A Couple of Noteworthy Bits

Okay, I usually don't react to baseball news on a dime, but I have come across a couple of things tonight while trolling Twitter that has prompted me to react. First of which being the fact that, according to ESPN Chicago as well as several other sources, new President of Baseball Operations for the Chicago Cubs Theo Epstein gave a "courtesy" call to Ryne Sandberg today to inform him that he was NOT a candidate for the Cubs vacant managerial position.

That is shocking to me.

Ryne, RYNO, Sandberg, one of the greatest Cubs in their storied history is being told to eff off. That is unreal to me and goes against everything I thought Theo & Co. would do. Ryne Sandberg has not been the Hall of Famer banking on getting a managerial position solely on his namesake.

Sandberg has been paying his dues and cutting his teeth managing the Peoria Chiefs in the Midwest League, The Tennessee Smokies in the Southern League, The Iowa Cubs in the Pacific Coast League and most recently the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs. The man is (next to Ernie Banks) Mr. Cub! I guess Epstein is looking to rid the Cubs of all their history, not just the bad. This was shocking to me.

The other bit of news I found interesting involves free agent slugger David Ortiz. He was on 93.7 WEEI sounding off about not having received an offer from the Boston Red Sox yet, saying "I know everybody has priorities, and to be honest with you, I thought I was one of them."

Really, Papi? Really?

It is time to get over yourself. Yes, you are a good hitter. You spent a good portion of the 2011 campaign being more of a distraction to this team than a positive force in the clubhouse and you're surprised less than 24 hours removed from becoming a free agent you haven't received an offer yet? Get over yourself!

It is worth noting that the Red Sox have yet to offer free agent reliever Jonathan Papelbon anything yet either. Papelbon, by many accounts, is a much more sought after free agent this season.

I hate the attitude out of Ortiz this year. Listen, I get it - you want to stay in Boston, but you also want a big contract. Time to pick one. The Red Sox are far better off paying "Ortiz Money" to a guy like Jason Kubel to come in here and DH. He's younger, more versatile, and put up similar numbers to Ortiz in 2011.

I love the Hot Stove - time to see where this all goes!