Bradley Speaks, Harden and Guzman Shut down, & More

Milton Speaks (Again?)
Bradley finally released his statement on his suspension:
''I chose Chicago as a free agent because I wanted to be part of finally bringing a championship to the Cubs' fans. I expected to have a great season and I am deeply disappointed in my performance and the team's struggles. I played every game with everything that I had and wanted to desperately win. My frustration and disappointment boiled over and I said and did certain things that I regret. In hindsight I wish that I handled certain things differently and I apologize for those things that did not work out for the better. The air has been cleared and we all want to move on and look forward to better days.'' According to Carrie Muskat, Bradley's teammates did not find out about his apology until it was released by the media.

Harden Shut Down
Rich Harden will miss the rest of the season. The right hander and the teams made "kind of a mutual decision" to shut Rich down for the rest of 2009. He will be a free agent after this year, and the Cubs will most likely offer him no more than a one-year contract. "Pitching in Chicago was the best thing to happen to me," says Harden, who wants to return.

Samardzija Goes Deep
Jeff Samardzija hit his first career home run yesterday! Despite the Shark's homer and solid outing in his second career start, the Cubs fell 3-2. Lack of runs continues to irk this team.

Ronny Skipping Trip
Ron Santo did not make the road trip to San Fransisco, Dave Otto will fill in for these 4 games. Ron will rejoin Pat Hughes in the booth on Tuesday, which means there are officially on 7 games left of the Pat and Ron Show this season.

Another Problem Player for the Cubs? & More Rumors
Jayson Stark from ESPN.com says that the Cubs will likely try to trade Milton Bradley for "another problem player" this offseason. Do we really need another problem player?? Stark says that Carlos Zambrano is "far less likely" to be traded than Bradley. Mike Cameron is another name that has been tossed around to fill the Cubs outfield void that would be created by dumping Bradley. Cameron could play center with Kosuke moving back to RF.

Tidbits
*Angel Guzman is done for the year with a shoulder strain.
* Tyler Colvin has been impressive so far since being called up to the Cubs.
* Reed Johnson returned to the Cubs lineup yesterday after a long stint on the DL and double his first time up.
* The Cubs are 17-10 this season in games Milton Bradley doesn't play.
* Bleacher Nation wrote about the Mets interest in Bradley and Zambrano.
* Check out Tonight's CCO Radio!
* If the Cubs lose tonight the Cardinals will clinch the NL Central. Let's go get a win to delay the clinch for the Cards with a win tonight!