http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090514&content_id=4726530&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

Obviously a lot of debate surrounded Bradley's incident, some "heated" and some "black and white" (a rule is a rule).  I think this recent incident between Magglio Ordonez and Paul Schreiber will negatively impact Milton Bradley.  I believe that Bob Watson was really thinking of reducing the penalty to ZERO games and levying a fine.  However, with an umpire touching a player, he will be forced to suspend MB.  Why?  Because I believe the ump will most definitely get suspended.  Depsite Leyland's posturing, Bob Watson is going to have to suspend him.  You cannot have umps touching players.  Period.  Schreiber says he inadvertently placed his hand on Ordonez--I say B.S.--he knew what he was doing.  Joe West, the vet ump, didn't even really take Schreiber's back on the matter. 

Both of these issues stem from some questionable calls.  Whatever happened to letting a player speak his peace and move on?  Both Bradley and Ordonez were not enraged, screaming, yelling, and dirt-kicking maniacs.  I don't think these episodes happened to Dutch Rennert and Doug Harvey (Zeus), much less today's Tim McClellan.  Time for today's umps to take a glance back at some of the previous legends.  The best umpires are the one's you don't even remember doing the game.

What says you?

Interesting deal just announced on ESPN.  The Reds sent Ryan Freel to the Orioles for Ramon Hernandez.  This opens the door for Matt Weiters to take his place in Baltimore.  He's the early favorite for 2009 AL ROY.

Related to the Cubs, does this give some hope or merit of a potential deal moving Roberts to the Cubs in the Peavy deal (Ivy Walls, I'm talking to you!)?  Does this mean Freel may come to the Cubs instead of Roberts? 

I've always liked Freel.  He's a gritty player who'e best year's are probably behind him.  He could take a walk and always seemed to be a tough out versus the Cubs.  I think the floodgates of multiple deals and signings is about to happen.

I realize this isn't a "sexy" acquisition all arm-chair GM's are looking for and most will probably balk at the mention of this.  But I have heard that Shawn is looking to come out of retirement after his 1-year absence.  His time in NYC wore him out.  And the fact that he has no respect for Willie Randolph and how he was treated during the stretch run where Randolph inexplicably played Milledge over Shawn in the final 2 months after Green came back from his injury has left Shawn wanting more.  The past year he has stayed in tremendous condition--prefers to go hit the weights and take swings in his batting cage versus the golf course.  He stayed close to the game as well since Carlos Delgado is his best friend in the game.

He plays a serviceable RF and could spell Lee at 1B.  It would not cost the Cubs ton of money.  With Shawn being a devoted father and having major family ties in Chicago, it would be a natural fit.  He wanted to come to Chicago when he was a FA and signed his big deal with the Dodgers.

Oustide of signing Dunn, Ibanez, or making a trade for Kubel or Hermida--signing Green, I think, would be a good option.  Probably a 1-Year $3 to $5MM deal would get it done.  Seattle and SFO are on the radar and have inquired about Green.

During the stretch run in Sept '07 Green posted .407/.493/.576 and a .316/.390/.435 post All Star break line.  Not certainly numbers for a washed up guy.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/majors/features/262959.html

Nothing real earth-shattering here.  I particularly like how he discussed handling Prior and Wood.  Give Woody as much time as he needs assimilating to a relief role.  And "IF" Prior is healthy it will be a boost the likes of signing a top flight free agent pitcher.

I just have to say it sucks talking about Wood and Prior this way as I really felt we were on the verge of competing every year through 2010.  I guess "turning the page" is not all that bad.

Another note--BA comes out with the Cubs rankings on Jan 29th.  I'm sure we'll be pretty disappointed with the overall state of our farm system and talent pool of players.

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/unfiltered/?p=103

Here is an interesting tidbit on JD Drew.  It appears there is some damage in his shoulder which is similar to the problems Scott Rolen experienced.  Maybe it's a good thing we didn't sign him.  If he loses his power, he is nothing more than Ryan Freel less the stolen bases.

For those who don't believe the Cubs need to revamp their bullpen, these numbers tell otherwise.

61?  What does it mean?  It means that the numbers of HR's Allowed by Cubs releivers this season.  Dead last in the NL.

224?  Que?  It is the number of Walks Allowed by Cubs relievers.  Again, dead last in the NL.

We all know the OF and 2B/SS need to be fixed, but Hendry cannot fail to fix this part of the team.  We haven't had a a "go-to" LH set up guy in Dusty's tenure and the RH set up guys haven't been consistent either.

Unfortunately our AA team lost 3-1 in the finals.  Brandon Sing popunded the ball, but got little help.  Sing put on a show in the SL playoffs, going 12-for-28 (.429) with 4 doubles, 3 jacks, 5 runs scored, and 11 RBIs in 7 games.

One other note, the Jacksonville Suns (Dodgers) were voted the most Prospect Laiden team in all of minor league baseball.  They potenitally have 6 pitchers who have All Star ability (Billingsley, Broxton, Kuo, Miller, Orenduff, Ebert) and their entire infield will be very good regular everyday players (LaRoche, Guzman, Young, Loney, and Martin) with LaRoche and Guzman being All Star caliber.

It's certainly not a disgrace to lose this title.

Ricky Nolasco fired a gem last night in the AA Playoffs.  His line was 8 IP, 6 H, 0 R and 11 K's.

Nolasco was also named AA Pither of the Year.  He finished 1st in K's (173), tied for 1st with 14 wins, and was 3rd in ERA (2.89).

He is undoubtedly our #1 prospect for a pitcher.  He's been really good from the first day he stepped on the mound for us.

BA reported that Eric Patterson was promoted to AA West Tenn.  Not sure why this late as it seems strange.  I can only think it's to help with a playoff run.  At this rate he should pass Corey on the organziation depth chart by March '06.

1st rounder Marc Pawalek finished a strong campaign despite an 0-3 record.  He threw 43 innings with only 25 hits against 21 BB's with 56 K's.  Very solid peripheral numbers.

And 2nd rounder Donald Veal finished up in fine fashion thorwing 4 scoreless innings with 7 K's.  His fastball sat at 92-94 and topped out at 97 in this game.  For the short-season in Boise, Veal threw 19 innings with 15 hits.  He walked 10 and struck out 20.

That's 2 nice arms and a top of the order guy to keep our eyes on in the next few years.

I've caught all kinds of crap about the Sox and their franchise record start, Jon Garland, their pitching versus ours, blah, blah, blah.

I wandered over to their site today and couldn't help but laugh at how pathetic they are.  For a game thread, the Sox get 4, 9, 12, 11, 12 posts from their fans.  What a joke as most of our threads get at least 40 posts and then some are well over 100.

I hate the Sox and this just verifies my feelings that no one cares about them and their fans are not fans, but weak band-wagoners.

Mark Pawalek #1-05 from a Utah High School.  Nice to see our #1 pick adjusting well to minor league ball.  He's LH too which makes this choice really interesting given we haven't brought a LHP up that lasted more than a few weeks.  I don't have a report yet on his velocity, but as soon as I do, I'll post that.

12 IP 5 H 6 BB 19 K 0.00 ERA