How about this Solution to the Bradley Mess?

[SouthSideRyan]

Holy [expletive], now we're punting the next 2 seasons because we only won ~85 this year?

[biittner77]

Holy [expletive], now we're punting the next 2 seasons because we only won ~85 this year?

 

*If* Hendry has to eat Bradley's contract and they have to fill holes in house and also have to cut payroll- all real possibilities- would likely mean not being very good the next couple years.

 

I don't want Ryne Sandberg to ever manage the Cubs. Trammell absolutely should replace Piniella as manager. What I was trying to say was that the new owner might want to make a big spalsh by bringing back the hometown hero to manage the team because he won't/ can't afford the payroll it would take to improve the product on the field. As a Cubs fan, Ricketts probably has fond memories of Sandberg the player. That may cloud his judgement about Sandberg the manager.

[jersey cubs fan]

Holy [expletive], now we're punting the next 2 seasons because we only won ~85 this year?

 

*If* Hendry has to eat Bradley's contract and they have to fill holes in house and also have to cut payroll- all real possibilities- would likely mean not being very good the next couple years.

 

I don't want Ryne Sandberg to ever manage the Cubs. Trammell absolutely should replace Piniella as manager. What I was trying to say was that the new owner might want to make a big spalsh by bringing back the hometown hero to manage the team because he won't/ can't afford the payroll it would take to improve the product on the field. As a Cubs fan, Ricketts probably has fond memories of Sandberg the player. That may cloud his judgement about Sandberg the manager.

 

I don't see them cutting payroll. They may not raise it much, but they won't cut it.

 

I agree Sandberg remains a really interesting option as part of the "need to create excitement by February" plan.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Holy [expletive], now we're punting the next 2 seasons because we only won ~85 this year?

 

*If* Hendry has to eat Bradley's contract and they have to fill holes in house and also have to cut payroll- all real possibilities- would likely mean not being very good the next couple years.

cloud his judgement about Sandberg the manager.

 

If thats the case, I dont even want to hear about it. [expletive], these guys are making millions of dollars to play baseball, so I think they can tolerate one another if it means being a better overall team. Im sick of hearing about clubhouse cancers. You do your job. After work, if you dont like a guy, you dont hang out with him. Lee, Ramirez, and Dempster can go out with their families and MB and momma Bradley can talk about how whiteys against them while they roll around in whiteys money. As long as hes doing his job on the field, the rest is none of my business, and certainly not worth the team taking a $20 million bath. Hug it out mother [expletive].

[Halman]

 

I don't want Ryne Sandberg to ever manage the Cubs. Trammell absolutely should replace Piniella as manager.

 

I don't want either as manager

[apete6]

According to MLBTR, the Dbacks might release Eric Byrnes. If we could get them to take Milton's $21 million for 1 year and $10 million worth of Eric Byrnes, that might not be a bad move. Don't get me wrong, Byrnes is essentially Reed Johnson these days, but he's better than nothing.

[dew1679666265]

According to MLBTR, the Dbacks might release Eric Byrnes. If we could get them to take Milton's $21 million for 1 year and $10 million worth of Eric Byrnes, that might not be a bad move. Don't get me wrong, Byrnes is essentially Reed Johnson these days, but he's better than nothing.

 

Reed is actually a decent amount better than Byrnes.

 

Byrnes OPS in 2008-2009: .641 and .619

 

Reed OPS in 2008-2009: .778 and .722

[jersey cubs fan]

In other words he's not better than nothing.

[apete6]

According to MLBTR, the Dbacks might release Eric Byrnes. If we could get them to take Milton's $21 million for 1 year and $10 million worth of Eric Byrnes, that might not be a bad move. Don't get me wrong, Byrnes is essentially Reed Johnson these days, but he's better than nothing.

 

Reed is actually a decent amount better than Byrnes.

 

Byrnes OPS in 2008-2009: .641 and .619

 

Reed OPS in 2008-2009: .778 and .722

 

My god, I didn't think Byrnes was that bad. Did he even play the last 2 years? Those are Doug Dascenzo numbers.

[dew1679666265]

According to MLBTR, the Dbacks might release Eric Byrnes. If we could get them to take Milton's $21 million for 1 year and $10 million worth of Eric Byrnes, that might not be a bad move. Don't get me wrong, Byrnes is essentially Reed Johnson these days, but he's better than nothing.

 

Reed is actually a decent amount better than Byrnes.

 

Byrnes OPS in 2008-2009: .641 and .619

 

Reed OPS in 2008-2009: .778 and .722

 

My god, I didn't think Byrnes was that bad. Did he even play the last 2 years? Those are Doug Dascenzo numbers.

 

Just 52 and 76 games the last two years, respectively, and I'm not sure if it was injury or just underperforming and the DBacks having other options. Either way, I wouldn't have interest in him.

[illiniguy]

Holy [expletive], now we're punting the next 2 seasons because we only won ~85 this year?

Gotta love that thought process. We Could get to 85 wins, missed every starter for some period, Aramis Ramirez for two months, Soriano and Soto had zero seasons, and Kevin Gregg blew a ton of saves. If half of those things don't happen we are getting reading to get swept again in the playoffs. This team doesn't need anything, but one more shot next year.

[jersey cubs fan]

Holy [expletive], now we're punting the next 2 seasons because we only won ~85 this year?

Gotta love that thought process. We Could get to 85 wins, missed every starter for some period, Aramis Ramirez for two months, Soriano and Soto had zero seasons, and Kevin Gregg blew a ton of saves. If half of those things don't happen we are getting reading to get swept again in the playoffs. This team doesn't need anything, but one more shot next year.

 

They also got the 2nd best season of 33 year old Lee's career, a shockingly great performance from Randy Wells, Angel Guzman healthy for nearly an entire season, and Ted Lilly's career year. There were plenty of people who thought this team would struggle to eclipse the 90-win mark this year. They were pretty old, with multiple injury prone players, and they aren't going to be any younger.

 

This team absolutely needs stuff unless the plan is simply to hope the competition all regresses.

[illiniguy]

Holy [expletive], now we're punting the next 2 seasons because we only won ~85 this year?

Gotta love that thought process. We Could get to 85 wins, missed every starter for some period, Aramis Ramirez for two months, Soriano and Soto had zero seasons, and Kevin Gregg blew a ton of saves. If half of those things don't happen we are getting reading to get swept again in the playoffs. This team doesn't need anything, but one more shot next year.

 

They also got the 2nd best season of 33 year old Lee's career, a shockingly great performance from Randy Wells, Angel Guzman healthy for nearly an entire season, and Ted Lilly's career year. There were plenty of people who thought this team would struggle to eclipse the 90-win mark this year. They were pretty old, with multiple injury prone players, and they aren't going to be any younger.

 

This team absolutely needs stuff unless the plan is simply to hope the competition all regresses.

I see no reason why Derrek and Ted can't put up similar years to what they've done this year and if Sori and Soto come back at all they won't even need to. As for Guzman, that kind of thing happens. Who would have thought Chris Carpenter would have put up this kind of year after missing the last two?

[jersey cubs fan]

Holy [expletive], now we're punting the next 2 seasons because we only won ~85 this year?

Gotta love that thought process. We Could get to 85 wins, missed every starter for some period, Aramis Ramirez for two months, Soriano and Soto had zero seasons, and Kevin Gregg blew a ton of saves. If half of those things don't happen we are getting reading to get swept again in the playoffs. This team doesn't need anything, but one more shot next year.

 

They also got the 2nd best season of 33 year old Lee's career, a shockingly great performance from Randy Wells, Angel Guzman healthy for nearly an entire season, and Ted Lilly's career year. There were plenty of people who thought this team would struggle to eclipse the 90-win mark this year. They were pretty old, with multiple injury prone players, and they aren't going to be any younger.

 

This team absolutely needs stuff unless the plan is simply to hope the competition all regresses.

I see no reason why Derrek and Ted can't put up similar years to what they've done this year and if Sori and Soto come back at all they won't even need to. As for Guzman, that kind of thing happens. Who would have thought Chris Carpenter would have put up this kind of year after missing the last two?

 

So you see no reason why top of the line performances can't be repeated but you don't think disappointment can be repeated? Okay.

 

Those kinds of thinks happen, as you say. What you've line out here is the hope everything works out perfectly approach. And it's not a good one. This team needs stuff. They are old, injury prone and seriously lacking at multiple positions. They can contend in 2010, but it won't be as easy as just showing up.

[illiniguy]

Holy [expletive], now we're punting the next 2 seasons because we only won ~85 this year?

Gotta love that thought process. We Could get to 85 wins, missed every starter for some period, Aramis Ramirez for two months, Soriano and Soto had zero seasons, and Kevin Gregg blew a ton of saves. If half of those things don't happen we are getting reading to get swept again in the playoffs. This team doesn't need anything, but one more shot next year.

 

They also got the 2nd best season of 33 year old Lee's career, a shockingly great performance from Randy Wells, Angel Guzman healthy for nearly an entire season, and Ted Lilly's career year. There were plenty of people who thought this team would struggle to eclipse the 90-win mark this year. They were pretty old, with multiple injury prone players, and they aren't going to be any younger.

 

This team absolutely needs stuff unless the plan is simply to hope the competition all regresses.

I see no reason why Derrek and Ted can't put up similar years to what they've done this year and if Sori and Soto come back at all they won't even need to. As for Guzman, that kind of thing happens. Who would have thought Chris Carpenter would have put up this kind of year after missing the last two?

 

So you see no reason why top of the line performances can't be repeated but you don't think disappointment can be repeated? Okay.

 

Those kinds of thinks happen, as you say. What you've line out here is the hope everything works out perfectly approach. And it's not a good one. This team needs stuff. They are old, injury prone and seriously lacking at multiple positions. They can contend in 2010, but it won't be as easy as just showing up.

They could. Although I would bet Geo has a better year. Sori, not so much. That said I think that more of our guys are due to bounce back than fall even more. Fall guys prolly are, Lee, Lilly, Baker, and maybe Fuku. Rebound guys are Sori, Soto, Z, Fontenot, Bradley, etc. Lot more chances for rebounds I would think.

[KingCubsFan]

What about trading for Hermida and Uggla? Both are about to get expensive for Florida.

[davearm2]

What about trading for Hermida and Uggla? Both are about to get expensive for Florida.

I think the expiration date has passed on Hermida's potential/upside. At this point what you see is what you get: a below avg corner OF, both offensively and defensively.

 

Uggla, I think they'd want a fortune for.

[Backtobanks]

What about trading for Hermida and Uggla? Both are about to get expensive for Florida.

I think the expiration date has passed on Hermida's potential/upside. At this point what you see is what you get: a below avg corner OF, both offensively and defensively.

 

Uggla, I think they'd want a fortune for.

 

I read awhile ago that the Marlins might DFA Hermida. He might be interesting if we can get him really cheap. A mix of Fukudome/Johnson/Hermida in CF/RF could be tolerable. My only problem with Cameron is that he's going to be very expensive (especially if we're paying Bradley too). Hendry had looked at Cody Ross before and he might be an interesting pickup. David DeJesus might be worth looking at too. None of these options addresses the "adding speed and athleticism" mantra we've been hearing.

[Ivy.n.Denver]

How about Bradley for Chris Young (AZ)

 

He's great against lefties, a very good defender and has $25M through 2013

 

It would also free up $11M over the next two years too.

 

I'm not sure if AZ has given up on him yet as he's only 26.

[dew1679666265]

How about Bradley for Chris Young (AZ)

 

He's great against lefties, a very good defender and has $25M through 2013

 

It would also free up $11M over the next two years too.

 

I'm not sure if AZ has given up on him yet as he's only 26.

 

I wouldn't have a lot of interest in Young. If he's not slugging, he's not doing much. His career OBP is .306 and two out of his 4 ML years he's had a .308 OBP.

 

UZR also isn't a big fan of his - he has a career -11.2 UZR and is at -4.8 this year in center.

[Post Count Padder]

If the Cubs deal Milton Bradley, Heyman considers the Padres a logical fit.

[daske17]

If the Cubs deal Milton Bradley, Heyman considers the Padres a logical fit.

 

Heyman may be on to something.

 

Bradley for Adrian Gonzalez and Heath Bell. Book it.

[Guest]

If the Cubs deal Milton Bradley, Heyman considers the Padres a logical fit.

 

Heyman may be on to something.

 

Bradley for Adrian Gonzalez and Heath Bell. Book it.

It's a pretty safe bet that the Cubs are going to get anally raped by any team willing to take on Bradley and his psychological problems.

 

If the Cubs pay the remaining two years of his salary they might get a medicore player of some sort or some low level minor leaguers with promise.

 

If the Cubs pay some portion of his contract they are going to get next to nothing.

 

I don't think any team is going to take Bradley and pay all his salary.

[erik316wttn]

If Bradley is traded, I think absolute best-case scenario is a garbage-for-garbage trade like Hundley for Karros and Grudz in 2003 and hope we get lucky again.

[Guest]

fwiw - I've heard some speculation from a few sources that several teams will be interested in Bradley this offseason. I think the market for him may be better than some think.