--Although they have reached an agreement with Ryan Dempster, the Chicago Cubs still remain the Padres' best trading partner for RHP Jake Peavy. 

Changes are already being made for the 99-loss Padres -- mostly addition by subtraction. 

Although the focus remains on the expected departure of pitchers Jake Peavy (via trade) and Trevor Hoffman (via free agency), the Padres recently came up with another problem. 

Changes are already being made for the 99-loss Padres -- mostly addition by subtraction. 

--3B Kevin Kouzmanoff had arthroscopic right shoulder surgery on Nov. 

The Padres appear to be in total free-fall, although little official news comes out of the club these days. 

The Cubs, moving to address one of their offseason priorities, are close to re-signing free-agent right-hander Ryan Dempster to a four-year contract, according to major-league sources. 

Jason Varitek's decline in Boston has the Red Sox pondering whether to re-sign him. 

--3B Kevin Kouzmanoff had arthroscopic right shoulder surgery on Nov. 

Changes are already being made for the 99-loss Padres -- mostly addition by subtraction. 

--3B Kevin Kouzmanoff had arthroscopic right shoulder surgery on Nov. 

Changes are already being made for the 99-loss Padres -- mostly addition by subtraction. 

The Padres appear to be in total free-fall, although little official news comes out of the club these days. 

The Padres appear to be in total free-fall, although little official news comes out of the club these days. 

Padres third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff had arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder and is expected to be ready by the start of spring training.