With Bob Brenly not getting much attention for the managerial openings and thus staying in the Cubs' broadcast booth, the Chicago Tribune's Paul Sullivan gives us an update on Steve Stone:

Former Cubs broadcaster Steve Stone is a candidate for an analyst's job on Washington Nationals telecasts in 2007. Stone likely will leave Chicago if he gets the job. His two-year ESPN contract has run out, and Stone is not sure if the network will cut back on announcers with a reduced package of games next year.

"Chicago is my favorite city to work in, and it was great here," Stone said. "I loved ESPN, but the only problem with a national broadcast is you have no rooting interest, and that's never all that good."

The Cubs aren't interested in a three-man booth for either their radio or TV announcing teams, so Stone is unlikely to return to the organization despite a good relationship with interim team President John McDonough. Stone's contract to provide baseball commentary on WSCR-AM runs out at the end of January, but he could return if the Washington opening doesn't pan out.

It's strange to think of Stone rooting for someone else.