Bradley talks beyond Stage 1
Posted by Bruce on Tue, 12/08/2009 - 18:14
INDIANAPOLIS _ The Cubs stated flatly this afternoon that no deal was imminent for right fielder Milton Bradley. There has been speculation that something could get done as early as tonight, but one Cubs person said Wednesday is a more likely date.
The Cubs have continued talking to the usual suspects _ Tampa Bay, Texas and the New York Mets _ and it's likely more teams have entered the fray, something that could work to the advantage of GM Jim Hendry as he tries to move Bradley without having to take a financial bath. Neither the Mariners nor the Angels are in the talks, according to those in the know.
Meanwhile, the Sox are keeping their options open with DH Hideki Matsui, the World Series MVP of the Yankees.
More later.
He has to end up in the A.L. Although he stayed "somewhat" healthy last year with the Cubs, he's still very much a health risk for any N.L. team who would have to play him in the field all the time. Any N.L. team should know that...especially if he's on their roster for 2 more years.
So if there is a surprise team, why not the Twins? They could propose something to the Twins where you pay 75%+ of Bradley's salary and take on a Delmon Young. Since Young makes very little and probably has arbitration years left, the Cubs could probably pay $15-17mil of the money left on Bradley's deal and take on Delmon's contract in full.
Bradley could flourish batting 5th or 6th behind Morneau and Mauer as well as without the Chicago media. Meanwhile, the Cubs could try Delmon Young in RF and keep Fukudome in CF. The Cubs already have that $20mil+ committed for the next 2 years, so they get someone they could at least attempt to use in RF.
Likelihood of this happening is probably 0% since the Twins seem to "get it", but Hendry should try it at least. Knowing the Twins luck with players, Bradley would bat .350 next year with 30 HRs and 120 RBI's while being a primary DH guy or spare OF when Mauer is the DH. On the other side, Delmon Young would flip out again and instead of throwing a bat at an ump, he'd throw it at Sweet Lou...making Bradley look like a saint.
Yankees seem to have a glut of CF with Granderson, Melky, and Gardener. Gardener would be even less expensive, left handed, and better speed. Either he or Melky could flourish under Jaramillo. Chen Mien Wang might be an interesting addition if he is healthy.
I still think the Cubs should have put Bradley on the DL as the season winded down instead of suspending him. Whether or not that would have worked to enable the Cubs to get out of the third year of his contract with the injury escape clause, it wouldn't have raised so many eyebrows as did telling him to go home and stay home. Since the Cubs thought they were getting an impact LH bat when they signed him, his struggles against RHP represent a logical reason to trade him now. It is nearly impossible to keep anything involving the Cubs close to vest with the Chicago media around, but they could have done a better job of lessening the negative publicity that is making it so difficult to deal Bradley now without eating much of his contract.
Melky rumors are starting up, any truth? Seems like he could be a great fit in terms of defense, switch hitting, and offense. He also has post season experience, is young, and still relatively inexpensive at $1.4 million. Not sure what the trade would look like, what are your thoughts?
Orioles get:
Milton Bradley
Cubs get:
Ty Wigginton and Koji Uehara
Some sorta exchange of money to balance out salaries!
Any truth to this??
Who sourced this?
"Get Wood Back. " Good grief. 2010 is on the horizon,,,not 1999. Chicago fans really need to learn to MOVE ON!
The Cubs are supposedly looking for another SP and a righty RP, might the Braves be a potential trade partner as they look to unload Lowe and Soriano?
This would mean the Cubs would have to add $25 millon through 2012, just by adding Derek Lowe.....where he will turn 39. Paying a 39 year old Derek Lowe $15 million just does not sound like a good idea.
Jose Lopez? Of course the Cubs would have to trade something else, but its better than Silva! SEA has Dustin Ackley converting to 2B and Lopez was going to be moved to 1st or traded. Seattle needs a DH.
They are going for it in 2010. Having the Cubs pay for their DH lets them sign another player.
Bruce - any truth to Wittenmyer's rumor that s deal is 75% done with a surprise AL team? Would Carlos Silva be coming?
Silva is probably the worst starter in the majors. I bet Billy Beane is in on Bradley. He and Hendry have made several trades in the past.
What about Detroit for Magglio? Or to Cleveland for Kerry Wood?
Not completely out of the question, but I think that Detriot is looking to cut payroll. Ordonez is owed $15 million this year. Ideally they would want the Cubs to take on some of that and a balance of Bradley's next year.
The Mariners are not in on Bradley. There is no percentage to this being done, and as I wrote, one Cubs person says tomorrow is more realistic.
When you say "The Mariners are in on Bradley" I really hope that doesnt mean Carlos Silva!!!
Trying to do too many things here at once. The Mariners are NOT in on Bradley. Nor are the Angels.
Bruce,
A poster on a different site posed the idea of Bradley going to the White Sox for Alex Rios, while the teams splitting the difference of dollars on the Rios contract. It has been openly sourced that Ozzie has been critical of Rios in his short time in Chicago, while the Sox are looking to add a DH who is not limited just to a DH role (Bradley). The clash of personalities would have to be worisome here, but it would allow for Hendry to salvage something out of the Bradley signing from last year and defer the financial loss through 2015 when some expiring contracts would be coming off the books.
I can't see that. It seems to me the Sox would rather have Matsui. I suppose stranger things have happened.
Toronto has been trying to move Lyle Overbay. Maybe it's something like Bradley to Toronto for Encarnacion and Overbay. Cubs keep Encarnacion as a back-up 3B / bench bat for 2010, and then flip Overbay to Atlanta, who was shopping for a 1B.
People here in Indy with and around the Jays say they're not interested in Bradley.
Bruce,
Your baseball writer colleagues say it's a surprise AL team. So, let's eliminate Texas, Tampa Bay and KC since they were rumored to be interested early on. You are eliminating Seattle and Toronto. Carrie Muskat said it's not the Angels.
That leaves Yankees, Red Sox, Orioles, Twins, Tigers, Indians, White Sox and A's.
Assuming the Cubs would need to take back a "bad contract" at a position where they have need (2B, OF, #4 starter, Relief Pitcher), here are some players:
NYY: Nick Swisher
BOS: Mike Lowell
BAL: ?
MIN: ?
DET: Nate Robertson or Dontrelle Willis
CLE: Jake Westbrook or Kerry Wood
CWS: Scott Linebrink
OAK: ?
I don't recall which article, blog, etc, but in one of them, concerning the new mystery team, it was mentioned that the Cubs would be getting a player that they would have to "flip", so it wouldn't be a player for which the Cubs have a "need"!
Back to the "drawing board" er guessing game!
PS...Gordon Whittenmeyer's article!
Is there any way we can get Wood back? The money matches up and maybe the Cubs can send a mid level guy along with Bradley to get it done? I know his history in Cleveland isn't great, but, honestly, every team involved in a trade knows they are getting a Grade A whack job who can hit the cover off the ball if he feels like it. Cleveland would be a good landing spot for him because he is familiar with it and there is far less pressure from the media and fans.
We're running out of them! Let's just start guessing!
ATL for Derek Lowe and Rafael Soriano!!
Your guess on if this is done by the end of the meetings?
It's always hard to tell because you need two (and sometimes three!) teams to make a deal. But I do think the pressure is on Hendry to get this done and get it behind him.