Bradley For Millwood?

by jlb2609 on Nov 10, 2009 12:37 PM CST

The Rangers would appear to be a good landing place for Bradley, and Millwood seemingly would be a serviceable arm. I'm told there haven't been any formal talks on this, but that Millwood is a guy the Cubs have liked. He was 13-10 with a WHIP of 1.34 and an ERA of 3.67. I'd say it's a situation that bears watching.

Interesting. Discuss. (This post edited to update content and post a new rumor.)

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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FYI

This is covered in a fanshot

There is some discussion there already.

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 Nov 10, 2009 12:53 PM CST reply actions

I believe it's also been debunked already

Not to mention that it’s an awful, awful idea.

You should probably cite your sources if you’re going to post something like this as well.

by Wreckard on Nov 10, 2009 1:04 PM CST up reply actions

Well, the original poster did cite his/her sources

But I agree with the rest of what you wrote.

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 Nov 10, 2009 1:15 PM CST up reply actions

Sorry, that was directed at the author of this diary not you

It’s not clear where the author’s quote came from above. Unless I’m missing something.

by Wreckard on Nov 10, 2009 1:20 PM CST up reply actions

Don't worry - it was clear you weren't directing it at me

The author was referencing FoxSports.com, but I guess you’re right there, too – we don’t know who the quote is from that references FS.

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 Nov 10, 2009 1:29 PM CST up reply actions

Of course, this part of the thread refers to the original content of the fanpost...

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 Nov 10, 2009 2:41 PM CST up reply actions

yeah

another second baseman… that solves everything!

Jerry’s been so distant lately and Lovie barely calls.- Just Dave

by Allie on Nov 10, 2009 1:27 PM CST reply actions

Scrappy!

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 Nov 10, 2009 1:29 PM CST up reply actions

Keep getting second basemen

A bit like how the Detroit Lions were stockpiling wide receivers for so long.

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

by Ace Venom on Nov 10, 2009 2:15 PM CST up reply actions

So long as the Cubs actually stockpile real second baseman.

It could be argued they only have two right now, Baker & Theriot.

if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand

by N Oakley on Nov 10, 2009 3:58 PM CST up reply actions

Fontenot & Miles

no longer on roster?

Jerry’s been so distant lately and Lovie barely calls.- Just Dave

by Allie on Nov 10, 2009 6:28 PM CST up reply actions

don't forget Soriano

/sarcasm/

"Fasten those seatbelts"-Pat Hughes

by katie casey on Nov 11, 2009 7:40 AM CST up reply actions

Was Miles ever really with us?

I’m fairly certain we had a cardboard cutout of Aaron Miles taking up a spot on the roster.

by madcow256 on Nov 11, 2009 7:47 AM CST up reply actions

No, we didn't.

The cardboard cutout would have hit better.

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

by Al Yellon on Nov 11, 2009 7:54 AM CST up reply actions

Are they really MLB starting quality second baseman?

In 2009, they didn’t even form a mediocre platoon.

if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand

by N Oakley on Nov 11, 2009 1:29 PM CST up reply actions

you're the one calling for "real" secondbasemen

I’m just calling for no more. :-P

Jerry’s been so distant lately and Lovie barely calls.- Just Dave

by Allie on Nov 11, 2009 2:03 PM CST up reply actions

Yet another Milton rumor making the rounds now:

Apparently, Bruce Levine has muttered that the Rangers might agree to a Kevin Millwood for Bradley trade.

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by daver on Nov 10, 2009 1:36 PM CST reply actions

$12M for one year?

GETIT DON EJIM!1

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 Nov 10, 2009 1:46 PM CST up reply actions

Bruce Miles comments on it...

…here.

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by daver on Nov 10, 2009 1:57 PM CST up reply actions

I don't know which salary figure is correct

I did a quick Google search . . . mlb.com is blocked here. $10 M is an even better fit.

If they could get a servicable arm without adding significant payroll, it would be a pretty good trick. Even better if they don’t have to eat $ for 2011.

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 Nov 10, 2009 2:00 PM CST up reply actions

Cot's has him at $12 million for 2010...

…though there’s a club option involved that I don’t completely understand.

LINKY

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by daver on Nov 10, 2009 2:05 PM CST up reply actions

Ok, that matches what I thought

2010 would have been a club option year, but it has vested.

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 Nov 10, 2009 2:10 PM CST up reply actions

If the Rangers really want Bradley back...

… I’d do this deal. Millwood’s definitely a serviceable arm, and the Cubs could use one.

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

by Al Yellon on Nov 10, 2009 2:12 PM CST up reply actions

I think I'd do it, too.

Make Millwood the No. 5 starter for a season and the team would presumably be out of the Milton mess financially speaking. Or am I missing something?

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by daver on Nov 10, 2009 2:29 PM CST up reply actions

Ok, now Bruce modified his reply to you to include a signing bonus that gets spread over 2011-2015

Still, I think it’s a workable deal. I don’t think the Cubs should have to eat much, if any $ on that one, though. I don’t know that the Rangers agree.

So, if this goes through, does that make Marshall tradeable? I’m not necessarily advocating it, but I would think Gorzo would be the swingman with a rotation of (in alphabetical order): Dempster, Lilly, Milwood, Wells, Zambrano.

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 Nov 10, 2009 2:53 PM CST up reply actions

This sounds like the most attractive trade swap I've hear for Bradley.

I’d guess the sticking point would be that Bradley has 2 years left on his contract whereas Millwood has only 1.

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on Nov 10, 2009 3:00 PM CST up reply actions

Right - but

If the Rangers really want him back and he returns to form, his 2011 salary isn’t that bad.

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 Nov 10, 2009 3:04 PM CST up reply actions

I wonder

how the ownership situation with the Rangers would impact 2011 decision.

The organization seems to be having some cash flow issues so I wonder it that makes it less or more like that this could happen.

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on Nov 10, 2009 3:53 PM CST up reply actions

Set up a scale to identify how much payroll

the Cubs eat for 2011 if he stinks in 2010. None if he has a good year, half if he stinks.

if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand

by N Oakley on Nov 10, 2009 4:00 PM CST up reply actions

That's very creative.

I wonder if MLB would allow that.

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on Nov 10, 2009 4:09 PM CST up reply actions

that could fall into the "cash considerations" we hear

about in certain deals.

"Enough foreplay- let's get crackin'"- Fred Garvin

by davidalanu on Nov 11, 2009 7:10 AM CST up reply actions

ugh

I’m not too enthused about Millwood. If you look past the ERA, that wasn’t a very impressive year, to say the least. Sure, the AL-NL move may help, but what does that make him? A number 4 starter instead of a number 5?

by toonsterwu on Nov 10, 2009 3:09 PM CST up reply actions

Really?

No one is mistaking him for Roger Clemens circa 1990, but he had an ERA+ of 127 last year, and he’s an innings-eater.

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 Nov 10, 2009 3:19 PM CST up reply actions

Yep.

The more I look at it, the better it looks. The total money owed to Bradley is $21 million; the total owed to Millwood is $25 million (with $15 million of it a signing bonus deferred over a 5-year period 2011-15, so essentially $3m a year for five years after the contract expires).

This would make the Cubs pay an extra $4 million over the life of the two contracts. I suspect that’s within Tom Ricketts’ parameters.

GETITDON EJIM!

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

by Al Yellon on Nov 10, 2009 3:33 PM CST up reply actions

Maybe they can throw in Miles - and, wait for it . . . .

Get $2M back from the Rangers over those 5 years!

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 Nov 10, 2009 3:37 PM CST up reply actions

Or...

… throw in Miles and PAY the $2 million, just to be glad to get rid of both of them.

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

by Al Yellon on Nov 10, 2009 3:38 PM CST up reply actions

How about they split the difference

Give Texas $1M and me $1M for the idea.

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 Nov 10, 2009 3:46 PM CST up reply actions

Then you have to cut me in on the $1 million because you posted it here.

I’ll take a 10% BCB cut.

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

by Al Yellon on Nov 10, 2009 3:51 PM CST up reply actions

Works for me

I’d even let you off the hook for the Big Gulp that you owe me.

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 Nov 10, 2009 3:53 PM CST up reply actions

I'd get it for you anyway to celebrate.

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

by Al Yellon on Nov 10, 2009 4:40 PM CST up reply actions

If I give you $100k and you bought me a drink

I might lobby for scotch

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 Nov 10, 2009 9:35 PM CST up reply actions

If we could get this deal done...

… sure.

Let’s not hold our breath waiting, though.

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

by Al Yellon on Nov 11, 2009 7:43 AM CST up reply actions

re:

the low k rate, 3 ish walk rate, the relatively low babip, the relatively high strand rate. Millwood’s a nice innings eating, back of the rotation starter who benefitted greatly from the defense behind him, partly due to the elite defensive play of Elvis Andrus.

Look, if you are asking me, would I make this swap? Probably. I’d rather pick off a Derek Lowe or a Kenshin Kawakami.

I’m just not enthused about Millwood.

by toonsterwu on Nov 10, 2009 7:06 PM CST up reply actions

But wouldn't getting out of the Bradley mess via a No. 4 starter be a pretty good deal?

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by daver on Nov 10, 2009 3:46 PM CST up reply actions

Yep.

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

by Al Yellon on Nov 10, 2009 3:51 PM CST up reply actions

sure

I’d probably make the deal, but I’m just not all that enthused with Millwood, tis all.

by toonsterwu on Nov 10, 2009 7:06 PM CST up reply actions

"Enthused"...

… isn’t what we have to be about getting rid of Bradley. “Relieved” is more like it.

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

by Al Yellon on Nov 10, 2009 9:22 PM CST up reply actions

i know

i’m simply saying, let’s not make millwood sound better than he is.

furthermore, for the deal to happen, there’d have to be some balancing of the remaining dollars. Otherwise, I just don’t see it as being worth it, particularly the 15 million remaining signing bonus. i don’t care about the difference in money for 2010 all that much.

It sure doesn’t sound like they are going to eat much money, though. I really don’t buy this rumor in some respects, much as I respect Bruce Miles. Short of it is, figuring out the finances for a team being sold won’t be easy, and the Rangers front office might not be that amenable to trading an innings eater away and burdening their kids.

by toonsterwu on Nov 11, 2009 5:45 AM CST up reply actions

Maybe we should start a pool

Guess how many more MB related threads there will be before opening day.

I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren

by lookingdeadred on Nov 10, 2009 5:08 PM CST up reply actions

I have a number of problems with this post.

First, as noted above, this topic has been covered several times. The rumor has been debunked — why would the Mets want Overbay?

And finally, there is no link provided. It appears to be from Yahoo, but there’s no definitive link.

Anyone else think I need to delete this?

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

by Al Yellon on Nov 10, 2009 2:11 PM CST reply actions

Yes

"It's been my policy to view the Internet not as an 'information highway,' but as an electronic asylum filled with babbling loonies." - Mike Royko

by DTJchris on Nov 10, 2009 2:12 PM CST up reply actions

Well, I would have said yes initially

But it branched off into a Milwood discussion. Maybe change the title and delete the quote?

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 Nov 10, 2009 2:13 PM CST up reply actions

Who else likes this idea?

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

by Al Yellon on Nov 10, 2009 2:19 PM CST up reply actions

Idea works and so does Millwood

I always welcome FOMs (Friends of Maddux).It would also be interesting because of the instance by some that Milton was a problem everywhere he ever played and thus no team that had him would ever want him again.

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

by Doggie Stalker on Nov 10, 2009 2:20 PM CST up reply actions

I like the idea.

The Millwood thing is probably going to be discussed at length anyway.

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by daver on Nov 10, 2009 2:27 PM CST up reply actions

Done.

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

by Al Yellon on Nov 10, 2009 2:37 PM CST up reply actions

I’d like to hear/read (learn) more about Millwood

by cooliogirl47 on Nov 10, 2009 2:39 PM CST up reply actions

I would make the deal

That type of ERA in the AL and in that park, I would do it. Millwood does eat innings and he would be a good replacement for Harden.

by Grockcubs on Nov 10, 2009 3:38 PM CST reply actions

Millwood may also look better outside of that park.

if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand

by N Oakley on Nov 10, 2009 4:01 PM CST up reply actions

Sorry, missed the key phrase "in that park"

if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand

by N Oakley on Nov 10, 2009 4:01 PM CST up reply actions

more talk

Maybe you already know , but the folks at Lone Star Ball are talking about it too

"When I was younger, I could remember anything, whether it had happened or not." --Mark Twain

by cooliogirl47 on Nov 10, 2009 4:05 PM CST reply actions

Only six comments so far...

…but, yeah, they’re discussing it here.

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by daver on Nov 10, 2009 4:10 PM CST up reply actions

Very odd site.

It’s a baseball blog but the traffic is all about the NFL. The only posts that have more than a handful of comments are the NFL posts.

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on Nov 10, 2009 4:16 PM CST up reply actions

In Dallas?

Really?

if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand

by N Oakley on Nov 10, 2009 4:17 PM CST up reply actions

The majority

of our posters are in offseason mode.

I’m a white boy who doesn’t think a black man is good enough to manage my baseball team. - LSJ
"I really think that" - LSJ, on being asked by AirJordan

by FirebatM3 on Nov 11, 2009 12:34 AM CST up reply actions

I don't hate this deal

We get something that we need, they get something they need, Millwood would really save us from not having Ted for a while.

Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.

by nji232 on Nov 10, 2009 4:26 PM CST reply actions

More about this from a Ft. Worth Star-Telegram blog.

Linky

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

by Al Yellon on Nov 10, 2009 4:49 PM CST reply actions

So if they split the 2011 salary would that do it?

Should the Cubs only need to pay 5 million?

Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.

by nji232 on Nov 10, 2009 5:03 PM CST reply actions

When is the BCB Free Agent Frenzy...

Gonna be posted AL????

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 Nov 10, 2009 5:12 PM CST reply actions

I don't see MLB's game posted yet.

Whenever they do theirs, we can start ours.

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

by Al Yellon on Nov 10, 2009 9:23 PM CST up reply actions

Blah

No need to wait! No baseball on tv and no football til the weekend. I hate reality shows. Basketball on TV is borinnggg. I’m going insane already. I’m almost ready to do that one thing I get paid to do for 8 hours a day. What’s it called? Oh yeah actually work.

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 Nov 10, 2009 9:39 PM CST up reply actions