Here's a news release from the Pensacola Pelicans . Read it and ponder just why a standout pitcher like Edwar Ramirez did not attract the interest of the Cubs:

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Purchase Pelican Pitcher Edwar Ramirez

Joins Triple A Salt Lake City Stingers

The Pensacola Pelicans announced today the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have purchased the contract of Pensacola Pelican right-handed pitcher Edwar Ramirez. Ramirez will fly out of Pensacola on Friday, Sept. 2 and report to Las Vegas, NV to join the Salt Lake City Stingers, the Triple A affiliate of the Angels, to play a weekend series against the Las Vegas 51’s.

With the Pelicans in 2005, Ramirez was solely used out of the bullpen, finding his niche while becoming the team’s closer and go-to guy during the team’s playoff run. On the season, Ramirez finished with a team record 11 saves and a record of 2-2. In 62 innings pitched, he compiled a league leading 1.45 ERA, gave up only 37 hits, struck-out 93 batters and walked only 15. His strikeout to walk ratio was an impressive 6.2:1. For every nine innings pitched he struck-out 13.5 batters and Central League hitters hit a measly .170 against him this season.

“I liked playing baseball in Pensacola; I enjoyed the team, coaches, fans and my host family. I’m happy to be signing with the Angels again,” said Ramirez. He added, “My skill level is better now; I am better prepared to play in the Angels organization. I don’t care if I’m used as a starter, a middle reliever or as a closer; I just want to pitch.”

In the second half of the 2005 season, Ramirez was un-hittable, throwing an incredible 25 straight scoreless innings, during which he struck-out 42 batters compared to walking only three. He also struck-out the side nine times this season.

Ramirez will join his new team, the Salt Lake City Stingers, in Las Vegas, NV. The Stingers are a member of the 16-team Triple A Pacific Coast League. Triple A is one step away from the Major Leagues, “The Show,” which is where every professional player strives to play.

Toward the end of every season, each major league team expands their rosters from 27 players to 40 players in preparation for the playoffs. With continued dominance and success, there is the opportunity for Ramirez to make the 40-man roster on the big league club to wrap up the 2005 regular season.

“This is a huge step for Eddy (Edwar Ramirez). He has proven himself in this league and now has the chance to play against the best players in professional baseball,” said Pelicans General Manager George Stavrenos.

“This is a feather in our cap, for a player to be moved straight to Triple A shows how strong the Pelicans and the Central League are,” added Stavrenos

Ramirez originally signed with the Angels in 2003 where he played for two seasons.

This is the first Pelicans player and sixth Central League player to be purchased by a Major League club this season. In total, Ramirez is the sixth Pelicans player to join a Major League organization along with Heath Kelly (Tampa Bay) in 2003 and Phil Devey (Seattle), Josh Kranawetter (Tampa Bay) Matt Tindell (Seattle) and Andy Wilson (Pittsburgh) in 2004.

And some folks wonder why the Cubs have been slipping and sliding since Game 6 of the 2003 NLCS...............Failing to realize that the expanding world of Independent League Baseball is a source of future MLB talent is one good place to start.