According to a Blue Jays source of mine, this is how the Shea Hillenbrand designation went down:
"It seems Hillenbrand and a few (word is two) of his teammates were being
mischievious during yesterday’s workout. Gibbons stormed in the clubhouse
like an old den-mother and demanded the pranksters reveal themselves.
Just Hillenbrand stepped forward.
Gibbons blew a gasket. Everyone’s face hung open.
Gibb told Hill to take a shower and leave (on his first day back from adopting
a kid).
As the team left for the field, Hill still suited-up and paced in the
clubhouse, not knowing what to do.
Until an in-house courier hand delivered his walking papers.
He then left."
Alright, this is Tim talking again. It seems that Hillenbrand’s mischief involved writing "This is a sinking ship" on a chalkboard in the clubhouse. Good times.
The Padres, Twins, Rangers, and Angels have been connected to Hillenbrand at one time or another. While the Pads are the concensus favorite, keep in mind that Kevin Towers and J.P. Ricciardi have never completed a trade with one another before. (As far as I can tell). But hey, there’s a first time for everything.