The Cubs are nearing their offseason objective to shed Jason Marquis and his salary, being on the verge of dealing the right-hander to the Rockies for righty reliever Luis Vizcaino, according to a report by ESPN.
Marquis, who is due to earn $9,875,000 in 2009, had been perceived as one of the obstacles to the Cubs' earlier interest in acquiring San Diego right-hander Jake Peavy — a proposed deal subsequently termed "dead" by both parties.
Vizcaino, whose 2009 salary calls for $3.5 million, appeared in 43 games for the Rockies last season. The 34-year-old righty has a 2010 option at $4 million, with a $500,000 buyout.
Marquis, 30, has been a consisted winner despite posting escalating ERAs, including 4.53 last season while he went 11-9 in 28 starts. In the past five seasons, the first three of which he spent with the Cardinals, Marquis has won 65 games, posting a sub-4.13 ERA only once.