So we sat down before the Winter Meetings start with Cubs GM Will Keathley and asked him a few questions concerning some rumors floating around the internet and his plans for the future after another disappointing season in Chicago.

Q: So we hear rumors of Jake Peavy for Manny Ramirez, how much truth is there with that rumor?
A: We were contacted by the Red Sox and told them Peavy was still available but there is no interest in bringing Manny to Chicago. We don’t need two Sammy Sosas.

Q: So Peavy is still available? And what’s it going to take for a team to get him?
A: Yes, every player on the roster can be had for the right deal, this is a business, we are not concerned with fan reaction or loyalty. We want to make the team better and win, plain and simple. To get Jake, it’ll take 4 or 5 players who will provide immediate production for our club, similar to when we traded A-rod and Luis Gonzalez for 5 players in 03 with Montreal. Peavy is a better player than A-Rod, and still in the arbitration years, so he’s still underpaid for his skillset.

Q: So what types of players are the Cubs going to go after in the offseason?
A: We’re looking to get better defensively and help out pitchers live up to their potential. We’ve got 3 starters with A+ stuff and right now they are being let down by the defensive ability of our current roster.

Q: Any players you think you’re going to go after?
A: We’ve got some guys targeted, but can’t really tip our hand yet.

Q: So you’ve been here 3 years and the Cubs have yet to make any major strides towards your goal of winning the World Series, how long of a window do you think you have for that promise to come true?
A: The owners have given me a positive review and say my job is safe through ‘07 when my contract is up, but if we don’t win 90 games and make the playoffs this year, I’m stepping down as GM of the Cubs. The fans of Chicago deserve a better product on the field and if I can’t deliver it, I should be somewhere else.

Q: Wow, so you’re publicly saying 90 wins or you leave town?
A: That’s correct, post it in the blogs, it’s 100% going to happen.

Q: You fired Mark Grace midway through ‘04 and took over yourself, what’s the plan for the manager position for next season?
A: We don’t have any top candidates right now, I’ve been focused on the roster and we’ll figure out who makes out the lineup card and gets the credit sometime in January. We knows, maybe I’ll control my own fate for another season.