Very Interesting...

In the comments, Kasey (a long time participant in the Eskimo.com Cubs' listserve) links to this article which suggests that Peoria native, Northwestern graduate, and two time Chicago Cub Joe Girardi may not be moving to Florida so fast:

The Yankees' bench coach told New York's WFAN Radio on Thursday that even if both the Marlins and Devil Rays offer him a chance to manage, he might stay put.

"I think I have a very good chance of getting one of these jobs, but to me the situation has to be right," Girardi said. "I'm not sure exactly what that means, but it has to be right for me to leave."

Asked if he needed assurances his next employer was committed to winning, Girardi answered cryptically.

"That's part of it," he said. "But you know there's other opportunities that I'm thinking about that could possibly open up later on. I'm not sure."

Girardi, who lives in Chicago, could have his eye on the Cubs managing job, where Dusty Baker might be on shaky ground. Girardi also is considered the top in-house candidate to replace Yankees manager Joe Torre should he leave.

Clearly, there is something up here. Between the fifth Dodger candidate, the clear disagreements between Dusty Baker and Jim Hendry, the timing of Dusty's extension (after all managerial openings are filled), and these statements from Girardi all combine to suggest that Dusty Baker is currently free to take an offer from another team.

Now, it's entirely possible that Dusty won't go anywhere and, a month from now, we'll get a few rounds of denials from Baker and Hendry.

But something is up. Cubs fans who want success in 2006 need to hope this comes to fruition.