Milton Bradley is a Cub.

Bradley has played more than 140 games in a season just once, in 2004. He’s made it to 400+ at-bats just twice. This is his 7th team. So that’s why I am not thrilled, even though I know he has the potential to dominate offensively.

It’s an annual event. I can’t help but point out the ludicrous ballots of those privileged enough to vote for Baseball’s Hall of Fame. It’s even easier when they list them for you, as the Chicago Tribune has done.

Oh, I know it really doesn’t mean anything. But I can’t help myself. A really quick way to ensure that the proper players get enshrined is for those filling out ballots to remember it is a place for great players, not those that were very good. Or those that you liked. Or made your job as a sportswriter easier.

So while I have a soft spot in my heart for Harold Baines and Mark Grace, there is no possible scenario in which either are worthy for the Hall. Here’s how Phil Rogers–who may have some sort of gas leak in his house–mustered up his explanation for voting for Grace:

“In the end, he gets in on the tie-breaking standard I use: performance in big games. He was 11-for-17 with five extra-base hits in the five-game series against San Francisco in 1989. He singled off Mariano Rivera to start Arizona’s ninth-inning rally in Game 7 of the 2001 World Series. He gets the benefit of the doubt.”

Here’s the thing about the Hall of Fame: if there is any doubt than the player should not be enshrined. Mark Grace was a very good player for a very long time. But if he’s a Hall of Famer than Zoner Sports will eventually win a Pulitzer.

Trib writer Paul Sullivan spends the first part of his column explaining how Jim Rice was: “Solid home run hitter? Of course. Yet he finished with only 382 career homers and a .298 average. Good, not great.” Then, remarkably, Sullivan writes that “My other votes went to local (and personal) favorites: Tim Raines, fifth in career steals; Lee Smith, third on the career saves list; and Harold Baines, one of the best DHs in history and 25th in career RBIs.” What was that about ‘good, not great’?

This is not the All-Star game, nor the People’s Choice awards. This is supposed to be considered the most prestigious honor in baseball. It’s not about local or personal favorites. It’s about greatness. Is that really so hard to grasp?

The “Guess who’s back” edition! To the morsels…

Joining the ranks of bloggers is none other than Mr. Jay Mariotti. Say what you want about Mariotti–the guy can write. You may not agree with him and he may play both sides of the fence as if he was paid per leap, but he can write. And you must also say this: the guy knew when it was time to leave and head over to new media. He writes about it in his premiere column (blog?) over at AOL Fanhouse.

The Delicate Genius is not happy with the non-moves the Cards have made, and he mourns the loss of Aaron Miles.

Apparently Drew Gooden is not ready to come back yet. He tested his ankle but it’s not ready yet. My guess is he figured this out by shooting fallaway 20-footers in practice. When you come back, how about playing a bit more under the basket, mmkay?

Oklahoma has had enough Tim Tebow talk.

Jason Whitlock has some leftover truths for the new year.

Illini and Michigan battled hard in an entertaining game on Sunday. Illinois is certainly deserving of a top-25 ranking. Chester Frazier’s 1st-half dunk was amazing. I have no idea how he ended up dunking that ball–the low-angle highlight that follows does not do it justice.

I’m not the only one that doesn’t like the Cubs recent moves. ESPN’s Buster Olney (if that’s his real name) is also not a fan.

“I think the flurry of moves has made them more vulnerable — and in time they’ll wish they had simply kept Mark DeRosa, an extraordinarily versatile and underrated player, rather than spending millions and millions on Bradley.”

Olney also writes that he hears that these recent deals will not reignite the Peavy to the Cubs talk.

So if you’re scoring at home:

Additions: Gathright, Gregg, Vizcaino, 3 minor leaguers, Miles

Subtractions: Marquis, Wood, DeRosa, Ward, Blanco, Edmonds, Howry

Go ahead and add Bradley to that mix. Are the Cubs better or worse than the they were after ’08’s final out?

hat tip to dhaab.

Boy that Brian Urlacher sure knows how to engage the fanbase. He got his money, then failed to deliver and now he doesn’t want to hear about it?

“Yes, I wish I would have made a lot more big plays. Obviously, everyone could say that on our defense. I wish I was around the ball more, but I wasn’t. Just the way things worked out this season.”

Just the way it worked out? Is he talking about Yahtzee or NFL football?

On Steve Slaton’s 47-yard TD run:

“Yeah, that was my fault,” Urlacher said with sarcasm. “Every long touchdown we gave up this season, it was my fault. Every time a receiver caught a pass for a touchdown, it was my fault too. In Atlanta, when the guy caught that pass that allowed them to kick the field goal, that was my fault.”

Maybe Al Davis wants him in Oakland.

Courtesy of The Red Wings: