In an article mostly speculating about the Cubs acquiring Alex Rodriguez, the Chicago Tribune's Paul Sullivan quotes Jim Hendry as saying about Lou Piniella: "I enjoyed my time talking to Lou Piniella. He's an outstanding baseball person and for all the things he has accomplished in the game he certainly deserves to be a candidate." Notice that Hendry believes Piniella deserves to be a candidate, as if he is not one already. Also notice that Piniella deserves to be one for all of the things he has accomplished in the game, not because he would be a good fit for the Cubs. Either Hendry is trying to depress Piniella's market price, or he just isn't that enthused about him. Or, I'm reading too much into Hendry's statement.

Meanwhile, the Sun-Times Chris De Luca reported today that "Piniella expressed deep interest in the Cubs job during an exclusive interview Tuesday with the Sun-Times."

Sullivan also writes that "[t]he Padres' [Bruce] Bochy remains a possibility, though he's currently under contract in San Diego for one more year. But Padres CEO Sandy Alderson gave Arizona permission to talk to Bochy last off-season, which can be a sign that a manager is not long for an organization." The Sun-Times reported more extensively on that speculation yesterday, even saying that Bochy "likely would move to the top of the Cubs' wish list" if he were available.

If Bochy is available, he should be the guy. He has won four division titles in 12 years managing a middling-payroll team. He understands the value of walks and he understands the overvaluing of sacrifice bunts by non-pitchers. And his teams equal or better their Pythagorean won-loss records just about every year. If there is a possibility that Bochy will become available, it's worth it for Hendry to take his time selecting a new manager.