Chicago Cubs Baseball

When it comes to Chicago Cubs baseball 2008, there’s two things I know for certain:

1. There’s nothing Cubs manager Lou Piniella covets more besides a left-handed bat than a happy clubhouse.
2. Like every Cubs player, right-hander Jason Marquis should have that little tenet tattooed in his most available visible spot.

Although it’s been quiet for a week on the western front, Marquis already may have sealed his Chicago Cub fate with his “take my services elsewhere” comment. If Marquis should have learned anything after a year under Piniella’s reign, is the Cub skipper has no qualms about conducting a clubhouse clearance sale.

In fact, if asked, I’m sure Piniella would even have helped pack the bags of some of the more disgruntled.

Evidently, Marquis must have missed that moment. Like he must not have noticed Michael Barrett being shipping out west. Or overlooked Matt Murton’s demotion to Triple A. Or “mis-remembered” the antics that led to Jacque Jones and Will (Bad) Ohman calling new cities “home” in 2008.

All four of those players either rumbled in the dugout (Barrett) or mumbled in the clubhouse (Murton, Jones, Ohman). Only Murton still is donning Cubbie blue today. But it’s not like his services haven’t been dangled to others.

Funny how the more things change, the more they stay the same. Whether in baseball or in life.

“You just go out there and continue to play and continue to work and know that because of your ability, there’ll be plenty of opportunities in the future, wherever that might be.” - Matt Murton, 2007.

”So as much as I want to be here in Chicago and love it — I love the fans, I love the stadium — I also have a family to worry about, too. So [if he doesn’t win a starting job], I can take my services elsewhere, if that’s the case, and I can help another team in that capacity as a starter. My value doesn’t lie in the bullpen in my mind.” - Jason Marquis, 2008

Ironically, the duo may have more in common than loose lips, over-inflated egos and contracts that don’t match performances. Murton came from Boston to the Cubs in 2005, and Marquis may be headed to the Red Sox sooner than he thinks.

With Josh Beckett’s erratic back and the availability of Curt Schilling in question, Boston is in need of another arm. The Cubs, meanwhile, could use a Coco Crisp in center field.

Sure, Piniella has apologized for his off-handed response. And Marquis has since pitched like he really does want to play for the Cubs.

Then again, Piniella may have tempered his short fuse, but time has proven he still has a long memory.