Grissom calls it a career and the Cubs make a trade
As recently as a few days ago, Dusty Baker was licking his chops at the prospect of 39-year-old Marquis Grissom stealing at-bats from Matt Murton and being the primary pinch hitter off the bench. Luckily, Marquis recognized his wiltering abilities and undying need keep the couch from hitting the ceiling, and called it a career. In essence, Grissom saved the Cubs from Grissom. Grissom felt the youngster Angel Pagan outplayed him this spring, and he kindly stepped aside to make room for the kid. In my mind, there wasn't much of a decision to make. If Grissom was a few years younger, sure, I wouldn't mind having him around. But he was awful last year and showed absolutely nothing this spring. Baker's been raving about his veteran presence all spring and Grissom was a mortal lock to make the squad. So with that, I thank you for your contribution to the ballclub. You fell on the grenade. You saved me the indignity of using you as my daily whipping post. Good move. Now I'm going to have to find someone else to boo.
In other news, the Cubs traded Todd Wellemeyer to the Marlins for a couple of long-shot prospects. Both are 24 and have yet to pass single-A ball, and one is coming off Tommy John surgery to boot. Pretty much a dump job as Todd was out of minor league options and unlikely to make the big-league club. Might as well get something for him, so all-in-all it was a good move. I remember Todd's major league debut, as he struck out the side and got the Save in the 17th inning of a 4-2 victory over Milwaukee back in 2003. That was pretty much his lone career highlight for the boys in blue. Like many a failed prospects before him, he's got a lively fastball but little control. Good luck to you on the Marlins, Welly. May all your fastballs be lively.