Milton Bradley in "intense discussions" with Cubs
by hip2bsquare on Dec 9, 2008 9:00 AM CST
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PrintAccording to the Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo, Rangers free-agent OF/DH Milton Bradley is in intense discussions with the Cubs after meeting with team officials on Sunday. The Rays are also known to be very interested in Bradley. (Personally, knowing how bad Bradley's knees are, I'm surprised he has any inclination to play his home games on artificial turf, but I digress.)
Bradley had a career year last season, hitting .321/.436/.563 with 22 HR and 77 RBI in 126 games for the Rangers, playing primarily as a DH. Due to perennial injury problems (and an occaisionally tempestuous personality) he has only played more than 100 games in a season three times in his 9-year ML career. Although he's certainly going to cash in from his performance last season, his medical history will probably keep his salary down - he's looking for something in the 4 year/$40M range, according to John Heyman, but it's doubtful that anyone's offering that kind of deal at this point. He's only a Type B free agent, which means that whoever signs him won't give up a draft pick.
Bradley may be the best left-handed hitter available right now, and the price - probably under $10M a year, and no draft pick forfeited - seems right, but if he comes to the North Side, I sure hope he's left his bad knees somewhere else.
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.
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I think he is the best bat/defense combo out of the lefties on the market which include Bradley, Dunn, Ibanez, and Abreau. There are some questions about his clubhouse presense but I think Pinella and the rest of the guys wouldnt let anything disturb the great chemistry they have going.
I don't.
He’s injury prone and attitude-prone. He was primarily a DH last year, and his numbers were way above his career norms.
Not. Worth. It.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
injuries do concern
But in 2004 when we got almost the same amout of at bats he put up pretty close to the numbers he put up last year.
I think you mean 2003
Milton Bradley circa ’04 was not so good, really.
"I see great things in baseball. It's our game - the American game." - Walt Whitman
"In 2004" is a key statement there...
2004 is the only year in Bradley’s career in which he topped 130 games played. It’s also the only year in his career in which he played over 100 games in the field. I think it’s ambitious (to say the least) to expect him to play close to a full season in RF for us.
Nobody would argue that when he’s healthy Bradley isn’t a very productive hitter. It’s just that he’s never been healthy for a full season, and he’s only once played substantially more than half the season as a fielder.
maybe im just a well wisher
saying that he will be healthy. Just like ill be wishing rich harden stays healthy.
It's pretty optimistic...
We did get lucky with Harden, but I suspect that Bradley would be going to the well once too often.
yeah but
we get him for a reduced rate because of the injury concerns, and we also have capable backups.
go for it.
bring up felix.
Capable backups?
If the Peavy rumors are true, I think this is no longer the case. Pie and DeRosa would be gone.
That's a big "if"!
Just sayin’…. :-)
"[Lou Piniella] might be over 100, but he still has a lot of fire in him." - Ted Lilly, Sept. 10, 2008
by CaughtInTheVines on Dec 9, 2008 11:47 AM CST up reply actions
If they don't trade for Peavy...
then they could go for a trade for Hermida or pay more for a more durable and less combustible option in RF.
He's very similar to Rich Harden in that respect.
When he’s healthy, he’s pretty damn good – but keeping him healthy ain’t easy.
Bradley isn’t a terrible option, but if the Cubs sign him I’d want to see a $5-6M/yr base salary and a bunch of playing-time-based incentives. I doubt he’d go for such a deal, but with the way the economy is hitting the free agent market, you never know. All in all, I’d rather spend a few extra bucks and get Abreu or Dunn, but Bradley would be preferable to some of the other names that have been floated so far (Ibanez, Teahen, et al).
"I see great things in baseball. It's our game - the American game." - Walt Whitman
Agreed...
I’m confident that he’ll be either on the DL, or recovering from a meltdown under the media glare of Chicago by June; possibly both.
by Damen Jackson on Dec 9, 2008 9:24 AM CST up reply actions
And to give a guy like that 4/40?
Do. Not. Want.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
I did...
And I saw that it’s doubtful anyone will offer him that. What a player wants and what he gets are frequently two different things. With his injury history and emotional baggage, he’s very unlikely to come anywhere near those dollars, in my opinion.
Add Dome's deal
last year to try to fix RF and imagine what we could have gotten for that $$ combined.
Join the BCB Flickr Group: http://flickr.com/groups/bleedcubbieblue
I agree.
Injury prone AND bad attitude is a bad combo. It takes a good finger-crossing to ignore one of those two flaws; but both? No thanks.
Plus, this is going to be another VERY hard to dump player-and-salary WHEN the day comes that Hendry wants to move on from Milton Bradley.
Please, no, Jim Hendry.
"Bite my shiny metal ass!" -- Bender Bending Rodriguez
"Life is just one crushing defeat after another until you just wish Flanders was dead."
by The Jade Scorpion on Dec 9, 2008 9:35 AM CST up reply actions
Something tells me that...
…Piniella, if anyone, can handle Bradley’s potential attitude problems. Bradley does want to win: you can’t fault that part of his attitude. – TLq
[In 2008] Kila Ka’aihue had the best on-base percentage of any hitter in the minor leagues. - Joe Posnanski, 11/9/2008 ... Ergo, let's give him a shot at first base in KC in 2009.
Not buying...
Not buying the “Pinella is an excellent babysitter” solution.
Take a pass on Bradley, please!
"Bite my shiny metal ass!" -- Bender Bending Rodriguez
"Life is just one crushing defeat after another until you just wish Flanders was dead."
by The Jade Scorpion on Dec 9, 2008 9:50 AM CST up reply actions
along with...
… a very positive Cubs clubhouse. The clubhouse is very veteran and filled with “good guys”. I was listening to one show on MLB Home Plate (on XM) yesterday and one Peter Pascarelli said that Bradley is what the Cubs might really need. They don’t seem to have the killer attitude in the clubhouse. Lots of great guys and they could keep Bradley in line, but the Cubs clubhouse could use a bit of an edge. Makes sense.
Not this kind of edge.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Lots of his former teammates
say Bradley is a good teammate. Not Jeff Kent, but then again, no one has ever said Jeff Kent was a good teammate.
The problem isn’t with Bradley in the clubhouse. It’s with the injuries and a possible on-the-field explosion.
I was on the Bradley bandwagon here, what was it, three seasons ago? That was before all the injuries. I still wouldn’t mind him cheap, but he’s too risky, health-wise, in a non-DH league for me to get behind.
Bradley is a great option if our OF depth chart includes Felix Pie.
He’s a horrible option if our RF depth chart includes only Reed Johnson.
The author of this post is not a certified scout, doctor, agent, statistician, manager, or journalist, nor was he ever a very good player, though he tried very hard to be like Ryne Sandberg and was about as scrappy as it gets (in T-ball). Any opinion expressed above should in no way be confused with fact, truth, or reality and is hereby qualified in the following ways: 1) The author does not know as much about baseball as Lou Piniella. 2) The author does not know as much about baseball as Jim Hendry. 3) The author does not know as much about baseball as either Dusty or Darren Baker.
by DGU on Dec 9, 2008 3:54 PM CST up reply actions
actually I think you are correct
If the rumored Peavy-DeRosa-Marquis-Vitters-Happ-Hart go through and the Cubs keep Pie….it might be the best trade the Cubs didn’t make, for in reality what Milton actually is——nothing but a playoff player.
Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."
I agree here
There is no room in the clubhouse for another “me first” player and I really don’t think—with the injury risk—he’s worth the gamble we would be taking. His range can’t be great any more and, given the winds in our outfield, what are the chances he’d take a wrong turn, try to correct, and rip his leg off. Then he’d take on the first base umpire on his way off the field.
Time is an illusion--lunch time doubly so.
Although his injuries are a major concern,
he’s the exact type of personality that the Cubs are lacking in their lineup. The type of guy that won’t be fazed by “people jumping on our bandwagon” (right Lou).
The injuries are a BIG issue...
Ignoring injuries and concerns about his attitude (he’s worn out his welcome every place but one, and quickly) he’s a perfect fit offensively.
But that’s the problem. He IS a big injury risk (he’s never played a full season: 141 is his career high). He’s played more than 100 games in the field only once, and that was four years ago. I see no reason to believe he’d remain healthy as an everyday RF.
And as has been mentioned by many people, he has a major temper. It’s ran him out of town everywhere he’s gone with the exception of Texas (and he was only there for a year). Those two issues make him a very risky candidate for us in a “win now” mentality.
I don't think artificial turf is an injury issue in Tampa Bay...
The new generation of artificial turf doesn’t have the same negative externalities that the astroturf had. It’s REALLY forgiving. Whereas the old astroturf was basically carpet laid down on cement, the new artificial turf is grasslike with shredded rubber used to simulate soil. It’s really fun to play on, and I suspect injuries go down substantially on that stuff.
I think they still have the old stuff...
but I could be wrong.
"When two Whales Fight, many Shrimp Die" - Korean Proverb
by TheRiot Police on Dec 9, 2008 9:33 AM CST up reply actions
They have the new stuff
It’s called field turf:
http://rays.fieldturf.com/post/show/89-FieldTurf-on-display-during-this-year-s-World-Series
Definitely new stuff...
Got to play in a charity softball game in the Trop, its actually quite nice.
Unless they are playing on marchmellows, I wouldn't trust
those knees to hold up very long. He better be a full-time DH or that will be a bad investment.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Dec 9, 2008 9:48 AM CST up reply actions
Sorry, that's marshmellows.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Dec 9, 2008 9:49 AM CST up reply actions
actually, it's "marshmallows"....
Whoever said you can't mix business with pleasure never owned a PuttPutt course---Andy Bernard
by carmen_fanzone on Dec 9, 2008 11:23 AM CST up reply actions
NIU uses this, I believe
It’s pretty nice. I got to play Ultimate on it and it’s very soft on the body.
by dr stabbingworth on Dec 9, 2008 9:50 AM CST up reply actions
There are at least three teams with field turf now...
Toronto, Minnesota, and Tampa:
http://www.fieldturf.com/baseball/ripken.cfm
In fact, I could be wrong, but that could mean that there are no major league teams with the old style of artificial turf anymore. That would be a good thing.
I believe you are right...
and yes that stuff is like shards of fiberglass 1/4" thick over concrete.
Yeah, the old stuff was terrible...
the new stuff is fantastic. I had the misfortune of playing on the old stuff, but was lucky enough to be able to play on the new stuff as well. It’s like night and day.
My bad...I took the god awefulness
of its looks and equated that to the old crap
"When two Whales Fight, many Shrimp Die" - Korean Proverb
by TheRiot Police on Dec 9, 2008 11:43 AM CST up reply actions
Frankly he's our best option
We have the lineup depth to take on some injury risk, and Bradley won’t hurt our defense as badly as, say, Raul Ibanez would.
The only other solid FA option out there is Abreu.
Jeremy Hermida is a FAR better option.
Even if you have to give up players, you wouldn’t have to pay him nearly as much.
For those who want Peavy, if you get Bradley, I think you can cross Peavy off the list. The payroll doesn’t have room for both.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Based on what?
We don’t know what the terms for Bradley would be. If it’s 4/$40 million, I’d agree with you. But I’d be shocked if it were that high.
?
BA OBP OPS+ HR G
.249 .323 91 17 142
.257 .359 90 10 150
.321 370 163 22 126
Guess who?…which stat line looks the best? I’d go with # 3.
I should have specified, free agent option.
Hermida is a good option, though he’s a bit of an underachiever – he’s never become the player he was expected to be. There’s a reason Florida’s giving up on him.
I’m not convinced it’s a good idea to seek a RF via trade if we get Peavy anyway. Our cupboards will be pretty bare, and I think the asking price for Hermida will be relatively high.
What are you basing the payroll comment on Al? Do you have information that we don’t? Because no firm numbers are in the press but the rumors would indicate $140M, which leaves room for both especially if you trade Marquis and possibly Derosa away, as has been rumored.
I think it is the opposite
if we trade for Hermida, we will no longer have the pieces to trade for Peavy. It is concievable that we have the payroll for Peavy and Bradley if we trade a couple guys like Marquis and perhaps DeRosa.
Agreed...
I think Bradley is the plan alongside Peavy (considering we’d be out of trade chips) should Peavy be obtained. He’s likely to be cheaper than Abreu or Dunn, and he doesn’t cost trade chips we wouldn’t have. And, as has been noted, if the payroll is in the $135 million range, then trading DeRosa and Marquis covers the cost of Peavy, leaving room for Bradley.
I think Hermida and Peavy are mutually exclusive given our trade prospects.
Bradley,
There’s a part of me that wants him on the team specifically for his attitude. That part of me thinks that’s what this Cubs team needs, someone to kick them in the pants (aside from Lou).
However, there’s another part of me that says “Hell no!” to getting Bradley. That his combustible personality would destroy the clubhouse chemistry. Take that with the fact that he’s apparantly somehow made of pure glass and you get a blackhole of injuries.
Frankly, I don’t know what to think, though I still can’t get it out of my head that he BLEW OUT HIS KNEE ARGUING WITH AN UMPIRE!! I mean, seriuosly…
"Dad gum right this games gonna be played under protest. . . I guarantee this is gonna be one protest that's upheld." --Hawk Harrelson, 6/24/07
Your analysis of his injury is spotty
First, the umpire baited him with what I understand to be racial slurs, and he only got injured when his coach tackled him. Hardly his fault.
by dr stabbingworth on Dec 9, 2008 9:51 AM CST up reply actions
It wasn't really analysis,
and he probably was baited, but the end result is still that he blew out his knee. Sure he was in the right to be mad, upset, angry at what was said to him, but there are better ways to take that anger out that doesn’t cause you and your team harm. That was the ultimate point.
"Dad gum right this games gonna be played under protest. . . I guarantee this is gonna be one protest that's upheld." --Hawk Harrelson, 6/24/07
Agreed
I’ll speak for myself, but I think many of us would be in the same situation, but If I took the odd fall he did in that situation I’m pretty sure I would be walking around with a crutch for along time. Heck with my tendons, I’d probably look like a walking corpse from night of the living dead.
No.
It is absolutely his fault. I don’t care if the ump was talking about his grandmother. He is a professional athlete. He is paid to play. He directly cost the Padres a third consecutive playoff appearance that year because of his lack of self control.
Bud Black only “tackled” him in an effort to hold him back. The guy is batshit crazy and has shown time and time again that, when “provoked”, something is definitely going to hit the fan.
Once again
these players are human men, with all of the attendant skills, tendencies, foibles, strengths and weaknesses that go with being human.
Some things money can’t buy. I don’t care how much money you pay me, when someone attacks my actual human dignity, you are NOT paying me to give that up.
Now I obviously do not think the game is about umpires, though there seems to be a group of them who try to make it so. A good umpire does not forget that he is supposed to be an impartial arbiter. That one should have been suspended at minimum.
"I lof to hit de home ron!"
Deep OF Bench
With both Soriano and Bradley in the outfield I would hope we have a very deep outfield bench. Fuku/RJ/Pie will get plenty of playing time as Sori and Bradley trade DL spots throughout the season. Though personally I have no problem lining up RJ in Left, Pie in Center, and Fuku in Right.
people keep saying that.
I’ll believe it when I see it. Pie is a Cub come April.
"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella
by drewishdrewid on Dec 9, 2008 10:10 AM CST up reply actions
I wouldn't mind Pie getting a shot
but I think Lou’s thoughts differ
OF depth is huge.
If we lose DeRosa and Pie to get Peavy and have to play Reed Johnson everyday when Bradley is injured, it will be a Very Bad Thing.
The author of this post is not a certified scout, doctor, agent, statistician, manager, or journalist, nor was he ever a very good player, though he tried very hard to be like Ryne Sandberg and was about as scrappy as it gets (in T-ball). Any opinion expressed above should in no way be confused with fact, truth, or reality and is hereby qualified in the following ways: 1) The author does not know as much about baseball as Lou Piniella. 2) The author does not know as much about baseball as Jim Hendry. 3) The author does not know as much about baseball as either Dusty or Darren Baker.
by DGU on Dec 9, 2008 3:57 PM CST up reply actions
go for it Jim!
I for one hope this gets done. Injuries aside he’s probably the most talented and overall, the best player out of those discussed so far.
Let’s get some ATTITUDE on this team. I love it!!
Here is my 2
Bradley, while packed with a history of attitude, blowups, and inappropriate behavior, seems to have calmed a bit. yes he had that incident last year with the announcer but for the most part, he was what the Rangers wanted. he hits for power, he hits for avg, and he is appears to play acceptable defense. That being said, I am not as familiar with his play in the field as I would like to be in order to comment on it.
So, here is the situation, hendry is awfully close to picking up Peavy (so has been reported) and at the same time, the Cubs keep saying that a LH bat will be gotten first. I think Hendry wants Peavy and the timetable for this makes sense. Thursday has been the date Towers offered as the day of decisions and a Bradley signing would allow this to happen. Not to mention that lou wants the LH power bat and this is exactly what Bradley is.
Kust sayin…
Kwa...Ki...Sur...Pee...Nee...Ku?
He only played 20 games in the OF last season,
and still managed to find the DL.
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
20 Games!!!!
I was almost buying into the “we need his intensity” and “it costs us no draft picks” arguments, but only 20 games in the OF.
THAT is why he stayed relatively healthy last year. We do not have that luxury.
Move on, Jim.
If we are after a LH RF bat then it needs to be Dunn or Abreu. Draft picks be damned.
100 years would have been nice, but 101 years still has a nice ring to it.
Neither Abreu nor Dunn will cost a draft pick.
Ibañez will.
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
I thought that
Dunn was offered arbitration but declined it….doesn’t that still cost a pick?
100 years would have been nice, but 101 years still has a nice ring to it.
According to MLBTR, Dunn was not offered arbitration.
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
What was the DL trip for?
Kwa...Ki...Sur...Pee...Nee...Ku?
by Kinky Reggae on Dec 9, 2008 11:58 AM CST up reply actions
Not sure,
but he missed time last year due to problems with both knees, both hamstrings (chronic condition), one quad, and a sore wrist. That doesn’t count the ejections. He barely had 500 PAs, mostly as a DH.
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
Wow!
Didn’t know this. Why would anyone look at him then?
Kwa...Ki...Sur...Pee...Nee...Ku?
by Kinky Reggae on Dec 9, 2008 12:20 PM CST up reply actions
If you can DH him and if you have insurance...
he’s a talented hitter. If you’re counting on him to be your everyday RF, you should probably look elsewhere.
Like I said
not as familiar with his defense but I can say this. He fits the bill as far as what Hendry/Lou wants/needs. LH, power, affordable (maybe). Not saying he is the best option but his bat is attractive.
Kwa...Ki...Sur...Pee...Nee...Ku?
by Kinky Reggae on Dec 9, 2008 11:58 AM CST up reply actions
Will he really be that much of a defensive upgrade over Dunn?
Or Ibanez or Abreu? It seems to me theyre differences are negligible, so you might as well get the guy who will have the most impact on your lineup, Dunn.
If Bradley wants 4/40, then Id pursue another option, especially if the other OFs mentioned can be had for the 10-13M range.
Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.
I think he wil stike out less that Dunn...
Kwa...Ki...Sur...Pee...Nee...Ku?
by Kinky Reggae on Dec 9, 2008 10:11 AM CST up reply actions
Touche
Kwa...Ki...Sur...Pee...Nee...Ku?
by Kinky Reggae on Dec 9, 2008 11:58 AM CST up reply actions
Yes.
Bradley is a good defensive outfielder when he can actually get on the field. That second point is what’s in question here.
Where is...
everyone getting 4/40?…just because someone put that on here doesn’t make it the going rate. I think it would be much less than that.
Dunn has no defense
He plays the outfield like a pregnant hippo on rollerskates. K’s way too much. Not worth it. Rather have Abreu as the FA of choice or trade for Teahan or Hermida.
"It's probably similar to being in New York City and having a cab driver behind you and you're driving too slow. It's not the most pleasant thing."
Barry Sanders, on what defensive backs who played against him compared him to.
Absolutely anyone
is a defensive upgrade of Dunn.
by salparadise23 on Dec 9, 2008 12:27 PM CST up reply actions
NO NO and Heck No
http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2008/11/4/653822/hendry-should-go-after-mil#9825673
http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2008/11/4/653822/hendry-should-go-after-mil#9825673
http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2008/11/4/653822/hendry-should-go-after-mil#9825673
Well, Next Year is here .. and Jack's century's gotta end some time .. GO CUBBIES!
I will repeat again for emphasis: 3 Reasons Why Milties Isn't Needed
Well, Next Year is here .. and Jack's century's gotta end some time .. GO CUBBIES!
great role model for the kids watching
Well, Next Year is here .. and Jack's century's gotta end some time .. GO CUBBIES!
Right.
Again…
DO. NOT. WANT.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
+1
Run. Run from this guy like he has the plague.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Dec 9, 2008 10:50 AM CST up reply actions
+2
he’s not even a power hitter
Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.
I am not saying that I want either
but our Man Z has shown some idiotic behavior on the field as well…
Even if he stays healthy physically, the Chicago Media will eat him alive and he will probably corkscrew Paul Sullivan into the dirt behind homeplate.
"When two Whales Fight, many Shrimp Die" - Korean Proverb
by TheRiot Police on Dec 9, 2008 11:55 AM CST up reply actions
In that case, maybe I want Gameboard...
Sullivan has needed to be corkscrewed into the ground for a while now.
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
Exactly
There has been some questionable behavior of Cubs current and past. Funny how that’s forgotten … and wow … no other Cubs has dropped a ball in the outfield? As for the injury, I’m not going to put myself in Bradley’s shoes on the subject of the possible racial slurs, but I think it would be tough to hold back.
I’ll take the positives he can bring to this team over the negatives. Ibanez would be a good option as well, but the fact is Cubs need some help in the outfield.
Phil Rogers has now
jumped in to the fray with this report that the Cubs and Padres are “close” on a deal. Is it just me, or is it only the Cubs where there are 10 million rumors leading up to an eventual deal/non-deal?
The Cubs have been very quiet about things.
Tampering Kevin is the one that hasn’t stopped running his mouth.
Maybe Scott Boras represents Towers.
Brian McRae's 5 o'clock shadow
by PurpleLineToWrigley on Dec 9, 2008 10:59 AM CST up reply actions
That's a good indication that there probably won't be a deal. When real deals are made,
you rarely hear about it until it happens. Smart GM’s know to keep their big mouths shut to maximize the return on a trade. The key word here is “smart”.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Dec 9, 2008 11:00 AM CST up reply actions
I don't really see how you can see it as an indication in either direction
The Santana trade, which was probably the most similar recent trade like this, had weeks and weeks of media hype and rumors leading up to the actual deal itself.
When you’re dealing with the Padres, there’s a lot of media leaks. It’s pretty clear that it was one of the things that really alienated the Braves during the process.
I'm basing it on recent events. The alleged Roberts deal
has been talked about ad nauseum and nothing has happened. When the Cubs acquired Harden, there wasn’t all of this fanfare and press releases. I realize that this stuff comes with dealing with Towers, but it’s a crazy way of doing business. Sampsom slew the Philistines with the jawbone of an ass, I suspect this deal may be slain the same way.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Dec 9, 2008 11:26 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
all unrelated coincidences with their own particular circumstances
Peavy deal is being driven by SD which is a mid market team with internal financial issues and wanting to rebuild a team that fell a phantom touch from getting into the playoffs.
Roberts deal was different for Baltimore
Harden’s deal was different for Oakland
Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."
Right...
if anything, the Peavy situation is closer to the Santana situation. But even that is not a perfect comparison. The Twins knew they couldn’t re-sign Santana financially, so they had to deal him. The Padres can’t really afford to keep Peavy at his current contract, so they WANT to deal him.
It’s nothing like Baltimore, where the owner (who can certainly afford to keep/sign whomever he wants) was the major stumbling block in any trade talks.
A Peavy deal may or may not happen, but there really isn’t a comparison to the Roberts talks.
How does it help the Padres to announce to the world that they can't afford to
keep Peavy? When you do that, you give up a significant advantage. I realize these deals can’t be done in a vaccuum, but it doesn’t help to give an advantage away. Perhaps this may be why the Twins got less than expected value for Santana. You can’t control what an agent says to the press, but you damn well can control what you say.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Dec 9, 2008 11:44 AM CST up reply actions
Why does Kevin Towers do anything he does?
San Diego’s situation is especially unique because someone there – who knows who it is – can’t keep their yap shut.
I tend to wonder if it isn’t Towers or Alderson, given that they’ve tried to put it out there that they can keep Peavy if they don’t get a suitable offer back from the Cubs.
Well in many ways when you trade a marque cornerstone
the word will get out and if you are not in control or try to control it you are at the mercy of the rumor mill.
They are selling off an asset of significant value and because the trade able asset is diminished because of the NTC showing the fan base they are trying to get as much as possible is an effort to appease them. Saying that if a deal is not worked out they are willing to go into the season is BS because trading a player with NTC does not work during a season. Then things get worse as his extension kicks in.
They are in box.
Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."
I didn't say it helps the Padres...
just that it’s not comparable to the Roberts situation. I can’t tell you why Towers is so loose-lipped about the situation. I can just tell you that the scenarios are very different.
Only in the fact that the O's have never said that they have to get rid of Roberts. My
point is that more often than not, a deal will happen when sides keep the press releases to a minimum and not when they keep a running dialog of the situation. Last year, we were getting daily updates of the Roberts situation and were told that a deal was imminent. I’m still waiting. I never said that the teams do business the same way, just that the updates and releases are coming fast and furious, just like the Roberts situation.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Dec 9, 2008 12:08 PM CST up reply actions
Yes, more often than not...
that doesn’t mean that frequently-discussed (or over-discussed) potential deals don’t also happen. The Santana deal is a good example.
I’m not saying the Peavy deal is going to happen. But saying that “most deals happen behind the scenes” really has no bearing on the outcome of this situation. Most deals we don’t hear about, some we do.
My point is, you don't strengthen your position by posting the
details and progess everytime someone has a thought. These deals are best done in private. All announcing does is raise false hopes and open the parties up for second guessing. If that’s the way Towers wants to do business, then fine, but a shrewd businessman would never expose his hand the way he has. As it stands, the Cubs are the only players in this derby, in no way is that beneficial to the Padres position.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Dec 9, 2008 11:39 AM CST up reply actions
It's not tampering
to talk about trading your own players. As long as he doesn’t say who he’s getting back.
Good to have you back!
I’m not saying Towers is tampering right now, only that he’s been tampering at some points (Matt Murton? Mark Prior?)
Well,
at least the construct of that rumor sounds more appropriate than the others. Essentially, DeRosa, Pie, and Marshall; sounds about right
by Damen Jackson on Dec 9, 2008 11:12 AM CST up reply actions
Abreu versus Bradley, $$$ ~ commitment and decision
It appears landing what is desired to be a middle of the batting order and I say the clean up hitter against RH starting pitchers appears to be between Abreu and Bradley
Money talks and both capable veterans appear to want pre September 15th deal (of course) but probably to their chagrin and their agent’s chicken counting process the market is falling.
Bradley wants $10M for 4 years --yeah right Milton you haven’t played a full season in four years. My guess is one year and an option. $8-9M with a club option.
Abreu is in a tougher place, having made Yankee money he will not get $16M, nor will he get $12M for 2 years and possibly a club option.
This is as important as setting up the Marquis sale (ridding payroll) and probably the owner care taker’s demand to rid payroll before acquiring——more liabilities. My guess is that it starts with Marquis—-okay Cubs eat $3.5 for something of small value—-arb eligible player who might or might not be packaged in succeeding deals.
Move DeRosa and his $$ to gain more trade assets…..move Pie for one more asset to be traded.
Then move five players for Peavy. Five players; Olson, Cedeno, Vitters, Philly asset and Cub spare part asset.
Then with Abreu and Bradley they have those two competing against themselves to sign on. With that completed the Cubs can look to fit the last parts.
Needs; back up SS, back up middle IF and 3B, back up catcher.
Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."
Interesting take...I like the thought of Abreu-Bradley competing against each other...
Brian McRae's 5 o'clock shadow
by PurpleLineToWrigley on Dec 9, 2008 11:18 AM CST up reply actions
I'd prefer Fischer Price..
"Charles Tillman is one of the best strippers in the NFL" - John Madden 11/30/08 Chicago Bears vs. Minnesota Vikings game
he doesn't bat LH'd
Lou wants a south paw in the clean up spot.
It appears this is the desired playoff lineup against RH’d pitchers
Fukudome CF
Lee 1B
Ramirez or Soto
Left Handed RF
Soriano LF
Ramirez or Soto
Fontenot 2B
Theriot SS
Balance….I can see Soto emerging as the biggest baddest bat in the lineup. He was the #3 batter in Iowa in 2007. His OBP and OPS was the strongest. Moving Lee to the #2 spot is akin to when LaRussa moved Carlton Fisk to the 2-hole. Fukudome and Lee are probably the most patient batters and would force pitchers to make pitches early then walk into the thumpers. In the beginning Ramirez would be in the 3 hole and Lou working to interchange Ramirez and Soto since Soto is not a 150 game player because of his position.
Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."
huh?
I dont think we are on the same page on this one..
"Charles Tillman is one of the best strippers in the NFL" - John Madden 11/30/08 Chicago Bears vs. Minnesota Vikings game
I was playing YATZEE
what are you doing?
Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."
I know a lot of people think Lee would be a great 2 hitter
And it’s been mentioned a lot.
I don’t think it’ll happen though.
"Thank god I threw out my belt & shoelaces."-Bernies Mustache Wax on Evil BCB, 7/31/08
why not?
Are you going to move him to the 7th hole?
Lee offers the Cubs a hitter who is smart, takes pitches, can drive the ball and hit to all fields. He forces a pitcher to bear down early in the game and early in the lineup.
That is what people said about Fisk in the 2 hole also.
Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."
AND...
if we end up with a legit leadoff hitter, he can GIDP once they get on!
Kwa...Ki...Sur...Pee...Nee...Ku?
by Kinky Reggae on Dec 9, 2008 12:03 PM CST up reply actions
kind of misnomer, Lee had more GIDP chances
Baseball stats sometimes tell a story and sometimes exaggerate one, that said you can’t have a GIDP with no outs and also you can stay out of DP’s by moving the runners easier to do that from the 2 hole than the 3 hole.
Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."
You can have a DP with no outs...
you just can’t have a DP with nobody on base. ;)
Thank you
just about to reply with that.
Kwa...Ki...Sur...Pee...Nee...Ku?
by Kinky Reggae on Dec 9, 2008 12:30 PM CST up reply actions
And yet he STILL GIDP
as often as he did. He is a DP machine IMO.
Kwa...Ki...Sur...Pee...Nee...Ku?
by Kinky Reggae on Dec 9, 2008 12:30 PM CST up reply actions
I'm not saying it's not a good idea.
Again, I’m saying I don’t think it will happen. Too much credence is given to “roles.” See “Soriano, Alfonso” and “leadoff.”
"Thank god I threw out my belt & shoelaces."-Bernies Mustache Wax on Evil BCB, 7/31/08
I am 1000% for this
Lets wrap this up while the whole other thing is spinning in an endless circle. Milton Bradley is exactly what we need.
Let the Blaine Gabbert era begin.
clubhouse chemistry is OVER-RATED
when teams win, the chemistry is always great. When teams lose or under-perform, the chemistry sucks. This team is going to win 90+ game in ’09. Book it.
The question is then is MB the best fit for this lineup. The answer is HELL YES. He has a patient approach, drives the ball hitting for a high average. Oh, and he’s a Switch Hitter.
Moving on to D. Please drop the “he only played 20 games in the field last year” garbage. This is irrelevant because he did not need to play the OF coming off his reconstruction. The Rangers built their team to have Bradley DH and take it easy. So, defensively has was a very capable CF, so he will be average to good in our OF with a full year of receovery on his knee.
The injury bug is the only concern and it’s a vaild one. I am of the opinion that he would play about 140 games. He’ll tweak something and miss some time. Given Fuku and Johnson, I could live with them playing in 25 or so games if we get Bradley for 140.
What to pay him? I think we could land him for a 2/$18 with a 3rd vesting option on at bats (500+) for $10, so he would show a 3/$28 deal. I do this in a heart-beat.
The Rangers did not build their team to have Bradley DH.
They wanted Bradley to play RF so that Catalanatto, Saltalamacchia, and Blalock could DH. Read Gameboard’s Rotoworld page, and you will see how often he had to be DH’d just to be in the lineup.
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
so is Milton being used to drop Abreu's price?
is that a better option. I think there is a shortage of power hitting LH bats who can play the OF and especially RF effectively.
Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."
I would guess...
the Cubs are hoping that Bradley is a less expensive alternative to Abreu.
All the power LHB options suck
Time for plan B. Sign Furcal or aqquire Roberts as a lefty leadoff. Getting Ibanez, Abreau, or Milty would be making a move for the sake of making a move.
Let’s wait until the trading deadline and see how things shake out.
"Pounding sand since 1982...."
What concerns me most about Milton Bradley is
the number of games he’s played in recent years:
2008 126 (only 20 in the outfield) Rangers
2007 61 (58 in the outfield) A’s and Padres
2006 96 (94 in outfield) A’s
2005 75 Dodgers
2004 141 Dodgers
2003 101 (93 in the outfield) Indians
2002 98 (94 in the outfield) Indians
Basically, Bradley has played a grand total of 1 full season (2004). That track record doesn’t bode well for ANY team that signs him, particularly a NL team.
Hey, it's a new century!
Yep
Not really a good solution. Bradley’s injury prone and crazy. Ibanez plays LF. Abreu’s lackadaisical. Dunn can’t play RF and is expensive.
SORIANO! YESSSSSSSS! JIMBO!!!
so what you're saying is, while none of the choices are a perfect fit,
Bradley is the best of what’s there
by philadelphiacub on Dec 9, 2008 4:49 PM CST up reply actions
Sign Abreu
no loss of draft picks, great stick, average glove. No Bradley, No Dunn
"Have You heard of the Boom on Mizar 5?"
the problem there is with the "avg. glove"
because it’s, well, not avg. Bill James fielding bible rated him as a 24 in RF in 08, second worst in the mlb, and he was at -25 runs below average based on UZR that’s 25 runs .
by philadelphiacub on Dec 9, 2008 5:05 PM CST up reply actions
so the options
are better with Dunn and Bradley? Even Ibanez is not the greatest glove.
"Have You heard of the Boom on Mizar 5?"
It's worse than that.
Abreu is bad in RF but has the reputation of being ok, and some even think he’s good (gold glove a year or two back). One of the Trib (I think) writers said something to the effect that the Cubs preferred Abreu because he’d give them the LH bat w/o comprimising defensively. That means the Cubs won’t replace him in the field late in games, where they might with other poor RFs.
I keep hoping a Hermida coup throws everything off, forcing Towers to reveal whether he’d trade Peavy for whatever he could get.
Let’s also not forget that had we used Ceda in a Hermida trade, the money saved on a LH RF, would have allowed us to keep Kerry Wood. It’s unquestionable to everyone (except some decision makers in the Cub front office) that this team is better with Hermida-Wood than Ibanez-Gregg.
The author of this post is not a certified scout, doctor, agent, statistician, manager, or journalist, nor was he ever a very good player, though he tried very hard to be like Ryne Sandberg and was about as scrappy as it gets (in T-ball). Any opinion expressed above should in no way be confused with fact, truth, or reality and is hereby qualified in the following ways: 1) The author does not know as much about baseball as Lou Piniella. 2) The author does not know as much about baseball as Jim Hendry. 3) The author does not know as much about baseball as either Dusty or Darren Baker.
by DGU on Dec 9, 2008 7:54 PM CST up reply actions
Bradley
YAY! Another headcase in pinstripes. Cause the Cubs don’t have enough of those.
In the middle of a good time, Truth gave me her icy kiss. Look around, you must be joking. All that way, all that way for this? -Oysterband
and another that..
will frequent the DL, just what we need!!
Dear Santa:: All I want for X-mas this year is an official 2009 Jake Peavy Cubs Jersey. Oh and a Beimel one too. I've been a real good guy for the most part!!!
i was about wondering when the trainers were gonna start earning their pay in the clubhouse
Well, Next Year is here .. and Jack's century's gotta end some time .. GO CUBBIES!
can someone
start a fresh winter meetings diary??
Dear Santa:: All I want for X-mas this year is an official 2009 Jake Peavy Cubs Jersey. Oh and a Beimel one too. I've been a real good guy for the most part!!!
If Bradley is acquired, how long will it take Zambrano or someone else to punch him (deservedly)?
Do we really want this guy? Does Lou want to replicate the “Bronx Zoo” in Chicago?
Bradley doesn't get in fights with teammates
He gets in fights with umpires and players on the other team.
by Josh Timmers on Dec 10, 2008 2:52 AM CST up reply actions
Didn't he get into a fight with Jeff Kent?
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Dec 10, 2008 3:49 PM CST up reply actions
Jeff Kent doesn't qualify as a "teammate".
He was simply another person in the clubhouse.
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
by DeRoMyHero on Dec 10, 2008 4:14 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Nice.
The author of this post is not a certified scout, doctor, agent, statistician, manager, or journalist, nor was he ever a very good player, though he tried very hard to be like Ryne Sandberg and was about as scrappy as it gets (in T-ball). Any opinion expressed above should in no way be confused with fact, truth, or reality and is hereby qualified in the following ways: 1) The author does not know as much about baseball as Lou Piniella. 2) The author does not know as much about baseball as Jim Hendry. 3) The author does not know as much about baseball as either Dusty or Darren Baker.
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