Mid-week news report:

I know it's Thursday...but I was out Monday, so it's like mid-week to me.

Here we go:

First off, expect left, John Grabow to be re-signed by this weekend.  Two years...$7.5 million (GULP!).

I've said it before, and I'll say it again...to give a middle relief pitcher a contract like that is dumb...dumb...dumb.  Middle relievers are inconsistent from season to season, and Grabow will likely have only one good season out of those two, leaving us with a rather expensive pitcher that Lou will refuse to use.

There are reasons these pitchers are middle relievers and not starters or closers.

For all the details, just out Bruce Levine's short snip at ESPN.

Next up, Sandberg hopes he gets his chance to manage the Cubs.

"I hope to be a candidate for that job whenever that is."

 Well, Ryno, you better hope that chance isn't after this coming season...because you might have a mess on your hands.

"Just give me a shot!"

The truth is, I'd love to see Ryno manage in the big leagues, but I think the best job for him would be taking over a young team that he could better mentor.  A team of veterans might not take to his style too much.  But Sandberg is a smart guy, and might be ready for that anyway...

"I think you do treat the players somewhat different," he said. "Whatever clicks with those players. I've found in the minor leagues, I have the guys for one year and they're gone. I think it's a little bit more of a luxury at the major-league level to really get to know these guys on a yearly basis. Some of the players you might have for five to 10 years. Those are the core guys you want to get on board and get what is happening and what you expect."

Remember, this year will most likely be Pinella's last as a manager.  So there is going to be a lot of speculation about his replacement starting about mid-season.  

Anyway, check out the whole story at ESPN again...it's worth a read!

Next is Milton Bradley...

~nothing~

How disappointing.  The balloons and confetti will have to wait I guess.

The owners meetings start today in Chicago where the GM's met last week.  This will be the first meeting that the Crickets will be attending.  Don't expect much to come out of these meetings.  It is unlikely the owners will really tackle any of the issues that are sitting out there...in particular the age old issue of restructuring the ridiculous blackout policy that MLB has.  From "The Biz of Baseball":

The agenda will be light with the focus being the economy, economy, economy. That translates to ticket prices, what has been working (and not working) for the clubs during the recession, and well… not a whole lot more.

One last item:

Congrats to Jim Tracy and  Mike Scioscia who were named managers of the year.  Tracy without a doubt deserves it for the job he did in Colorado after taking over mid-season the leading the team to the playoffs.  Scioscia did a good job this year with the Angels but was in a tighter competition with perennial candidate, Ron Gardenhire, doing a great job as usual and Joe Girardi from the Galactic Empire. 

That's all for now...

Later today the NL Cy Young award winner is announced.

UPDATE:

Via Twitter from Gordon Witte:  Grabow deal is done...Two Years...no financial data yet...I'll keep you up to date!