Milton closing the door
ST. LOUIS _ In a town famous for beer, all I can say is that we got blogability today. Had a chance to grab Milton Bradley at his locker this afternoon before the Cubs' 2-1 loss to the Cardinals, and I wrote up the proceedings on our Web site. Check it out:
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=322741
The way I see it, Milton is out of here at the end of the season. Too bad. It didn't have to be this way. But Milton apparently decided there were a whole bunch of things out there to fight, and he decided to fight them.
He talked today to me about needing a "stable, healthy environment" before adding, "and you can see why they haven't won in 100 years here."
Uh, this year, Milton should have used the word "we" instead of "they."
I know Cubs people are scratching their heads. They figured that Milton got the contract he wanted with the team he wanted to be with, so what's there not to be happy about? Milton put on his best face during his introductory news conference last winter, but things got strange once spring training began.
On one hand, he could be the nicest guy in the world, as he went around the clubhouse passing out bubble-gum cigars after the birth of his child. Even the reporters got one, but I still haven't figured out how to light a bubble-gum cigar.
On the other hand, when one of my colleagues interviewed him, Milton never once looked up from his phone, on which he was texting. A few minutes later, he made an off-hand remark about how the Cubs could have signed anybody but they chose him.
You know how the rest of the season has gone. Milton never came close to the .999 OPS he put up in Texas last year, even though his on-base percentage was up over .400 for a while. The Cubs, who value RBI as an important stat, remain perplexed that Bradley has only 40 while batting .205 with runners in scoring position.
Manager Lou Piniella talked a week or so ago of needing a No. 5 hitter and an "RBI guy," so we all knew about whom he was talking.
So GM Jim Hendry will have to try and find a taker for Bradley this off-season. What the Cubs get back and how much of Bradley's contract the Cubs must eat remains to be seen. But I'm fairly certain there will be a taker. As one baseball type put it to me in so many words: Hendry was able to trade Todd Hundley; he'll be able to trade Bradley. Texas? Toronto? Who knows, but those types of non-threatening (or perceived non-threatening) places are the ones in which Bradley apparently feels he can thrive.
In the end, this was a bad mistake on both parties' parts. Bradley should have known the expectations of Cubs fans and the size of the market. And in hindsight, I'm sure the Cubs will tell you they should have heeded the red flags.
So after signing Bradley to replace Kosuke Fukudome in right field, the Cubs will be looking for yet another right fielder this winter.
I would love to see the Cubs pursue Shin Soo Choo for RF. Cubs might agree to take Kerry Wood and his contract back as part of the deal. He is young and cheap, so I would imagine it might be a tough deal to swing, but Hendry should make a good run at it. If they won't trade him, well, you move on to someone else.
Bruce,
Do you see anyway the Cubs make a run at Dave Duncan? I personally have grown fairly tired of Rothschild. I think he is a fine coach, but maybe his song and dance are falling on deaf ears at this point. We have seen several pitchers regress this year.
Pitching has NOT been the problem.
Milton Bradley has been a total disaster...I would never argue that fact with anyone.
But why suspend him? Why have the Cubs allowed him to have so much negative attention these past couple of weeks? Why couldn't the Cubs tolerate Bradley the last few games of the season....they have made it this far?
The last couple of weeks have reduced Bradley's trade value, and the suspension is the cherry on the sundae. I fear the Cubs will need to eat a lot of salary to trade him.
Without the last couple of weeks, the Cubs could have spun a story to trading partners, that Bradley stayed healthy for most of the season, did not totally butcher the outfield, had a good OBP, and started to get his hitting stroke at the end of the season. Now, I don't know why a trading partner would be interested.
If the Cubs do trade Bradley....please Bruce - don't jump on the media bandwagon calling for the signing of another free agent veteran outfielder. We have enough evidence that doesn't work. Let's look at an internal option. Hofpauer, Colvin, Fuld, etc.
He'll be in Milwaukee tomorrow.
..
can hit sitting on the bench. if you're counting the few games he's played/started than he's better than your starting 3 stooges.
Milton don't let the door hit you in the ... on the way out. All any player has to do to win favor with Cub fans is to hustle. Is there another fan base that is more forgiving than Cub fans? Milton will have to pardon the fans if they are a little restless after all it's been 101 years and counting.
...but would add, Jim Hendry should follow him out the door.
Bradley has made his own troubles with his mouth, but he has hustled all year.
I'm not an apologist for him, but that's piling on.
Bruce -- "the Cubs will be in the market for a right fielder" again this winter?? If they are fortunate enough to unload B(r)adley this winter I would rather they concentrate on a centerfielder who can hit and cover some ground. In the few games Sam Fuld has played, he's shown what the team has lacked this season. Too bad he can't hit a lick.
Maybe the Cubs can package Kosuke, Bradley, Zambrano and Gregg for three rolls of tape and some batting practice balls.
Bradley want out of Chicago? It sounds like he's at least as disenchanted with the Cubs as they are with him. So maybe he'd agree along with the Cubs, to tear up his contract and both sides would be off the hook for the remaining two years. Even if Hendry had to give him a $5M parting gift, it would probably be less than the Cubs would have to eat if they were to find a willing trade partner. And what could they possibly hope to get in return for Bradley if they aren't willing to eat a good chunk of his contract? It's time for Trader Jim to strike a bargain with Bradley that will give them both what they want, a chance to start fresh.
Bruce, would you happen to have any insiders information about the particular types of "specific" injuries that would give the Cubs the chance of buying out Bradley's third year for $2M? Could we be soon hearing about Milton being placed on the DL with one of those specific injuries? Maybe a bad knee? If so, they'd only owe him another $11M.
Milton Bradley of
3 years/$30M (2009-11)
signed by Chicago Cubs as a free agent 1/6/09
$4M signing bonus
09:$5M, 10:$9M, 11:$12M
2010 and 2011 base salaries may increase by $0.25M for LCS MVP, $0.5M for WS MVP; $0.5M for MVP ($0.3M for 2nd in vote, $0.2M for 3rd, $0.15M for 4th, $0.1M for 5th) in any previous season
2011 may become $12M club option with $2M buyout if:
Bradley has more than 75 days on DL in 2009, or
Bradley is on DL at end of 2009 season with specific injury and not on active roster by 4/15/2010
if 2011 becomes a club option, it may be guaranteed again if:
MVP (1st -3rd) in 2010, or
any two of the following five:
All Star in 2010, unless Bradley is on DL at end of 2010 with specific injury
MVP (4th-8th) in 2010
Silver Slugger in 2010
WS MVP in 2009 or 2010
LCS MVP in 2009 or 2010
award bonuses: $75,000 each for Gold Glove, Silver Slugger, All Star; $0.25M for LCS MVP; $0.5M for WS MVP; $0.5M for MVP ($0.3M for 2nd in vote, $0.2M for 3rd, $0.15M for 4th, $0.1M for 5th)
perks: suite on the road
What are the Cubs waiting for? Jeromy Burnitz, Jacque Jones, Alfonso Soriano, Kosuke Fukudome, Milton Bradley, etc... Just a waste of money for non-impact players!
Ted Lilly is the only smart thing Hendry has done recently. And he risks losing him after 2010 because the financial mess he's made with the large contracts and no trade clauses now handcuffs him from doing anything to improve this club. Fire him already.
"The Cubs, who value RBI as an important stat...."
Saying these things upsets me!
I don't know where Bradley will play next year but it obviously won't be in Chicago. It appears he has come to the stunning conclusion that a big market, pressure filled city isn't for him. For some reason this is also a surprise to the Cubs as the three year debacle of a contract shows.
The Cubs did not do their homework with this guy, or they simply ignored the 40-50 red flags that are stuck in the ground all over the majors regarding this pain in the ass. I say send him to a baseball graveyard like KC or Pittsburgh, unless you want to make an example out of him and send him to Boston or NY if you can talk them into doing you a favor.....doing this will probably cost extra money, and it is certainly a bit vindictive, but I doubt anyone in the league will feel too sorry for Bradley no matter what happens.