Bradley Signs with Cubs 3/$30 million (p. 33)

[Old Style]

Anyone who has seen Bradley recently...

 

When he is healthy enough to take the field, is he a legitimate outfield defender, or is he like Cliff Floyd out there even when he's healthy?

He's not a Gold Glover, but he's far from brutal out there.

[weis21]

Surprised Bradley wants to play in Chicago after the whole Jacque Jones saga.

Why? Because they're both black?

You're not aware that Jones had to endure racial slurs from some of the idiots at Wrigley on a daily basis for most of his stay with the Cubs?

 

It's a terrible thing that Jones had to endure racial slurs. But the sad truth is there are going to be racist idiot fans in every city. My point is that it was (as far as I know) an isolated incident with one player. I've never heard Lee say anything about having to deal with bigot fans on a daily basis.

[RynoRules]

Is there any doubt whatsoever that hendry will sign Ibanez?

 

Just sayin'.

[davearm2]

Surprised Bradley wants to play in Chicago after the whole Jacque Jones saga.

Why? Because they're both black?

You're not aware that Jones had to endure racial slurs from some of the idiots at Wrigley on a daily basis for most of his stay with the Cubs?

 

It's a terrible thing that Jones had to endure racial slurs. But the sad truth is there are going to be racist idiot fans in every city. My point is that it was (as far as I know) an isolated incident with one player. I've never heard Lee say anything about having to deal with bigot fans on a daily basis.

The fact that Jones and Bradley are both black is the thing that ties one to the other, though.

 

Couple that with the fact that Bradley himself has already been involved with his share of incidents in which race was at least perceived to be an issue, and it becomes an even bigger concern.

 

All things considered I think it's a valid question.

[Soul]

Surprised Bradley wants to play in Chicago after the whole Jacque Jones saga.

Why? Because they're both black?

You're not aware that Jones had to endure racial slurs from some of the idiots at Wrigley on a daily basis for most of his stay with the Cubs?

 

It's a terrible thing that Jones had to endure racial slurs. But the sad truth is there are going to be racist idiot fans in every city. My point is that it was (as far as I know) an isolated incident with one player. I've never heard Lee say anything about having to deal with bigot fans on a daily basis.

The fact that Jones and Bradley are both black is the thing that ties one to the other, though.

 

Couple that with the fact that Bradley himself has already been involved with his share of incidents in which race was at least perceived to be an issue, and it becomes an even bigger concern.

 

All things considered I think it's a valid question.

 

I really don't think it's the fact they're "both black." We have many other black players on the team and they don't have any problems. More likely, it's because both Jones & Bradley seem to be the kind of guys who will more easily take offense to stupid race comments from drunken idiots. I'm pretty sure Lee heard a few as well when he was in the running for the double play record. He just doesn't give a damn what fans say.

[umpunk]

Surprised Bradley wants to play in Chicago after the whole Jacque Jones saga.

Why? Because they're both black?

You're not aware that Jones had to endure racial slurs from some of the idiots at Wrigley on a daily basis for most of his stay with the Cubs?

 

It's a terrible thing that Jones had to endure racial slurs. But the sad truth is there are going to be racist idiot fans in every city. My point is that it was (as far as I know) an isolated incident with one player. I've never heard Lee say anything about having to deal with bigot fans on a daily basis.

 

A couple of things need to be pointed out here. To my knowledge, only Jones has made these claims. I have no idea if they are true or not, but coming from a player who was being booed on daily basis, struggling with the bat, and seemed to take little blame for his problems, I'm going to take them with a grain of salt. Two, I'm almost positive they weren't on a "daily" basis. I would imagine in today's world that there would be a lot written if the bleacher people were screaming the N-word at outfielders constantly. At the end of the day, nobody really knows what was screamed at Jones except Jones himself. Maybe he is telling the truth, and if (that's a huge if) I certainly feel sorry for him - nobody should have to endure that.

 

Now as for Bradley, I'm not sure how the two are connected - we have had numerous black outfielders since who have never mentioned a word about it.

[Tyrant]

 

Now as for Bradley, I'm not sure how the two are connected - we have had numerous black outfielders since who have never mentioned a word about it.

 

If I recall, Troy O'Leary faced a lot of Irish-African-American backlash while here.

[TruffleShuffle]

Is there any doubt whatsoever that hendry will sign Ibanez?

 

Just sayin'.

 

yeah good call dexter

[Electron Blue]

 

Now as for Bradley, I'm not sure how the two are connected - we have had numerous black outfielders since who have never mentioned a word about it.

 

If I recall, Troy O'Leary faced a lot of Irish-African-American backlash while here.

 

:-))

[Little Slide Rooter]

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081212&content_id=3715349&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc

 

This doesnt quite add up. According to this article they still have to move Marquis contract to get Bradley. Why would they have to fre up the same amount of money to only sign Bradley that we would have had to to make the Peavy deal AND sign a bat? Youd think with the Peavy deal dead, Jim would be free to go ahead and get Bradley.

[Cubswin11]

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081212&content_id=3715349&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc

 

This doesnt quite add up. According to this article they still have to move Marquis contract to get Bradley. Why would they have to fre up the same amount of money to only sign Bradley that we would have had to to make the Peavy deal AND sign a bat? Youd think with the Peavy deal dead, Jim would be free to go ahead and get Bradley.

The article is by Muskat that's all you really need to know...

 

A OF was in the plans the whole offseason and I am sure they have it in the budget to get one without moving salary. Unless we are signing someone to a 4-5 year deal for $50+ million, which we won't as no FA OF will get that, we aren't going to need to move salary.

[cubsfan26]

The Cubs probably only have 5-6m in their budget right now, and Bradley will get at least 8-9m. But that doesn't mean we can't sign Bradley and backload the first year of his deal.

[cubswin2009]

Sun Times:

NOTE: With Raul Ibanez agreeing to a three-year, $30 million deal with the Phillies, the Cubs’ negotiations with outfielder Milton Bradley could accelerate quickly. The Cubs have made it clear their top target is Bradley, whose representatives said early Friday that the Cubs top Bradley’s list among interested teams.

[Cubswin11]

Sun Times:

NOTE: With Raul Ibanez agreeing to a three-year, $30 million deal with the Phillies, the Cubs’ negotiations with outfielder Milton Bradley could accelerate quickly. The Cubs have made it clear their top target is Bradley, whose representatives said early Friday that the Cubs top Bradley’s list among interested teams.

Great news hopefully we can get a deal done by next week, it's nice to hear that Bradley wants to come here as well. With Lou, Z and Bradley in one clubhouse this summer things could get interesting...

[BCVM22]

With Lou, Z and Bradley in one clubhouse this summer things could get interesting...

 

CAGE MATCH

[Little Slide Rooter]

If Marquis is the problem, heres an idea:

 

With Sabathia, Burnett, and Wang, the Yanks have one hell of a top 3. However, assuming Pettite doesnt re sign, and they keep Joba in the pen, unless they trust Kennedy and Hughes, they'll need 1, maybe 2 more starters. With all the money they're throwing CC and AJ, they could use something cheap. Now Im assuming that even Oliver Perez will be asking for 10 million, and Lowe and Sheets a lot more. At about 5 mil, Marquis would be a hell of a bargain to him. Sure, theres the chance that he'll get man handles in the NL, especially the East, but if they want a cheap option to fill the rotation, there you go. Now we just have to figure out who to replace Harden when he gets injured or extended time off.

[cubsfan26]

Don't believe that the Cubs have to cut payroll to sign Bradley. If that was true, why didn't they nontender Wuertz, and possibly Gaudin or Cotts? Thats 2-4m that they could have saved going towards Bradleys contract. I'm sure Muskat hears the Cubs are trying hard to dump Marquis salary, so she assumes they need to do that so they can sign Bradley. But I don't believe thats true at all, I think they just want Marquis gone, and wanna go after Randy Johnson. Or go after Peavy again, if the Padres call back.

[RammyFanny]

I read on PSD that Kaplan said (3 days ago I believe) that Dunn's agent was begging the Cubs to take a look at him because we were his top choice. That just probably put a dagger through some of you :D)

[BigbadB]

I read on PSD that Kaplan said (3 days ago I believe) that Dunn's agent was begging the Cubs to take a look at him because we were his top choice. That just probably put a dagger through some of you :D)

 

I'm not opposed to Dunn. 2 years in the outfield and then he takes over at 1b when Lee moves on.

 

Money will probably be the problem for Dunn, as I would think he'd be more expensive than any of the other OF options. I suppose you could trade Marquis for someone who could potentially fill in as a 6th starter and then move Marshall into the rotation.

[Jehrico]

I read on PSD that Kaplan said (3 days ago I believe) that Dunn's agent was begging the Cubs to take a look at him because we were his top choice. That just probably put a dagger through some of you :D)

Sounds like we could get him cheaper than what some other teams might be looking at if that were the case. :(

[rawaction]

The Cubs probably only have 5-6m in their budget right now, and Bradley will get at least 8-9m. But that doesn't mean we can't sign Bradley and backload the first year of his deal.

 

Yeah, I'm guessing something like 6Mil this year for Bradley, with a guaranteed 9-10M next year. Then some sort of team or vesting option for a 3rd year, making the total deal about 3yrs/25-28M.

[Cubswin11]

I read on PSD that Kaplan said (3 days ago I believe) that Dunn's agent was begging the Cubs to take a look at him because we were his top choice. That just probably put a dagger through some of you :D)

Sounds like we could get him cheaper than what some other teams might be looking at if that were the case. :(

The only way I would even consider Dunn is if he came considerably cheaper than has been reported. If Bradley is demanding $10+ mil. a season and 3-4 years, I don't think he will/can but lets say he does, if we could get Dunn for less or around the same price as Bradley I think we would have to consider it as Dunn is younger and more likely to stay healthy, and if it would involve considerable years 4+ he could be moved to 1B after Lee is gone in 2010, I don't know if that's a good thing or bad thing however. With all that said I still think Bradley goes for 2@19-22 or 3@24-28 and Dunn will probably go 3@33-36 or 4@44-48.

[italianocubsfan7]

First off, as we all know already, Bradley is the cheaper option. Second of all, if we sign Adam Dunn we will officially have two train wrecks in the outfield. I mean, heck, whoever plays CF is gonna have to bring a motorized scooter out there to track down balls in the gap.

[Elrhino]

You're not aware that Jones had to endure racial slurs from some of the idiots at Wrigley on a daily basis for most of his stay with the Cubs?

 

The same right field bleacher Wrigley fans who used to give Sammy a standing ovation every time he took the field and would collectively kowtow to Andre Dawson?

 

 

I think the issue with Jacque might have had more to do with the fact that he was horrible than some latent, inherent racism of Wrigley fans.

[Shilzzz]

Someone being in a slump does not warrant being called that particular name.