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

[Cubswin11]

I would think that now that the meetings are over a lot of the OF's will start signing by middle/end of next week before the start of Christmas. Also with the trade for Joyce do you think the Rays may back off a little from Bradley?

[Little Slide Rooter]

The Phillies stepped up their efforts to sign Raul Ibanez on Thursday, according to one baseball man who had spoken with them.

 

Ibanez has been sending signals through friends that the Phillies are his top choice. And two high-ranking Phillies officials -- outgoing GM Pat Gillick and assistant GM Benny Looper -- know Ibanez well from their days in Seattle. One source described talks between the club and Ibanez's agents, Seth and Sam Levinson, as "heating up," and said the two sides have made progress.

 

I didn't want Ibanez at all. But if the Rays can convince Bradley to go there, the Phillies get Ibanez, the White Sox get Abreu, does that leave us Dunn?

 

I know the Rays are the flavor of the month, but if given similar offers, I cant see Bradley chosing the Rays over the Cubs. You never know what the season will bring, but Im guessing that the Rays had their chance, and the Yanks and Sawx are going to resume their dominance over the division.

[Keener98]

The Phillies stepped up their efforts to sign Raul Ibanez on Thursday, according to one baseball man who had spoken with them.

 

Ibanez has been sending signals through friends that the Phillies are his top choice. And two high-ranking Phillies officials -- outgoing GM Pat Gillick and assistant GM Benny Looper -- know Ibanez well from their days in Seattle. One source described talks between the club and Ibanez's agents, Seth and Sam Levinson, as "heating up," and said the two sides have made progress.

 

I didn't want Ibanez at all. But if the Rays can convince Bradley to go there, the Phillies get Ibanez, the White Sox get Abreu, does that leave us Dunn?

 

I know the Rays are the flavor of the month, but if given similar offers, I cant see Bradley chosing the Rays over the Cubs. You never know what the season will bring, but Im guessing that the Rays had their chance, and the Yanks and Sawx are going to resume their dominance over the division.

 

 

Id be guessing you are pretty wrong. Tampas season wasnt a fluke.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Bradley heads Cubs' list for lefty help

 

I saw this article title on mlb.com and thought it said Bradley headed to Cubs. Stupid MLB.com.

[Little Slide Rooter]

The Phillies stepped up their efforts to sign Raul Ibanez on Thursday, according to one baseball man who had spoken with them.

 

Ibanez has been sending signals through friends that the Phillies are his top choice. And two high-ranking Phillies officials -- outgoing GM Pat Gillick and assistant GM Benny Looper -- know Ibanez well from their days in Seattle. One source described talks between the club and Ibanez's agents, Seth and Sam Levinson, as "heating up," and said the two sides have made progress.

 

I didn't want Ibanez at all. But if the Rays can convince Bradley to go there, the Phillies get Ibanez, the White Sox get Abreu, does that leave us Dunn?

 

I know the Rays are the flavor of the month, but if given similar offers, I cant see Bradley chosing the Rays over the Cubs. You never know what the season will bring, but Im guessing that the Rays had their chance, and the Yanks and Sawx are going to resume their dominance over the division.

 

 

Id be guessing you are pretty wrong. Tampas season wasnt a fluke.

 

I wouldnt call it a fluke, but will they still be good enough to compete now that the powerhouses are retooling?

[UMFan83]

The Phillies stepped up their efforts to sign Raul Ibanez on Thursday, according to one baseball man who had spoken with them.

 

Ibanez has been sending signals through friends that the Phillies are his top choice. And two high-ranking Phillies officials -- outgoing GM Pat Gillick and assistant GM Benny Looper -- know Ibanez well from their days in Seattle. One source described talks between the club and Ibanez's agents, Seth and Sam Levinson, as "heating up," and said the two sides have made progress.

 

I didn't want Ibanez at all. But if the Rays can convince Bradley to go there, the Phillies get Ibanez, the White Sox get Abreu, does that leave us Dunn?

 

I know the Rays are the flavor of the month, but if given similar offers, I cant see Bradley chosing the Rays over the Cubs. You never know what the season will bring, but Im guessing that the Rays had their chance, and the Yanks and Sawx are going to resume their dominance over the division.

 

 

Id be guessing you are pretty wrong. Tampas season wasnt a fluke.

 

Seriously. Their most talented players have made little impact on the big league roster yet.

[davearm2]

I know the Rays are the flavor of the month, but if given similar offers, I cant see Bradley chosing the Rays over the Cubs. You never know what the season will bring, but Im guessing that the Rays had their chance, and the Yanks and Sawx are going to resume their dominance over the division.

The chance to DH to preserve his health could be a reason for Bradley to prefer TB to the Cubs. Or maybe he likes the warmer weather down there. You never know what matters to these guys. Besides money, of course ;)

[nilodnayr]

The Phillies stepped up their efforts to sign Raul Ibanez on Thursday, according to one baseball man who had spoken with them.

 

Ibanez has been sending signals through friends that the Phillies are his top choice. And two high-ranking Phillies officials -- outgoing GM Pat Gillick and assistant GM Benny Looper -- know Ibanez well from their days in Seattle. One source described talks between the club and Ibanez's agents, Seth and Sam Levinson, as "heating up," and said the two sides have made progress.

 

I didn't want Ibanez at all. But if the Rays can convince Bradley to go there, the Phillies get Ibanez, the White Sox get Abreu, does that leave us Dunn?

 

I know the Rays are the flavor of the month, but if given similar offers, I cant see Bradley chosing the Rays over the Cubs. You never know what the season will bring, but Im guessing that the Rays had their chance, and the Yanks and Sawx are going to resume their dominance over the division.

 

Seriously? I mean they may not go to the WS next year but the Rays didn't have a fluke season and have a ton more young excellent prospects in the minors. The Yanks are spending a ton on pitching but still have a subpar offense. I don't see how they are going to have dominance over the Rays.

[Keener98]

The Phillies stepped up their efforts to sign Raul Ibanez on Thursday, according to one baseball man who had spoken with them.

 

Ibanez has been sending signals through friends that the Phillies are his top choice. And two high-ranking Phillies officials -- outgoing GM Pat Gillick and assistant GM Benny Looper -- know Ibanez well from their days in Seattle. One source described talks between the club and Ibanez's agents, Seth and Sam Levinson, as "heating up," and said the two sides have made progress.

 

I didn't want Ibanez at all. But if the Rays can convince Bradley to go there, the Phillies get Ibanez, the White Sox get Abreu, does that leave us Dunn?

 

I know the Rays are the flavor of the month, but if given similar offers, I cant see Bradley chosing the Rays over the Cubs. You never know what the season will bring, but Im guessing that the Rays had their chance, and the Yanks and Sawx are going to resume their dominance over the division.

 

 

Id be guessing you are pretty wrong. Tampas season wasnt a fluke.

 

I wouldnt call it a fluke, but will they still be good enough to compete now that the powerhouses are retooling?

 

The Yankees have been trying to retool and buy their championship for years now, and it hasnt got them a championship.

[javy knows my name]

The Phillies stepped up their efforts to sign Raul Ibanez on Thursday, according to one baseball man who had spoken with them.

 

Ibanez has been sending signals through friends that the Phillies are his top choice. And two high-ranking Phillies officials -- outgoing GM Pat Gillick and assistant GM Benny Looper -- know Ibanez well from their days in Seattle. One source described talks between the club and Ibanez's agents, Seth and Sam Levinson, as "heating up," and said the two sides have made progress.

 

I didn't want Ibanez at all. But if the Rays can convince Bradley to go there, the Phillies get Ibanez, the White Sox get Abreu, does that leave us Dunn?

 

I know the Rays are the flavor of the month, but if given similar offers, I cant see Bradley chosing the Rays over the Cubs. You never know what the season will bring, but Im guessing that the Rays had their chance, and the Yanks and Sawx are going to resume their dominance over the division.

What in the good Lord's name makes you think that? You say that about old teams, not the youngest, most talented team in baseball with the strongest farm.

[BigbadB]

If I had to guess, Bradley will prefer an NL team. Texas kind of hosed Bradley last year by making him DH most of the year, when he preferred to play in the field. By going to an NL team, he takes that DH option out of the hands of the team that signs him.

 

That's just my hunch.

[JGalt73]

HonusCobb (Wayne, NE): How much is Milton Bradley going to cost in free agency? He put up incredibly numbers last year (in a great hitters ballpark). But he's also injury prone and apparently not a very nice guy. Who's going to spend on him and how much are they going to spend?

 

John Perrotto: I'm hearing four years and 40 million, though nobody seems willing to go that high.

[laurens]

HonusCobb (Wayne, NE): How much is Milton Bradley going to cost in free agency? He put up incredibly numbers last year (in a great hitters ballpark). But he's also injury prone and apparently not a very nice guy. Who's going to spend on him and how much are they going to spend?

 

John Perrotto: I'm hearing four years and 40 million, though nobody seems willing to go that high.

 

I highly doubt anyone would be willing to go that high.

[mul21]

If I had to guess, Bradley will prefer an NL team. Texas kind of hosed Bradley last year by making him DH most of the year, when he preferred to play in the field. By going to an NL team, he takes that DH option out of the hands of the team that signs him.

 

That's just my hunch.

 

Plus, if he takes injury factor into account, playing on grass in Wrigley is probably a better bet than playing on turf in Tampa.

[haubrich91]

If Bradley is asking 4/40, I'd rather go after Dunn.

 

But since we aren't even discussing him, I want Bradley out of the options we have.

[cubsfan26]

HonusCobb (Wayne, NE): How much is Milton Bradley going to cost in free agency? He put up incredibly numbers last year (in a great hitters ballpark). But he's also injury prone and apparently not a very nice guy. Who's going to spend on him and how much are they going to spend?

 

John Perrotto: I'm hearing four years and 40 million, though nobody seems willing to go that high.

 

 

Wow I figured the Cubs were probably offering 2y at 18, with a vesting option for a 3rd year. A year ago Bradley probably would have gotten 4y at 40m, now he will probably have to settle at 3y at 27-30m tops. Personally I think the Rays getting Joyce helps our chances to get Bradley. The Rays are less desperate now to bid guy for another hitter, and will probably go cheap with Giambi, Griffey or someone like that.

[jersey cubs fan]

It doesn't really matter what Bradley is asking for, it's what he can get offered that matters. 4/40 would be absurd.

[soonercub]

If you sign Bradley do you put him in center and have Fukudome/Johnson in right or do you put Bradley in right and move Fukudome?

[Butterscup1679666578]

If you sign Bradley do you put him in center and have Fukudome/Johnson in right or do you put Bradley in right and move Fukudome?

 

I'm pretty sure the Cubs are set on a Johnson/Fuku platoon in CF.

[17 Seconds]

Is there any doubt whatsoever that hendry will sign Ibanez?

[Butterscup1679666578]

Is there any doubt whatsoever that hendry will sign Ibanez?

 

If he can't get Bradley, I'm sure Ibanez is next on his list. Ibanez wants to go to Philly though, so hopefully they sign him.

[YearofDaCubs]

Is there any doubt whatsoever that hendry will sign Ibanez?

 

If he can't get Bradley, I'm sure Ibanez is next on his list. Ibanez wants to go to Philly though, so hopefully they sign him.

If we can't acquire Bradley this will be a very disappointing offseason. Ibanez's bat is nice but he's old and his defense is horrible.

[17 Seconds]

Even his bat is mediocre

[Tyrant]

Even his bat is mediocre

 

How do you figure?

 

His OPS+ the last three years are 125, 121, 124 and that comes in a pitcher's park. I don't like Ibanez all that much, but to say his bat is "mediocre" is pushing it.

[RynoRules]

Even his bat is mediocre

 

How do you figure?

 

His OPS+ the last three years are 125, 121, 124 and that comes in a pitcher's park. I don't like Ibanez all that much, but to say his bat is "mediocre" is pushing it.

 

It is important that we take a contrarion and "half-empty" opinion on all Cubs-related matters. Didn't you get the memo?

 

EDIT: We must also ignore the facts that tend to discredit our contrarion and "half-empty" opinions.

Edited December 11, 2008 by RynoRules