Jerry Crasnick reports on the Insider page of ESPN.com that Rickey Henderson is leaning toward returning to the independent Newark Bears, with the expectation that he would sign with a major league team at midseason, as he did with the Dodgers last year. In the meantime, he will earn $3,000 per month, plus expenses, playing for another former Dodger, Newark manager Bill Madlock.

"Go Rickey," is all I have to say.

Crasnick adds that 2003 Dodger first baseman Fred McGriff is working out with a trainer in Tampa and "hoping for a call," but that McGriff has no plans to go the Henderson independent league route. From the article:

"We're trying to get that right fit,'' said Jim Krivacs, McGriff's agent. "Fred's not the kind of guy who's just going to hang on. If he can't play, he'll be the first to shut it down and take it to the house. But we still think he can help somebody big-time.''

The Devil Rays gave McGriff a courtesy look in spring training, and he hit .250 in 20 at-bats. His best chance is probably in the American League, where he could do some part-time DHing. But he's 40 years old, and the longer he goes without a job, the worse his employment prospects get. It'll probably take a significant injury to a first-base regular for him to get that phone call.