...resumes.  According to the Sun-Times Womack could be on the field this weekend.  Of course Dustbag thinks it's a great idea.

"I'm hearing good reports on him,'' manager Dusty Baker said Wednesday. "I'm hearing he is playing pretty good. We'll address that when I get home. It's not a bad option.''

The Cubs are off today, and Baker and general manager Jim Hendry could have Womack in the house by Friday. The 12-year major-league veteran was in Class AAA Iowa's lineup Wednesday night in Sacramento, Calif., which is familiar turf to Baker.

"I talked to people out in Sacramento [on Tuesday], and they told me Womack was playing good,'' Baker said. "They said he wants to play good enough to force me to call him up. That's fine with me.''

Just what we need 8 2b on the roster.  To think people claimed this wouldn't happen.

Many posters have touted Jim Hendry's genius in insisting that Murton be included in the Nomar deal.  However as has been suspected the truth's quite a bit different.

From chicagosports.com:
Murton was the eighth, coming to the Cubs as the proverbial throw-in player Hendry had scouted but hardly coveted.

"I think his name first came up at (2:50) and five minutes later, with five minutes to spare, we had a deal," Hendry recalled. "It was quick, I know that."

Looks like 'ole Jimbo lucked out.

Baseball America has released their organizational ratings and the Cubs have fallen for the 4th year in a row to 15th directly behind the White Sox .

Here's what they had to say about the Cubs.

                 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001
15. Chicago Cubs   10    7    3    1    2
Felix Pie takes up mantle as top prospect in a rapidly thinning organization.

The numbers under the years are the Cubs place in the rankings in those years.  The ranking is disappointing to say the least.  Granted some of that ranking has been turned in to Ramierez, Lee, and Pierre.  However the Cubs have failed to restock the system.  It's disheartening that not only were the Cubs not able to build on a playoff team in 2003, but the farm system is also in decline as well

Mark Prior left camp with a shoulder injury today.

Continue reading this post »

From Friday's Tribune:

Veteran outfielder Marquis Grissom doesn't have to put up big numbers to make the team, even though he is a non-roster invitee.

"He doesn't have to have a great spring," Baker said. "Spring training is for the young, especially early because they're in shape in no time and, No. 2, most young guys hit fastballs. Pitchers aren't ready to throw good breaking balls. It's hard to throw them here in Arizona because of the air."

Baker said he would evaluate Grissom by his health, speed and bat speed.

"You want to see progress as spring goes on," Baker said. "I have a pretty good idea of what he can do. I'm looking for just what he has left."

Does anyone know Frank Maloney's e-mail address?  The entire Cubs ticketing organization is a joke.  I tried to renew my season tickets online, accepting the fact that I had to pay them $35.00 to decrease their cost of doing business.  Of course that won't work.  So I call 773-404-CUBS.  When you follow the voicemail prompts you get a message that the "Season Tickets" voice-mail box is full.  Then after letting the phone ring for over 5 minutes to the main operator I'm told that the lines to the ticket office are saturated and that I should just fax in my order.

The Cubs ticketing operation is the worst of any of the major league teams I've dealt with and I've bought tickets from at least 8 of them.  It starts with their ridiculous online policy of not allowing you to purchase tickets to more than one game at a time.  It continues on with the fact that they do nothing for their season ticket holders.  Last year they increased the lost ticket fee from a reasonable $5 per ticket to $20 per ticket.  That's more than the face value of my tickets.  I would really like to voice my displeasure to Mr. Maloney, in a calm and rational manner mind you.  I would suggest those of you who are sick of the Cubs ticketing practices, and I know there are quite a few, do the same.

WGN Radio is reporting that the Cubs are working on a deal with the Dodgers.  The Cubs will send Todd Walker to the Dodgers for Milton Bradley.  This makes sense from the Cubs' perspective, but I'm not sure how this helps the Dodgers, as they already have Jeff Kent.  I suppose it's possible that they might move Kent or Walker to 3rd base.  I like this move from the Cubs perspective.  It could turn out to be a disaster, but it's worth the risk IMO.  Furthermore Dusty's biggest strength is his supposed ability to get the best out of his players, so Bradley should be a good test for him.

...maybe the Cubs aren't so hot after Furcal after all.  That sound you heard are the purse strings being tightened.
  http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-0511120040nov12,1,6530620.story

By the way, this...
One-line diaries are prohibited on Bleed Cubbie Blue. Give your diary a bit more thought, then give it another shot. If you have nothing to add to your proposed diary, then it probably belongs as a comment under another appropriate thread.
...is annoyning.

Got a surprise in the mail today...

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From today's Rob Neyer column:

Most HR to tie or give team lead
Derrek Lee, Cubs          22    
Carlos Delgado, Marlins   20    
Alex Rodriguez            19    
David Ortiz, Red Sox      19    
Albert Pujols, Cardinals  19    
Ken Griffey Jr., Reds     17    
Jim Edmonds, Cardinals    17    
Andruw Jones, Braves      17    
Craig Biggio, Astros      16
Troy Glaus, Diamondbacks  16    
Chad Tracy, Diamondbacks  16    
Jason Bay, Pirates        16    
Manny Ramirez, Red Sox    15    
Paul Konerko, White Sox   15    
Richie Sexson, Mariners   15    
Melvin Mora, Orioles      15