Milton Bradley

Early rumors flying out of the winter GM meetings in Chicago are all over the board concerning free agents, trades, and declining profits. But the most consistent noise on Monday was surrounding Chicago Cubs outfielder Milton Bradley.

Bradley? Consistent noise? Really?

The Hot Stove features one rumor being reported by a number of sources and it appears to have some legs to it. Three teams would be involved, with three players changing uniforms.

It seems that Jim Hendry and the Cubs are intent on doing everything within their power to move Milton Bradley this winter. This reminds me of the offseason that Hendry spent trying to trade Sammy Sosa. Eventually, he did, of course, but in the process ignored other Cubs needs.

I don't think that this is so much of a concern this winter because, quite frankly, there isn't a whole lot that Hendry can do. Given all the expensive, long-term contracts that are untradeable, Hendry has basically tied his own hands. Maybe he's a masochist.

Everyone who has had the good fortune to read Alan Moore's "Watchmen" knows that it is one of the greatest literary works of all time. Entertainment Weekly called it the 13th-best book since 1983. Time Magazine called it one of the 100 best novels since 1923. "Watchmen" is the only comic to appear on either list. What makes "Watchmen" special is its incredibly complex characters. Most of the so-called superheroes have no actual powers. They are human, with regular human flaws and weaknesses, albeit somewhat exaggerated because of their circumstances.

It's no secret that the Texas Rangers are for sale. Owner Tom Hicks is ready to hand the reins of the franchise to someone else. Like many sports fans, I was taken aback by the rumors that Rush Limbaugh was in contention to purchase the St. Louis Rams. I was not surprised that a rich celebrity with no connection to professional sports would want to purchase an NFL team. I was confused about why such expenditures are relatively uncommon for wealthy idiots. The only interesting person currently in the running to buy the Rangers is Nolan Ryan. And let's face it, he's no Limbaugh.

Rumors are swirling around Chicago that the Cubs, who fired two hitting coaches during the 2009 season, have strong interest in former Texas Rangers coach Rudy Jaramillo.

Jaramillo's resume stands on its own merits. During his 10-year tenure in Texas, 17 Rangers won Silver Slugger Awards. He gets a lot of the credit for the Rangers being an offensive powerhouse over the last decade.

But my interest in this rumor is deeper than a great hitting coach being available...

News on Tuesday afternoon is that Major League Baseball has approved the sale of the Chicago Cubs to the Ricketts Family.

Much like the 2009 season, a process that took way too long and left a lot to be desired is now finished. The Cubs have a new owner, with a new vision (assuming the Tribune Company ever had a vision), and a new set of expectations for the 101-year loser.

The Cubs have a dilemma.

As the offseason approaches, General Manager Jim Hendry faces a number of difficult decisions about the future of his team. The 2009 team has a number of weaknesses, and the ability to throw money at the problem, even if he indeed has that ability, will not count for much.

Some of the additions he will need to make to make the Cubs competitive in 2010 will be by subtraction.

The Chicago Tribune's Paul Sullivan is reporting that, after flying out in the sixth inning against the White Sox Friday, Milton Bradley was involved in a verbal altercation with Cubs' manager Lou Piniella.

Bradley was replaced in right field by Ryan Freel in the bottom half of the inning, and was reportedly seen leaving US Cellular Field in street clothes before the ninth inning.

So not only is Bradley not hitting anything, or driving in any runs for his $10 million-plus salary, but now the inevitable has happened.

Please Milton, make it easier for Cubs fans and sportswriters to turn against you.

According to the Chicago Tribune's Paul Sullivan, after flying out in the sixth inning on Friday against the White Sox, Bradley threw his helmet in the Cubs dugout and then went after the Gatorade cooler.  Manager Lou Piniella then went to talk to Bradley in the tunnel, where the two exchanged angry words.

Milton Bradley hasn’t done much good on the field this season. Now, a reporter for a Chicago radio station says Bradley’s struggles have divided the Wrigley Field clubhouse.

David Schuster of WSCR “The Score” implied Friday that the hoopla surrounding Bradley’s eleven-day media boycott is negatively impacting the Chicago Cubs’ chemistry.

Bradley refused to speak to media members for almost two weeks following his injured groin on April 12.