzman's [15]."

"We'll continue to look," Hendry said. "We'd still like to pursue some bullpen possibilities [16]. I think the market is going to dictate how long that goes and who's left. There's also other trade possibilities that we feel might be possible for us to do [17]."

[1] - Not at all helpful, and likely not very amusing

[2] - "The A's are not yet aware the ole Trojan Horse trick was pulled on them in a Jake Fox trade and we secretly stuffed Aaron Miles into Jake's luggage"
[3] - Matt Stairs Jr.

[4] - Hamster wheel

[5] - You will never hear from any of these guys again

[6] - Watch your back ShamWOW

[7] - Outrageous

[8] - "Inexplicably he has yet to fire me"

[9] - Start

[10] - Trade salary in order to overpay others

[11] - Offer more money and years than anyone else will

[12] - He should fit in by impressively walking hitters

[13] - He's old

[14] - He's wild

[15] - Throwing arm strength > Keeping arm together strength

[16] - John Grabow is the top setup option!

[17] - "That douche Milton is getting traded if it's the last thing I do"