Milton Bradley officially signs with Cubs
by cubs2234 on Jan 5, 2009 3:11 PM CST
Email
Printfrom an ESPN.com alerts text message:
"ESPN MLB - Cubs reached agreement with OF Milton Bradley on a 3-year contract worth $30 million"
I don't have any other sources yet, but I'm sure they're on the way.
I think this is an OK signing. I don't really know what to think at thus point. I'll wait to see what you all have to say, since I trust you guys' opinions.
UPDATE: found a link: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3811744
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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Bradley
once again…..I am beaten to the post!
Good sign IMO……….he is the type of LH bat we need……..hopefully some more move to come!
sorry
for once i wanted to post something that mattered on this site! i feel like i’ve done my job.
"I'm like the tide baby: I come and go as I please." --Johnny Drama
It's every BCBers dream to break a story like this.
Congrats. You get 1,000 BCB points and a pair of free tickets to the virtual bleachers.
Yes, yes ... winter is indeed a pond upon which all of us must skate, braving frostbite and runny noses in the hopes that our cars will start and we shan't embarass ourselves slipping on a patch of black ice. Spring is more a quagmire of cold mud and slush, and fall is a pile of fallen leaves that may or may not hide a pile of doggy doo-doo. But summer, ah summer is an oasis of endless green that disappears all too quickly beneath our feet as we rush through its warm, glorious bliss.
is it sad that i'm completely serious?
"I'm like the tide baby: I come and go as I please." --Johnny Drama
as long as he stays fairly healthy...
great signing…but big if tho…
I'll add
I think that’s a low-cost, low-risk deal considering the upside. If the Cubs staff can keep him healthy, which they must believe they can, then this will be a bargain.
I’m honestly surprised it didn’t require a vesting 4th year.
i wouldnt call it low risk
we will be lucky to see 350 at bats out of him.
-clarknaddison
by clarknaddison on Jan 5, 2009 3:23 PM CST up reply actions
It's not low-cost or low-risk...
given our payroll limitations.
It's exactly the kind of deal you have to do when you have payroll restrictions
You aren’t going to get the chance at this kind of production for $10M / year from anyone else.
When you have more money, you can pay more for lower risk players. We’re not committing much money or length to the contract, so the organizational risk is relatively low, given the high chance of injury.
i don't think you can classify
any contract that’s 10 million + annually as “low-cost, low-risk”
by DartmouthCubsFan on Jan 5, 2009 3:31 PM CST up reply actions
If you can get $20M of production our of a player for $10M that's not low-cost?
Maybe “Bargain” would be a better word? It’s semantics either way.
if
bullfrogs had wings…..
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!!!
can and will
are very different things. how many times in Bradley’s career has he produced at a clip worth $20 million?
I’m not saying it’s a bad signing, i think it’s fine. I just think you’re mis-representing it
by DartmouthCubsFan on Jan 5, 2009 3:37 PM CST up reply actions
According to Fangraphs evaluations
Only in one season has he been worth less than $10M.
Even with all the time he’s missed due to injury, in every season but one he’s been worth close to or above what we’re paying him this season.
I can see why people disagree with assessing it as low-risk. I just think that in the big picture, even accounting for his injuries, it’s a low-cost move.
but never worth $20
also…
i get your point i just think you’re saying it poorly. Low-Cost isn’t the right idea since he cost more than 70% of all players in the game at 10 million annually, maybe “relative bargain” would be more appropriate
but even then you have to look at where he’d rank amongst all players in MLB providing a net positive of say +3-5 million (produces 13-15, costs 10), my guess is it would be in the middle of the pack
of course if you only did that analysis on JUST FA signings, netting a positive 3-5 million probably would be closer to the upper quartile
as i contradict myself a bit there with my stream of conscious…
my point is i don’t think you can use LOW-COST for a $10 million plus player, when something like less than 25-30% of all players in MLB make that much
by DartmouthCubsFan on Jan 5, 2009 3:51 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
it's a gamble...
if it pays off, it’s a bargain. But by the nature of the dollar value and year commitment and his injury history, it is most certainly not low-risk. And if he goes down (again), it’s no longer a bargain in cost.
it's cheaper
than I thought it was going to be.
"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 Jan 5, 2009 3:38 PM CST up reply actions
I was expecting more too
But after I saw that Burell signed with the Rays for 8 million a year, my expectations were thrown. I expected Burell to sign for more than that for some reason.
When you're eight games behind, it's like eight miles; when you're eight games in front, it's like eight inches. ~ Ron Santo
This makes the Fukudome signing look like...
…the cheap seats.
Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.
it's lower-risk
I haz blurg: hotbeans.wordpress.com
by digitalbenjamin on Jan 5, 2009 3:38 PM CST up reply actions
I agree...
but it is not low-risk or low-cost.
Just because it is the only deal we could make for a guy like Bradley doesn’t make it low-risk or low-cost.
Im happy about this signing even though it did kind of cost us Derosa
Lets just hope that the Hendry/Pinella left hand fetish has been solved now.
Let the Blaine Gabbert era begin.
ESPN Radio's Bruce Levine had the scoop
Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.
Great sign
Guy can rake and is passionate. For the folks that believed the Cubs lacked “fire” or whatever during the playoffs, this will remove that thought. The guy cares about winning which is always a welcome addition. Well done Jim.
Who needs a stinkin' tag line? What are they for anyway?
The only surprise here is that the Marquis deal is not final.
Thought Jason had to pass his physical in CO for this to ink. Guess not.
I Thought So, Too...
… then I thought that with the Cubs having some room left, along with the money saved with DeRosa, he could go up a little before heading back down…
My 2008 Christmas wish list includes this jersey. In Hendry We Trust!
Let's pray that OBP stays up around .436
…as long as he can stay healthy for 120 games per year, then it’s a good signing.
Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.
I think it goes down a little because of that ballpark in Texas
Still he should be very successful with the Cubs
Let the Blaine Gabbert era begin.
I think league factors are greater than ballpark factors
He’ll benefit more from the move to the NL than he’ll lose from the park factors (off the top of my head anyway, I could be wrong).
Thats a good point because the NL pitching is a bit easier to hit
and also there will be five teams worth of pitchers that he will become real familiar with during his time here.
Let the Blaine Gabbert era begin.
Bradley was in the NL with the Dodgers.
I don’t recall a big difference in his stats when he was traded to the A’s.
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Jan 5, 2009 3:36 PM CST up reply actions
I was more pointing to how he will have five teams that he faces (hopefully) 15 times a year
Which means he can get more familiar with their pitchers instead of just the three teams in the AL West.
Let the Blaine Gabbert era begin.
I never thought of that.
That’s something interesting to look at (since it’s January and I’m longing for baseball.)
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Jan 5, 2009 3:44 PM CST up reply actions
Yea but no Josh Hamilton in front of him in Chicago......
…at least not that I know of.
New sig currently under construction
Maybe we can have one of our sabermetrics guys on this site...
…do an analysis on him. That stuff’s mostly over my head, too.
Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.
that, and be healthy if we make it to October...
But yes, if he’s a .900+ OPS guy playing 120+ games and is available in October for us, it’s a good signing. Of course, that’s an enormous “if” given his history.
Yes.
Happy with this one. I’ve wanted the Cubs to get Bradley since October, can’t believe they actually did. Man this is so much better than Raul Ibanez.
I've been back and forth
about this, and I think he might be a bigger risk than necessary, but the deal itself isn’t so bad, and maybe now that he knows where he’ll be (most likely) for the next few years, he won’t be so volatile. hahaha, yeah right! It’s okay, we can use a little fire.
What distresses me is that I just read he only played 165 innings in the field last year. I remember him as a decent defender, but if he played so few games last year without even really playing the field…
Last year concerns me less...
He was coming back from a serious knee injury that occurred late in the 2007 season. And he was playing on a team that had three good defensive OF already. The Rangers played it safe with him.
I’m more concerned about the history of injuries prior to 2008, which kept him from playing 100+ games in the field in any season other than 2004.
this sucks
bad deal,bad player, bad move!!!
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!!!
to say he's a bad player is completely pointless, and it makes you look bad because its completely not true
If you don’t want him because of the injury risk, or because of behavioral issues, fine. But to suggest he’s not good at baseball simply shows you haven’t looked at his career numbers, which makes people less likely to put much merit into the things you say. Being upset with the decision made by the Cubs org. shouldn’t cloud your ability to use logic and reason.
by philadelphiacub on Jan 5, 2009 3:23 PM CST up reply actions
my idea
of a good player doesn’t involve going after announcers,umpires, other players, staying hurt all the time etc. I dont like this move one bit and this is going to bite us.
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!!!
Good player and good person...
are two separate things.
both go hand in hand
we just made a very very controversial move
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!!!
They don't really go hand in hand...
we made a controversial move, but it has nothing to do with his ability as a ballplayer. It only has to do with his injury risk and attitude.
and going after...
umps on the field and leaving the field during games to go after an announcer. good players do those things??
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!!!
That ump baited him
And the UMP was punished, not Bradley.
He’s a Cub now. Get on board or get out.
The worst beer I had was pretty good.
dont ever tell me what to do
you get out!!
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 hope you'll be very happy
Rooting for the Royals next year. No problems there!
The worst beer I had was pretty good.
lets start making excuses for him...
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!!!
Oh, OK...
Someone that brings up a fact that is counter to what the bats in your skull are telling you is making excuses.
Cool! I can play this game too!
The worst beer I had was pretty good.
Now we need to go
get jeff kent and barry bonds too.
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!!!
this is exactly
what our team needed.
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!!!
Ok, now hold on...
Milton Bradley is a passionate player who lets his emotions get the better of him, but let’s not go overboard here.
"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 Jan 5, 2009 3:41 PM CST up reply actions
Please.
No one has said he’s a complete jackass or a cheater. Ha. Which is Kent and which is Bonds? I can’t tell for certain.
Cubluver22
is pretty close to calling him both…
"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 Jan 5, 2009 3:43 PM CST up reply actions
Overboard?
I thought it was Gameboard?
My 2008 Christmas wish list includes this jersey. In Hendry We Trust!
I'm onboard
with gameboard, but Cubluver22 is going overboard with the interrogation (water)board.
"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 Jan 5, 2009 3:44 PM CST up reply actions
this conversation is making me bord.
I haz blurg: hotbeans.wordpress.com
by digitalbenjamin on Jan 5, 2009 3:45 PM CST up reply actions
It's making me DaBard
"Who's Bob Brenly? The guy that used to be the manager for Arizona?" ~ Alfonso Guilleard Soriano
see?
totally not me.
"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 Jan 5, 2009 4:08 PM CST up reply actions
Good players CAN do those things, yes...
I’ll give you exhibit A: Ty Cobb.
Good players CAN do those things. Good PEOPLE don’t. There’s a difference.
They do NOT go hand in hand
He’s a scumbag, but he’s our scumbag.
Root for laundry. It’s so much easier.
The worst beer I had was pretty good.
I don't think he is a scumbag...
the guy has some issues…some of which he has been working on. I would rather have had Dunn but the guy is not a scumbag. Barry Bonds is a scumbag, Jeff Kent is a scumbag, Jose Canseco is a scumbag…Bradley has issues. There is a difference.
Kwa...Ki...Sur...Pee...Nee...Ku?
They HAVE NOTHING TO do with each other
Did you just start following baseball? There are tons of “bad people” who are “good players.”
I’m so sick of this argument, it’s getting run through more than the town whore.
Agreed...
when on the baseball field, Bradley has been at worst a very solid player and at best a dominant offensive player.
jeez...
It’s not like we just signed O.J. or something. We have some questionable guys on our team right now, so what’s the difference? As long as they can play ball and be good teammates, which, by all accounts, he can do well.
It’s a good signing.
Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.
can OJ
play right?
"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 Jan 5, 2009 3:40 PM CST up reply actions
make sure he gets a glove
that fits.
"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 Jan 5, 2009 3:43 PM CST up reply actions
Thank you Iowa
Again, I’m sure some of these Bradley haters love Zambrano, or Lee, for that matter.
Find a new argument with holes.
I'd guess 5th...
Behind Lee and Ramirez and in front of Soto.
i'd bat him 4th
in that same order you have though… having DLee bat 2nd….
by DartmouthCubsFan on Jan 5, 2009 3:24 PM CST up reply actions
I was suggesting what I think will happen...
not what I’d prefer.
I’d probably bat him 3rd or 4th, either between Theriot and Ramirez or Lee and Ramirez.
But I think Piniella bats him 5th.
I'd bat him third.
It will be interesting to see Lou’s lineup.
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Jan 5, 2009 3:31 PM CST up reply actions
I think Lou wants him 3/4
I think he’s wanted to split Lee/Rami for a while.
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 Jan 5, 2009 7:53 PM CST up reply actions
Piniella batted Fukudome fifth from the getgo last year...
when he thought Fukudome was the answer. I think he just wants someone in the middle of the lineup that is LH. I don’t think he’s concerned about splitting Lee and Ramirez.
There’s not that much difference between splitting Lee and Ramirez and splitting Ramirez and Soto. Either way, you have a LH bat splitting up three power RH bats.
my guess
sori
fontenot
aramis
bradley
lee
dome
soto
theriot
Pitcher
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'd Flip...
… Dome and Soto…
… and Piniella will likely flip Aramis and Lee.
My 2008 Christmas wish list includes this jersey. In Hendry We Trust!
Yeah...
I just don’t see Lou moving Lee out of the 3 spot.
Someday we'll go all the way...
by CubsBullsBears on Jan 5, 2009 3:25 PM CST up reply actions
and that is so damn annoying
your best hitter hits 3rd, it seems clear that aramis is a better hitter and better suited to the 3rd spot in the lineup. lets see if lou has a spine.
bring up felix.
With his OBP
Bradley should be up in the order. I’d take him in the 2 or 3 hole.
Reed Ballgame - best CF in the MLB
by californiachicagoan on Jan 5, 2009 4:17 PM CST up reply actions
He Is Perfect...
… to split Lee and Ramirez. Most likely 4th.
My 2008 Christmas wish list includes this jersey. In Hendry We Trust!
I hated this...
Idea. But he’s a Cub now, so I will root for him. Let’s hope he can channel his temper in positive ways and fire our guys up. Maybe this team needed was too nice and needed another guy with an “edge”, we shall see.
Someday we'll go all the way...
by CubsBullsBears on Jan 5, 2009 3:23 PM CST reply actions 2 recs
Great Signing
Abreu = too many ground balls, Dunn = Cannot play RF, Ibanez = getting older.
Bradley was the best of the available options and once again Hendry got it done. We all will miss DeRosa, but he would have been gone next year anyways.
Little Fonty may be able to drive in 65 runs as well.
I love this team.
Depending Where LBR hits...
… I bet he bats second…
My 2008 Christmas wish list includes this jersey. In Hendry We Trust!
where does LBR hit
against switch-pitchers?
I haz blurg: hotbeans.wordpress.com
by digitalbenjamin on Jan 5, 2009 3:46 PM CST up reply actions
I hope so.
I hope Miles isnt being given an everyday spot at 2nd. I read a Heandry comment about 2nd being one of the only spots where he could acquire a left handed bat, and am worried they are thinking of LBR as strictly bench material.
Reed Ballgame - best CF in the MLB
by californiachicagoan on Jan 5, 2009 4:19 PM CST up reply actions
Might see time in LF
Soriano is unlikely to play more than 125 games in LF, so Bradley can get some ABs there, with Fukodome moving to RF and Pie/Gath coming off the bench to take over in CF.
"These are terrible times, and I shouldn't joke about them." --Warren Zevon
anyone see the part
where it said “Some options in the deal”
this is likely very bad since Hendry gives away player options like they’re tick-tacks…. please dear lord let them be TEAM OPTIONS…. PLEASE
by DartmouthCubsFan on Jan 5, 2009 3:27 PM CST reply actions
There all made out of ticky-tacky and the all look just the same.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Jan 5, 2009 3:28 PM CST up reply actions
do you work for tic tac?
was that necessary?
by DartmouthCubsFan on Jan 5, 2009 3:30 PM CST up reply actions
No I don't work for tic-tac and yes it was necessary. A little humor is needed in this situation. People
are getting far to worked up. It’s only baseball.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Jan 5, 2009 3:33 PM CST up reply actions
when
did you plan on providing the humor?
or maybe i’ve missed all the comedic legends who had built their careers off of spelling mistakes and grammar corrections
you could be the first though!
by DartmouthCubsFan on Jan 5, 2009 3:36 PM CST up reply actions
It's January in Chicago,
what else is there to do?
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Jan 5, 2009 3:39 PM CST up reply actions
What makes you think I was correcting your spelling? The reference to the song had to
do with your reference to the term tick-tack. It was not a comment on your spelling. It’s not even a real word. Thanks for being a critic on my humor. I’ll make sure I consult you the next time I feel like making a comment.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Jan 5, 2009 3:41 PM CST up reply actions
And by the way, go pound sand!
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Jan 5, 2009 3:42 PM CST up reply actions
maybe we need
to put that in the BCB Dictionary…
"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 Jan 5, 2009 3:43 PM CST up reply actions
If that gets in
I want “Shut up, and when you’re done, shut up some more!” in there
The worst beer I had was pretty good.
TWSS
"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 Jan 5, 2009 3:46 PM CST up reply actions
I work for Tic-Tac...
… and I don’t see the humor here. I demand an apology to my brothers and sisters in breathmints.
Carry on.
Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.
Look on the bright side,
you could work for Certs!
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Jan 5, 2009 3:39 PM CST up reply actions
My cousins work for Certs...
and they don’t appreciate such foul-breathed rhetoric, either.
Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.
Maybe you should seek employment at
a local company with ties to the Cubs?
How about Wrigley Co.?
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Jan 5, 2009 3:48 PM CST up reply actions
Probably...
Backloaded with NTC, Hendry specials.
Someday we'll go all the way...
by CubsBullsBears on Jan 5, 2009 3:30 PM CST up reply actions
omg when i first read your post i thought it was serious
That would be a step to far
Let the Blaine Gabbert era begin.
Hendry's "specials"
is in the contract…. Eiiiwwwwww
I haz blurg: hotbeans.wordpress.com
by digitalbenjamin on Jan 5, 2009 3:49 PM CST up reply actions
He's a Cub now
Get on board or find another team.
The worst beer I had was pretty good.
by Worf on Jan 5, 2009 3:29 PM CST reply actions 4 recs
Lighten up Worf. You're going to blow a gasket or maybe a jefferies tube.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Jan 5, 2009 3:31 PM CST up reply actions
TWT(orion)SGS.
"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 Jan 5, 2009 3:45 PM CST up reply actions
or an O-ring
I haz blurg: hotbeans.wordpress.com
by digitalbenjamin on Jan 5, 2009 3:49 PM CST up reply actions
I love the signing but that's just a stupid thing to say
Leave the with us or against us rhetoric for the politicians.
I think we can conclude Worf
is not involved in politics or diplomacy.
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Jan 5, 2009 3:35 PM CST up reply actions
If you are not with me, you're against me!
Only a Sith deals in absolutes!
Yeah, well, the Sith ruled for a long time… I’d take some Sith mentality.
The worst beer I had was pretty good.
Worf talking about the Sith. I see you have Star Trek and Star Wars both covered.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Jan 5, 2009 3:37 PM CST up reply actions
You have to cite
Babylon 5 before I’ll believe that.
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 Jan 5, 2009 7:59 PM CST up reply actions
and so it begins...
"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 Jan 6, 2009 10:32 AM CST up reply actions
The Great BCB Nerd Wars of 2009 left a tremendous scar across the face of Cubs Nation.
To this day, the very mention of Red Dwarf sends shivers down the spine of anyone who remembers that terrible time…
Bleed Cubbie Blue: Like Drāno for your internet tubes.
NERDS!!!
Yes, yes ... winter is indeed a pond upon which all of us must skate, braving frostbite and runny noses in the hopes that our cars will start and we shan't embarass ourselves slipping on a patch of black ice. Spring is more a quagmire of cold mud and slush, and fall is a pile of fallen leaves that may or may not hide a pile of doggy doo-doo. But summer, ah summer is an oasis of endless green that disappears all too quickly beneath our feet as we rush through its warm, glorious bliss.
ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Not Star JONES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Jan 5, 2009 3:43 PM CST up reply actions
Maybe you're just a tad to emotional about this right now?
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Jan 5, 2009 3:38 PM CST up reply actions
But before you find another team...
…shut up, pound sand and then pound sand s’more.
Yes, yes ... winter is indeed a pond upon which all of us must skate, braving frostbite and runny noses in the hopes that our cars will start and we shan't embarass ourselves slipping on a patch of black ice. Spring is more a quagmire of cold mud and slush, and fall is a pile of fallen leaves that may or may not hide a pile of doggy doo-doo. But summer, ah summer is an oasis of endless green that disappears all too quickly beneath our feet as we rush through its warm, glorious bliss.
For what it's worth
Similar Batters through Age 30 (www.baseball-reference.com)
Ivan Calderon (967)
Carl Everett (957)
Ben Oglivie (954)
Ron Northey (954)
Rip Repulski (953)
Ellis Valentine (950)
Troy O’Leary (950)
Bernard Gilkey (948)
Aaron Rowand (946)
Trot Nixon (945)
"These are terrible times, and I shouldn't joke about them." --Warren Zevon
is that suppose to make me feel better
I hate this signing
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy."
- Dodgers, Astros, Brewers, A's & Angels pitcher Don Sutton
I'd take 4 or 5 of those guys...
to play right field… it’s not the best signing, but it was exactly the right signing.
Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.
Yep, he reminds me of Rip Repulski the more I think of it.
Whoever said you can't mix business with pleasure never owned a PuttPutt course---Andy Bernard
by carmen_fanzone on Jan 5, 2009 4:08 PM CST up reply actions
I think it's safe to say
that Milton Bradley won’t be dull.
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Jan 5, 2009 3:34 PM CST up reply actions
he won't be boring
but if I want drama I can watch the CW instead
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy."
- Dodgers, Astros, Brewers, A's & Angels pitcher Don Sutton
Nope, that's just bad TV.
MLB is the best soap opera/reality TV available.
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Jan 5, 2009 3:46 PM CST up reply actions
No not MLB, MB is a drama! Bradley will become Hendry's worse signing
Bradley will become Hendry’s worse signing
I bet Burrell, I know he’s right handed, along with
Abreu & Dunn will all have better numbers than MB
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy."
- Dodgers, Astros, Brewers, A's & Angels pitcher Don Sutton
worse than Soriano?
BLou isn’t going to like that implicit criticism of Lou…
I say we give the spirited fella a chance.
"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 Jan 5, 2009 3:59 PM CST up reply actions
True, if. . .
If you live within the correct area of the nation, have between 2 and 2.5 kids, your house faces exactly 6 degrees east of the north pole and you have the coin, MLB is the best programming on TV. For the rest of us, black out rules apply.
shit...
BCB Works Miracles: It saved my English grade!
by Chanman25 on Jan 5, 2009 3:41 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
I'm pleased with this
I like DeRosa as much as the next guy. But maybe part of the Cubs’ postseason problems recently is that they have too many “nice” guys — guys who really want to win this thing for Chicago. It gets into their heads too much.
Now we can see how the Cubs do with at least one guy who doesn’t appear to give a damn about all that.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Jan 5, 2009 3:43 PM CST reply actions
I dunno
the video of him hollering at the ump before he blew out his knee makes me think he gives LOTS of shits.
"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 Jan 5, 2009 3:49 PM CST up reply actions
let's take up a collection
get the man some toilet paper, and all will be well.
"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 Jan 5, 2009 3:53 PM CST up reply actions
Yes...
There was definitely shit given by Bradley.
Someday we'll go all the way...
by CubsBullsBears on Jan 5, 2009 3:56 PM CST up reply actions
So who is really....
….going to play in RF?
Since we know Bradley will be out by the All Star game.
Miles? Pie? Hoffpair?
Wow. 30 Million in dead, unmovable salary for three years. Just damn.
Well, Abreu and Dunn better sign for 20 million a year now, or else Hendry looks like a sucker of the highest order.
This stinks – teased with Peavy, then we get Bradley shoved down our throats in another Hendry “blue light special.”
P.S. I’m taking names of all you Bradley apologist for my future BCB-version of a tagline when this deal blows up in the Cubs’ faces.
—I’m putting the over/under at 55 games for Bradley in 2009.
—I’m putting the over/under at 6 Million a year as the salary Hendry is going to have to eat WHEN – WHEN, not if – he dumps him.
Why couldn’t we just sign Jacques Jones again? Or Burnitz? Sheesh. Hendy and his damn projects and gambles………
Any hopes I had of a World Series just got severely wounded.
"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 Jan 5, 2009 3:43 PM CST reply actions
Good to know...
While you are compiling material for your I told you so post, we’ll be rooting for the team.
The worst beer I had was pretty good.
Wow.
Your holier-than-thou attitude totally put me in my place.
Since I obviously stopped bring a Cubs fan when they signed him. Unlike you true fans who know that a true fan’s place is to accept whatever you get and never complain.
"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 Jan 5, 2009 3:47 PM CST up reply actions
Awesome
Right now, Worf reminds me of the Royal Rumble I watched as a kid where Andre the Giant was being attacked by all 29 other guys at the same time. Go Worf Go!
who cares?
Why should anyone care if you are no longer a fan of team?
by Acapulco Taco Pie on Jan 5, 2009 4:14 PM CST up reply actions
Root for the team
not the individual.
One thing you learned as a Cubs fan: when you bought you ticket, you could bank on seeing the bottom of the ninth.
Joe Garagiola
by Ryan at Cubshub on Jan 5, 2009 5:10 PM CST up reply actions
Will you post how wrong you were and kiss his ass if you're wrong on the over/unders?
Because when he puts up great numbers this year, I’m going to search all these complaints and repost them
by philadelphiacub on Jan 5, 2009 3:45 PM CST up reply actions
tell you what...
If you win the lottery, you can shove it in my face.
If you become President, you can shove it in my face.
And if – an even longer shot – this works out and he plays 150 games and is really productive, you can also shove that in my face.
"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 Jan 5, 2009 3:49 PM CST up reply actions
150?
I thought your over/under was 55
by philadelphiacub on Jan 5, 2009 3:50 PM CST up reply actions
So take the bet.
"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 Jan 5, 2009 3:51 PM CST up reply actions
Can I get in on it?
I’ll be at plenty of late season games, you could get me a beer when I win.
One thing you learned as a Cubs fan: when you bought you ticket, you could bank on seeing the bottom of the ninth.
Joe Garagiola
by Ryan at Cubshub on Jan 5, 2009 5:11 PM CST up reply actions
That'll work.
Hamm’s okay?
"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 Jan 5, 2009 10:17 PM CST up reply actions
I'd settle for 400ab of .900 OPS...
That’s worth 2.5 wins if he plays average defense in right or left. That’s about the going rate for such a player.
Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.
wow, you are really
a total downer. Have you posted anything positive today?
"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 Jan 5, 2009 3:47 PM CST up reply actions
Does he EVER post anything positive?
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Jan 5, 2009 3:49 PM CST up reply actions
About Bradley?
No.
About many others? Yes.
"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 Jan 5, 2009 3:50 PM CST up reply actions
Quick:
just because you say baseless opinions about Bradley, doesn’t give you the automatic billings to say “I told you so.”
All the claims you have on that post has no statistical data supporting it, just “look at me, i’ll say useless shit to start a raucous.”
Baseless?
Baseless?
Is that a serious comment?
"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 Jan 5, 2009 3:55 PM CST up reply actions
dood
just give the guy a chance. You can’t say he doesn’t have passion for the game. I’m not sure we couldn’t use a Billy Martin type temperament around here. Minus the alcoholism, anyway.
"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 Jan 5, 2009 3:56 PM CST up reply actions
It All Depends...
…on what the new ownership says…
… I guess on both sides of that deal now!
My 2008 Christmas wish list includes this jersey. In Hendry We Trust!
Now, next time, I would like you to read mroe carefully.
Read what I posted, don’t just look at the letters.
let us all remember the lesson
of Jimmy Baseball.
Please open your bar menus to page two, and join me in singing “I like my cut off tees and my blond-ies, but just let me go home to Center again.”
"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 Jan 5, 2009 3:58 PM CST up reply actions
You mean she's mine now? All mine?
>>> Daver passes out <<<
Yes, yes ... winter is indeed a pond upon which all of us must skate, braving frostbite and runny noses in the hopes that our cars will start and we shan't embarass ourselves slipping on a patch of black ice. Spring is more a quagmire of cold mud and slush, and fall is a pile of fallen leaves that may or may not hide a pile of doggy doo-doo. But summer, ah summer is an oasis of endless green that disappears all too quickly beneath our feet as we rush through its warm, glorious bliss.
Wow
If you’re taking the action, I’ll take the Over on games played for 100 grand.
I’ll take the Under at the amount Hendry will have to eat for 100 grand.
I’ll take any other ridiculous O/U’s that you want to trot out for another 100 grand.
Who needs a stinkin' tag line? What are they for anyway?
Ill take the over on the first bet...
…and the under on the 2nd… I’d like to think you’re being sarcastic but who knows… If you are being sarcastic, well done. If not, you’re a bit over the top.
One thing you learned as a Cubs fan: when you bought you ticket, you could bank on seeing the bottom of the ninth.
Joe Garagiola
by Ryan at Cubshub on Jan 5, 2009 5:09 PM CST up reply actions
I will root for this team like anyone else who has been a Cub fan
there whole freaking life. However I do not like this deal either, personally it SUCKS. Now will I root for the Cubs less, NO.
If the Cubs get 270 games out of this clown in 3 years I will be shocked. TEN years in the majors and twice over 120 games, that is not good percentages folks, and at 30M for 3, what a freaking waste.
Bad deal, And Worf I will root for the Cubs.
"Have You heard of the Boom on Mizar 5?"
Now this brings the Cubs to a revised projected payroll level of $135.86M
It also brings up the question whether Bradley’s knee is healthy enough to play CF?
With the possible subtractions of Cedeno, Wuertz who are arb eligible and probably at $1.2-$1.5M in liabilities plus the addition of the rumored Bako signing at $800K this would bring the payroll to $135.55-$135.80M.
My best guess is that the top for 2009 is $141.5M which gives Hendry mid-season budget to acquire a $10M player for a half season.
Other places to subtract are Vizcaino (but a rubber arm is valuable)
Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."
Bradley will play RF and Fuku in CF?
Is that right
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy."
- Dodgers, Astros, Brewers, A's & Angels pitcher Don Sutton
That's Correct...
… with a RJ platoon in CF.
My 2008 Christmas wish list includes this jersey. In Hendry We Trust!
So Fuku will a platoon player?
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy."
- Dodgers, Astros, Brewers, A's & Angels pitcher Don Sutton
you guys are way ahead of yourselves
spring training will decide much as usual, not January Parlor games.
Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."
by Ivy Walls on Jan 5, 2009 3:52 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
ok when Fuku becomes the player he think he is
he will become the everyday CF
or are the Cubs giving PIE another shot
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy."
- Dodgers, Astros, Brewers, A's & Angels pitcher Don Sutton
nobody knows
Currently, best guess is Bradley in Right, Dome/Johnson in center. I suppose if Dome picks it up and Bradley gets hurt, Johnson can be part of a platoon with Pie or Gaithwright, depending on who is left on the bench.
"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 Jan 5, 2009 3:55 PM CST up reply actions
My bet is the Cubs explore this in Mesa
It could be that Bradley simply replaces Edmonds as the mostly LH bat.
Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."
Bradley in CF sounds scary
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy."
- Dodgers, Astros, Brewers, A's & Angels pitcher Don Sutton
why he played it well in SD which is a bigger CF
Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."
In SD? how many innings?
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy."
- Dodgers, Astros, Brewers, A's & Angels pitcher Don Sutton
That was before the knee injury.
I’m not sure he can still play center field.
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Jan 5, 2009 3:58 PM CST up reply actions
You can't possibly trust him to be a regular player again
He has to prove that he can produce at the plate over a full season.
Let the Blaine Gabbert era begin.
Why?
Even in injury-limited duties he’s been worth what we’re paying him, and more valuable than the other options, even accounting for a replacement level sub (which we can do better than, given our roster depth).
Wait are you talking about Bradley or Dome
Because I was talking about Dome
Let the Blaine Gabbert era begin.
Does This Include...
… the subtraction of Marquis?
My 2008 Christmas wish list includes this jersey. In Hendry We Trust!
If You Included Marquis...
… I have our payroll at a little over $139M. I made the 26-40 guys on the roster make $125K per year (assuming some will play during the year and some will get September call ups).
Also, I heard Bako would command $500K.
My 2008 Christmas wish list includes this jersey. In Hendry We Trust!
Revise that subtraction
Add in Pie so that brings the total down to $135.10-$135.60M
Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."
More implications against the current roster choices
I think the Miles signing and now the Bradley signing spell an almost immediate trade of Pie and Cedeno to a team wanting young $400-500K salary for starters. This will mean the Cubs as they stand now will go to April with 3 middle infielders make Miles the 3B backup where he could still be a starter.
This would open the final 13th position player spot open for Hoffpauir who I think is valuable since I think Cubs and Lou look at Bradley starting 80-100 games and being available for 30-40 games off the bench. IF Bradley goes on the DL Hoffpauir is then the big stick off the bench.
Look for Hendry to try to find some AAA RF stick to park in Iowa
Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."
Pie and Cedeno gone
Lou didn’t seem to like either player and the signings of Miles and Gaithright replace them.
by Acapulco Taco Pie on Jan 5, 2009 4:00 PM CST up reply actions
to where?
"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 Jan 5, 2009 4:00 PM CST up reply actions
B'more
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 Jan 5, 2009 8:02 PM CST up reply actions
for what?
"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 Jan 6, 2009 10:33 AM CST up reply actions
Careful with Miles...
… he really replaces mostly LBR and only a portion of Cedeno.
My 2008 Christmas wish list includes this jersey. In Hendry We Trust!
Hey ATP
How do you know that?
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy."
- Dodgers, Astros, Brewers, A's & Angels pitcher Don Sutton
isn't it obvious?
Why acquire Gaithright if you are keeping Pie? Miles backs up at 2nd, 3rd and SS thus eliminating the need for Cedeno. Pie is out of options and he as well as Cedeno didn’t seem to be favorites of Piniella. Why would Hendry sign MIles and Gaithright if he were keeping Pie and Cedeno. That would make zero sense.
by Acapulco Taco Pie on Jan 5, 2009 4:26 PM CST up reply actions
if Chewbacca is a Wookie, you must acquit!
Maybe the Padres REALLY want Gaithwright.
"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 Jan 5, 2009 4:28 PM CST up reply actions
Look at the monkey.
Look at the silly monkey!
http://thegettinplace.blogspot.com/
I didn't care one way or
the other if they got MB I just hope the next three years go incident free.
I would say the chance of that is slim.
I just it’s only minor blow-up.
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Jan 5, 2009 4:00 PM CST up reply actions
So does this rule out Peavy for Sure?
Q?
"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 Jan 5, 2009 3:49 PM CST reply actions
Peavy was out a month ago
Any speculation of a resurrection of that deal were greatly exaggerated.
And besides – this was never an either / or situation. We needed a right fielder, even if we got Peavy.
I'd play right field
Oh wait you can’t sign me yet… Dang. lol
Jim Edmonds has seriously become my favorite player. WHAT'S HAPPENING????
Peavy was out when the Cubs 2010 payroll was $150M with him.
Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."
It All Depends...
…on what the new ownership says…
… I guess on both sides of that deal now!
My 2008 Christmas wish list includes this jersey. In Hendry We Trust!
Just hope that this isn't the final move before Spring training
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy."
- Dodgers, Astros, Brewers, A's & Angels pitcher Don Sutton
Maybe it is, but we have the division locked.
Our rotation is very good, good lineup, and good bullpen. This is a damned good team already.
Let's not count our chickens...
1) We’re the Cubs. Never underestimate our ability to suck.
2) Nothing is ever locked up in baseball. Prior to this season, Detroit was supposed to be unbeatable…how did that work out for them?
by CubsWin!Oregon on Jan 5, 2009 6:30 PM CST up reply actions
It goes without saying though...
that I hope we win the division easily.
by CubsWin!Oregon on Jan 5, 2009 6:32 PM CST up reply actions
What's the over/under on how long it takes the RF crowd to start booing him
like they did Jacques Jones?
I hope he comes out of the gate hot and doesn’t have this problem.
I haz blurg: hotbeans.wordpress.com
His problem
was that his Day 1 was awful…as was his first month or so.
"Who's Bob Brenly? The guy that used to be the manager for Arizona?" ~ Alfonso Guilleard Soriano
On the plust side, Bradley has a better arm than Jones, so
there shouldn’t be any bounce passes to the cutoff man.
I won't boo...
…because I want to win. But that doesn’t mean I don’t see the train a comin’….
"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 Jan 5, 2009 3:52 PM CST up reply actions
Your comments are ridiculous.
The guy is a great hitter, give him a chance. If beating his wife on off days makes him play better, who am I to judge.
you'll judge
if he’s arrested and kicked off the team.
Let’s not ascribe anything to him other than his known faults.
"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 Jan 5, 2009 4:01 PM CST up reply actions
Good point Drew. I was using hyperbole, but you are right.
I was just trying to make the point that we often worry to much about off the field allegations. Bradley is a hell of a hitter.
Hell of a hitter?
on or off the field
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy."
- Dodgers, Astros, Brewers, A's & Angels pitcher Don Sutton
When has Bradley had trouble off the field
I don’t think he has ever had legal troubles.
Let the Blaine Gabbert era begin.
Research my friend
He’s a wild dude
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy."
- Dodgers, Astros, Brewers, A's & Angels pitcher Don Sutton
Off the field or on field problems
There is a difference between argueing with an umpire or fan in a stadium as opposed to problems involving the police off the field.
Let the Blaine Gabbert era begin.
wasn't sure. :D
it’s gonna be an interesting spring training.
"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 Jan 5, 2009 4:03 PM CST up reply actions
I'm not one for beating wives
That’s what pets are for
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy."
- Dodgers, Astros, Brewers, A's & Angels pitcher Don Sutton
Relax just joking. Damn do I hate this signing!
Now let me go beat my kids.
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy."
- Dodgers, Astros, Brewers, A's & Angels pitcher Don Sutton
Please stop.
I haz blurg: hotbeans.wordpress.com
by digitalbenjamin on Jan 5, 2009 4:26 PM CST up reply actions
I'm sorry sue369 & anyone else that i might have offended
Really
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy."
- Dodgers, Astros, Brewers, A's & Angels pitcher Don Sutton
I certainly hope
that does not happen. The crowd took to Edmonds well so I hope we see the same for MB.
I think it will all depend on how Milton performs,
particularly early in the season.
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Jan 5, 2009 4:01 PM CST up reply actions
Crowd reaction
Actually the bleacher crowd didn’t take to Edmonds right away. It was well into June when he started getting big hits to win games before people started to embrace him. I don’t understand why “fans” wouldn’t want to see players on their team succeed. There was big opposition to Edmonds last season and likely will be the same for Bradley. Hopefully he will ignore their ignorance.
by Acapulco Taco Pie on Jan 5, 2009 4:03 PM CST up reply actions
I doubt he starts his season 0-13
But I think Jacque briefly redeemed himself since his first Cub hit was a three-run homer against the Cardinals on Sunday Night Baseball.
Let the Blaine Gabbert era begin.
I remember that game well
Someday we'll go all the way...
by CubsBullsBears on Jan 5, 2009 4:04 PM CST up reply actions
I also thought he conducted himself with the utmost class.
That is what won me over.
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Jan 5, 2009 4:05 PM CST up reply actions
Jones had a great second half in 07
Edmonds had a great second half in 08
Bradley will have a great half of something in 09
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy."
- Dodgers, Astros, Brewers, A's & Angels pitcher Don Sutton
Right after you DORK
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy."
- Dodgers, Astros, Brewers, A's & Angels pitcher Don Sutton
No comparison
Comparing the skill sets of Bradley and Jones is futile. Jones wishes he could rake like Bradley can from one side of the plate let alone both. Completely different players.
Who needs a stinkin' tag line? What are they for anyway?
does this mean
we now officially know who the REAL Milton is?
by DartmouthCubsFan on Jan 5, 2009 3:54 PM CST reply actions 3 recs
Ooohhh... this is the comment of the day
Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.
Be confident
Not crazy
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy."
- Dodgers, Astros, Brewers, A's & Angels pitcher Don Sutton
Woo-Hoo!
Atta boy Jim Hendry!
One day, the dream will come true.
Honestly
Does anyone in the NL Central have a chance of competing w/the Cubs?
" Well isn't this place a geographical oddity? Two weeks from everywhere! "
by LOUtheMETandNATSfan on Jan 5, 2009 4:01 PM CST reply actions
Of course!
I never count out the Cardinals and the Brewers could be a surprise. The big surprise in the division could be the Reds (either bad or good.)
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Jan 5, 2009 4:03 PM CST up reply actions
You Never Know...
… the Cards did a lot better last year then I thought they would. Also, who could be next year’s Rays? The Pads? :-|
My 2008 Christmas wish list includes this jersey. In Hendry We Trust!
Be confident
Not crazy
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy."
- Dodgers, Astros, Brewers, A's & Angels pitcher Don Sutton
Well, I'm not happy about this.
Too much money for too much of an injured player. Frankly, I’m astounded at the excitement shown here. When Gameboard spends half the year on the DL, what will you all say then?
I’ll be happy to be wrong, but I fear the worst with him.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al Yellon on Jan 5, 2009 4:01 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
Well, he's coming so we might as well make the best of it.
Hopefully, we’ll see what he can do on the field instead of off the field antics.
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Jan 5, 2009 4:04 PM CST up reply actions
That's how I feel about it.
Wait & see. Then hope he stays off the DL, too.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
When Gameboard spends half the year on the DL, what will you all say then?
Let Pie play?
"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 Jan 5, 2009 4:04 PM CST up reply actions
We'd Have To Trade...
… to get Pie back, though.
My 2008 Christmas wish list includes this jersey. In Hendry We Trust!
not yet
Pie is out of options and Gaithright serves same purpose. He will be gone by opening day.
by Acapulco Taco Pie on Jan 5, 2009 4:13 PM CST up reply actions
people have said that before
and been wrong. I suppose we’ll see.
"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 Jan 5, 2009 4:22 PM CST up reply actions
we shall see
So can you make a logical argument as to why this team would need to keep Pie?
by Acapulco Taco Pie on Jan 5, 2009 4:31 PM CST up reply actions
the logical argument for the past two years
has been that he just needs time to grow into the role, and he could be a long-term payoff.
"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 Jan 5, 2009 4:33 PM CST up reply actions 3 recs
But...
… at the price of a 25-man roster spot? Which outfielder gets the boot then?
My 2008 Christmas wish list includes this jersey. In Hendry We Trust!
Theriot.
:D
"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 Jan 5, 2009 4:35 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
long term?
This team is concerned with winning in 09. Saying they will keep Pie for long term potential is a bit silly at this point. In relation to other off-season moves Pie does not have a place on this team.
by Acapulco Taco Pie on Jan 5, 2009 4:36 PM CST up reply actions
perhaps.
but I think Pie should have been playing Center last year. Edmonds to the nonce. And I really came around on Edmonds. We have to build the minor league roster at SOME point. We have to be able to grow talent at SOME POINT.
"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 Jan 5, 2009 4:38 PM CST up reply actions
Sadly
I believe you are 100% correct, and I dare say our team is built upon sand…our minor league foundation is pretty scant.
or at least
it would if Pie could get a decent chance.
"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 Jan 6, 2009 10:33 AM CST up reply actions
That would be logical.....and Lou has lost all logic when it comes to Pie.
New sig currently under construction
Let's Pie Two!
I haz blurg: hotbeans.wordpress.com
by digitalbenjamin on Jan 5, 2009 4:26 PM CST up reply actions
Same thing I, too, said when Edmonds worked out.
If he helps the team win, stays healthy, and stays calm, we have a fine player.
I’m just not convinced of that yet.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Respectfully...
… I hope you are wrong.
My 2008 Christmas wish list includes this jersey. In Hendry We Trust!
Respectfully...
… I hope I’m wrong, too.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Come on Al. Too much money?
It’s less than we’re paying Fukudome to suck. Bradley has at least proven he can hit well. He’s also a good defender. Give the guy a chance.
fear
What is the point in fearing the unknown? Half a season of Bradley would be of more value than Abreu or Dunn.
by Acapulco Taco Pie on Jan 5, 2009 4:05 PM CST up reply actions
I'm not convinced of that, either.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
"When Gameboard spends half the year on the DL, what will you all say then?"
I’ll post the WAR comparison that shows half a season of Bradley is better than a full season of Dunn
by philadelphiacub on Jan 5, 2009 4:06 PM CST up reply actions
I think its a pretty informative site, to be honest.
Just different from the way things are around here.
Statistics are all fine and good, but they do not win baseball games.
Players do.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Great, but when Bradley spends half the year on the DL...
… his numbers look great, but is he helping his team win? No.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
ok, so say Bradley sits half the season
that means he plays 80 games. If he helps us win 1 more game in five, that’s 16 games we win because of him. Am I doing my math right? Yes.
That’s helping the team. Not as much as playing 160 games, but let’s give the guy a chance…
"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 Jan 5, 2009 4:51 PM CST up reply actions
Yes he is
He’s helping them for that half* he’s on the field.
The argument is that even if that happens that 1/2 – 2/3rds of him + 1/2 to 1/3rd of whatever replacement (Fukudome, etc) is going to result in more Cubs wins at the end of the year that a full season of the alternatives. It’s a well-supported argument.
- You keep saying half, when the average games he’s played — and sorry to use is a statistic here — is more like 2/3rds. He’s only played half seasons twice.
What was the point of that post?
Are you saying the Cubs shouldn’t have given Wood a chance last year because he was always injured?
If i remember correctly, besides his ACL, his other injuries have all been boneheaded, unlucky injuries. It seems unfair to warrant someone that’s bad only because he’s had injuries.
I think it's the opposite...
the ACL was the boneheaded injury. The other injuries have been your run-of-the-mill, baseball related injuries. All injuries are unlucky. His are just more predictable.
Can It Be Done Now...
… with DeRo gone?
My 2008 Christmas wish list includes this jersey. In Hendry We Trust!
that's true, the comparison was done assuming derosa
would play some RF. At this point, I’m assuming Dome, Hoff, and maybe even Johnson wind up getting some time in RF, so I’m not so sure that it’s much of a dropoff.
by philadelphiacub on Jan 5, 2009 4:17 PM CST up reply actions
It'll be about the same marginal difference won't it?
Since Derosa is gone from both lineups in that scenario.
what
a half MB better than a full Dunn
You’re done!
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy."
- Dodgers, Astros, Brewers, A's & Angels pitcher Don Sutton
I know reading is hard
…but you should really try reading the link posted above. Or any of the other posts written in an intelligent and thought out matter that suggest as much.
I agree reading is a spill, I mean skill
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy."
- Dodgers, Astros, Brewers, A's & Angels pitcher Don Sutton
i seem to think Hendry's idea
is to have the most talent available for 1 game, with the hope the team is constructed well enough to get to the playoffs by itself… that if they can just have all these high-talent, injury-prone guys healthy for one short run, we can win it
i think that was the idea behind Harden and the same thing here.
I wouldn’t worry about half the regular season as much as if he’d be healthy if we can get to the postseason.
by DartmouthCubsFan on Jan 5, 2009 4:06 PM CST up reply actions
That's probably exactly what Hendry is thinking.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
That's a helluva gamble.
This whole assumption that the Cubs are going to make the playoffs in 2009 makes me a little uncomfortable. I mean, don’t get me wrong – I hope they make the playoffs again. And, on paper, they certainly seemed poised to dominate their division again. But there’s still a 162-game ocean they need to cross before these postseason pieces will come into play. That’s why I would’ve preferred the health and offensive consistency of Adam Dunn to Bradley. Well, whatever, the die have been cast – and we all just have to roll with them.
Yes, yes ... winter is indeed a pond upon which all of us must skate, braving frostbite and runny noses in the hopes that our cars will start and we shan't embarass ourselves slipping on a patch of black ice. Spring is more a quagmire of cold mud and slush, and fall is a pile of fallen leaves that may or may not hide a pile of doggy doo-doo. But summer, ah summer is an oasis of endless green that disappears all too quickly beneath our feet as we rush through its warm, glorious bliss.
He was the best option out there.
Adam Dunn = Strikeout Machine. We needed a lefthanded stick big time. Bradley was the best fit for the Cubs needs. I can hear Kaspar now, “Milton Bradley with the Pop-O-Matic, Cubs win!”
One day, the dream will come true.
Adam Dunn also = home run machine, RBI machine, walk machine
Yes, yes ... winter is indeed a pond upon which all of us must skate, braving frostbite and runny noses in the hopes that our cars will start and we shan't embarass ourselves slipping on a patch of black ice. Spring is more a quagmire of cold mud and slush, and fall is a pile of fallen leaves that may or may not hide a pile of doggy doo-doo. But summer, ah summer is an oasis of endless green that disappears all too quickly beneath our feet as we rush through its warm, glorious bliss.
$135M places the Cubs right now in the top 3 behind NYY and BOS
Boston is not done either. Bradley will probably start 80 games and play 120 games, though the bet is all about his playoff time healthiness.
This leaves $5-6.5M left for on season deals, plus any small subtractions of Pie, Cedeno and Wuertz (or Vizcaino but I doubt it, he seems to be the rubber arm)
Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."
Where are the Mets in the payroll mix?
I think they are still going to add.
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Jan 5, 2009 4:35 PM CST up reply actions
Can You Share Your Spreadsheet?
I think my e-mail address is public.
My 2008 Christmas wish list includes this jersey. In Hendry We Trust!
Come on Al
Half of the year? That’s nonsense. No matter what his injury history is, any other player is just as likely to be gone for that long. Why even pay attention if the defetest attitude is already ingrained…..in JANUARY. You know better than that. Criticize the signing but making wild predictions because you don’t like the signing are tired.
Who needs a stinkin' tag line? What are they for anyway?
by krummy12 on Jan 5, 2009 4:54 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
whats tired
is defending ignorant FA signings
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!!!
really?
Isn’t it more tired to attack a GM for signing the best player available?
by Acapulco Taco Pie on Jan 5, 2009 5:03 PM CST up reply actions
or more tired for fans
to wear blind folds and defend terrible signings. But hey you probably defended the neifi perez signing too
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!!!
It's ludicrous
Cubs go out and get a stud switch hitter that can hit for power and get on base and people are pissed?
They'll change their tune once he starts playing.
Its how most bandwagon cub fans are, and pretty sad for a fanbase that is considered to be so great.
Definitely
I don’t think in my 28 years as a Cubs fan, I’ve ever been pissed that they signed someone. I might object to it or question it, but never been pissed. It’s lunacy really.
stud switch hitter
who almost never plays over 100 games and has only once hit 22 hr’s in a season. hardly my definition of a stud switch hitter. how many 100+ rbi campaigns has he had in his career???
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!!!
Dude,
are you the fan Bradley went after in the stands in LA? You’re acting like you hate this man. Like he wronged you in some way.
This guy instantly just made the Cubs better, regardless of how many games he misses, and you’re pissed off. Get over it!! He’s a Cub!!! End of story!!
derosa——2008 149games, 505ab’s,hits144,doubles30,triples3,hr’s21 ,rbi’s87, k’s106,bb’s69,6sb’s,0cs,.285avg,.376obp,.481slg.,857ops
bradley——-2008 126games, 414ab’s, 133 hits, 32doubles,1 triple,22 hr’s, 77rbi,78 k’s, 80 bb’s, 112k’s, 5sb’s,3 cs, .321 avg,.436obp, .563 ops,.999 ops
we just get rid of derosa who made 5 million and signed bradley who’s gonna make 10 million!!! did we get better??? I dont think we did, I think we got worse
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!!!
except
2008 was a career year for DeRosa, who many people think isn’t going to be able to repeat that record, and Bradley was coming off an injury year — and Bradley played in 23 fewer games with only ten fewer RBIs, a higher average, and a much higher .slg and .ops.
"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 Jan 6, 2009 10:36 AM CST up reply actions
but he was still injured.
"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 Jan 6, 2009 10:38 AM CST up reply actions
He's always injured...
I’m not sure I see your point. Bradley played the second-most games in a season of his career, and that was largely due to DHing. And he had a career year.
ok.
Well, he can have another one in 2009.
"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 Jan 6, 2009 10:41 AM CST up reply actions
So could DeRosa...
It’s not fair to argue that DeRosa should come down from his career year but that Bradley won’t come down from his career year and won’t have another injury-marred year.
Well, I never wanted to TRADE
DeRosa. But Bradley did put up better numbers in a year when he was recovering from injury.
"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 Jan 6, 2009 10:45 AM CST up reply actions
Those statements are correct...
but they don’t mean as much when trying to predict NEXT year.
Bradley is a better hitter than DeRosa. He’s also more likely to be injured for substantial time than DeRosa. Which makes it a legitimate question as to whether we got better with that trade.
Jim Hendry is a lot of things
and so is Lou Piniella.
Neither are ignorant.
"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 Jan 5, 2009 5:03 PM CST up reply actions
Everyone here who's statistically oriented....
… likes to go on past performance.
Bradley’s past performance hints that he’ll get hurt. What evidence can you show me that he won’t?
Other players who are healthy, in general, can be expected to play most of the year WITHOUT getting hurt, except when it’s a freak injury like D-Lee’s in 2006.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
we thought the same thing
of Edmonds and Harden… shrug. What else can we do but wait and see?
"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 Jan 5, 2009 5:04 PM CST up reply actions
You do have a point.
I’ll root for him until he gives me reason not to.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
the Edmonds signing was very different
It was low dollars, low risk. I’m OK with the Bradley signing — though I would have preferred Dunn — but the price tag is pretty high given Bradley’s injury history.
$10mil for someone coming off of being one of the best hitters in baseball last year
is low risk.
Reed Ballgame - best CF in the MLB
by californiachicagoan on Jan 5, 2009 5:33 PM CST up reply actions
stats
If you are statistically oriented then you wouldn’t disregard the stats that say 1/2 a season of Bradley is better than whole season of Dunn or Abreu.
by Acapulco Taco Pie on Jan 5, 2009 5:04 PM CST up reply actions
Stats, tables of numbers by themselves, don't win baseball games.
Tell me how Bradley helps win games if he doesn’t play in half of them.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
he doesn't help win those games
he helps win the other half, that he does play in…
"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 Jan 5, 2009 5:05 PM CST up reply actions
projections
A link has already been posted in this thread that shows Bradley would be of more value in half a year than the other options based on statistical projections. I would think it’s understood that an average back-up would start in the games Bradley doesn’t. That combo would be better than Dunn or Abreu who are also huge defensive liabilities.
by Acapulco Taco Pie on Jan 5, 2009 5:07 PM CST up reply actions
I am sort of stunned
by the positive reaction to this. They guy can rake?, a .282 lifetime hitter, sure a solid OPS, and once over 20 homeruns. I am baffled. This is a horrible move.
"Have You heard of the Boom on Mizar 5?"
Well, OPS is generally regarded as being more valuable than batting aveage.
Yes, yes ... winter is indeed a pond upon which all of us must skate, braving frostbite and runny noses in the hopes that our cars will start and we shan't embarass ourselves slipping on a patch of black ice. Spring is more a quagmire of cold mud and slush, and fall is a pile of fallen leaves that may or may not hide a pile of doggy doo-doo. But summer, ah summer is an oasis of endless green that disappears all too quickly beneath our feet as we rush through its warm, glorious bliss.
So say we all.
I’m approaching Bradley the same way I approached Harden: Don’t worry about it until it happens.
Yes, yes ... winter is indeed a pond upon which all of us must skate, braving frostbite and runny noses in the hopes that our cars will start and we shan't embarass ourselves slipping on a patch of black ice. Spring is more a quagmire of cold mud and slush, and fall is a pile of fallen leaves that may or may not hide a pile of doggy doo-doo. But summer, ah summer is an oasis of endless green that disappears all too quickly beneath our feet as we rush through its warm, glorious bliss.
He sounds sad.
I will miss him.
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Jan 5, 2009 4:08 PM CST up reply actions
I'll miss seeing his wife around Wrigley
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy."
- Dodgers, Astros, Brewers, A's & Angels pitcher Don Sutton
She Won First Place...
… no? Best looking wife?
My 2008 Christmas wish list includes this jersey. In Hendry We Trust!
He gets to come home to this
If he has that at home, I can’t imagine what he’s bringing back to the hotels on away games
polaroids.
"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 Jan 5, 2009 4:33 PM CST up reply actions
Might as well put up some numbers.
Bradley’s value in the open market last year was calculated at 16.9 million, when he got 5.3 mil in ‘08. His value in the open market has always been more than what he’s been paid. Also, he is actually an average to above-average OF if you look at his UZRHe also had a lower O-swing % than Albert Pujols, which is pretty good.
The only thing that I’m worried about with Bradley, really, is his K/9 and his ability to stay healthy.
worry?
Bradley had highest OBP and highest OPS in AL last season. So how is his K/9 relevant?
by Acapulco Taco Pie on Jan 5, 2009 4:12 PM CST up reply actions
You can end with great numbers
if you miss 30-50 games a year too
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy."
- Dodgers, Astros, Brewers, A's & Angels pitcher Don Sutton
So you can play 112 games and play well?
You are an idiot and a troll.
Not just a troll
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy."
- Dodgers, Astros, Brewers, A's & Angels pitcher Don Sutton
when he plays less games for us this season
you’ll be the idiotic troll
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy."
- Dodgers, Astros, Brewers, A's & Angels pitcher Don Sutton
He may play half a season. And he'll still be more valuable than anyone else we could have signed.
What will you say then?
I don't see...
How losing a guy mid-season or near the playoffs is valuable? Who gives a shit if he’s healthy and leads us to the playoffs, I’m sure we could do that with Fukudome in RF. What’s the point if there’s a chance he won’t even be healthy for the playoffs?
Someday we'll go all the way...
by CubsBullsBears on Jan 5, 2009 4:29 PM CST up reply actions
Getting to the playoffs is pretty tough.
And, as many other posters have pointed out, a half season of Bradley is more valuable than a whole season of Dunn.
I get what you're saying...
But the reason we got him is to be more balanced for a short series in the playoffs, and if (knock on wood) he’s not healthy for the post-season, then it’s all for nothing.
Someday we'll go all the way...
by CubsBullsBears on Jan 5, 2009 4:32 PM CST up reply actions
That's not the only reason we got him, although it is part of it.
We got him to be a better baseball team throughout the season, and return to the playoffs. The playoffs are largely a crap shoot.
I don't think the regular season...
Had anything to do with it. As we were constructed last year, I think we can all agree we’d probably still win the division. We were the best regular season team in the NL. We needed more balance for the crapshoot playoffs.
Someday we'll go all the way...
by CubsBullsBears on Jan 5, 2009 4:36 PM CST up reply actions
Taking a look at stats, the playoffs are a crapshoot.
You construct the best possible team you can(by getting guys like Bradley) and then hope for the best.
Knock off the name calling.
Now.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
If someone could make a replica of that "Cubs win" sign, and take a picture
of Bradley holding it, my life will have gone full circle.
Meh.
I feel like between Milton’s inevitable 5-10 injuries/20-40 games missed per year, his “passion” and the fact that he’s not getting any younger makes this a deal that is hard to like.
But with few other left-handed options, I don’t see much of an alternative.
Let’s split the difference- the Cub make it past the first round of the playoffs and I won’t have cared who they signed.
*Synth intro to "Jump"*
"Not getting any younger"?
DeRosa turns 34 in February, Dunn is a year younger than Bradley, and Abreu turns 35 in four months. So, unless you have Hoffpauir in the back of your mind, it wasn’t like there were other players that were tremendously younger than him to man right field.
I believe what NittanyCub was saying was
since he gets injured often,
he can only be worse when he’s older
and no, i would not be happy with a 35 year old Abreu either
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy."
- Dodgers, Astros, Brewers, A's & Angels pitcher Don Sutton
So now you speak for others?
You are an idiot, and know nothing about baseball.
by aramis on Jan 5, 2009 4:25 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
dude, you're out of line
quit the name calling
Whoever said you can't mix business with pleasure never owned a PuttPutt course---Andy Bernard
by carmen_fanzone on Jan 5, 2009 4:26 PM CST up reply actions
I don't mind it
As long Aramis feels better
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy."
- Dodgers, Astros, Brewers, A's & Angels pitcher Don Sutton
It's against the rules
Whoever said you can't mix business with pleasure never owned a PuttPutt course---Andy Bernard
by carmen_fanzone on Jan 5, 2009 4:31 PM CST up reply actions
missing a word in there genius?
guess your actual IQ is as low as your baseball IQ.
uhh, carmen, check one post down. I was merely returning the favor to cubfreak,
who’s done this the whole thread.
I checked a few posts up....
you’ve both been flagged. It’s against the rules. Hate to be the post police, but it’s annoying.
Whoever said you can't mix business with pleasure never owned a PuttPutt course---Andy Bernard
by carmen_fanzone on Jan 5, 2009 4:33 PM CST up reply actions
If you hate it, then don't do it.
One person calls someone else an idiot and that bothers you? No one put you in charge of enforcing the rules.
Ron Santo should sing TMOTTBG everyday. Period.
it's a community
if we aren’t supposed to do things like flag people, why is it a user option?
We’re supposed to self police.
"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 Jan 6, 2009 10:37 AM CST up reply actions
Mr. Aramis, all I was saying was that
if you play less games you’re numbers can look better
No need to call me a troll if you disagree
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy."
- Dodgers, Astros, Brewers, A's & Angels pitcher Don Sutton
Uhh, cubfreak,
it doesn’t fool anyone to start acting polite now that some other poster has attempted to call you out. You are a troll, for your comments about beating your kids, and your comments about Bradley earlier.
Joking is ok, even if its not funny
calling people names is
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy."
- Dodgers, Astros, Brewers, A's & Angels pitcher Don Sutton
then flag him and alert Al....
….but this back and forth is grade school shit.
Whoever said you can't mix business with pleasure never owned a PuttPutt course---Andy Bernard
by carmen_fanzone on Jan 5, 2009 4:38 PM CST up reply actions
got it thanks
my point is
MB has good numbers bc he did not play all well
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy."
- Dodgers, Astros, Brewers, A's & Angels pitcher Don Sutton
Ok, but then look at things that aren't inflated by playing time.
And then remember that the guy played in 126 games last year. It’s not like he wasn’t around. And in those 126 games, he posted an OPS+ of 163. That is ridiculously good.
That's fair but
think of it like this
IF he played more games his numbers would decline
Career year with just 22 HRS and 77 RBI both last year
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy."
- Dodgers, Astros, Brewers, A's & Angels pitcher Don Sutton
IF he played more games his numbers would decline
How do you know?
"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 Jan 5, 2009 4:52 PM CST up reply actions
HE IS OUR DENSITY!
"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 Jan 5, 2009 5:04 PM CST up reply actions
HELLO! MCFLY!
Great Scott!
"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 Jan 5, 2009 5:05 PM CST up reply actions
Now that's funny. But no I am not from the future
But lets take a look at the past.
I think of Chipper Jones winning the NL Batting title last season
while playing in far less games than than Pujols, and yes batting 364 is sick, but it’s safe to say it would have gone down if he played more games.
Pujols 524 AB vs Jones 439
Pujols 148 Games played vs Jones 128
Pujols 187 hits vs Jones 160
Jones won the batting title with 160 hits.
He’s been a career 310 hitter and he might have come down to earth
I’m saying the same about MB
while he posted nice numbers
in limited games
his average OBP will be closer to 350 not 450
plus its guaranteed that he will miss games
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy."
- Dodgers, Astros, Brewers, A's & Angels pitcher Don Sutton
I don't really think that you numbers will look better
but they will most likely be most deviated from your average. I mean, just take a look at how they stipulate Type A/B relievers— they look at two years of work, or about 110-140 innings, which isn’t even that much of innings.
that's what I read DORK
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy."
- Dodgers, Astros, Brewers, A's & Angels pitcher Don Sutton
I was talking abotu comparing him to other players that could have played right field.
His injuries might start adding up once he gets older, but he’ll only be 31 in ’09. Not that bad, I think.
Hey Nittany
Good year by your boys! The Illini will have to get ya in basketball!
Reed Ballgame - best CF in the MLB
by californiachicagoan on Jan 5, 2009 4:26 PM CST up reply actions
I was actually at the Illini-USC Rose Bowl
Hung in there until the end. Considering it took two hour to park and make our way to the stadium, I wasnt leaving early! And neither did most of the Illini fans.
Reed Ballgame - best CF in the MLB
by californiachicagoan on Jan 5, 2009 4:35 PM CST up reply actions
Went
Reed Ballgame - best CF in the MLB
by californiachicagoan on Jan 5, 2009 4:37 PM CST up reply actions
Apparently...
Character doesn’t matter anymore. Had to take one last shot at Bradley, I’m done now.
Someday we'll go all the way...
by CubsBullsBears on Jan 5, 2009 4:30 PM CST up reply actions
1-1 after two road conference games.
S’ok. I am just amazed how well the Illini have been playing. Michigan is a quality team. The Big Ten may be in for a nice season.
Reed Ballgame - best CF in the MLB
by californiachicagoan on Jan 5, 2009 4:36 PM CST up reply actions
I am really not sold on this move...
We basically just signed a less durable Gary Matthews Jr.
Almost to a T:
MB’s Line: http://www.baseball-reference.com/b/bradlmi01.shtml
GMJ’s Line: http://www.baseball-reference.com/m/matthga02.shtml
GMJ is a little bit better fielder, and MB is a little bit better with a stick.
The fact that Rangers ballpark is the best hitters ballpark in the league makes me even more uneasy.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/stats/parkfactor
I am foreseeing a Cliff Floyd-esque year from this guy next year. If so we could of had him AND DeRo.
Bradley is a MUCH better hitter. Look at the peripherals.
Matthews Jr had basically one good year with the bat, Bradley has been a good hitter his whole career.
Uh..
Little Sarge had one good year because he was at the last year of his contract, and he HGH’ed the hell out of his body. Bradley has consistently put up the same numbers he has throughout his career(which are pretty good), except last year when he boomed.
I don’t know who you owe an apology to, but comparing these two players together warrants one.
Beat me to it
Well said. There’s simply no comparison between those two ballplayers. Bradley’s career EQA is 30 points higher.
OT: Who's Mark Johnson?
http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/mlb/news/hot_stove/y2008/free_agent_tracker.jsp?teamAct=chn
My 2008 Christmas wish list includes this jersey. In Hendry We Trust!
So, I Guess It's Not Official...
…official until his physical, right?
My 2008 Christmas wish list includes this jersey. In Hendry We Trust!
Not 'til they get to the podium!
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Jan 5, 2009 4:51 PM CST up reply actions
Not until they turn their head and cough...
… into the microphone.
Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.
Btw, I am happy with this move.
Id never complain about getting the #6 batting average, #3 on base, #9 slug, and #4 overall OPS for $10 mil a year. Especially when he is only 30. We are talking Albert, Chipper, Manny, Berkman territory. Better than Teixiera, hitting wise. Now you have to discount because he is injury prone and probably can’t play D like he used to after his knee injury. But he was a centerfielder in San Diego’s cavernous park. A downgrade still makes him a solid right fielder.
Reed Ballgame - best CF in the MLB
by californiachicagoan on Jan 5, 2009 4:42 PM CST reply actions
Yes.
Yes, he hit better than Teixiera. Better average, better on base, better slugging, better OPS. He hit better than Teixiera. Now he has other deficiencies, but he hit better than Teixiera. Classic case of hype outweighing reality.
Reed Ballgame - best CF in the MLB
by californiachicagoan on Jan 6, 2009 7:07 PM CST up reply actions
Chipper is a good comparison.
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 Jan 5, 2009 8:15 PM CST up reply actions
For everyone's info....
… I’m going to think further about this overnight, then make a longer front-page post tomorrow.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Can you believe all these comments?
We almost need an overflow thread!
If anything, this signing has temporarily boosted your readership.
Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.
I may get to that front-page post sooner than later.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
If he is healthy which we just got a steal...
I am rootng for him to stay healthy and put some spark into our team. think he is a helluva hitter who will look good in the cleanup spot. Let not forget this guy lead the AL in OPS. I am very much on board until he gets injured and then i will have been adamantly against it. I think we will like it i think he will stay healthy and put up even a HIGHER OPS.. Ca you imagine him getting to bat all the time off the Pirates and the Reds and Jeff Suppan… I am drooling
"I played with one of the best pitchers in history, Greg Maddux," Zambrano said"
What the hell is wrong with some of you?
99% of the posters on here had boners over the Fukudome signing last year and you had ZERO idea of what the Cubs were getting. Now, the Cubs go out and get a beast in Milton Bradley and they know exactly what they are getting and you’re flaming this guy before he even has his press conference. Hendry is a smart man and he just proved it by not signing Abreu or trading for Hemroids. Jesus, this is ridiculous.
by McRipper on Jan 5, 2009 4:58 PM CST reply actions 5 recs
+1
I have my mind open and my fingers crossed.
Yes, yes ... winter is indeed a pond upon which all of us must skate, braving frostbite and runny noses in the hopes that our cars will start and we shan't embarass ourselves slipping on a patch of black ice. Spring is more a quagmire of cold mud and slush, and fall is a pile of fallen leaves that may or may not hide a pile of doggy doo-doo. But summer, ah summer is an oasis of endless green that disappears all too quickly beneath our feet as we rush through its warm, glorious bliss.
So what will Wrigley give away on
Milton Bradley Promotional Day?
I haz blurg: hotbeans.wordpress.com
If he passes go...
we can all collect $200!
I wonder if he puts up hotels on Sheffield.
Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.
Now that made me laugh!
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Jan 5, 2009 8:12 PM CST up reply actions
I Wonder If He'd Be...
…subjected to the 17% cut if he has a field view? Maybe that’s what held up the signing… getting that verbiage worked out.
My 2008 Christmas wish list includes this jersey. In Hendry We Trust!
knee braces!
"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 Jan 5, 2009 5:06 PM CST up reply actions
Perhaps
Connect Four (Bases)
Guess Who? (Will hit a home run)
Pop-O-Matic (Double Play)
Sorry! (the Cubs lost today)
Twister (i.e. Fukudome strikes out!)
I haz blurg: hotbeans.wordpress.com
by digitalbenjamin on Jan 5, 2009 5:09 PM CST up reply actions
I like the move
Milton Bradley can flat out hit and should inject a lot to the Cub lineup. And assuming his surgically repaired knee is rounding back into shape he should go back to being a plus defensive outfielder.
3 years @ $30 million is about what I expected.
Only if he's healthy and keeps his head in the game.
If he does that, then I’ll be happy to say I’m wrong.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
He's always "kept his head in the game"
based on his performance. And yes, we need him to be healthy.
I Wonder If It's Flat Over The Term...
… or it goes something like 8, 10, 12…
… better yet, vesting!
My 2008 Christmas wish list includes this jersey. In Hendry We Trust!
OT: Twins owner just died RIP
"I played with one of the best pitchers in history, Greg Maddux," Zambrano said"
Not to be a jerk, but I think many twins fans may be happy about what this could mean.
Carl Pohlad was so cheap. Kind of like Bill Wirtz.
Yea i got back into blackhawks hockey after wirtz died. Cheap bastard
"I played with one of the best pitchers in history, Greg Maddux," Zambrano said"
i didnt know he was
and american war hero
"I played with one of the best pitchers in history, Greg Maddux," Zambrano said"
What he accomplished in his life
is very impressive.
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Jan 5, 2009 8:13 PM CST up reply actions
Really wonder what Lou will do with the lneup now....
I want
Soriano
Fonty
Rammy
Bradley
Lee
Dome
Soto
Theriot
Fell free to flop Lee and Soto
"I played with one of the best pitchers in history, Greg Maddux," Zambrano said"
Well...
I think most of you are wrong about Aaron Miles operating off the bench. I shall continue to insist that Piniella will play him more than Mike Fontenot. Cubs didn’t shell out $4.9 million over 2 years for Miles to serve as Fontenot’s caddy. And despite all the proclamations around here to the contrary, Miles is really not a suitable option at shortstop or 3rd base. He is more or less exclusive to 2nd base. Or at least he should be.
Interesting. I jsut cant see him starting with Fontenot there.
i wouldnt be surprised if he starts opening day but i really believe we will see Fonty get starts early and often and i think there will be a competition in ST. I really want to see what a full yer fo Fonty gets to.
"I played with one of the best pitchers in history, Greg Maddux," Zambrano said"
I think the money is a red herring...
Hendry paid $2.5 million for Henry Blanco last year to be a backup. He’s paying Reed Johnson $3 million to be a backup. The money doesn’t mean Miles will start.
I think Miles will probably get similar playing time to Fontenot. I expect both to top 300 AB next year, as Fontenot will be the LH part of a platoon, and Miles will get some time at SS and 3B in addition to getting the RH part of a 2B platoon (plus some starts against the tougher RHP).
Reed isn't a backup, he's in a platoon.
And for what its worth, Blanco was the better than plenty of starting C’s last year, not that Hendry knew he would be.
POTENTIALLY in a platoon...
and that’s only if Fukudome can’t hit. And even then, he’s the short end of the platoon. Meaning he’d be getting, at most, 60 starts (barring injury).
And as I said, Miles will probably get over 300 AB
and so will Fontenot
hpefulyl he will get no time at 3B
thats what scars me the most about getting rid of d-ro….
"I played with one of the best pitchers in history, Greg Maddux," Zambrano said"
Miles and Fontenot share one similarity
And that is they are both 2nd baseman, period. To think either can help out at shortstop or 3rd base is foolhardy. Hence why Ronny Cedeno still has a role on this ballclub, or somebody who comes in here to replace Cedeno.
Not for long
Trying Aaron Miles at shortstop or 3rd base will be about as successful at the time Herman Franks trotted out Larry Bittner to center field. A bad, bad idea that will be determined very soon into the experiment.
I think you wildly overstate things here
Miles isn’t great, but he’s not epically bad, either. He’s tolerable enough that, in short stints (which is all anyone is going to get at SS and 3B as a reserve), he’ll be fine.
Ask Cardinal fans about that...
Even the esteemed Tony LaRussa came to terms with the notion that it was bad idea for Miles to be playing shortstop. Even though the Cardinals had a black hole at the position in the form of Cesar Izturis.
As I said, he won't get MUCH time there...
Theriot is going to play 150+ games there. Miles (or maybe even Fontenot) will fill in the rest. There’s no reason to pay $400,000 for another guy to play 12 games.
Allow me to introduce you to Ronny Cedeno
As things stand right now Ronny Cedeno will be top backup at shortstop and 3rd base. In my view it will eventually be determined that Mike Fontenot and Aaron Miles can be nothing more than emergency plug ins at either position.
Allow me to introduce you to roster math...
25 spots – 12 pitchers = 13 position players.
Subtract 8 starters, and that gives you 5 backups.
Subtract 2 backup OF (Johnson and Gathright)
Subtract 1 backup C
Subtract 1 backup MI (Miles or Fontenot)
That leaves one spot left. And we don’t have a backup 1B on the roster. That means no more Cedeno.
I think that Cedeno would be an underrated backup infielder this season
He can play third, second, and short and could play the outfield in a pinch. The problem with that is obviously Miles was just signed to play that exact role.
Let the Blaine Gabbert era begin.
Against righties
Fonzie
Milty
DLee
Rammy
Soto
Fonty
Riot
Dome
Reed Ballgame - best CF in the MLB
by californiachicagoan on Jan 5, 2009 5:11 PM CST up reply actions
me no like...
we didnt sign him to bat second we signed him to drive in runs.
"I played with one of the best pitchers in history, Greg Maddux," Zambrano said"
Agreed
Milton Bradley will either bat 3rd or 5th.
i think we could easily see him at fourth to break up the righties...
i mean thats why we wanted him correct. Someone to break them up? If he hits fourth Derek Lee can no longer hit third… maybe Second…
"I played with one of the best pitchers in history, Greg Maddux," Zambrano said"
I think Soto should bat 3rd
then Rammy, Bradley, and Lee. Lee needs to be dropped, far.
interesting...
Dont know how i feel about that.
"I played with one of the best pitchers in history, Greg Maddux," Zambrano said"
I like that!
Lee can drop to 7th for all I care. Soto earned a higher spot last season.
Kwa...Ki...Sur...Pee...Nee...Ku?
We did not sign him for one-dimension.
5 is a waste of his on base ability. 3 would be great, but 3 and 4 are locked up with Derrek and A Ram.
Reed Ballgame - best CF in the MLB
by californiachicagoan on Jan 5, 2009 5:15 PM CST up reply actions
Lee performed horribly?
please justify statment
I haz blurg: hotbeans.wordpress.com
by digitalbenjamin on Jan 5, 2009 5:19 PM CST up reply actions
Sorry, let me re-state that.
He performed extremely poorly for a number 3 hitter.
Was he really horrible though?
Yeah, he hit into a lot of DPs but Lee was still a productive hitter last year.
the DPS
were most likely a statistical anomaly and partly to blame on people always being on base. But hes not our three hitter anymore
"I played with one of the best pitchers in history, Greg Maddux," Zambrano said"
Not in the second half of the season...
.266/.343./.390 (.733 OPS)
Horrible is an overstatement
but there were 4-6 better bats in our lineup. Also, it was about his lowest OPS as a full timer in his career.
Reed Ballgame - best CF in the MLB
by californiachicagoan on Jan 5, 2009 5:22 PM CST up reply actions
most definitely true.
Soto Rammy Soriano hell even LBR when he played and you could argue Edmonds to an extent
"I played with one of the best pitchers in history, Greg Maddux," Zambrano said"
Some background on his DP's
“Cubs’ Derrek Lee grounded into the second-most double plays in the majors with 27, it’s worth noting that no hitter had more chances. He came up in 180 potential double-play situations. Justin Morneau (177) and Albert Pujols (173) were the only other hitters to get more than 166 such chances. …”
found here: http://archives.chicagotribune.com/2008/nov/29/sports/chi-30-rogers-whispersnov30
I haz blurg: hotbeans.wordpress.com
by digitalbenjamin on Jan 5, 2009 5:23 PM CST up reply actions
what'd he ever do to you?
You hate Theriot, but like Bradley?
BCB Works Miracles: It saved my English grade!
Fine I dont hate him
I just hate scrappiness
"I played with one of the best pitchers in history, Greg Maddux," Zambrano said"
Cmon now
2 hitters usually arent power hitters. Look at hom my suggestion to have BRadley hit #2 was received!
Reed Ballgame - best CF in the MLB
by californiachicagoan on Jan 5, 2009 5:26 PM CST up reply actions
You know what you get with Theriot
He’s the infielder version of Murton.
But isn’t that what you want from a 2-hole? Get on base? It seems ridiculous to me that people are trying to cast the blame on Theriot— for getting hits and getting on base— for Lee’s DPs
As long as he keeps getting on base
and doesnt revert to 2007 form. It would also be nice if he could steal a base once in a while like ’07 though
Meanwhile, why not someone like Fonty? (Since no one likes using a power hitter like Milt in the 2 hole) He had a higher OBP and gets extra base hits at over twice the rate that Riot does.
Reed Ballgame - best CF in the MLB
by californiachicagoan on Jan 5, 2009 5:38 PM CST up reply actions
I blame him for
making terrible baserunning decisions…
"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 Jan 6, 2009 10:43 AM CST up reply actions
Slappy Joe, Slap...Slappy Joe.
Yes, yes ... winter is indeed a pond upon which all of us must skate, braving frostbite and runny noses in the hopes that our cars will start and we shan't embarass ourselves slipping on a patch of black ice. Spring is more a quagmire of cold mud and slush, and fall is a pile of fallen leaves that may or may not hide a pile of doggy doo-doo. But summer, ah summer is an oasis of endless green that disappears all too quickly beneath our feet as we rush through its warm, glorious bliss.
Against lefties
Fonzie
Milty
DLee
Rammy
Soto
RJ
Riot
Miles
Reed Ballgame - best CF in the MLB
by californiachicagoan on Jan 5, 2009 5:13 PM CST up reply actions
Why give Theriot more ABs at the cost of everyone else?
Reed Ballgame - best CF in the MLB
by californiachicagoan on Jan 5, 2009 5:24 PM CST up reply actions
Milton does it better.
Reed Ballgame - best CF in the MLB
by californiachicagoan on Jan 5, 2009 5:39 PM CST up reply actions
I like it...
…but there’s no way DLee bats that low in the lineup (if you flip-flop him and Soto). I would actually flip-flop LBR and Dome, depending on how and whether Kosuke rebounds.
Yes, yes ... winter is indeed a pond upon which all of us must skate, braving frostbite and runny noses in the hopes that our cars will start and we shan't embarass ourselves slipping on a patch of black ice. Spring is more a quagmire of cold mud and slush, and fall is a pile of fallen leaves that may or may not hide a pile of doggy doo-doo. But summer, ah summer is an oasis of endless green that disappears all too quickly beneath our feet as we rush through its warm, glorious bliss.
Buster Olney on SC now...
"I played with one of the best pitchers in history, Greg Maddux," Zambrano said"
The Rays have a really balanced lineup..
Ortates the whole way through
"I played with one of the best pitchers in history, Greg Maddux," Zambrano said"
Al is it ok if i put up Keith Laws scouting report on Bradley up?
"I played with one of the best pitchers in history, Greg Maddux," Zambrano said"
I don't think anybody as put this up yet
Wittenmeyer says we have some injury protection in the contract
Bradley’s history of injuries have kept him from playing more than 101 games in all but two of his seven full seasons in the majors, and his new contract is believed to contain language that protects the team on the back end of the deal if Bradley misses significant playing time on the front end.
Let the Blaine Gabbert era begin.
Good linkage...
I like to see us finally doing something smart on the backside of a contract
"I played with one of the best pitchers in history, Greg Maddux," Zambrano said"
Great, but...
… it still doesn’t help the Cubs win if he’s hurt, all it does is save them $.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
HELLO!
Is there actually a safety clause in the deal that protects the Cubs?
Really?
If so, depending on the deal, this may cheer me up quite a bit. If there’s a safety net that makes this significantly less of a gamble, I’m a bit more open to hearing this one out……..
Though I still pray we get Peavy……
"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 Jan 5, 2009 9:58 PM CST up reply actions
Why so worried about his contract?
It’s far less than Soriano’s, Ramirez’s, Lee’s or Fukudome’s. (Not to mention Zambrano, Dempster or Lilly).
The Cubs are paying Soriano 353% more than Bradley.
They’re paying Fukudome 60% more.
Even on an average per year basis (he has the shortest contract of all of them), MB is the worst paid among all of the above.
"Who's Bob Brenly? The guy that used to be the manager for Arizona?" ~ Alfonso Guilleard Soriano
Because:
1.) Injury history shows the Cubs will probably pay him more per game played than any position player on the team.
2.) A protection clause mean that there will be money available in mid-season to acquire a replacement if he should go down, as Milton tends to do.
3.) A protection clause on a guy who never plays a full season helps show us Hendry is not getting caught overdoing it with another Hendry-guy acquisition.
So, having a little insurance so that the Cubs aren’t paying him to ride the pine (while simultaneously making it near impossible to get replacement help because of dead salary) is an important thing, I think.
"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 Jan 6, 2009 7:54 AM CST up reply actions
The protection clause is nice
and I think anyone signing him to more than a 1-year deal would have insisted on one.
I understand the playing time concerns. I don’t understand a few of the comments I’ve read which suggested the poster didn’t like this deal specifically because it was too much money and for too long. It’s less money than any other free agent starter on the team. Sure it’s a gamble, but it’s a good one, since he has shown he can produce at a level worth much more than his contract.
"Who's Bob Brenly? The guy that used to be the manager for Arizona?" ~ Alfonso Guilleard Soriano
Not to be greedy but i think it might be time to sell the farm go for it all and get roberts.
Even if that means Vitters for him straight up….
A lineup of
Roberts
Lee
Ramirez
Bradley
Soriano
Soto
CF
Theriot
is pretty amazing
"I played with one of the best pitchers in history, Greg Maddux," Zambrano said"
How about this lineup, then?
Roberts SS
Soriano LF
Bradley RF
Ramirez 3B
Lee 1B
Fontenot 2B
Soto C
Fukudome CF
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 Jan 5, 2009 8:06 PM CST up reply actions
Wouldn't you rather have 3 or 4 years of Peavy in the rotation instead of one year of Roberts?
If you are going to empty the farm
Let the Blaine Gabbert era begin.
i would resign him
secondly i think peavy is more of a marginal upgrade than B-Rob is
"I played with one of the best pitchers in history, Greg Maddux," Zambrano said"
Lets say you can't resign him would you still rather Roberts?
I’m just curious how because IMO (which doesn’t really matter) Peavy over the next few years after Harden is gone is when the real upgrade happens.
Let the Blaine Gabbert era begin.
Yea i am worried about Peavy
being as good outside of Petco
"I played with one of the best pitchers in history, Greg Maddux," Zambrano said"
Fair enough
That is definitely a concern with every Petco pitcher. Just look at Chris Young.
Let the Blaine Gabbert era begin.
well, yeah
But the money doesn’t work as well.
i think they would.
they have no IF prospects. .But i really dont want to give up vitters. IF B-Rob could be had for anything without vitters do it
"I played with one of the best pitchers in history, Greg Maddux," Zambrano said"
NO way dude
straight up with Angelos? BUT…I am all in favor of ROberts comin here for wahtever it takes. Our farm system sucks anyway. Vitters, Cedeno, Theriot, whatever.
Kwa...Ki...Sur...Pee...Nee...Ku?
You seriously would trade
Vitters for 1 year of Brian Roberts?
That is a TERRIBLE trade for the Cubs!
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Jan 5, 2009 8:19 PM CST up reply actions
What would Bob Barker say???
So what does this signing mean for our current payroll commitment in 2009?? I keep hearing that $140 million is the cap. I assume there is room for a few complementary parts (Paul Bako, pinch hitter / 1st base backup) and maybe a lefty for the pen?
Ugh.
Terrible acquisition. At least the contract is actually pretty decent. Terrible, terrible signing though.
Lets take a vote
At the end of each of their respective contracts which one will look worse for the Cubs?
Fukudome 4-48 or Bradley 3-30 with injury protection
Let the Blaine Gabbert era begin.
I've made a front-page post on this topic.
You can consider it an overflow for this, as this comment thread has gotten pretty long.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Was Hendry forced to this signing
Cubs need a LH bat
MB is young
Abreu. 35
Dunn: Too many Ks
trades: Can’t do it b/c of the possibilities of either JP or BR
What else could he have done
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy."
- Dodgers, Astros, Brewers, A's & Angels pitcher Don Sutton
In that spirit
Let’s JUMP!
Reed Ballgame - best CF in the MLB
by californiachicagoan on Jan 5, 2009 5:42 PM CST up reply actions
Wow, it's been a while since I've seen a jump. Sweet.
Yes, yes ... winter is indeed a pond upon which all of us must skate, braving frostbite and runny noses in the hopes that our cars will start and we shan't embarass ourselves slipping on a patch of black ice. Spring is more a quagmire of cold mud and slush, and fall is a pile of fallen leaves that may or may not hide a pile of doggy doo-doo. But summer, ah summer is an oasis of endless green that disappears all too quickly beneath our feet as we rush through its warm, glorious bliss.
woohoo Bradley
I don’t know if that was the best possible move or not, but I’m glad to have him on the team. It will be fun cheering for him next season.
2009 Starters!!!
1) Fonzy LF
2)The Riot SS
3)D Lee 1B
4)A Ram 3B
5)Milt RF
6)Soto C
7)Reed/Fuk CF
8)Font/Miles 2B
9) Big Z P
Looks like we can crown us now! Thank you!
600!
Yes, yes ... winter is indeed a pond upon which all of us must skate, braving frostbite and runny noses in the hopes that our cars will start and we shan't embarass ourselves slipping on a patch of black ice. Spring is more a quagmire of cold mud and slush, and fall is a pile of fallen leaves that may or may not hide a pile of doggy doo-doo. But summer, ah summer is an oasis of endless green that disappears all too quickly beneath our feet as we rush through its warm, glorious bliss.
bradley
you know the rules.he wears the colors now so we have to support him.
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Cubs By The Numbers
Cubs By The Numbers is a history of the ballclub by uniform number, but the biographies help trace the history of our beloved team in a new way. For everyone who's a Cubs fan, anyone who ever wore the uniform is like family. Cubs By The Numbers reintroduces readers to some of their long-lost ancestors, even ones they think they already know.
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