Cubs

No longer is Wrigley Field a burial ground for managerial careers. When Dusty Baker was hired to manage the Reds two seasons ago, he became the first former Cubs manager to get a chance elsewhere since Charlie Finley hired Jim Marshall to run the stripped down A's in 1979. Jim Riggleman has followed that seldom traveled path, receiving a contract for two years and an optional third to run the Nationals after replacing Manny Acta on an interim basis in July.

The Cardinals aren't sure how much time Brendan Ryan (above) will miss as his right wrist heals, but they aren't expected to sign Felipe Lopez or trade for a shortstop. Manager Tony La Russa loves Ryan, who won the job a year ago, and has Julio Lugo available if Ryan opens the year on the DL. … The Nationals seem likely to use Chien-Ming Wang as trade bait if he bounces back. They signed him for only one season, meaning he will be an expensive five-plus arbitration case after 2010.

A former counselor at a treatment facility for juvenile sex offenders pleaded guilty Wednesday to having sex with a 17-year-old boy who was a resident there. Tyra M. Greenfield, 26, was sentenced to three years of incarceration, with all but one year suspended, a term she will serve in the Baltimore County Detention Center. Circuit Judge Kathleen Cox stipulated that when she is released, Greenfield is to be on probation for three years. Greenfield, who was charged with sexual abuse of a minor and harboring a fleeing felon after her arrest in September, was employed at the time by the New Directions Program, based at the Charles H. Hickey Jr. School in Cub Hill and the only secure treatment facility in Maryland for juvenile sex offenders.

The Chicago Cubs are bringing former Oriole Kevin Millar to spring training on a minor league deal with no guaranteed money, team sources told the Chicago Tribune on Monday. Millar, 38, will compete for a job as a backup first baseman and pinch-hitter. He batted .223 with seven home runs and 29 RBIs in 78 games with the Toronto Blue Jays last year. ESPN.com first reported the imminent signing Monday, after receiving word from Millar. In an e-mail to ESPN.com, Millar said: "I'm excited to have a chance to compete for a spot with the Cubbies.

According to sources, the Cubs are kicking the tires again on Padres closer Heath Bell (left), as they did at the winter meetings. He would strengthen the bullpen, but Lou Piniella would be back to juggling two would-be closers in Bell and Carlos Marmol , who went 11-for-11 in save situations after Piniella gave him the job. … The Brewers are thrilled with shortstop Alcides Escobar . He got to the big leagues with his glove...

The Cubs clearly aren't blown away by any of the center fielders on the free agent market, preferring to explore trades. One name to file away is Fernando Perez . Speedy, bright and the holder of a .375 minor league on-base percentage, the Rays switch hitter, 27 in April, would be an interesting gamble complicated because he is recovering from shoulder surgery. Scott Podsednik's ability to lead off keeps him in consideration alongside Marlon Byrd and Rick Ankiel . … As it has for Matt Holliday , the market has remained slow for Jason Bay . He has been sitting on a four-year, $64 million offer from the Mets - who must wonder if he wants to play there - and could be hoping the Red Sox will make an aggressive play to keep him. The Red Sox did not have to pay luxury tax last season but would be beyond the threshold if they added Bay to an outfield already including Mike Cameron , J.D. Drew , Jacoby Ellsbury and Jeremy Hermida . … Jermaine Dye is drawing interest from the Yankees after their acquisition of Javier Vazquez . He had been considered as a first base option in Atlanta before the Braves shifted to Troy Glaus . … The Yankees plan to have Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain compete for the fifth starter's spot in spring training, with the loser moving to the bullpen or even to Triple A. They're trying to deal Chad Gaudin and Sergio Mitre . … Fernando...

The Cubs still could make a splash this winter. They are in a big group of teams that is exploring a deal with Cuban left-hander Aroldis Chapman (left), who had a tryout last weekend in Houston. He's a potential front-of-the-rotation starter and could get to the big leagues in a hurry. … Are the Yankees quietly stalking Matt Holliday? They have insisted they aren't, but others aren't as sure. The Cardinals are remaining patient in their talks with Holliday, who doesn't appear to have generated a big market elsewhere.

Many in the Cubs' front office think they would be foolish to give up Starlin Castro to get Curtis Granderson , but there are a lot of other ways to do the deal. General manager Jim Hendry appreciates all Granderson brings to the table, even though he has had trouble hitting left-handers in two of the last three seasons. Perhaps Granderson would benefit from working with new Cubs hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo. … The Brewers apparently have decided not to re-sign catcher Jason Kendall (right)

CHICAGO - -Hall of Famers don't ride buses. They don't carry their own bags and they don't look forward to post-game meals from restaurants like Shoney's and Arby's. They don't do those things often, anyway. But Ryne Sandberg has. He has managed in the Cubs' farm system for three years, including a trip to the championship series of the Double-A Southern League this season, and has positioned himself to become the first Hall of Fame player in more than 30 years to get a chance to manage in the major leagues.