Rudy Jaramillo probably headed to Cubs

Yahoo!!

A positive 1st step

Don't let anyone steal your Joy

by bigz38fan on Oct 15, 2009 9:38 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

that

would be a nice piece of news…..if it happens…..

"I tried to let Ryan know that [jumping over the dugout railing] was a thing that maybe just athletes should stick to." -- Ted Lilly, 28 July 2009

by CaughtInTheVines on Oct 15, 2009 9:46 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Good to hear

Hopefully the first step of many in rebuilding this team to 2008 form.

"That pitch wasn’t down and in, that pitch was down and up." Tim McCarver

by wrigleyrocker12 on Oct 15, 2009 9:58 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Wow

My dream come true. I posted this was what I wanted months ago but NEVER saw him leaving Texas. Next time I will post
that I would love Ichiro but can’t see him coming to the Cubs.

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim

by Doggie Stalker on Oct 15, 2009 10:02 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

now that would be sweet

Ich is never gonna leave Seattle, but even what’s left of him would be awesome.

Blue mountains high .. Blue valleys low
I don't know which way we will go ..
One summer dream .. one summer dream ..

coda

ELO, 1975

by cubnational on Oct 15, 2009 10:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Great

Seems like a nice move. Hopefully he can whip Soto, Dome, and Soriano into shape.

"Repetition is only good when you've been winning." - Valet

by propheteer on Oct 15, 2009 11:28 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

first time ive posted in a long time, been lurking but ive been waiting for good news..I follow hitting coaches all the time to see their effect on players. Ben so high on Rudy for so long. This is awesome news. Now Duncan for pitching and we will the WS w/o a doubt.

DA CUBS DA BEARS DA BULLS

by Rudey on Oct 15, 2009 11:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

At mlb.com (10/14/09 7:35 PM ET) they wrote:

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091014&content_id=7454244&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

The Rangers wanted Rudy Jaramillo back as their hitting coach and offered him a contract for 2010.

But it was only a one-year deal and Jaramillo was looking for a multi-year contract. So he turned down the Rangers’ last offer and is leaving the club after spending 15 years building a reputation as one of the best hitting coaches in the game. etc. etc. etc.

The Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros are two teams believed to potentially have an interest in pursuing Jaramillo, who had served as Texas’ hitting coach since 1995 and is widely considered one of the best at his role in baseball. The Rays and Indians have an opening for a hitting coach.

Jaramillo is under contract until Oct. 31, but the Rangers will grant permission to teams wanting to talk to him before then. etc. etc. etc.

Sounds good to me, but far from certain.

Well, I never heard it before, but it sounds uncommon nonsense.
- The Mock Turtle, Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll -

by eths on Oct 16, 2009 4:18 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Why is this good news?

I don’t get why he’s hailed as one of the greatest out there. I mean, I realize that a hitting coach’s impact is pretty minimal, but what, exactly, makes him so coveted?

by kanderber on Oct 16, 2009 7:26 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Bruce Miles' blog

has some interesting cautionary thoughts on Rudy J.

I’m not convinced he’ll save the Cubs, but I have heard a lot of good things about him, including from Mark DeRosa, whose authority in all things baseball no one can ignore.

Inspector #23 certifies that the above post is sarcasm free, most certainly not what she said, and chock full of intangibles, although regressing to the intangible mean, as you'd expect.

by DGU on Oct 16, 2009 8:05 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sobering excerpt:

Rangers batters led the AL in strikeouts (not necessarily a bad thing overall) and were 12th in walks.

Bruce also mentions in a comment that Jarmillo is supposedly good with “young hitters.” Well, aside from Geo, I’m not sure who in the Cubs ’10 starting lineup that phrase will apply to.

I guess a top-shelf hitting coach can’t hurt the Cubs, but I’m not going to look at a Jarmillo signing as a panacea.

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by dat cubfan daver on Oct 16, 2009 9:14 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly

I guess a top-shelf hitting coach can’t hurt the Cubs, but I’m not going to look at a Jarmillo signing as a panacea.

I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Oct 16, 2009 9:19 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't see this as some world saving hire

I don’t think any hitting coach is worth getting too excited about and also there isn’t one that is going to help guys like Lee and Rami. Heck Soriano had two pretty bad seasons under Jaramillo (I’m guessing that had more to do with him being on a bad team and selling out for power every at-bat).

If this guy is capable of even possibly helping Soto, then it’s a good move. The “greatest move since getting Derrek Lee”? Hell no, but a good move

Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.

by nji232 on Oct 16, 2009 9:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Remember...

…Leo Mazzone????

No hitting or pitching coach was as highly touted as this guy, and it didn’t quite carry over when he went to Baltimore.

Tons and tons of variables in regards to hitting coaches especially, and this guy may in fact be real good, but none of these guys are miracle workers.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Oct 16, 2009 9:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

True.

But he can’t be any worse than the last guy.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al on Oct 16, 2009 10:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The more accurate...

…answer is some of the players can’t perform any worse, regardless of who the hitting coach is.

I’m not saying this isn’t a good move, but I wouldn’t go as far as to say this guy is some miracle worker either.

Chances are, even if the Cubs didn’t have a hitting coach next year, Soto, Soriano and a couple others would probably have better years than they had in 09.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Oct 16, 2009 12:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Actually it did carry over to Baltimore

…it’s just that Baltimore had such a weak staff that they still sucked. They were better under him though – see the book The Baseball Economist for his follow up to this article which I believe includes data from Baltimore.

Long story short: he’s good for reducing .3-.5 off a pitcher’s ERA. But when your “ace” is Daniel Cabrera and his 5+ ERA that gets lost in the noise of sucking.

by Wreckard on Oct 16, 2009 11:22 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The huge number of players that have credited him with turning them around.

Google and Wikipedia are your friend.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudy_Jaramillo

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim

by Doggie Stalker on Oct 16, 2009 8:07 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That reads like the mitchell report

Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.

by nji232 on Oct 16, 2009 9:50 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah but...

What hitting coach who’s been around for at least a few years doesn’t have guys that credit him?

Jaramillo’s philosophy is to be very aggressive. To me, that’s not a good thing.

by kanderber on Oct 16, 2009 12:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well,

why wouldn’t you be excited about your favorite club — who can be frustratingly inconsistent offensively — picking up the most well regarded hitting coach since Walt Hriniak?

This is a move that serious people make when they’re serious about winning. The fact alone that the Cubs are in meaningful talks with him bodes well for not only what they intend to do in 2010, but what this team might look like under Ricketts for the next few years.

by Damen Jackson on Oct 16, 2009 10:42 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

Outstanding news.

Granted that often, hitting coaches wind up making little impact and are often scapegoats for losing. But Jaramillo does seem to be widely respected and has had positive results.

Go for it.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al on Oct 16, 2009 7:53 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

The fact that players who aren't on the Rangers still consult with Jaramillo is a good sign, IMO.

While, yes, I agree that the impact can be minimal at times, I do like the fact that many MLBers still send tape to Jaramillo even when they’re not on his team, because of his ability to diagnose swing flaws.

I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg

by Trey2317 on Oct 16, 2009 8:32 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Familiarity with Soriano could be a big plus

Hopefully this happens.

by Cubsfan Waveland on Oct 16, 2009 9:13 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I just hope...

That Cubs front office look at him as someone who can work with Bradley in Chicago since they had success together in Texas.

I know Bradley in 99% gone but could Jaramillo coming to Chicago reduce those chances now to about 90%?

by ak123 on Oct 16, 2009 8:12 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

correction on my title

I hope that Cubs front office DONT look at him as someone who can work with Bradley in Chicago.

by ak123 on Oct 16, 2009 8:12 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was wondering about that.

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim

by Doggie Stalker on Oct 16, 2009 8:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hope it's more a Soriano fix than a Bradley fix.

I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg

by Trey2317 on Oct 16, 2009 8:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

well, think about this a minute...

and think about the average Cub fan who practically pulled a throat muscle booing so much last year at Bradley. Do you think said Cub fan would boo so much if Bradley were hitting .320 and driving in runs left and right? Good numbers don’t buy you total absolution, but I’m pretty sure they would quiet the masses enough that we could all survive and possibly even thrive.

It’d be foolish to think salvaging Bradley is the only reason for the possible hire of Jaramillo. I’m pretty confident that he’d bring about positive change to many of our other hitters (Soriano, Soto, Fox, Dome, etc.). that could use it. But if all of Hendry’s trade efforts fall through and we’re stuck with Bradley next year, having somebody like Jaramillo here to work on improving his on-the-field performance is a nice Plan D.

btw, I still say we bring in Glenallen Hill to help MB improve his off-the-field performance…

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Oct 16, 2009 10:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bradley's gone.

Book it. You can read whatever you want into the possible signing of Jaramillo, but it has nothing to do with Bradley.

You’re right that if he had produced, people would have let the rest slide (and probably, he wouldn’t have made some of the comments he did).

But the lack of production combined with the off-field soap opera will make him a non-Cub in 2010.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al on Oct 16, 2009 10:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Very Happy about this!!!

Next step the cubs need to take is hire a baserunning coach!

I would sleep with Blou if it meant the Cubs would win a WS. by Doggie Stalker on Aug 22, 2009 4:11 PM EDT

by cubsluver22 on Oct 16, 2009 8:36 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Great . . . is he bringing better players, too?

I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Oct 16, 2009 8:41 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Cue a certain "Of the Rose" rumor in 3, 2, 1...

I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg

by Trey2317 on Oct 16, 2009 8:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Oct 16, 2009 8:52 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes

He is bringing Josh Hamilton with him

by CUBFANINAZ on Oct 16, 2009 6:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Finally!

We better not let him get away like we did last time… >;-)

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Oct 16, 2009 6:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Tinfoil hat perspective.

Could this be the first step in an attempt to retain Milton Bradley?

Just throwin’ it out there…

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by dat cubfan daver on Oct 16, 2009 9:16 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

See above

I’m unfortunately thinking the same thing…

by ak123 on Oct 16, 2009 9:22 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

D'oh, sorry - missed your comment.

I think it’s an angle worth watching. Like many others, I still seriously, seriously doubt Milton Bradley will be in a Cubs uniform next season.

But…who knows. Maybe Hendry intends to work hard during the off-season to somehow repair the rift between Milton and his teammates while looking for ways to get the most out of Bradley on the field. Thus, Jaramillo.

I mean, in almost every way, this season was a worst case scenario re: Milton. Perhaps Hendry feels things can only get better and isn’t amenable to any of the bad-contract-swap trade ideas on the table. Maybe he’s even looking to prove the media and many Cubs fans wrong on Bradley.

Again, this is mostly tinfoil hat stuff, but it’s obviously on my mind anyway.

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by dat cubfan daver on Oct 16, 2009 9:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

If that happens

and is successful, Hendry deserves to be in the discussion for a Nobel Peace Prize.

However, Hendry’s first and most important concern is the team. Before Hendry even considers the impact to the Fans and the Media, he needs to make sure this idea would sit well with the team. He needs to go the leaders on the team (DLee, ARAM, Dempster) and determine if they could welcome and coexist with MB. Then, he needs to go to MB and try to broker some peace between the existing team and MB. If neither side can do that, then the keeping MB idea is right up there with using flammable gases in a blimp.

"All I want is food and creative love" - Rusted Root

by TheRiot Police on Oct 16, 2009 11:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

If Hendry brought him back...

…his credibility with the players (which he values very much), would absolutely crater.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Oct 16, 2009 12:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Unless he cleared it with the players first.

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by dat cubfan daver on Oct 16, 2009 1:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't see...

…how he can go down that road at this point in time.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Oct 16, 2009 1:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

He probably can't right now...

…but maybe he waits ’til the holidays, lets everybody get all liquored up on egg nog and, pretty soon, all is forgiven.

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by dat cubfan daver on Oct 16, 2009 1:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

LOL at egg nog.

It’s not going to happen.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al on Oct 16, 2009 1:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Right.

And that’s what I’m saying there’s a very, very, very outside chance he’s doing. After all, he has – what – four and a half months until spring training to make the rounds and soothe everyone’s ruffled feathers. Again, it’s doubtful – but that’s how the conspiracy theory would go.

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by dat cubfan daver on Oct 16, 2009 1:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You can take your tinfoil hat off now.

It’s. Not. Going. To. Happen.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al on Oct 16, 2009 1:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Aw, c'mon...I'm just getting started.

Wait until I reveal how an invisible alien mothership hovering over Wrigley Field threw off the Cubs’ team BABIP this season!

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by dat cubfan daver on Oct 16, 2009 1:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hmmm.

That WOULD explain the weird shapes we saw in the sky from the bleachers.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al on Oct 16, 2009 1:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hmm... a few games, I saw some pretty weird shapes IN the bleachers...

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Oct 16, 2009 3:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Only if they intend to trade

Soriano, Theriot, Ramirez, Lee and any other player that commented post-suspension, plus fire Piniella.

I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Oct 16, 2009 9:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah I think the Cubs are going to realize two things in the coming weeks

1. Nobody wants to bail them about with the Milton situation because he will just have to be released soon enough because
2. Hendry pissed in his bathwater when he suspended a guy everybody already knew he didn’t like. Then all his teammates trashed him meaning that he can’t go back without killing Theriot.

It will be an interesting situation

Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.

by nji232 on Oct 16, 2009 9:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was going to say the same thing

Unless Theriot mans up and apologizes for his comments on the radio to Bradley, I have a feeling we’ll hear that they had a bit of a scuffle in the lockeroom during Spring Training.

And when I say Theriot needs to man up, it’s only because Bradley won’t so Ryan has to be the bigger man especially if they’re locker neighbors.

by ak123 on Oct 16, 2009 10:07 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think it is a non-issue

Hendry would have no credibility whatsoever if he kept Bradley.

Theriot didn’t need to be as vocal as he was, though – if you aren’t going to say anything to the guy’s face, don’t get on the soap box when he’s gone.

I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Oct 16, 2009 10:22 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

what did Theriot say on the radio?

Missed that.

by elgato on Oct 16, 2009 12:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That Bradley was never happy

That the only time he saw him smile was when he won a card game on the plane. He never was happy even when he hit a homerun.

Along those lines.

Then again, had someone not linked us to a podcast where he said that, we wouldn’t have known. For as much as we know, barely anyone outside of this site even remembers those comments.

by ak123 on Oct 16, 2009 12:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

doesn't sound like Theriot said anything that bad

Without having listened to the podcast, I wonder whether Theriot was sympathizing with Milton.

by elgato on Oct 16, 2009 2:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I listened to it.

He wasn’t.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al on Oct 16, 2009 2:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I went back to listen again too.

It really wasn’t bad.

"Fasten those seatbelts"-Pat Hughes

by katie casey on Oct 16, 2009 3:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It wasn't

But the fact is he’s the only player that I know of who openly spoke about the situation. That alone is why we’re making a big deal out of it. I’m sure its a nothing issue and Bradley probably doesn’t even know it took place.

by ak123 on Oct 16, 2009 4:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

they were also egging him on to say

something negative during the interview – i thought his comments weren’t all that bad and he didn’t really say there were any problems as his locker mate

by doofus cubs guy on Oct 19, 2009 12:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

precisely

We’re all emotional fans and as such we applauded when Hendry suspended Bradley. However Hendry is not an emotional fan, he’s a GM, and when he suspended Bradley he a.) further destroyed any trade value that bradley had and b.) made it nearly, if not impossible for Bradley to return to the Cubs.

A few years ago this might not have mattered. The Cubs, however, will have a new ownership group that is financing a ton of debt. Add that to the 8 players who are under contract for more than $110M. Hendry is now in a situation where he cannot afford to dump Bradley but also can’t afford to keep him.

by dmlichte on Oct 16, 2009 12:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

If he destroyed Bradley's trade value...

… then why have multiple teams inquired about trading for him?

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al on Oct 16, 2009 12:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Time will tell

We can hear about teams inquiring about Bradley, but we have no idea a.) what the Cubs will have to take on and b.) how much of Bradley’s contract the Cubs are going to have to eat. If you’re a GM in a market that is not Chicago, Boston, New York or Philly, you don’t have to worry about the media pressure and you likely see this as a great opportunity to dump a bad contract on the Cubs and get Bradley for a song. We’ll have to wait and see.

by dmlichte on Oct 16, 2009 1:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Remember...

… there are other teams with equally bad contracts. The Cubs may not have to eat as much as you think.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al on Oct 16, 2009 1:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

True...

…but a bad contract is one thing, having a bad contract with a bad attitude on top of it is another.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Oct 16, 2009 2:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hundley had a bad attitude, too.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al on Oct 16, 2009 2:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I still say...

…Bradley is a much bigger risk with both his injury history and very unpredictable demeanor.

I’d best most GM’s would look at it that way as well.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Oct 16, 2009 3:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Todd Hundley had 41 career at bats after being traded.

I think people undervalue Milton. Some GM is going to troll for a bargain basement player.
In the end I would rather trade Milton to a team willing to pay 5 million of his remaining salary
( and I think someone would) than do my crap your your crap swap. There is no question Milton is a very angry man but one with a lot of talent. I would still argue he is not a "clubhouse " cancer just someone who lives in his own angry world. He has gotten along fine with previous teammates . His issues are not with fellow players but with umpires, fans and the media.

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim

by Doggie Stalker on Oct 16, 2009 3:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

No issues with fellow players?

That’s not what the Cub players said after he was sent home. That’s about as close as I have heard ANY professional athlete come to saying in public, “He was an a$$hole.”

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al on Oct 16, 2009 4:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

People are wildly undervaluing him....

Jesus, I’m not even a fan of his, but I at least realize that he’s a talented player put into a situation — by his own doing — where he’s not in a position to be his most productive. And as for attitude, baseball is full of narcissist and curmudgeons. Get over it.

In my opinion, anyone who thinks Bradley doesn’t have value is high. Put him back in the AL, his value immediately increases. Find a spot where he can DH exclusively, and it soars. And if the Cubs are prepared to eat up to 40 percent — putting acquiring him in the 2/12 neighborhood, you’re going to hear ALOT of rumors in the very near future about destinations.

Hendry will have no problems moving Milton. The only question will whether he wants to simply take a bad deal back — I’m talking to you, cats like Luis Castillo and Carlos Silva — or eat some cash, and get value in return. Bradley may have been with a crapload of teams over the last decade, but that just tells you how many baseball people regard his talents highly, and will readily ignore the drama for it. Hell, at 2/12, if I were a GM, I’d be blowing up Hendry’s phone.

Rant over.

by Damen Jackson on Oct 16, 2009 9:00 PM CDT up reply actions 3 recs

Rec'd

Inspector #23 certifies that the above post is sarcasm free, most certainly not what she said, and chock full of intangibles, although regressing to the intangible mean, as you'd expect.

by DGU on Oct 17, 2009 6:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'll Rec this, too.

For all the problems Milton had/caused this past season, he still made it abundantly clear – to me, anyway – that he’s good at baseball. GMs will likely have a hard time ignoring that fact as they ponder how to construct their 2010 rosters.

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by dat cubfan daver on Oct 19, 2009 9:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm in a different camp...

…on Bradley’s value and am not as optomistic as you are.

Does he have value? Sure he does, but I do think another year of odd behavior and lower revenue for most clubs will have other GM’s be a little more cautious. Also, if you look at Bradley’s history, he is probably due for a big DL year with 2 more years guaranteed on his deal.

Someone will take him, but I don’t see that Hendry has the negotiating leverage you think he does.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Oct 19, 2009 10:13 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bradley also brings a bigger possible reward

and it’s when looking at that reward that you can do the same thing the Cubs probably did – figure you can handle the risks better than your opponents did. This isn’t just a college of peers respecting each other’s judgments and actions. Baseball is a competition with big egos. Someone out there, if not soon, then after the big names sign, will say, “This is how I get Jason Bay without paying so much.”

Inspector #23 certifies that the above post is sarcasm free, most certainly not what she said, and chock full of intangibles, although regressing to the intangible mean, as you'd expect.

by DGU on Oct 16, 2009 4:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't disagree...

…but it is a risk, and could be one that could put a GM in hot water if it blows up.

The other factor (besides the attitude) is his injury history, and not too many folks are talking about that. Milton has the next two years guaranteed because he stayed on the field enough this year. I would not be at all surprised, if next year is a BIG DL year for Milton, because the motivation won’t be there for him.

We’ll see, but I’d bet he is very limited next year because of his health.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Oct 16, 2009 4:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

for example...

if the Rays trade Burrell to us for Bradley with the Cubs having to pick up a bunch of the money, and it doesn’t work out for the Rays… at least they can say it saved them a bunch of money and cut their losses with Bradley. It’s win-win for anybody who trades for him the way it stands right now… the Cubs can only even win slightly if they make a deal that saves them money or gets them some kind of value in return. If they’re stuck paying a non-asset similar money to Bradley, they’d be better off just releasing him.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just North of Wrigley Field

by jameslcrockett on Oct 16, 2009 4:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree...

…and the big issue with the Cubs right now is money.

With all the dough they have tied up in a relative few, they can’t afford to take on another dead body making a boatload of cash. They need productive players on the roster that are contributing to winning on the field, and not just eating up your salary budget.

In the end, it may actually be best to just cut him loose.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Oct 16, 2009 4:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree that cutting him loose is a distinct possibility

I also wouldn’t be surprised if Bradley is DLd for a good portion of next year. But he still compares well to the current FA crop in some ways, if not every way. There should be a market for him.

Inspector #23 certifies that the above post is sarcasm free, most certainly not what she said, and chock full of intangibles, although regressing to the intangible mean, as you'd expect.

by DGU on Oct 16, 2009 4:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

But if you cut him loose....

… you are spending the money with ZERO return. If you get a player with a bad contract who MIGHT rebound (Ordonez, for example) at least you have the CHANCE to get something in return.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al on Oct 16, 2009 4:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

not exactly zero as his spot on the roster would have to be replaced

so there would probably be some return on that spot.

Of course the flipside is you’d have to add that replacement cost (at least the league minimum of $400K) to Bradley’s contract cost.

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Oct 16, 2009 6:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yes...

but Ordonez isn’t a non-asset to this team. Burrell would be a non-asset to this team unless they can unload him to another team for value. The Cubs already have much better options on the team than Burrell… Fox, Fuld, Johnson, Colvin, heck, even Hoffpauir. Ordonez might be a different case there.

If the Cubs don’t get salary relief or value for Bradley, they’re better off just cutting him. If they have to send money to cover part of Bradley’s deal AND take another team’s bad contract, you have to factor that into the chance the returning player will be worth it over just cutting Bradley and using the roster spot in a different way.

Also, this is a very slight consideration, but under this scenario any player who just takes the roster spot via means other than a trade won’t have the stigma of having replaced Bradley.

We want to be done with it. We want this over with. And every story about Burrell or Ordonez will have Milton Bradley’s name attached to it.

In the roster I have in my mind, any player the Cubs go after has to be better than Sam Fuld or Reed Johnson. Both deserve a roster spot and both deserve playing time. It has to be more than just a chance. It has to be a mortal lock… or I just want them to go with Fuld/Johnson/Fukudome/Soriano in the OF on a rotating basis, with a little Jake Fox and Tyler Colvin thrown in for good measure. Then Hendry should use that other roster spot to improve the team in other areas such as depth in the infield and left-handed relief.

If Hendry includes Aaron Miles in the infield and lets another round of Dennys Reyes/Joe Beimel-type pitchers go past without as much as a glance in their direction, next season will end just like this season did no matter what they do with Bradley.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just North of Wrigley Field

by jameslcrockett on Oct 17, 2009 9:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

No way the Cubs can afford to just give away 21 million

Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.

by nji232 on Oct 16, 2009 5:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

In a sense...

…they already have, and the suspension solidified that.

They may get something in return, but it is sure to be a bad bad contract that is unlikely to produce.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Oct 16, 2009 10:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

He also brings big downside...

…and I just think GM’s are going to be in a more conservative mood regarding taking on money, and especially those who are high DL type guys with signficant moodiness.

Bottom line here; Hendry has to trade this guy and everyone knows it, and that plays a role her despite what numbers the player can put up (if everything goes well). There is a possiblitity Hendry gains some leverage by having more than one team seeking Bradley, but do you want to be the GM that gives up the most to take this guy?

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Oct 19, 2009 12:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I still think it also depends on...

…. how badly the other GM’s want to dump their own bad contracts.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al on Oct 19, 2009 1:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Correct...

…and either way, the Cubs are either going to end up paying more dollars for the bad contract they get in return, or will need to eat 75% of Bradley’s dough for an unproven player who probably doesn’t help you much.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Oct 19, 2009 1:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Because...

…they are hoping to get Bradley by giving up very little in return, and pushing the Cubs to pick up the bulk of the freight.

Hendry has absoutely no pull in this situation, and the Cubs will end up either having to take over priced garbage in return or pick up the majority of what Bradley is owed.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Oct 16, 2009 1:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You could have said exactly the same thing...

… seven years ago, replacing “Bradley” with “Hundley” in your post.

That one worked out pretty well. I think Hendry will be able to make a reasonable deal that will help the Cubs.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al on Oct 16, 2009 1:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

except that Hundley

didn’t have the reputation as a malcontent that Bradley has. I know Hundley didn’t have a great rep, but no one has a worse one than Milton.

by elgato on Oct 16, 2009 2:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That is the key...

…to this whole thing, the unknown of what Bradley will bring to the clubhouse.

Taking on a guy who had a bad year is one thing, but if a GM brings on a guy who has a long reputation as a goofball, is much more risky.

With Bradley’s track record, taking a chance on him and having it backfire, is something that could get a GM fired.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Oct 16, 2009 2:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Anyone who brings on Bradley should get fired

We just want to get rid of him first without having to eat the contract.

And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.

by Ace Venom on Oct 16, 2009 6:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

you don't want much, do you? ;-)

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Oct 16, 2009 6:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think this is a bit extreme.

If a GM could find the right role for Bradley, Milton could actually make him look quite good – especially if said GM could shed an unwanted contract.

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by dat cubfan daver on Oct 19, 2009 9:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Also...

…Bradley has a long track record of being on the shelf as well, which even increases the risk to whoever is stupid enough to want this guy.

He played enough this year to get his 3rd year guaranteed, and I would bet the ranch this dude finds a whole bunch of reasons to be hurt next year with his 3rd year already in place.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Oct 16, 2009 2:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

????

Hundley had a TERRIBLE rep. He had a major drinking problem and was always carousing. Add that to the fact that he was a really, really bad player with one great year and he was much worse than Bradley.

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim

by Doggie Stalker on Oct 16, 2009 2:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

really?

Milton has been bounced from at least five(?) teams. Hundley had a bad rep, but I don’t think it was as high-profile of a bad rep as Milton.

by elgato on Oct 16, 2009 3:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

See above

Hundley pissed away whatever talent he had into a bottle. He played a total of 21 games ( and badly) after being traded. You really think Milton Bradley will only play 21 more MLB games. Look at Padilla & Pavano. You would think Padilla in particular would have run out of chances. Now of course they were gotten for basically nothing but I would argue Milton is worth more than they are. Milton unlike Padilla & Pavano was never “bounced” from any team and really did not leave any of them under horrible circumstances. Obviously teams he played for chose not to re-sign him ( though Texas offered him Arb) but none of them bad mouthed him the way the above two guys were.

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim

by Doggie Stalker on Oct 16, 2009 3:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeahbut

Padilla and Pavano just sucked… and haven’t always sucked. And you can turn around suck… you get in the right situation and heck, there are teams that just need live arms whether you suck or not. Nobody’s complained about his performance on the field, except for his injuries… it’s his off-the-field contributions, and when they affect his on-the-field contributions, teams want less of… and he will always have a stain on him for this year for however long his career lasts.

BTW… Padilla and Pavano never got on SportsCenter for doing anything other than sucking, getting injured… and oh yeah. I remember Padilla getting swine flu. Nothing compared to Bradley.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just North of Wrigley Field

by jameslcrockett on Oct 16, 2009 3:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Padilla was considered a REAL clubhouse cancer in TX

Pavano was LOATHED in NY especially after lying about the accident that lead to his injury. Both of these guys had MAJOR off field issues. They may not have been as extreme as Milton but they both have very bad raps.

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim

by Doggie Stalker on Oct 16, 2009 4:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jeff Kent

He did the same as Pavano and teams still didn’t shy away from giving him millions of dollars and calling him a borderline Hall of Famer.

If you produce, these issues aren’t so bad. Bradley could have been an MVP-level talent and teams still would have wanted to get rid of him for the stunts he’s pulled.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just North of Wrigley Field

by jameslcrockett on Oct 16, 2009 5:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Balderdash

If Milton had really good numbers this year, teams would be lining up to take him.

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim

by Doggie Stalker on Oct 16, 2009 9:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

true...

and then they’d want to get rid of him as soon as they got their hands on him… like every team he’s played for… except Texas, I guess.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just North of Wrigley Field

by jameslcrockett on Oct 17, 2009 10:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

And let's not even...

bring up the car accident. I don’t recall any Yankee signing in recent memory who was more despised.

by Damen Jackson on Oct 16, 2009 9:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

granted...

i didn’t say otherwise. However, I looked and I didn’t see anything as consistent and heinous as some of the stuff Milton Bradley has pulled. And it’s not like they’ve been given myriad chances. Pavano was very, very good before he got to the Yankees. He took the money and sucked after he got the Bronx. Let’s not forget, everybody haaaaated the Yankees for signing the guy in the first place because they seemingly got every worthwhile free agent at the time.

David Wells was also one off-field distraction after another during his time with the Yankees, and nobody really cared because he didn’t cost as much, threw perfect games and won World Series.

Padilla had even less success than Pavano, other than his one All-Star season… pitching in Texas wasn’t helping that.

Padilla and Pavano made mistakes, but it’s not like they have 4 or 5 former teams who wouldn’t touch them because of their actions with those teams.

They both worked hard to get to the point where they could start playoff games this year. They were given another chance and as of right now, they’re seizing it.

How many chances have we given Milton Bradley? And how many chances has he squandered?

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just North of Wrigley Field

by jameslcrockett on Oct 17, 2009 10:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hundley vs Bradley

The above characterization could be made about many players. MLB is littered with players who drink too much, stay out too late, and don’t come close to realizing their full potential. Bradley on the other hand is an extreme case that stands out. Sorry, but Todd Hundley is no Milton Bradley.

by dmlichte on Oct 16, 2009 3:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

right

Hundley was a problem child. Bradley is clubhouse cancer — or, at least, he has been enough of the time for him to get that label.

by elgato on Oct 16, 2009 3:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

No Hundley was really a bad seed and a very bad player

There is no question Bradley has a much bigger upside now than Hundley did in 02.
I also think the term "clubhouse " cancer is being misused. Milton’s issues were NOT in the clubhouse. They are probably worse than ones IN the clubhouse but at least let’s keep our terms straight.

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim

by Doggie Stalker on Oct 16, 2009 4:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

again, we're gonna disagree

When the bulk of your players come out and trash one guy on the team, he is a clubhouse cancer. There is a lot of crap that goes on when it comes to professional athletes that teammates either don’t say boo about or don’t care about. The fact that Lee, Ramirez, Theriot and others were so outspoken about Bradley should tell you how much they disliked him. That is a clubhouse cancer.

As far as upside, that isn’t the issue here in the least. That upside is destroyed by a guy who has not lasted anywhere… a guy who has played on eight teams over the course of a decade. Todd Hundley left Chicago in a not so pleasant fashion, but it was not near the Bradley situation. I don’t recall any concerns when Todd was signed by the Cubs and perhaps that was in part due to the lack of blogs and other internet media, but Hundley’s signing was more or less lauded. He may have left under a cloud and while his trade may not have excited Dodger fans, it was not nearly what fans of Bradley’s next team will feel.

by dmlichte on Oct 16, 2009 6:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think Hendry's rep as a players' GM played into this a little as well.

If it had been another GM, maybe the players just say “no comment” and leave it at that. But most of the Cubs probably have a strong affection for Hendry and were willing to publicly support him, even at the expense of dissing a teammate which is rarely done.

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Oct 16, 2009 6:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think we can all agree...

… that the comments made by Cubs players about Bradley were words that you almost never hear about a teammate made in public.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al on Oct 16, 2009 7:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

so you don't think the players were showing a little love to Hendry?

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Oct 16, 2009 7:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, yes, I think they were.

But they were also remarkably candid about something that normally stays private.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al on Oct 16, 2009 8:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not at all

Please show me where he was “trashed” ?The bulk of the comments were that Milton is a strange guy, who is never happy and keeps to himself. I have no doubt the players got particularly pissed at him with the final comments but in fact he was NOT like Padilla , Kent etc who were personally despised by teammates. Like I said Milton’s fights with fans, the media and management may be WORSE than if he did not get along with teammates and was a supposed cancer but that was not the case.

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim

by Doggie Stalker on Oct 16, 2009 9:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nope, it was more than that

Players were questioning Bradley’s committment to the team, before and after his suspension:

Alfonso Soriano on Bradley, pre-suspension

I have no problem with him…I think he’s a great guy. The only problem with him is his [combative] attitude sometimes in the game. A lot of people don’t like that, but that’s him… Soriano said if Bradley "is not 100 percent to help the team, we don’t need him.

Reed Johnson on Bradley, post suspension

Johnson didn’t think Bradley had any reason to feel isolated from the rest of the team, saying “I think for the most part that was his choice.”

Ryan Dempster on Bradley, post suspension

“At the end of the day, he was provided a great opportunity to be part of a really great organization with a lot of really good guys,” pitcher Ryan Dempster said. "It just didn’t seem to make him happy — anything. Hopefully this is a little bit of a wake-up call for him, and he’ll realize how good of a gig you have…It probably became one of those things where you start saying things that you’re putting the blame on everybody else. Sometimes you’ve just got to look in the mirror and realize that maybe the biggest part of the problem is yourself.

Aramis Ramirez on Bradley, post suspension

“If you don’t want to be here, send him home,”

Derrick Lee on Bradley, post suspension

…Lee said Bradley had a lot of pent-up frustration and “didn’t let it out the right way” with his angry diatribes.

The only person Bradley supposedly got along with was Johnson.If you want to argue that this stuff isn’t trashing then thats your prerogative. You’ve made your decision and thats that. But Al pointed out correctly above that is is very unusual for players to comment on other players, regardless of the situation. They keep their opinions to themselves. The fact that players were so eager to give their two cents on Bradley should tell you something.

by dmlichte on Oct 16, 2009 10:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

so its the teammates fault...

"hey

by jesus christos on Oct 16, 2009 10:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

No, it's not the teammates' "fault"...

… the point is, that most times, other players won’t say anything or will say “he was a good teammate”. For major league players to make such statements is almost unprecedented.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al on Oct 17, 2009 7:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Those quotes mirror what I said

His teammates think he is angry, isolated , unhappy person but that is not what I take to be the “clubhouse” cancer. These guys are mystified and frustrated and well to be nice they think he is an idiot . I don’t get the anger and personal enmity that I associate with a "cancer’ like Kent, Padilla etc. Different definition I guess.

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim

by Doggie Stalker on Oct 16, 2009 10:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

cancer or not...

I think the whole team feels bad about how the season went… so it’s really hard for them to point to Bradley specifically when so much went wrong. Other than Derrek Lee (who wasn’t 100% healthy all season), what went right for this team? Randy Wells? That’s it, right?

Given all of that… I think it says a lot when they’re willing to comment so much about a situation like this.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just North of Wrigley Field

by jameslcrockett on Oct 17, 2009 10:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ted Lilly had a good year.

So did, for the most part, Ryan Dempster.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al on Oct 18, 2009 9:04 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

and guzman

when he was healthy

"hey

by jesus christos on Oct 18, 2009 11:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Injuries

Guzman, Dempster, Lilly… all did great… and got hurt at key times. Can’t really put them squarely in the right. And even Wells didn’t start off with the team.

It is good to know that of all the ridiculously bad investments the Cubs have made the last few years (and investments they didn’t make)… at least they can say the got Lilly and Dempster right.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just North of Wrigley Field

by jameslcrockett on Oct 19, 2009 1:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

in the interest on honesty...

I can say those are two things I was wrong about at the time. Thought it was too much for Lilly when we had a lot of pitching… and too much for Dempster… which might still be true, but it sure wasn’t the case this year.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just North of Wrigley Field

by jameslcrockett on Oct 19, 2009 1:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Is it unusual for players to comment on other players? Yes, definitely so.

I’m in complete agreement with you, Al, and anyone else who opines that. And thanks, btw, for pulling all those quotes together in one place.

However I do think you, Al, and perhaps others are a bit off in the interpretation of those remarks. Taking the words at face value, are they really that venomous? I think the other players are bewildered, puzzled, frustrated and at this point pretty much exasperated with the Milton Bradley experiment, but I don’t see where they’re trashing him and throwing him under the bus. At least based on these quotes – there may have been others that are more revealing.

Just because it is highly unusual for players to say something, doesn’t mean that you should extrapolate what they say and take it to the extreme. I mean, it’s not like the players have this code book where they use simple words and phrases to secretly tell the real message…

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Oct 17, 2009 10:12 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

I think you & I are saying the same thing...

… in different ways. The fact that players NEVER say anything and that the Cubs said things that are even somewhat negative, tells me that, reading between the lines, there was more than just “bewildered, puzzled and frustrated” going on.

We’ll probably never know the full story.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al on Oct 17, 2009 10:32 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

fair enough

especially on the “We’ll probably never know the full story” part.

I’m starting to think that in all their combined years of baseball experience, the players have truly never ever come across a situation like this – talent & anger amidst baseball’s Eden. So they don’t really know how to react. Hence the unusualness of them even commenting, let alone the words they used.

Personally, I think ARam summed it up the best

"If you don’t want to be here, send him home,"

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Oct 17, 2009 2:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

rec'd

Inspector #23 certifies that the above post is sarcasm free, most certainly not what she said, and chock full of intangibles, although regressing to the intangible mean, as you'd expect.

by DGU on Oct 17, 2009 1:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

not really a mystery

Bradley’s trade value couldn’t possible be any lower unless he was dead. So, of course other teams are inquiring. His trade value is actually lower than his actual value, as low as it is to the Cubs. Regardless of the circumstances, this will always be a situation other teams will want to take advantage of. It’s exactly that. Other teams are lining up to see who can most take advantage of the Cubs poor fortune in this case.

I would be surprised if there weren’t teams who picked up the phone, called up the Angels immediately after Nick Adenhart died and offered their condolences and a pitcher with a horrible contract they’d give them for a couple prospects.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just North of Wrigley Field

by jameslcrockett on Oct 16, 2009 3:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Al...

we really need an edit feature… typos piss me off lol

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just North of Wrigley Field

by jameslcrockett on Oct 16, 2009 3:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's what the preview button is for.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al on Oct 16, 2009 4:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

ok

…and every time you make a post and have a typo or even more egregious error, I’m going to type exactly that response. While i was really poking fun at myself, because I’m one of the cleaner and more-professional people you’ll find willing to spend there time at a blog/board/site like this… typos do happen

And that’s what an edit button is for. Even sites that don’t want to be taken seriously and connected to Yahoo have them. I know this because I have a sickness and spend way too much time using it, even in a place like this where it’s obvious nobody cares.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just North of Wrigley Field

by jameslcrockett on Oct 16, 2009 5:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sure an edit button would be nice, but...

…if you’ve been around BCB long enough, you’d probably realize that a lot of folks are quick to pull the trigger on potentially divisive remarks. There’d be a whole lot of revisionist history going on with an edit button.

I’m more than willing to live with a few typos if it means folks have to stand by their comments, good or bad.

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Oct 16, 2009 6:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hm, that's a good point.

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by dat cubfan daver on Oct 19, 2009 10:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What sites have an edit button for comments?

I haven’t seen one.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al on Oct 16, 2009 7:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just outta curiousity...

…why does your signature line contain a link to a blog you haven’t updated in almost three years?

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by dat cubfan daver on Oct 19, 2009 10:02 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Here's the latest - RIPPED from the Twitterwire:

@CarrieMuskat: #cubs have asked #rangers for permission to talk to Rudy Jaramillo to fill their hitting coach vacany. could be an announcement early Nov

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by dat cubfan daver on Oct 16, 2009 3:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Um, that's the latest?

I think this step came before the one Heyman tweeted about, in which the Cubs and Jaramillo were already talking about the vacancy.

Another fine “reporting” job by Carrie Muskat!

"I see great things in baseball. It's our game - the American game." - Walt Whitman

by hip2bsquare on Oct 16, 2009 4:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

If if Jaramillo has already agreed to terms

The Cubs would not be able to announce anything till an off day so it could be a while either way.

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim

by Doggie Stalker on Oct 16, 2009 5:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

does this help us get LIND?

baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out

by Cubbie-Tim on Oct 16, 2009 11:23 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

rudy

nice first step. everybody seems pretty excited about this. and the reason teams are asking about bradley? they probably expect the cubs to pay most of his contract. this will be like the sammy deal where we are paying this guy to play somewhere else. but he cant come back. this guy is a cancer and i cant imagine why anyone keeps giving this guy another chance. amazing.

by NOMAR on Oct 17, 2009 7:53 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Rudy Jaramillo

I would welcome this addition. But the sabermagicians among you should be very leery of Jaramillo because he preaches aggressiveness at the plate ala the Dusty Baker philosophy.

"Cubs will win 79 to 83 games." BLou (7/21/09)

by BLou on Oct 18, 2009 4:02 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Aggressiveness does not necessarily devalue getting on base

as Dusty did. I think Rudy and Lou could end up being excellent balances to each other.

Inspector #23 certifies that the above post is sarcasm free, most certainly not what she said, and chock full of intangibles, although regressing to the intangible mean, as you'd expect.

by DGU on Oct 18, 2009 7:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Stuck overpaying

Two hitting coaches went by the wayside and Piniella is supposedly going into the last year of his contract. To get Jaramillo or any experienced hitting coach at the major league level, they are probably going to have to overpay him and commit to overpaying him for multiple years. The main risk being that the same players still might not hit any better.

by AboutTheCubs on Oct 18, 2009 8:40 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I think it's worth the risk

by ak123 on Oct 19, 2009 7:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Overpaying...

…a hitting coach is relative, because they don’t make much dough or typically get long term deals either.

The point about this is this; chances are, Soriano, Soto and a couple others will probably have better years next year if my mother was the hitting coach. These things are very hard to quantify into what is really making the difference, but I have no problem with the Cubs going after this guy, just don’t expect him to be a savior.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Oct 19, 2009 9:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs