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Bradley's Contract Details and Scout.com Top 20

Fri, 01/09/2009 - 8:30am — Rob G.

We finally get word on the specifics of Milton Bradley's contract from the Sun-Times:

The contract pays $5 million in base salary in 2009 and $9 million in
2010 -- with a $4 million signing bonus split over the two seasons --
with $12 million due in 2011. But a multilayered set of clauses turns
the final year into a team option (with a $2 million buyout) if
Bradley's health becomes a serious problem this season.

So $7M for 2009, $11M for 2010 and $12M in 2011 with a $2M buyout team option in 2011 if the mysterious clauses kick-in.

And looks like I missed the top 10 prospects from Scout.com, they posted them before Christmas...silly me.

  1. Josh Vitters
  2. Jeff Samardzija
  3. Andrew Cashner
  4. Welington Castillo
  5. Jay Jackson
  6. Ryan Flaherty
  7. Mitch Atkins
  8. Tyler Colvin
  9. Kevin Hart
  10. Micah Hoffpauir
  11. Esmailin Caridad
  12. Brandn Guyer
  13. Marcos Mateo
  14. Jovan Rosa
  15. James Russell
  16. Dan McDaniel
  17. Chris Carpenter
  18. Aaron Shafer
  19. Ryan Acosta
  20. Matt Cerda

 

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Fri, 01/09/2009 - 2:42am — 10man

Re: Bradley's Contract Details and Scout.com Top 20

Typical Hendry backloaded the deal again. Good to hear the absence of a NTC and the fact that there is an escape clause for the team in the 3rd year.

Fri, 01/09/2009 - 7:13am — Cubster

Re: Bradley's Contract Details and Scout.com Top 20

Groucho: "That's in every contract, that's what you call a sanity clause."
Chico: "You can't a fool a me there ain't no Sanity Clause"

Fri, 01/09/2009 - 8:26am — John Beasley

Re: Bradley's Contract Details and Scout.com Top 20

Still lacking detail, but it makes it sound as if the 2011 option can trigger due to 2009 performance. I would've preferred something based on two-year performance, such as 800 PAs in two years or something.

Fri, 01/09/2009 - 9:03am — The Real Neal

Re: Bradley's Contract Details and Scout.com Top 20

So it's really a 2 year $20 million deal, not bad.

Fri, 01/09/2009 - 10:52am — 10man

Re: Bradley's Contract Details and Scout.com Top 20

Pretty much what everybody expected then.

Fri, 01/09/2009 - 9:31am — Arizona Phil

Re: Bradley's Contract Details and Scout.com Top 20

If the contract is structured like Cliff Floyd's two-year deal with the Cubs was, the 3rd year would vest once Bradley reaches 850 PA or 200 Games Started combined in 2009-10. Hopefully the "Games Started" threshold for Bradley is more like 250 rather than 200 and the PA floor is more like 950 than 850.

Also, whether or not he got one from Hendry, Bradley will at least get an automatic NTC through 6-15-09 because he was an Article XX MLB FA. BTW, the reason Aaron Miles and Joey Gathright don't get an automatic NTC through June 15th is because they were 12/12 non-tendered free-agents, not Article XX MLB FAs.

Players who become free-agents after being non-tendered on 12/12, or after being released outright, or after becoming a minor league FA, do not get the automatic NTC. Likewise, if an Article XX MLB FA signs a minor league contract, he doesn't get an automatic NTC either. Only Article XX MLB free-agents who sign a Major League contract after the end of the 15-day MLB Free-Agency Filing Period receive the automatic NTC through June 15th, and such a player gets one even if he re-signs with his previous club.

I would be surprised if Bradley doesn't have a complete NTC through 2009, with maybe a limited one in 2010-11 where he can name a certain number of clubs (like maybe eight or ten) in advance to which he will not accept a trade.

Fri, 01/09/2009 - 10:14am — Jace

Re: Bradley's Contract Details and Scout.com Top 20

Okay, AZ Phil. One name that I am still curious about, due to his apparent success at AA last year, was the walking enigma Dumas Garcia. Has he gone AWOL again?
Thanks as always!

Fri, 01/09/2009 - 9:40am — Rob G.

Re: Bradley's Contract Details and Scout.com Top 20

from the Daily Herald

However, the Cubs do have contract protection against injury. If certain incentives aren't met the first year, the third year becomes a club option.

still unclear on the incentives, but it sounds like a combination of games played and the PA's...

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=263180

Fri, 01/09/2009 - 9:57am — Dmac

Re: Bradley's Contract Details and Scout.com Top 20

The payroll numbers for 2010 should be sobering for the prospective buyers.

Fri, 01/09/2009 - 10:20am — Stevens

Re: Bradley's Contract Details and Scout.com Top 20

Over 90 million committed already for 2011 too. These are not our father's Cubs.

Fri, 01/09/2009 - 10:10am — Seamhead

Re: Bradley's Contract Details and Scout.com Top 20

Hendry was interviewed this morning on WSCR. During discussion of offseason goal to provide more LH balance in lineup, indicated that "of the 13 position players currently projected to start the season, 7 either hit left-handed or are switch hitters".

Hmmm. I currently count five at Fukodome, Bradley, Fontenot, Miles, and Hoffpauir. Apparently our new but unannounced backup catcher (Bako) will fit the profile, which leaves one more mystery LH/SH, which I suppose is Pie (even though Hendry talked about the increased versatility of his OF with both Gathright and Johnson).

He confirmed that IF coach Alan Trammell will work with Fontenot at SS in ST, so that Lou can play Fonty, Theriot or Miles at either SS or 2B at any time. Once again indicated that trading DeRosa was only viable means of adding LH hitting to lineup, despite his performance and leadership.

Hendy also indicated that he was not done with his pitching staff, but refused to talk about Peavy since Peavy is under contract and not a FA.

And no, Brian Roberts' name was never brought up.

Fri, 01/09/2009 - 10:22am — Stevens

Re: Bradley's Contract Details and Scout.com Top 20

I like the idea of seeing if Fontenot's excellent 2nd base defense can translate into good or at least better than average SS defense.

Fri, 01/09/2009 - 10:32am — The Real Neal

Re: Bradley's Contract Details and Scout.com Top 20

I think I must be prejudiced. All the stats say the Fontenaught was a good fielder last year, but I didn't see it. I did see him have difficulty turning two a couple of times, though. Hopefully the statistically good defense continues, but I don't see the athletic ability to play short in him.

Fri, 01/09/2009 - 10:38am — OakLawnGuy

Re: Bradley's Contract Details and Scout.com Top 20

You probably saw a lot more than a cold stat can tell you. I think defensive stats are the hardest to correlate to performance, you gotta watch the guy play. A player can handle a number of chances with few errors, but what kind of chances? And how many other ground balls never even hit his glove? Fontenot is kind of a stiff fielder, without a lot of range. I also can't see him playing short for more than a few games without hurting the team. Working him out there and getting his feet provides Lou with a little more flexibility among the three small middle infielders.
I would imagine it also means no one is counting on Cedeno being a Cub in 2009.

Fri, 01/09/2009 - 4:35pm — Stevens

Re: Bradley's Contract Details and Scout.com Top 20

I watched Fontenot make a lot of good defensive plays last year. I was surprised as I hadn't thought of him as a good defender before.

Fri, 01/09/2009 - 11:11am — VirginiaPhil

Re: Bradley's Contract Details and Scout.com Top 20

To get to thirteen, you have to cross off Pie and Cedeno.

Then you have five outfielders (Sori, Fuku, RJ, Gathright, Bradley),

six infielders (Aram, Theriot, Fontenot, Miles, Lee, Hoff)

and two catchers (Soto and Hill/Bako).

Seven of these can hit lefty.

This seems like a fairly direct statement about Pie and Cedeno from the man in charge.

They're probably headed for ex-Cubland up I-95 from where I'm sitting.

Fri, 01/09/2009 - 10:22am — Seamhead

Re: Bradley's Contract Details and Scout.com Top 20

Jim Callis of Baseball America was on WSCR radio yesterday to plug their 2009 Prospects handbook.

He listed BA's Cubs Top 5 as (5) Wellington Castillo, (4) Dae-Eun Rhee (despite his TJ surgery), (3) Andrew Cashner, (2) Samardzija, and (1) Vitters.

He specifically mentioned Castillo as likely trade bait for Peavy.

Fri, 01/09/2009 - 10:28am — Arizona Phil

Re: Bradley's Contract Details and Scout.com Top 20

Submitted by Jace on Fri, 01/09/2009 - 10:14am.

Okay, AZ Phil. One name that I am still curious about, due to his apparent success at AA last year, was the walking enigma Dumas Garcia. Has he gone AWOL again? Thanks as always!

======================================

JACE: Dumas Garcia is signed to a minor league contract for 2009 and will battle for a relief job at Iowa or Tennessee, unless he is needed by the Colombian government for a counter-insurgency mission.

Fri, 01/09/2009 - 10:30am — Dr. aaron b

Re: Bradley's Contract Details and Scout.com Top 20

Is Dumas Garcia really Chuck Barris?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuck_Barris

Fri, 01/09/2009 - 10:36am — Hagsag

Re: Bradley's Contract Details and Scout.com Top 20

Az. Phil, have you heard of any minor lge FA's that the Cubs have signed? Thanks.

Fri, 01/09/2009 - 10:38am — The E-Man

Re: Bradley's Contract Details and Scout.com Top 20

Hey AZ PHIL! Since you have popped up after a holiday rest (hope it was enjoyable!), can you give us the skinny on Darwin Barney? It appears as if he had a very productive AFL in Nov. Will he project out as making it to the big club by 2011?

Fri, 01/09/2009 - 10:42am — Cubs Win

Re: Bradley's Contract Details and Scout.com Top 20

That top 20 List does not get me too excited - whoever buys this team is going to have to really throw some cash at rebuilding the farm system.

If we trade Vitters, we have NOTHING left. May as well empty the cupboard I guess.

Fri, 01/09/2009 - 10:49am — Cubs Win

Re: Bradley's Contract Details and Scout.com Top 20

AZ Phil -

Looking at this list of prospects, do you see any impact players (All Star Caliber) beyond Vitters? The list, outside of the top 3, looks like a bunch of possible role players instead of people you build a franchise around. Thoughts?

Fri, 01/09/2009 - 10:55am — Arizona Phil

Re: Bradley's Contract Details and Scout.com Top 20

Submitted by Hagsag on Fri, 01/09/2009 - 10:36am.

Az. Phil, have you heard of any minor lge FA's that the Cubs have signed? Thanks.

===================================

HAGSAG: The only minor league players the Cubs have for sure signed from outside the organization so far are AA LHRP Jason Waddell (6Y minor league FA ex-SF), AA RHRP Angel Castro (released by DET), and veteran MLB C Mark Johnson (Article XX-D minor league FA who was up with STL in September).

Also the Cubs did re-sign Rule 55 minor league FA SS Andres Blanco, OF-1B Doug Deeds, and C Danny Fatheree (who is actually a coach assigned to Fitch Park), and Article XX MLB FA RHP Chad Fox to 2009 minor league contracts.

And I believe Rule 55 minor league FAs IF-OF Bobby Scales, IF-C Robinson Chirinos, LHP Carmen Pignatiello, RHP Adam Harben, and RHP Billy Petrick have been re-signed, too, but the Cubs haven't announced those signings so they cannot be confirmed at this time.

Fri, 01/09/2009 - 11:06am — Arizona Phil

Re: Bradley's Contract Details and Scout.com Top 20

Submitted by The E-Man on Fri, 01/09/2009 - 10:38am.

Hey AZ PHIL! Since you have popped up after a holiday rest (hope it was enjoyable!), can you give us the skinny on Darwin Barney? It appears as if he had a very productive AFL in Nov. Will he project out as making it to the big club by 2011?

=============================

E-MAN: Darwin Barney is a stable, reliable, fundamentally-sound SS, but I don't know how much he will hit in the big leagues. At worst he should be an MLB utility middle-infielder. He is a smart player, too. I would compare him to somebody like Chin-lung Hu (LAD) or maybe Brendan Ryan (STL).

Fri, 01/09/2009 - 11:07am — Dusty Baylor

Re: Bradley's Contract Details and Scout.com Top 20

Also for Mr. Az Phil...any idea about Nate Samson? I saw him a couple times at Peoria...semed to hit the ball hard, had good range at SS.

He's going to be 21 this year...seemed like he had some potential.

Fri, 01/09/2009 - 11:44am — VirginiaPhil

Re: Bradley's Contract Details and Scout.com Top 20

Nate Samson--that reminds me, Neal, if you're listening, here are two other interesting shortstops in addition to Flaherty, Lee, Castro, Lake and Barney.

Nate Samson hit around .300 for Peoria and was called to Iowa, if I remember correctly, late in the season. He did commit around 25 errors at Peoria.

Then there's Marwin Gonzalez, who recently clicked in a Venezuelan winter "rookie" league (Liga Paralela), leading the league in BA and doubles, second in SLG, stealing 15 bases.

Gonzalez, who turns 20 in March, plays short and third, which suggests that he may be gravitating away from short.

Fri, 01/09/2009 - 12:01pm — The Real Neal

Re: Bradley's Contract Details and Scout.com Top 20

I read all.. mostly.

Thanks. The only SS in the system who I think right now projects to be a starting shorstop in the bigs is the kid from Korea and he's a long ways off. Flaherty's bat seems like it will be good enough, but I would guess that he gets moved, and then his bat may not be good enough. Everyone else...

Of course I hope I'm wrong.

Fri, 01/09/2009 - 11:12am — Arizona Phil

Re: Bradley's Contract Details and Scout.com Top 20

Submitted by Dusty Baylor on Fri, 01/09/2009 - 11:07am.

Also for Mr. Az Phil...any idea about Nate Samson? I saw him a couple times at Peoria...semed to hit the ball hard, had good range at SS. He's going to be 21 this year...seemed like he had some potential

==============================

DUSTY BAYLOR: Nate Samson can play SS OK, but he's better at 2B. I would project him as a back-up middle infielder at the MLB level, but Barney is the better SS prospect.

Fri, 01/09/2009 - 11:24am — 10man

Re: Bradley's Contract Details and Scout.com Top 20

I miss that heinous photo of eddie munster. would it be possible to add him beside Milton? there's a very convenient blank space beside him.

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