Cubs, Rays Talking Milton Bradley
By Ben Nicholson-Smith [October 9 at 8:57am CST]
FRIDAY: ESPN's Buster Olney says "it's very much a longshot that this deal gets worked out."

THURSDAY: The Cubs are focused on one particular trading partner, as they look to move Milton Bradley. Chris De Luca of the Chicago Sun-Times hears that the Cubs are pushing the Rays to make a quick deal.

De Luca suggests the Rays could send Pat Burrell to the Cubs for Bradley. Burrell has $7MM remaining on his contract and Bradley has $21MM remaining on his, so the Rays would likely want the Cubs to cover a considerable amount of Bradley's contract in any deal.

The Blue Jays and Padres are possible destinations for Bradley, but the Blue Jays have a new GM (Alex Anthopoulos) and the Padres haven't yet named a permanent GM. As De Luca points out, it's doubtful that either club would want to acquire Bradley to kick off a new regime given the outfielder's volatility.


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Nice Guys Finish Last

Thank you,and have a nice day !

Just what this team needs, another DH.

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Addition by subtraction.

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Go Cubs!!!!

The Cubs would probably have to pick up at least $7 million in that deal, if not more.

Money well spent. Hendry should have some of it taken from his salary. What a dumb move to sign this turd.

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Go Cubs!!!!

My guess is that the Cubs would end up picking about $10 million of the remaining $21 million on Bradley's deal plus the remaining $7 million on Burrell's deal. I'd have to check, and, although I'm not a big fan of Burrell, he's been a productive player in his previous years as a free agent to be.

So they would pay $17M for Burrell to be a bench player? That obviously doesn't make a lot of sense. I'm sure there is another bad contract guy out there they can pick up that could contribute something on a daily basis. Burrell's days of playing the OF are long over and the idea of him playing right field on an even a somewhat basis is asinine.

There definitely is, but how many teams would be willing to take on Bradley under any circumstances.?

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There will be a few small/mid market teams (Padres, Toronto, Arizona, KC) that would take a chance if the cubs pickup the bulk of his contract. Even Milton Bradley has value if he's free (or close to it).

I would have to believe that's true. A guy who led the AL in OBP and OBPS in 2008, that can be had for a fraction of what his contract is paying him, will likely be attractive to teams that could not normally be in contention for a player of his caliber. All it takes is 1 dumb GM, that underestimates his ability to disrupt and distract an entire ballclub.

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Go Cubs!!!!

Would Burrell be a bench player? I think he'd be in RF.

Probably be in RF. I would like to see the Cubs make a deal for Arroyo (Who Cincy is said to want to deal) or Zito, if SF is still wanting to rid themselves of that deal. At least then you are getting back something of some value, even if it's trading one bad contract for another. The biggest concern, is getting someone who will not only contribute something, but also be without the distractions that went along with Bradley. But I could see where Hendry might jump at the first chance to deal this turd that he gets.

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Go Cubs!!!!

As bad as Bradley performed on and off the field, I would love to think we would be able to get more than Arroyo for Bradley. Although I don't think Arroyo would be a horrible replacement for Harden.

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Does your cat make too much noise? Try KITTEN MITTENS!


Charlie: Oh shit. Look at that door dude. See that door right there? That door marked 'Pirate'? You think a pirate lives in there?
Dennis: I see a door marked 'Private.'

Ehhhhhhhhhhhh that's a bit of a stretch imo. Depends on what Harden is going to want per year on his next deal. I think Arroyo's deal is 10 million plus right now, which I'm guessing is right around where Harden will be and I think Harden is a better pitcher

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Team Cutler.

No way Arroyo gets 10 does he? If he does, I agree I would rather have Harden IF he is able to start 30 games - which I highly doubt.

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Does your cat make too much noise? Try KITTEN MITTENS!


Charlie: Oh shit. Look at that door dude. See that door right there? That door marked 'Pirate'? You think a pirate lives in there?
Dennis: I see a door marked 'Private.'

ESPN has his 2009 salary as being $10,125.00.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/p ... yerId=4416



I remember hearing 10 million earlier this year and thinking what a very Jim Hendry esque contract. He definitely had a career year with 220 IP 3.84 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP. My opinion still stands though.

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Team Cutler.

Arroyo was very bad early in the year but turned it around nicely. Can't be a career year though as I think he had a better year a couple years back. Maybe 2006 - no stats in front of me.

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Does your cat make too much noise? Try KITTEN MITTENS!


Charlie: Oh shit. Look at that door dude. See that door right there? That door marked 'Pirate'? You think a pirate lives in there?
Dennis: I see a door marked 'Private.'

I seem to remember him killing the Cubs when he was at the plate. Steve, can you fill us in on the details?

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Good call on '06. Had a 3.29 era with 240IP with a 1.188 WHIP. This year was arguably his 2nd best season. All other years with at least 175IP he's had a +4 ERA and a couple +1.4WHIP's. I think you have to consider the Dusty factor and his arm must be about to fall off as well though.

He's admitted better than I thought he was really breaking down the stats, but Harden can be a beast and we seem to have kept him really healthy. I'm fine offering him a 1-2 year very incentive laden contract based on innings pitched and performance. If he takes it great, if not well it's been fun Rich.

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Team Cutler.

The Phillies didn't want Burrell playing left field last season I can't even imagine how bad he would be in right field. Maybe they're thinking they can turn around and flip Burrell to a team looking for a DH (Oakland, Seattle, Toronto)?

Not really a fan of Burrell, but if it gets Bradley out of here, I'm all for it. Burrell would be one and done, as I don't see the Cubs extending him.

The point is not whether or not you would want Arroyo over Harden. It's would you want to be rid of Bradley and take Arroyo in his place? Arroyo is probably a small step down from Harden and his salary, which is over 10 Million, is about the same as Bradley. But if you could make the deal, I think it's a good one, in that you get rid of the cancer (Bradley) while getting something of value in return.

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Go Cubs!!!!