What To Watch

First spring training practice is tomorrow with games two weeks out. Here’s what we all should be on the lookout for.

Any news of Kerry Wood containing the word "setback." He's already expected to miss two weeks to a month. Add a week of missed time for each time that word is used along with Wood.

Any news of Aramis Ramirez containing the word "leg muscle," "hamstring," or "quadricep."

The two-hole in the batting order. I really don’t care about spring training stats, but Dusty Baker's lineup construction is worth watching. Will Todd Walker get the bulk of at bats? Will Ronny Cedeno? Matt Murton? Or will the 2006 surrender flag be waived in the form of Neifi Perez?

Mark Prior and reports of his towel drill. Frankly, given Prior's creaky springs the last two years, any news about towels and not about mounds will be words to fear.

Angel Guzman sightings. If he is healthy, he becomes prime trade bait for a team that really needs another right fielder to platoon with Jacque Jones and his Mendozaish batting average against left handers.

Buffet lines and Jerome Williams proximity thereto.

Cubs catching. With Henry Blanco and Michael Barrett wasting time at the World Baseball "Classic", it will be interesting to see if Cubs pitchers fall into some poor habits because they are unfamiliar with their backstops.

Left field. Marquis Grissom may spend time out there. The more time he spends, the more likely he will platoon with Murton. To be clear: that would not be a good thing.

Back To The Wish List?

Barry Rozner ruminates on the possibility that Miguel Tejada might still be on the block.

Rozner makes note of the same issues that Ivy Chat did two years ago (re: chemical enhancements) and adds what he calls, "Sammy Sosa disease" (no doubt Chip Caray thinks this is a kind of surgery).

Frankly, he's worth the risk. If the Cubs only had to give up the likes of a Todd Walker and an Angel Guzman to get him, I make that deal. For Prior? No. For dregs and prospects as part of an Orioles salary purge? Go get him.