A Challenge

Bruce Miles, the Daily Heralds' Cubs beat writer, suggests that Jim Hendry put up or shut up. He states, correctly, that sending down Matt Murton and his .339 batting average would be the wrong message to send to this team.

If Hendry is serious about rewarding performance, no way does he send rookie outfielder Matt Murton to the minor leagues when the Cubs activate Jerry Hairston from the disabled list for today's game against the Colorado Rockies.

... Hendry may have to cut ties with veteran outfielder Todd Hollandsworth, who is batting .253 with 5 home runs and 32 RBI.

A better idea would be to send Todd Wellemeyer down given that Jerome Williams is available in the bullpen as Jerome's turn in the rotation was skipped.

Miles also cites a Will Carroll article (channeling frequent talkbacker Carlos Zambrano's Dad) suggesting that Kerry Wood become an 80's style closer. You know, pitch more than one inning and possibly, take a deep breath, bat.

We all were reminded of the way this worked a few weeks back when we saw Bruce Sutter pitch in the "Sandberg Game."

Can you see Dusty Baker or Jim Hendry doing something evolutionary?

Me neither.

:::UPDATE:::
Matt Murton goes down. So does Jim Hendry's credibility.