Milton Bradley......I still want him.

[rawaction]

-.126 BB/PA this year, career .109.

-still just 28 years old (29 in April)

-great defensive OF

-should be cheap and willing to sign a short-term deal.

-switch hitter

-.276, .370, .447 this year

 

I know he gets hurt alot (only 105 games/yr in his career), but I think he would be well worth the gamble. IF he stays healthy, he's an .850 OPS waiting to happen. Even if he doesn't I think he's the perfect option for a very productive 4-man OF. He can start as the everyday CF. Get a good 4th OF and he can play RF against LHPs (.886 against LHs this year, solid career splits vs. LHs). I think with Bradley, the Cubs could even break Pie in pretty well. If Bradley goes down, bring Felix up. Then when he comes back you can mix and match with Pie, Murton, Jones, and Bradley in the OF and maximize all their production by playing RH/LH matchups.

 

Bradley will also come cheap enough (I'm guessing 1 year with or w/o option for 4-5M) that the Cubs can still go out and get a big bat in the middle IF (Tejada, Soriano, ARod) and add to the pitching staff.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Will he be a FA this offseason? If so, I sign him for CF.

[Andy]

Will he be a FA this offseason? If so, I sign him for CF.

Thirded.

[RichHillIsABeast]

Bradley and Piniella would be a match made in Hell.

 

I really wanted Bradley this last offseason, but that's when we had Dusty, a manager who keeps his players happy through 96 loss seasons.

[rawaction]

I thought Bradley would be a FA after this year, but apparently he doesn't have the service time.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

How expensive will he be in arbitration? Enough that the A's might deal him?

[rawaction]

How expensive will he be in arbitration? Enough that the A's might deal him?

 

He's only making 3M this year, so he will be affordable for Oakland.

[RichHillIsABeast]

How expensive will he be in arbitration? Enough that the A's might deal him?

 

The A's traded Ethier for him...just to put things in perspective.

[rocket]

Bradley and Piniella would be a match made in Hell.

 

I really wanted Bradley this last offseason, but that's when we had Dusty, a manager who keeps his players happy through 96 loss seasons.

 

I think the whole "Dusty has a calming influence" thing has been debunked. The clubhouses got more chaotic the longer he stuck around.

[RichHillIsABeast]

Bradley and Piniella would be a match made in Hell.

 

I really wanted Bradley this last offseason, but that's when we had Dusty, a manager who keeps his players happy through 96 loss seasons.

 

I think the whole "Dusty has a calming influence" thing has been debunked. The clubhouses got more chaotic the longer he stuck around.

 

Debunked? If you say so.

 

When was the last time the Cubs got in an in-house fight? It was all us against the world.

 

Bradley did have problems with the fans, which Dusty wouldn't have prevented (look at Jones), but the bickering with teammates wouldn't have happened.

 

Bradley would body slam Piniella. He ain't no Rob Dibble.

[rawaction]

Bradley and Piniella would be a match made in Hell.

 

I really wanted Bradley this last offseason, but that's when we had Dusty, a manager who keeps his players happy through 96 loss seasons.

 

I think the whole "Dusty has a calming influence" thing has been debunked. The clubhouses got more chaotic the longer he stuck around.

 

Debunked? If you say so.

 

When was the last time the Cubs got in an in-house fight? It was all us against the world.

 

Bradley did have problems with the fans, which Dusty wouldn't have prevented (look at Jones), but the bickering with teammates wouldn't have happened.

 

Bradley would body slam Piniella. He ain't no Rob Dibble.

 

No, the Cubs never punched each other in the clubhouse....that was Bonds and Kent, the 2 star players for Baker's other EX-team. Baker's Cubs just bickered with the announcers, media, fans, and smashed each others' boomboxes.

 

I would say that calming influence has been debunked and then some.

[RichHillIsABeast]

Bradley and Piniella would be a match made in Hell.

 

I really wanted Bradley this last offseason, but that's when we had Dusty, a manager who keeps his players happy through 96 loss seasons.

 

I think the whole "Dusty has a calming influence" thing has been debunked. The clubhouses got more chaotic the longer he stuck around.

 

Debunked? If you say so.

 

When was the last time the Cubs got in an in-house fight? It was all us against the world.

 

Bradley did have problems with the fans, which Dusty wouldn't have prevented (look at Jones), but the bickering with teammates wouldn't have happened.

 

Bradley would body slam Piniella. He ain't no Rob Dibble.

 

No, the Cubs never punched each other in the clubhouse....that was Bonds and Kent, the 2 star players for Baker's other EX-team. Baker's Cubs just bickered with the announcers, media, fans, and smashed each others' boomboxes.

 

I would say that calming influence has been debunked and then some.

 

Yeah, Sosa and Bonds, the two most massive egos in the game...

 

Any unbiased reported (read: not Baker haters) says that Baker runs a happy, hands off clubhouse, dependent on veteran leadership to do his policing. Does this mean there is an absence of conflict? Heck no. But Baker and his players don't feud.

 

Can you say the same about Piniella?

 

I love Bradley the player and was willing to overlook his faults as person with Baker here. With Bochy, sure. With Girardi or Piniella, no way. A rough approach won't reach Bradley.

 

Do you seriously think Sweet Lou can handle Bradley?

[ConstableRabbit]

Hahaha I was just saying this to a friend who said I was nuts for suggesting him last off-season.

 

As long as he doesn't physically harm any of our players, I'm cool with him in the clubhouse. :D

 

Usually, winning solves most of those chemistry problems.

[rawaction]

Bradley and Piniella would be a match made in Hell.

 

I really wanted Bradley this last offseason, but that's when we had Dusty, a manager who keeps his players happy through 96 loss seasons.

 

I think the whole "Dusty has a calming influence" thing has been debunked. The clubhouses got more chaotic the longer he stuck around.

 

Debunked? If you say so.

 

When was the last time the Cubs got in an in-house fight? It was all us against the world.

 

Bradley did have problems with the fans, which Dusty wouldn't have prevented (look at Jones), but the bickering with teammates wouldn't have happened.

 

Bradley would body slam Piniella. He ain't no Rob Dibble.

 

No, the Cubs never punched each other in the clubhouse....that was Bonds and Kent, the 2 star players for Baker's other EX-team. Baker's Cubs just bickered with the announcers, media, fans, and smashed each others' boomboxes.

 

I would say that calming influence has been debunked and then some.

 

Yeah, Sosa and Bonds, the two most massive egos in the game...

 

Any unbiased reported (read: not Baker haters) says that Baker runs a happy, hands off clubhouse, dependent on veteran leadership to do his policing. Does this mean there is an absence of conflict? Heck no. But Baker and his players don't feud.

 

Can you say the same about Piniella?

 

I love Bradley the player and was willing to overlook his faults as person with Baker here. With Bochy, sure. With Girardi or Piniella, no way. A rough approach won't reach Bradley.

 

Do you seriously think Sweet Lou can handle Bradley?

 

I don't care what an unbiased report says. Fact says, Kent and Bonds got into a fight in the dugout, during a game. Fact says, Mercker, Walker, Alou and others got into arguments with the broadcast team. Hawkins trashed the fans and media in Chicago. Jones trashed the fans for booing. There were also speculations in the Baker era that Wood and Prior smashed Sosa's boombox. Baker himself was rumored to be feuding with Patterson, Sosa, Hawkins, and others in private.

 

Baker being a calming influence is so unbelievably false. You can't pick and choose your argument. I take from your post that you don't blame him for not controlling Sosa and Bonds because of their egos (which, I'd be willing to give you that since Sosa was made a monster before Baker and Bonds is well, Bonds). But if he can't calm down the star, he can't properly discipline the rest of the team. You also don't blame him for the stuff I mentioned, which shows a group of veterans all running wild and complaining about any and everything while the team was getting beat.

[soapy]

I've been clamoring for Bradley the last two seasons. I was hoping the Cubs would "take a chance" on him after his fallout in LA, but they didn't. I have to think the A's are probably happy with him at this point and he's still quite cheap for the production he provides.

 

I'd love to see Hendry make a run at him, I just don't think the A's will be very receptive.

 

On a side note, I'm surprised that people are still buying into the Dusty is a calming influence and runs a happy clubhouse stuff.

[bhogg]

Murton is at least as good as Bradley, has a much better attitude, and has a much higher potential. If we have an OF of Murton, Bradley, and Jones we will be improved, but I see it as a good OF --- not a great OF.

 

I sure would like to see us have a superstar in the OF while keeping Murton. . . . do what you wish with Jones. . . . trade him, throw him under the bus, make him the team mascot ;) Just keep Murton :D

[VanceJergins]

Murton is at least as good as Bradley, has a much better attitude, and has a much higher potential. If we have an OF of Murton, Bradley, and Jones we will be improved, but I see it as a good OF --- not a great OF.

 

I sure would like to see us have a superstar in the OF while keeping Murton. . . . do what you wish with Jones. . . . trade him, throw him under the bus, make him the team mascot ;) Just keep Murton :D

 

Agreed. I think my favorite scenario is having Andruw Jones in CF.

[Outshined_One]

Yeah, Sosa and Bonds, the two most massive egos in the game...

 

Any unbiased reported (read: not Baker haters) says that Baker runs a happy, hands off clubhouse, dependent on veteran leadership to do his policing. Does this mean there is an absence of conflict? Heck no. But Baker and his players don't feud.

 

Can you say the same about Piniella?

 

I love Bradley the player and was willing to overlook his faults as person with Baker here. With Bochy, sure. With Girardi or Piniella, no way. A rough approach won't reach Bradley.

 

Do you seriously think Sweet Lou can handle Bradley?

 

I don't care what an unbiased report says. Fact says, Kent and Bonds got into a fight in the dugout, during a game. Fact says, Mercker, Walker, Alou and others got into arguments with the broadcast team. Hawkins trashed the fans and media in Chicago. Jones trashed the fans for booing. There were also speculations in the Baker era that Wood and Prior smashed Sosa's boombox. Baker himself was rumored to be feuding with Patterson, Sosa, Hawkins, and others in private.

 

Baker being a calming influence is so unbelievably false. You can't pick and choose your argument. I take from your post that you don't blame him for not controlling Sosa and Bonds because of their egos (which, I'd be willing to give you that since Sosa was made a monster before Baker and Bonds is well, Bonds). But if he can't calm down the star, he can't properly discipline the rest of the team. You also don't blame him for the stuff I mentioned, which shows a group of veterans all running wild and complaining about any and everything while the team was getting beat.

 

I think you're both right.

 

Baker doesn't run a tight ship. He's very hands off with his players, thinking that it promotes clubhouse chemistry. From what I've read from a number of the Cubs players, the players seemed to really like and et along one another. There's a loose atmosphere and guys usually don't fight with one another.

 

However, unless he has some player leadership, this gets out of control. Guys won't be held accountable for their actions, whether it's slumping or getting into really stupid conflicts with people outside the clubhouse, because Dusty either ignores it or implicitly encourages it. Cripes, Dusty himself embodies this! We've all seen his quotes where he'll make any excuse under the sun to deflect blame from himself. His players are the exact same way unless there's a clubhouse police officer who holds guys accountable. Why do you think Hendry was bemoaning the lack of Eric Karros in 2004?

 

Jeff Kent is one of those guys, by all accounts. Guys like Bonds have massive egos and usually don't take well to being policed by fellow players. Two personality types like that can and will clash. Dusty allowed that exact kind of behavior from both of them and it led to that confrontation.

 

So, Dusty runs a clubhouse that's so loose and hands off that his players will basically run amok without veterans policing the team.

[Sammy Sofa]

It especially didn't help that it really seemed like there wasn't a player that emerged as the leader of the team. Granted, I'm not aware of the specific clubhouse politics, and maybe someone like Bruce can shed some light, but there really didn't seem to be a "captain." I think Wood filled that role for a few years but he just hasn't been around enough the last 2. Surprisngly, for me at least, Zambrano seemed to step up towards the end, but I don't know how much of that was just him being enthusiastic. His personality and emotions might prevent him from being a "true leader."

[Abe Frohman]

Bradley and Piniella would be a match made in Hell.

 

I really wanted Bradley this last offseason, but that's when we had Dusty, a manager who keeps his players happy through 96 loss seasons.

 

I think the whole "Dusty has a calming influence" thing has been debunked. The clubhouses got more chaotic the longer he stuck around.

 

Debunked? If you say so.

 

When was the last time the Cubs got in an in-house fight? It was all us against the world.

 

Bradley did have problems with the fans, which Dusty wouldn't have prevented (look at Jones), but the bickering with teammates wouldn't have happened.

 

Bradley would body slam Piniella. He ain't no Rob Dibble.

 

Rob Dibble would crush Milton Bradley.

[Abe Frohman]

Yeah, Sosa and Bonds, the two most massive egos in the game...

 

Any unbiased reported (read: not Baker haters) says that Baker runs a happy, hands off clubhouse, dependent on veteran leadership to do his policing. Does this mean there is an absence of conflict? Heck no. But Baker and his players don't feud.

 

Can you say the same about Piniella?

 

I love Bradley the player and was willing to overlook his faults as person with Baker here. With Bochy, sure. With Girardi or Piniella, no way. A rough approach won't reach Bradley.

 

Do you seriously think Sweet Lou can handle Bradley?

 

I don't care what an unbiased report says. Fact says, Kent and Bonds got into a fight in the dugout, during a game. Fact says, Mercker, Walker, Alou and others got into arguments with the broadcast team. Hawkins trashed the fans and media in Chicago. Jones trashed the fans for booing. There were also speculations in the Baker era that Wood and Prior smashed Sosa's boombox. Baker himself was rumored to be feuding with Patterson, Sosa, Hawkins, and others in private.

 

Baker being a calming influence is so unbelievably false. You can't pick and choose your argument. I take from your post that you don't blame him for not controlling Sosa and Bonds because of their egos (which, I'd be willing to give you that since Sosa was made a monster before Baker and Bonds is well, Bonds). But if he can't calm down the star, he can't properly discipline the rest of the team. You also don't blame him for the stuff I mentioned, which shows a group of veterans all running wild and complaining about any and everything while the team was getting beat.

 

I think you're both right.

 

Baker doesn't run a tight ship. He's very hands off with his players, thinking that it promotes clubhouse chemistry. From what I've read from a number of the Cubs players, the players seemed to really like and et along one another. There's a loose atmosphere and guys usually don't fight with one another.

 

However, unless he has some player leadership, this gets out of control. Guys won't be held accountable for their actions, whether it's slumping or getting into really stupid conflicts with people outside the clubhouse, because Dusty either ignores it or implicitly encourages it. Cripes, Dusty himself embodies this! We've all seen his quotes where he'll make any excuse under the sun to deflect blame from himself. His players are the exact same way unless there's a clubhouse police officer who holds guys accountable. Why do you think Hendry was bemoaning the lack of Eric Karros in 2004?

 

Jeff Kent is one of those guys, by all accounts. Guys like Bonds have massive egos and usually don't take well to being policed by fellow players. Two personality types like that can and will clash. Dusty allowed that exact kind of behavior from both of them and it led to that confrontation.

 

So, Dusty runs a clubhouse that's so loose and hands off that his players will basically run amok without veterans policing the team.

 

I have heard first hand from a guy who was teammates with both Bonds and Kent, surprisingly, that Kent is a gigantic A-hole and Bonds is a great teammate.

 

I found that odd, but you have to realize that reality and perception are totally different things.

[cjbucks]

Bradley and Piniella would be a match made in Hell.

 

I really wanted Bradley this last offseason, but that's when we had Dusty, a manager who keeps his players happy through 96 loss seasons.

 

I think the whole "Dusty has a calming influence" thing has been debunked. The clubhouses got more chaotic the longer he stuck around.

 

Debunked? If you say so.

 

When was the last time the Cubs got in an in-house fight? It was all us against the world.

 

Bradley did have problems with the fans, which Dusty wouldn't have prevented (look at Jones), but the bickering with teammates wouldn't have happened.

 

Bradley would body slam Piniella. He ain't no Rob Dibble.

 

Rob Dibble would crush Milton Bradley.

 

Not if they had a debate and not a fight :wink:

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v432/CapnWalrus/Dugout/MiltonUncleTom.png