Paul Sullivan Questions

Paul Sullivan answers some of his readers questions....

With the horrible call by Bruce Froemming in the Aug. 12 Cubs-Padres game, will MLB ever institute a system where umpires can be suspended just like players? -- Tom Augustynek, Chicago

Mike and Tom, disciplining umpires is almost always kept under wraps, but it does happen on occasion. I remember when Ken Kaiser rolled a ball back to a Sox pitcher after Ron Karkovice missed a pitch and it bounced off Kaiser's facemask. Kaiser was later fined and received a slap on the wrist. Froemming definitely blew it and admitted it afterwards. What MLB will do is anyone's guess and we may never know. Umpiring is definitely at a low point in history, though the Cubs tend to overdo it with their snaps on balls and strikes. The Froemming call, however, deserved to be protested and should be seen by umpiring supervisors.

You can add Corey Patterson's throw to Derek Lee to the obvious botched calls file from last night's game.

When is someone going to teach Farnsworth to pitch? So much talent, but he's borderline on being a risk in a close game. Can the Cubs afford to keep using him in late innings? Greg Farren, Anderson, Ind.

Not at this rate, Greg. I don't know his problem, but it's certainly an issue Baker has to deal with. Farnsworth has morphed into El Pulpo, where every appearance is now under a microscope. Unfortunately, Farnsworth has brought it on himself.

Just remember it is an even numbered year. Every even numbered year Farnsworth is a complete waste of a roster space. 2000 - 6.43 ERA, 2001 - 2.74 ERA, 2002 - 7.33 ERA, 2003 - 3.30 ERA, 2004 - 4.17 ERA. Still enough time to get it above 5.00. But the good news is he should be a pretty good relief pitcher next year. And that is when you trade him at maximum value and forever rid us of this mental midget.