Parker Brothers Unavailable, Cubs Sign Milton Bradley

Our wonderful radio listening audience heard Bruce Levine of ESPN1000 reporting that the Milton Bradley signing is about to become official. Three years and $30M sounds like the damage, which seems a bit expensive with the Rays about to sign Pat Burrell for two years and $16M total. I'll chime in later with a thorough analysis, but adding the AL OPS leader, even if a bit of a fluke, is never going to hurt your team. That is unless Bradley kills a racist Bleacher Bum, then things might go bad.

UPDATE: The deal is pending a physical and it appears that 3/30 isn't completely accurate. Wittenmyer says there will be wording in the contract to protect the Cubs on back end of the deal if Bradley misses significant playing time on the front end. Wittenmyer also says that the Marquis deal should be completed today with $875K going the Rockies way.

Tags: 
Cubs Roster Moves
Milton Bradley
Submitted by Rob G. on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 3:13pm
Return to Homepage

Comments

Submitted by Newport
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 3:30pm

Three years is a bit much. I hope he doesn't hurt himself trying to climb the ivy to beat someone's ass.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 3:37pm

That's why they have the basket. As longs as the fans don't put their fingers through there they should be safe.

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 3:34pm

3/30 isn't that bad compared to Burrell. Only $2M more a year for a guy who will actually play defense.

And it is a utter steal compared to what a similar player would have gone for in previous years.

I like it.

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 3:42pm

Much better than the KFuk contract.

If we would have gotten Milton last year, like I pined for. Instead of KFuk. Maybe we're talking about our championship right now?

Submitted by 10man
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 9:01pm

If we would've gotten Milton last year it would have come a whole lot cheaper than 3/30.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 3:46pm

in 3 yrs Bradley will play as many games as Burrell does in one though...

not being my money, I really don't give a shit to be honest, as long as there isn't an NTC in there.

Soriano, Lee, Bradley, Ramirez, Soto, Fontenaught, Theriot, Fukudome lineup?

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 4:12pm

in 3 yrs Bradley will play as many games as Burrell does in one though...

Wanna' bet?

Submitted by Rob G.
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 4:16pm

just a bit of hyperbole my friend...but if you give me good odds I'll think about it.

I'll take even odds that Burrell plays about the same number of games over two years that Bradley does in three though, plus or minus 10 games....

Submitted by John Beasley
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 3:35pm

I strongly preferred Abreu, so I'll reserve judgment until we see what kind of deal he gets.

Altogether, probably not a steal or a disaster, IMO.

Submitted by Jace
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 3:35pm

If the RF fans offended Jacques Jones, just wait till we see MB out there... What is the over/under on the number of games to his first meltdown?
I'm mostly joking... I like this pickup. I just hope the Cubs have a couple of tranquilizer dart guns handy...

Submitted by Jim Hickmans Bat
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 3:45pm

I've never understood this. The Bums didn't heckle Jock because he was black; they heckled him because he was a shitty baseball player. As Bradley is a significantly better player than Jock, the likelihood he will be heckled and taunted by his own home fans is much lower.

He'll get razzed when he screws up, but all the players do (Lee, Soriano, etc...) It's the away games where his teammates will need to look out for Milton. Dodger Stadium will likely be BRUTAL.

Submitted by Jace
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 3:51pm

I don't care why the underlying reason was for the RF fans heckling Jones. He didn't produce, and deserved to be heckled. The only thing I take issue with is the rumored racial slurs being blurted out. That's a line that should never be crossed, and I can guarantee you that MB will not respond to it merely by mentioning it occasionally to the press....

Submitted by Bigz
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 3:35pm

I like adding more attitude to this team.

D-lee and aram are just a bit too california laid back for me. With Woody and DeRosa gone, we needed some more spunk. Even if he only plays 110 games a year.

Submitted by CA-Phil
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 3:42pm

For those old enough to remember the pilot episode of the Mary Tyler Moore Show:

Lou: You've got spunk.
Mary: Wellll (embarrased, but flattered)
Lou: I HATE spunk.

Submitted by The Joe
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 3:38pm

Sounds good to me. I like me some Bradley, personally. I've got a softspot for emotional weirdos: Poe, Kafka, Mishima, Dostoevsky, Bergman, Thom Yorke?, etc. Good luck dude.

Submitted by Bud
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 3:51pm

Has Bradley ever led off? I likes me his OBP. I know I know Soriano would crumble and stop hitting... Just curious.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 3:52pm

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=381174...

link

Submitted by Rob G.
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 3:53pm

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090103&c...

Dodgers inquired about Marquis

Submitted by Summer of Zimmer
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 3:55pm

This is an awful risk. Players who are chronically injured, rarely reverse course and suddenly stay healthy after they turn 30.

I like Bradley when he's healthy, but he's only on the field half the time. That makes it, in essence, a pay rate of $20 million per year.

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 4:00pm

But,

When Milton Bradley comes back from the disabled list. It will be like making a deadline trade :)

Submitted by Chifan
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 5:08pm

I have one Curt Schilling.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 5:33pm

"I like Bradley when he's healthy, but he's only on the field half the time. That makes it, in essence, a pay rate of $20 million per year."

If the guy you call up from AAA to replace him makes $10 million that's correct.

Really what it is is $10.2 million for Bradley and his part time minor league replacement. In practice his replacement is really going to be Fukudome/Johnson/Gathright or maybe Pie.

Submitted by Bud
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 4:00pm

A triumverate of questions:

Why did he play a hundred games at DH last year? Did TX have that much outfield depth?

What kinds of injuries have limited him to under a hundred games most seasons?

Submitted by Rob G.
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 4:05pm

mostly played DH to save his knees and try to keep him on the field more...

they played David Murphy, Hamilton, Brandon Boggs, Catalanotto, and Marlon Byrd for the most part..

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 4:34pm

Had Big Papi been on the team, odds are he would have played more outfield. He was chomping at the bit to get into the field during the spring.

Submitted by rokfish
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 4:04pm

so the debate starts where will he hit i will agree
with rob hopefully this gets lee out of the three
hole if lee is in the 2nd spot much less double play
chances for him especially if soriano leads off.

Submitted by Jace
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 4:07pm

Yeah, I agree that Lee needs to be moved out of the 3-hole. I'm not sure that I really think of him as a 2-hitter either, but with a lineup that starts with Soriano as a leadoff man, I don't know if conventional rules really apply...

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 4:07pm

Soriano
Lee
Bradley
Aramis
Soto
Kfuck/Johnson
Godenot/Miles
Theriot

Still seems 1 bat short. If only we could find some power to put at 2nd or Short?

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 4:14pm

Still seems 1 bat short. If only we could find some power to put at 2nd or Short?

Its not unreasonable to think that Godenot could hit 15+ homeruns playing full-time, or even in a platoon where he gets most of the at-bats. FWIW, of 2b who got more than 200 at-bats (yea... I know, a pretty arbitrary number) last year, Fontenot was 5th in slugging, and 1st in OBP.

I am not sure how much more power you are looking for out of that slot, unless Uggla or Utley are available.

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 4:24pm

Mark DeRosa was available. That is who I was alluding to.

Fontenot would be sufficient at 2nd, if we would have gotten Renteria to play Short.

Submitted by Andrew
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 4:20pm

Yeah, put DeRosa in there and it'd look real nice. Theriot has got to go.

Submitted by Jackstraw
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 4:11pm

"That is unless Bradley kills a racist Bleacher Bum, then things might go bad."

I don't see a downside here.

If Bradley is playing well, he will never be found guilty by a group Wrigleyville-area jurors.

If he is playing poorly, he gets found guilty, and the Cubs get out of the contract, as long as they've added a no-killing clause.

What truly frightens me (but also excites me a little in the can't-watch-a-car-crash way) is a potential fight between Zambrano and Bradley. Nobody in their right mind would step between them, and at the end there'd be nothing left but two little blobs of Crazy.

Submitted by The Joe
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 4:15pm

With their equal passions for winning, I think he and Zambie become best friends. They'll get bunk beds and ride tandem bicycles to the park.

Submitted by Cubs Win
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 4:12pm

I believe the cubs intend go with the following lineup:

Sori, Fontenot/Miles, Aramis, Bradley, Lee, soto, Fukudome, Theriot........In a perfect world, Fuku rebounds and can latch onto the #2 hole but I doubt they will count on that going into the year. They are definately more "left handed" but I'd argue not as deep (lineup wise) and the bullpen was severely weakened by replacing Wood w/ Gregg......damn budgets!

Do we really have enough money left to pay Peavy this year or is that a pipe dream at this point?

Submitted by Rob G.
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 4:17pm

Do we really have enough money left to pay Peavy this year or is that a pipe dream at this point?

only if a new ownership group allows it...

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 4:37pm

I agree that's the most likely lineup, maybe with Theriot batting 2nd against lefties.

Submitted by Cubster
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 4:14pm

If only we could find some power to put at 2nd or Short?
---
Little Babe Ruth at 2B isn't enough for you?

Submitted by Cubster
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 4:15pm

The deal is pending a physical.
========
Oh, oh...

Submitted by John Beasley
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 4:22pm

HOUSTON (AP) — Outfielder Reggie Abercrombie and reliever Clay Hensley were among five players who agreed Monday to minor league contracts with the Houston Astros.
Outfielder John Gall, and infielders Mark Saccomanno and Jason Smith also agreed to deals.

Submitted by carmelo
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 4:23pm

Left to do---back-up catcher---Paul Bako---#5 starter---Randy Wolf---this would leave Marshall as second lefty in pen and starter if need be

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 4:26pm

I'd prefer

Koyie Hill and Someone good.

Submitted by Wes
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 5:16pm

Who is the ultimate back-up catcher? A former Cub great. A former Iowa Cub great. Paul Bako vs. Koyie Hill.

Find out this Friday at 9:30 when they face off with Johnny Bench on Pros vs. Joes on Spike.

Submitted by dB
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 4:35pm

Bradley's physical "tentatively" scheduled for Thurs so we get three more days of pros/cons hyperbole.

Submitted by crunch
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 4:42pm

1 thing to say...

this is a f'n bargain, even with injury *'s all over the signing.

Submitted by Seamhead
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 4:44pm

Let's go for it. We've got the assets to go get Peavy. That pushes Harden to #5 where he can be skipped occasionally, and keep Marshall in the pen as a spot starter and second lefty.

Submitted by komondor
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 4:52pm

Send for Brian Roberts and land Jake! Big Jim how could anyone doubt you? Go for broke!

Submitted by Doug Dascenzo
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 8:59pm

Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure he already is broke.

Submitted by crunch
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 4:57pm

i've never been a bradley fan for the NL...and 3 years...yow.

that said i have a hard time not liking this deal. given this same situation and same production as bradley stands now...a year or 2 ago this would have been a 3/40m contract.

and yeah...burrell isn't a fielder and is a hired bat at this point, but 8m bucks for a still productive young-ish 30+ HR/.360+ob% guy? wow.

j.giambi will be lucky to see 4-5m after this signing.

Submitted by The Joe
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 5:02pm

"j.giambi will be lucky to see 4-5m after this signing."

Jason, you poor poor bastard...I can truly empathize with you.

Submitted by crunch
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 5:14pm

he's living proof that doing roids won't fly in MLB and are dangerous to your career thanks to MLB's insistence on a drug-free workplace.

oh wait...nothing happened to him but more paychecks. my bad.

hope the kids out there learned a lesson from this.

Submitted by billybucks
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 8:59pm

Ach....that damn Mitchell report ruined baseball.

Submitted by crunch
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 9:12pm

baseball was never good!

Submitted by Rob G.
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 5:13pm

age 93

file photo: 

Submitted by Dusty Baylor
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 5:24pm

Crunch.
Please explain to me how 3/$30 million is a bargain for a player coming off a career season, who has never been able to stay healthy consistently,and may only play 60-100 games a season without the DH to fall back on?

I will of course, admit I was wrong when Mr. "A.L. OPS Leader" hits 25 HR and has 80+ RBI in each of the next 3 seasons, playing at least 120 games a season. Doing that of course, would be a first.

It's laughable, of course, that it would be considered a good investment if Bradley some how plays 120 games a season each of the next 3 years. That's missing a quarter of each season.

Submitted by crunch
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 5:31pm

cuz 10m a year for a guy that hits like he does and fields like he does is kinda mind-blowing. i was expecting something closer to 3/40, honestly.

i just hope he's not the next rondell white...another good hitter/fielder with a bit of pop who could NEVER stay healthy.

i'm not counting on bradley missing 40-50 games and neither are the cubs, i'd imagine.

that said, bradley is definitely a guy who would top the cubs' fans list of "mostly likely to get injured and miss time."

i like the gamble i should say more than "bargain"...though i believe the upside makes it a bargain, personally.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 5:37pm

If he repeats what he did last year for 162 games, he's a better player than Teixiera who makes $22 million, so at $10 million if he plays half his games, he's still a 'bargain' in the FA contract sense. Not a bargain like Soto was last year, though.

Submitted by The E-Man
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 5:40pm

Neal - your finance background is a nice calming and reasoned approach to this signing, I hope you are correct.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 5:52pm

I hope that I'm pessimistic with the 81 games a year forecast. The Cubs medical staff won at least one award for the best in the game last year, and they've done a good job keeping a similar guy, AramRam on the field the last couple of years.

If everything breaks right, this could go down as a steal. If everything breaks... well we'll have $45 million in useless outfielders.

Submitted by 10man
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 9:18pm

If Bradley only plays half a season then comes back and tears up enemy pitching in the playoffs leading us to a World Series victory, then this contract would've been worth it even if he never plays another game for the Cubbies again.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 5:33pm

it seems to be going well...

http://sports.aol.com/story/_a/bbdp/sunnier-times-...

http://deadspin.com/5123705/jay-mariotti-column-co...

• Combining the irrelevance of Jay Mariotti with the irrelevance of America Online was a logical step for both parties. Regards,Pete Gaines. — petejayhawk 12:11:30 PM Jan 05 2009

Submitted by The E-Man
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 5:42pm

AOL is still in business?

Submitted by crunch
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 6:09pm

AOL/TimeWarner/CNN/HBO/Turner Broadcasting/Warner Bros/DC Comics/CW Network/Cartoon Network/New Line Cinema

...same umbrella

there are 4 other media outlets that make 80%+ of our media culture.

that's something to think about.

Submitted by carlosrubi
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 10:22pm

Yay for Viacom!

Submitted by Cubs Win
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 5:35pm

I can live with the signing as we are a big market team but I like it A LOT more with the safety net of having DeRosa available to sub in RF (along w/ Fukudome) for Milton's DL stints.

Question - How is one year of Kevin Gregg worth Ceda (#2 or 3 prospect) yet DeRosa, your most versatile, great salaried, team MVP only worth 3 "fringe" propects rated 20-40 in the Indians system. Hendry went 0-2 on these deals. Ceda could have netted more (or we could have paid for a FA for a similar amount and kept the prospect). I can only pray that these prospects get flipped for Peavy or else I am not seeing it. DeRo shoul have at least gotten a top 10 prospect in return.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 5:45pm

Although I think the Ceda trade wasn't a good one unless you make Gregg the closer and don't forget to offer him arbitration (cough Kerry Wood)...

The Cubs got three players instead of one in the deal, and their evaluations of Ceda and the three guys they got are probably different from the generic internet jockey evaluations that get thrown around. Had they gotten just one player, he would have inevitably been better.

Submitted by The E-Man
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 5:38pm

Unfortunately for JH, this year was one of those FA years when there was not the greatest of FA crops for LH hitting OF'ers. OF the ones available - again - there was only a red car, army green, and silver in this years' model - and of those - The Ibanez was "off the board" early. In the "Soriano Year", J.D. Drew was available and the Red Sox grabbed him - TCR had mulled over Hendry going after him. LAst year, as we all know, Hendry plunked down SERIOUS cash and years to go after a pretty hot commodity in Fuku - his pick looked good until the 2nd half.

Now, JH is rolling the dice again - 3 yrs on a guy who can't stay with any team long. There must be a reason for it, right?

He's going to play more than 125 games in right? With the fucked April and May here? You're kidding me, right Jim?

All I can say about this is: 1. Bruce got it right - pegging this signing from before the Winter Meetings, and 2. I hope somehow, Dome shows us that last year was really an aberration.

I am thinking this could turn out like Jacque Jones redux. Man, I hope not - but...

Submitted by Dusty Baylor
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 5:40pm

Ok..so you're expecting Bradley to magically become someone he's never been?

If he plays at that level for a full season, great.
He's just never been able to do it in his 7 year career over a 162 game season....or even 140 games.

Yeah, he played 141 games in 2004 with the Dodgers, .267/.362/.424 19 HR 67 RBI isn't worth $10 million a year. He had a great season last year. He led the AL in OPS...missed 35 games, and DH'ed 97 of the 126 he played in, and still couldn't stay healthy.

Heck, Bobby Abreu for 2 years, $10 million I'd have understood, and Bradley for 1 year, $8 million maybe.

Submitted by Dusty Baylor
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 5:44pm

Um...so he's a bargain at $10 mill if he plays half his games? I call bullshit on that. Sorry, but that is outrageous for a guy to play half the time.

Teixeira has put the numbers up consistently The least amount of games played in a season he's had is 132, which would be just shy of a career best for Bradley, and he's been at 140-150 every other season.

They are nowhere near comparable.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 5:48pm

Sorry, what are you calling 'bullshit' on? That guys who have +.425 OBPs are the most valuable players in the game or that Bradley won't be able to play 250 games for the life of his contract?

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 5:53pm

Compare this contract to the JD Drew one, and I think it will be much easier to step back from the ledge.

Submitted by Dusty Baylor
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 5:54pm

That a player who can only manage to play part time is worth that kind of money.

Was Brady Anderson a 50HR a year guy? Nope. He did do it once though. Bradley's career obp is really good at .370, but again....I'lltake a player at .280/.350/.480 who plays 140 games a season than a guy who can only manage..who know what??? Because he can't stay healthy???

Will he play 80 games? Maybe. 90?? Maybe...100...maybe...120...ehhh...not as likely. He could turn out to be a great sign, one that I will be eating a ton of crow for being wrong about. But geez..look at his career numbers, and tell me what you see that says..oh yeah..$10 mill a year for 3 years is reasonable. Not just last season, but his career.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 6:09pm

If you go to BR you can see some players that statistically are similar:

Eric Byrnes = 3 years, $30 million
Aaron Rowand = 5 years, $60 million
Jefferey Hammond from 2001 to 2003, 3 years $22.2 million

The aforementioned JD Drew, who's been a little better hitter 5 years $70 million

The guy made $5 million last year based on 250 PA's from 2007. You think he's going to be the AL's best hitter in 2008, and ask for $6 million?

Submitted by Cubs Win
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 5:54pm

I think the Cubs would be happy to get 110 games started out of Bradley and another 20-30 as a double switch / pinch hitter late in games. If he can produce like last year, he'll be worth it..........if not, he won't.

Submitted by Dusty Baylor
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 5:56pm

Yeah...take a good look at JD Drew's 2008 numbers, because that's not too far from what the Cubs might see if Bradley manages to match the best season he's had in a 9 year career.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 6:12pm

Try to look at something other than HR's and RBI's when evaluating a player.

Submitted by Dusty Baylor
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 5:58pm

How is that worth it? Not playing in 50 games?
Lol...110 games started would be above his norm, at least without the DH.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 6:01pm

Marquis deal should go down tomorrow...

http://hotstove.mlblogs.com/archives/2009/01/marqu...

also says 3/30 hasn't been finalized yet on Bradley
http://hotstove.mlblogs.com/archives/2009/01/cubs_...

Submitted by Dusty Baylor
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 6:02pm

(whew) Ok..so it might not be 3/$30

I will calm down until the numbers are final...a little.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 6:15pm

well I'm sure it's pretty close, be nice if year 3 is a team option with a vesting clause or something...

if Hendry hands out an NTC on this one, I'm grabbing my torch and pitchfork....

Submitted by Rob G.
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 6:19pm

speaking of...updated the post about the contract

Submitted by Jose
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 6:04pm

Would have rather had Abreu. We will regret this in the end. Although the killing of a racists fan could make this worth while. What makes us think that the RF boo birds will not come out and boo MB. Hell they boo’ed Sosa and he was the best RF medicine could buy/make. It will be just a matter of time before he explodes. I give him 50 games before he either beats the shit out of a fan or a teammate.

Submitted by Timmer
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 6:17pm

I give him 50 games before he either beats the shit out of a fan or a teammate.

It won't be a teammate. It'll be Lou.

Submitted by jacos
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 6:35pm

MLB network putting out crap that Cubs might trade Soriano since signing Bradley.

What?

I already hate these guys.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 6:37pm

did they hire Steve Phillips or something?

Submitted by jacos
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 7:07pm

Joe Migrane brought it up first, then Tom Verducci second it.

A's close to signing Giambi for one year contract.

Submitted by Dusty Baylor
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 6:45pm

Ok..please compare:
Drew: 109 games 79 Runs, 103 Hits, 23 doubles, 4 triples, 19 HR, 64 RBI, .280/.408/.519

Bradley:126 G, 78 Runs, 133 hits, 32 doubles, 1 triple, 22 HR, 77 RBI, .321/.436/.563

Ok. Bradley was better Not by much.

HEre's the thing....This was a down year for Drew, but a career year for Bradley.
Drew: .284/.392/.502 9 of 11 seasons with 100 games or more
Bradley:.280/.370/.457 3 seasons of 9 with 100 games or more.

I wasn't just comparing HR and RBI's. Drew has been a better player. Bradley had a great season.

Submitted by crunch
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 6:54pm

compare bradley in the OF vs. drew.

it's a lot more eye opening. burrell could have been had if all the cubs needed was a washed up OF'r who should be a DH.

Submitted by Wes
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 7:02pm

And Drew signed a 5/70 contract. Not a 3/30. We couldn't afford 5/70 if we wanted to.

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 8:12pm

Ok. Bradley was better Not by much.

Huh? Bradley had a .28 point advantage in OBP and a .44 point advantage in SLUG.

That is a 72 point advantage in OPS, which is a HUGE difference.

Submitted by Matt Jacobs
on Tue, 01/06/2009 - 9:20am

That is a huge difference.

Wouldn't it be nice if both of them could play a full season to really compare?

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Tue, 01/06/2009 - 9:23am

Sure... but neither typically do, which gives us a decent comparison.

Submitted by Matt Jacobs
on Tue, 01/06/2009 - 9:30am

Is the sample size big enough?

Sorry, I just love that argument. :P

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Tue, 01/06/2009 - 9:32am

The sample size is not great, but it is large enough to say that Bradley was better last year.

Submitted by Dusty Baylor
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 6:49pm

Rob....BWAAHAAAAAA-HAAAA..

Ok..that was good.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 7:11pm

if only we had a reply function so I knew what comment or post you were talking about...

oh wait, we do...

Submitted by carmenfanzone
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 6:58pm

My vote on the lineup:

Fukodome
Fontentot
Soriano
Ramirez
Bradley
Lee
Soto
Theriot
Pitcher

I think the Cubs will do everything possible to turn Fukodome around-and that turn around will involve using him more like an Ichiro and not expecting power. Bill James' book prjoects fuk with a .274, .363, .439=.802

Miles switch hitting and ability to play short or second will make him more attractive off the bench than in the starting lineup...

I know we're supposed to sign Bako but I wonder aloud if Jake Fox will be given every opp to make the team as the backup catcher? Please chime in Az Phil...

DeRosa was on XM today-man what a classy guy...

Submitted by MikeC
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 7:02pm

Not to excited about paying 10 million per year for a guy who has a longer injury report than Nick Johnson. And thats kinda of hard to accomplish.

Who is going to pay Nick Johnson 10 million a year? But we are going to pay Bradley that kind of money to try and stay on the field.

The only word that comes to mind is....SUCKERS. Which is what the Cubs are now for signing this human train wreck.

That being said i like how the lineup could potentially play out. Soriano or Theriot is likely to hit leadoff, but i would like to see something a little different provided Fukudome is not in total disaster mode.

Use him as your leadoff hitter followed by Bradley, Lee, Ramirez, and Soriano. Those 5 in a row will F'n wear down opposing pitchers. Then you got Soto, Font/Miles and Theriot.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 7:14pm

Johnson 38 games in 2 years

Bradley 168

fantastic example...

Submitted by MikeC
on Tue, 01/06/2009 - 10:40am

Nick Johnson is a year younger but just like Milton Bradley has managed just one 500 AB season and 1 400 AB season. Like Milton Bradley Johnsons best season was a 23 HR, 77 RBI year where he hit .290 with a .428 OBP.

Milton hit .321, with a .436 OBP with 22 HR and 77 RBI last year.

Two talented hitters, who can't stay healthy. I think those two could be clones or something. Its perfect example.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 01/08/2009 - 3:59pm

Its perfect example.

if you're trying to make a horrible point...

when Nick Johnson leads the league in OPS for a season in a walk year, he'll have a $10M contract waiting for him too...

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 7:32pm

when abreu signs for 3/30. What's the reaction?

Submitted by Rob G.
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 7:39pm

horribly overpaid?

Submitted by Chad
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 7:40pm

thread jack:

does anyone know where i can look up times a player came up with a DP possibility.

BR does with men on and 1, 1,2 or 123 but it doesn't have outs as well.

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 8:20pm

Baseball Prospectus

They don't actually give the DP opps there, but you can figure it out. This came up a couple of months ago, but I believe that BP takes ALL double plays (including fly balls), but only uses normal (runners in force out positions) double play opps.

Submitted by John Beasley
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 7:42pm

If Wittemeyer is right, I like-slash-love the deal. I'm assuming it's something like at least 250 games played in the first two years of the deal to trigger a player option or automatic vest. Knowing Hendry, the third year is the big-money year anyways.

Guess we'll see.

Submitted by mastrick
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 7:50pm

I would rather have had Abreu but I have to cut Hendry some slack - he's gotten us to the playoffs two years in a row. Glad to see Marquis go too.

Submitted by John Beasley
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 7:51pm

Did anyone know George W. Bush had a cat named after Ruben Sierra?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090105/pl_afp/usbush...

Submitted by Chad
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 7:53pm

no but i know they were good pals when GW owned the Rangers.

Submitted by The E-Man
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 8:31pm

No - didn't know that. But his dog's name was Mickey Tettleton.

Submitted by Tarzan Joe
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 8:16pm

Any FA signing is a gamble. Many Cub fans were aghast when the Cubs gave DeRosa his deal. Others were dumbstruck by the 4/40 lavished upon Lilly. While even more thought the years and dollars for DLee sounded about right. I think the only one we all agreed was batshit crazy was the Soriano deal. But, alas, how does one argue with market forces.

Getting Bradley for 3/30 (or whatever the final tally is) has nothing to do with Hendry being off his nut or getting fleeced. He's simply trying to find the best fit for his club at the going rate. If he's lucky, Bradley stays on the field and produces. If he's unlucky, Bradley will spend more time doing the "towel drill for hitters" than playing actual games. Either way it's not a crippling, set-the-franchise-back-five-years, Ben Wallace-type signing. It's simply a gamble that didn't pay off. Shrug. Happens all the time.

On paper, I too would have preferred Abreu. But I'm guessing one of three things happened: 1) He wanted too many years & money, 2) He wanted to stay in the AL, and 3) He didn't want to play for the Cubs. Hendry knew that Bradley had targeted the Cubs and wanted to play here. Aside from the injury history and the howling at the moon episodes, he seems like a good fit. Done deal. And to ensure he's able to save his knees for a chunk of that contract, I wouldn't be terribly surprised to see him playing it out at first base when/if DLee is sent packing after the '09 season. I'm basing this speculation soley on my gray matter and nothing more.

Submitted by George Altman
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 9:12pm

I also agree with Joe, here, and as I've said in earlier posts have no insurmountable heartburn over any of the deals made so far. The only head-scratcher for me is why does Pinella/Hendry want Vizcaino? It's not like they won't have 3-4 guys in camp making the MLB minimum who could probably duplicate Vizcaino's likely 2009 numbers. If the Dodgers or someone else is really interested in Marquis, and $875,000 has to go back to the Rockies, why couldn't they just take a minor league prospect in return and send less whatever Vizcaino costs plus the $875,000? Then JH has another $3.5M in payroll flexibility.

For what it's worth, Boers/Bernstein on WSCR today said they thought it very unlikely that Pinella did not have SIGNIFICANT input to Bradley, Miles, Gathright becoming Cubs. They also thought Miles was a pretty good sign the luster was coming off Theriot's shine as well. Boers did ask a really good question that I would love to know the answer - who else offered Bradley a 3-year contract (assuming it was guaranteed all 3 years)? Or was this another case of Hendry negotiating against himself. With Soriano's leg issues, Fukudome's fear of inside fastballs, Bradley's track record, and Johnson being a '4th' OF, I'd be looking for a 5th OF prepared to get 300-350 AB's.

Submitted by jacos
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 9:05pm

MLB network showing epic moments from MLB history.

Pretty cool.

Kirk Gibson's hr off of Eck they had Joe Buck's call on it, and before he said " I don't believe what I just saw " he reported "The Tigers win 5-4". Oops.

Never heard that before.

Submitted by crunch
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 9:17pm

that HR was epic. gibson had a few epic moments in his career (and another WS) for a guy that was a VERY raw athlete better tuned to the football field than the baseball diamond when he turned pro.

Submitted by Cubster
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 9:43pm

This is from the Tribune website. You'd think someone over there might know about this...I mean, how could the Sun-Times scoop them on this topic?

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-tue-cub...

Tribune Co., owner of the Chicago Cubs, is CLOSE to selecting a winning bid for the team from three finalists, according to people familiar with the sales talks.
-----------
Three prospective buyers made offers for the franchise at the end of November: Chicago real-estate investor Hersch Klaff; the Ricketts family, founders of online brokerage TD Ameritrade Holding Corp.; and a group led by Marc Utay, a New York private-equity investor who grew up in Chicago.

Submitted by 10man
on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 11:04pm

I've learned from working very closely with corporate clients that are owned by the same group that just because 2 entities are sister companies, it doesn't mean that they work in tandem. The groups i've worked with pretty much function like separate companies (because they are) and the only concession they give to the sister company is a cursory recognition that they are owned by the same person/group. That and the token discount they offer for being "related".

Submitted by crunch
on Tue, 01/06/2009 - 2:38am

absolutely.

the only "danger" is there's little safeguard in most to keep a higher up from meddling in things. that said...it rarely happens and that's more for conspiracy theorists most of the time. the fox news "memos" were interesting corporate fodder, though.

Submitted by Dusty Baylor
on Tue, 01/06/2009 - 9:48am

Lol...luster coming off Thriot, so go get Theriot2....only Miles can't walk much, and will not steal bases at all. Yes, I know Theriot sucked last year 22 steals 13 caught stealing.

Abreu at 3/$30 mill is overpaid? Perhaps. But he has a track record of playing 150 games a season, getting on base, hitting for power and average, and stealing some bases. He's lost a step in RF, but still had 10 assists last season. Milton Bradley is nowhere near the player Abreu is.
This whole thing comes down to will Bradley be on the field enough to make a difference? His track record says no.

Ok...Bradley and Nick Johnson are an unfair comparison. That makes sense, as Johnson is a 1B, Bradley is an OF. I guess it's hard to find a comparison to a guy who averages just under 100 games a season in 7 seasons, and is as likely to play 90 games as 120.

Submitted by Seamhead
on Tue, 01/06/2009 - 10:24am

The most interesting quote to emerge from all of the Bradley blather this morning is this nugget from Dave Van Dyke in the Trib:

"But pitching remains a key spot where the Cubs can still improve. And sources say they are actively seeking more live arms, whether it be Peavy or another starter to replace the innings of Marquis."

Since the Cubs can't afford to sign a FA at this point (pending new ownership), Hendry must be looking to use his inventory of Pie, Cedeno and others to get a 5th starter to replace Marquis. Supposedly, Lou wants to keep Marshall in the role of lefty reliever/swingman for now.

Does Garrett Oloso qualify as a "live arm"? I am hoping that Hendry can do better than this for Pie et al.

Submitted by Seamhead
on Tue, 01/06/2009 - 10:26am

Garrett Olson by any other name.

Waaaaay too much caffeine to be typing this morning.

Submitted by Arizona Phil
on Tue, 01/06/2009 - 11:17am

Submitted by carmenfanzone on Mon, 01/05/2009 - 6:58pm.

I know we're supposed to sign Bako but I wonder aloud if Jake Fox will be given every opp to make the team as the backup catcher? Please chime in Az Phil...

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

CARMEN F: Jake Fox has apparently settled in at 1B, and that's probably where he will play from now on. He also could be a DH if he were to be traded to an A. L. team.

While he played some LF-RF at AA Tennessee and AAA Iowa in 2008, he was mainly used at 1B, and he was not used as a catcher at all in 2008 at Tennessee or Iowa, although he did catch two games in the DWL about a month ago when his team ran out of healthy catchers. But otherwise he played 1B-DH (no OF) in the DWL, and he had a really fine season at bat down there, too, BTW. Fox has more pure power than any player in the Cubs minor league system, but he is also a dead "first-ball/fastball" hitter who strikes out too much and doesn't walk a lot .

Not only did Fox fail to master the art of catching, he also has been unable to master the finer points of playing corner OF, too. Fox has one minor league option left, and if he doesn't get traded sometime before the end of Spring Training, he will probably play 1B at Iowa in 2009 (unless Micah Hoffpauir gets sent out again). But Fox has no future with the Cubs, mainly because he projects as a platoon 1B-DH-RHPH, and the Cubs just don't have a roster slot that fits that profile.

He also doesn't fit with Piniella's desire to get more "athletic." That doesn't mean Jake Fox wont play in the big leagues, though, because I think he will. It just won't be with the Cubs.

X
You may login with either your assigned username or your e-mail address.
The password field is case sensitive.
Loading