How about this Solution to the Bradley Mess?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Hawpe is an Adam Dunn caliber level defender, on the whole Bradley has outperformed him in 30 less games.

[Rob]

Okay, let's leave the realm of reality.

 

How about DLee MB and Miles for Helton and Hawpe.

 

Sure would solve that balanced line-up "problem" the cubs have.

 

Of course this would add about $20M to the cubs payroll over the next 2 years.

 

 

Fukudome

Helton

Ramirez

Hawpe

Soriano

Soto

Fontenot/Baker

Theriot

 

Downgrading at two positions and getting more expensive? Where do I sign?

 

Brad Hawpe is a downgrade over MB? Hawpe is great. He's actually hit more HR away from Coors this season, and his home/road splits for his career are virtually identical. He'd be a great addition to the Cubs, and far greater than Milton Bradley. We downgrade at 1B on a purely production #'s standpoint. Helton's power is zapped, but he is still a guy who will get on base at a .400+ OBP. He'd be a good #2 guy in the lineup. But we'd lose a big bat in Lee, and Helton costs way too much, even if he does get on base at a good clip.

 

I don't think you understand just how atrocious Hawpe's defense really is. Bradley's value was significantly higher this year even despite the fact it was a huge down year for him and Hawpe put up a near .900 OPS in 140 games.

[Clem Fandango]

I didn't realize it was that bad. Perhaps it is a downgrade...

 

If we didn't have Soriano booting lazy rollers in the outfield and we had someone who was actually a decent defender out there, I'd take Hawpe over Bradley in a heartbeat for RF still. But with Soriano being a doofus out there having two terrible defenders at the corner OF spots would suck. We put up with Soriano's defense because he (usually) provides good offense, but he's been crap this year, and if he continues that trend next year we couldn't afford to bring in a defender like Hawpe. Sad. His bat would be so good nestled in there behind Derrek and Aramis. I'd put up with one crappy outfielder, but not two.

[Rob]

I didn't realize it was that bad. Perhaps it is a downgrade...

 

If we didn't have Soriano booting lazy rollers in the outfield and we had someone who was actually a decent defender out there, I'd take Hawpe over Bradley in a heartbeat for RF still. But with Soriano being a doofus out there having two terrible defenders at the corner OF spots would suck. We put up with Soriano's defense because he (usually) provides good offense, but he's been crap this year, and if he continues that trend next year we couldn't afford to bring in a defender like Hawpe. Sad. His bat would be so good nestled in there behind Derrek and Aramis. I'd put up with one crappy outfielder, but not two.

 

How would Soriano playing better defense justify getting a worse player in RF?

 

Always always always get the best player you can at each position.

 

(And just for the record, before this season and the knee injury, Soriano had been quite a good defender for us in left. Well above average)

[Backtobanks]

From MLBTR (about Padres):

Towers has admitted interest in bringing Milton Bradley back, talking with ESPN's Jerry Crasnick. If the Cubs are desperate enough to cover $17MM of the $21MM left on his contract, it'd be as if Towers signed a potential .400 OBP bat to a two-year, $4MM deal. It's a chance worth taking, and it'd leave the Padres with a surplus of outfielders. The Padres are second-to-last in the NL with 3.96 runs scored per game this year, but a Gonzalez-Blanks-Bradley heart of the order could be decent. More silver lining: Headley, Venable, and Kouzmanoff have been offensive assets in the second half.

 

This is the worst option of this Bradley mess unless we're receiving an amazing prospect or two. Give me a bad contract that at least will fill a role on the Cubs rather than paying $17 million for Bradley to play elsewhere. As I've posted before, I think the "interest" in Bradley is based on getting him for next-to-nothing and having Hendry pay 80%-85% of his salary for two years.

[inari]

If as many teams are as interested in Bradley as is reported, we won't be paying 90% of his salary and getting nothing back.

[Halman]

If as many teams are as interested in Bradley as is reported, we won't be paying 90% of his salary and getting nothing back.

 

I'll take that bet

[dew1679666265]

If as many teams are as interested in Bradley as is reported, we won't be paying 90% of his salary and getting nothing back.

 

I'll take that bet

 

If there are a lot of teams involved in the negotiations, the likelihood is that they'll begin to offer against each other and drive up the price. They might not be willing to go that high with their bids, but if there are 5-6 teams involved, Inari has a good chance of being right.

[Backtobanks]

If as many teams are as interested in Bradley as is reported, we won't be paying 90% of his salary and getting nothing back.

 

I'll take that bet

 

If there are a lot of teams involved in the negotiations, the likelihood is that they'll begin to offer against each other and drive up the price. They might not be willing to go that high with their bids, but if there are 5-6 teams involved, Inari has a good chance of being right.

 

I hope inari is right, but I have my doubts. That's a big "IF" (if 5-6 teams are involved) because they might start dropping off once Hendry tells them he's not paying 85% of the money owed.

[dew1679666265]

If as many teams are as interested in Bradley as is reported, we won't be paying 90% of his salary and getting nothing back.

 

I'll take that bet

 

If there are a lot of teams involved in the negotiations, the likelihood is that they'll begin to offer against each other and drive up the price. They might not be willing to go that high with their bids, but if there are 5-6 teams involved, Inari has a good chance of being right.

 

I hope inari is right, but I have my doubts. That's a big "IF" (if 5-6 teams are involved) because they might start dropping off once Hendry tells them he's not paying 85% of the money owed.

 

It's not a matter of Hendry coming out and saying "I'm not going to pay 85% of his salary", it's a matter of beginning the negotiations at one point and playing two or three teams off of each other. Bradley is one of the best corner outfielders on the market and any teams interested will take that into account.

 

The Cubs' desire to trade Bradley would only have a significant effect in one of two ways. Either Hendry sells at the first offer he gets or if Bradley had a no trade clause and gave the Cubs only one team he'd go to (or if there was just one team interested). If there are multiple teams interested, the likelihood is that they'll start bidding against each other. That's how any negotiation works.

[Backtobanks]

From MLBTR:

Hermida A Non-Tender Candidate

By Tim Dierkes [september 30 at 4:47pm CST]

The Marlins are unlikely to tender a contract to outfielder Jeremy Hermida, according to Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post. Hermida followed up on a lackluster '08 with a .259/.348/.392 line in 491 plate appearances this year. His defense is not well-regarded, though heading into the season John Dewan of the Fielding Bible said Hermida was "dependable, if unspectacular" and has the physical talent to improve.

 

In 2006, Hermida graced the cover of Baseball America's Prospect Handbook. A few years later, he's a non-tender candidate. If the Marlins cut Hermida loose, he'll be the youngest member of this winter's free agent class at 26 years old (which the exception of Aroldis Chapman). The Fish will presumably attempt to find a trade partner first.

 

How about working a deal with the Marlins:

Fontenot + Bradley + Fuld/Colvin + Berg/Patton/Stevens + $10 million for Hermida + Ross + Uggla.

 

Cubs get power hitter, CF, and 4th OF (2009 salaries - $5.4 million, $2.3 million, $2.3 million)

Cubs basically break even in money for 2010 and pay most of Bradley's salary for 2011 and have usable players.

Marlins make the deal for the usual reason - $$$$$

 

1B - DLee

2B - Uggla

SS -Theriot

3B - ARam

LF - Soriano

CF - Ross

RF - Fukudome

C - Soto

 

Bench - Baker, Blanco, Hermida, Hill, Hoffpauir/Fox (one to be traded)

[Cubs Fan Dan]

From MLBTR:

Hermida A Non-Tender Candidate

By Tim Dierkes [september 30 at 4:47pm CST]

The Marlins are unlikely to tender a contract to outfielder Jeremy Hermida, according to Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post. Hermida followed up on a lackluster '08 with a .259/.348/.392 line in 491 plate appearances this year. His defense is not well-regarded, though heading into the season John Dewan of the Fielding Bible said Hermida was "dependable, if unspectacular" and has the physical talent to improve.

 

In 2006, Hermida graced the cover of Baseball America's Prospect Handbook. A few years later, he's a non-tender candidate. If the Marlins cut Hermida loose, he'll be the youngest member of this winter's free agent class at 26 years old (which the exception of Aroldis Chapman). The Fish will presumably attempt to find a trade partner first.

 

How about working a deal with the Marlins:

Fontenot + Bradley + Fuld/Colvin + Berg/Patton/Stevens + $10 million for Hermida + Ross + Uggla.

 

Cubs get power hitter, CF, and 4th OF (2009 salaries - $5.4 million, $2.3 million, $2.3 million)

Cubs basically break even in money for 2010 and pay most of Bradley's salary for 2011 and have usable players.

Marlins make the deal for the usual reason - $$$$$

 

1B - DLee

2B - Uggla

SS -Theriot

3B - ARam

LF - Soriano

CF - Ross

RF - Fukudome

C - Soto

 

Bench - Baker, Blanco, Hermida, Hill, Hoffpauir/Fox (one to be traded)

 

Not a way and hell that we could get Ross and Uggle giving up almost nothing. You would have to slide in Cashner/Carpenter, and another one of the Cubs upper level prospects..

[Backtobanks]

From MLBTR:

Hermida A Non-Tender Candidate

By Tim Dierkes [september 30 at 4:47pm CST]

The Marlins are unlikely to tender a contract to outfielder Jeremy Hermida, according to Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post. Hermida followed up on a lackluster '08 with a .259/.348/.392 line in 491 plate appearances this year. His defense is not well-regarded, though heading into the season John Dewan of the Fielding Bible said Hermida was "dependable, if unspectacular" and has the physical talent to improve.

 

In 2006, Hermida graced the cover of Baseball America's Prospect Handbook. A few years later, he's a non-tender candidate. If the Marlins cut Hermida loose, he'll be the youngest member of this winter's free agent class at 26 years old (which the exception of Aroldis Chapman). The Fish will presumably attempt to find a trade partner first.

 

How about working a deal with the Marlins:

Fontenot + Bradley + Fuld/Colvin + Berg/Patton/Stevens + $10 million for Hermida + Ross + Uggla.

 

Cubs get power hitter, CF, and 4th OF (2009 salaries - $5.4 million, $2.3 million, $2.3 million)

Cubs basically break even in money for 2010 and pay most of Bradley's salary for 2011 and have usable players.

Marlins make the deal for the usual reason - $$$$$

 

1B - DLee

2B - Uggla

SS -Theriot

3B - ARam

LF - Soriano

CF - Ross

RF - Fukudome

C - Soto

 

Bench - Baker, Blanco, Hermida, Hill, Hoffpauir/Fox (one to be traded)

 

Not a way and hell that we could get Ross and Uggle giving up almost nothing. You would have to slide in Cashner/Carpenter, and another one of the Cubs upper level prospects..

 

Well the players and/or the money could be tweaked to get the trade done. With Ross and Uggla being mentioned often as trade bait and Hermida possibly being DFA, it might not be as expensive (in players) as you think. Maybe make the deal smaller by taking out Uggla:

 

Bradley + Fuld/Colvin + Berg/Patton/Stevens + $10 million for Ross + Hermida

 

It still gives us a decent CF and a 4th OF, leaves Baker/fontenot at 2B, and gets rid of Bradley ( :thumbsup: ).

[SouthSideRyan]

From MLBTR:

Hermida A Non-Tender Candidate

By Tim Dierkes [september 30 at 4:47pm CST]

The Marlins are unlikely to tender a contract to outfielder Jeremy Hermida, according to Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post. Hermida followed up on a lackluster '08 with a .259/.348/.392 line in 491 plate appearances this year. His defense is not well-regarded, though heading into the season John Dewan of the Fielding Bible said Hermida was "dependable, if unspectacular" and has the physical talent to improve.

 

In 2006, Hermida graced the cover of Baseball America's Prospect Handbook. A few years later, he's a non-tender candidate. If the Marlins cut Hermida loose, he'll be the youngest member of this winter's free agent class at 26 years old (which the exception of Aroldis Chapman). The Fish will presumably attempt to find a trade partner first.

 

How about working a deal with the Marlins:

Fontenot + Bradley + Fuld/Colvin + Berg/Patton/Stevens + $10 million for Hermida + Ross + Uggla.

 

Cubs get power hitter, CF, and 4th OF (2009 salaries - $5.4 million, $2.3 million, $2.3 million)

Cubs basically break even in money for 2010 and pay most of Bradley's salary for 2011 and have usable players.

Marlins make the deal for the usual reason - $$$$$

 

1B - DLee

2B - Uggla

SS -Theriot

3B - ARam

LF - Soriano

CF - Ross

RF - Fukudome

C - Soto

 

Bench - Baker, Blanco, Hermida, Hill, Hoffpauir/Fox (one to be traded)

 

Not a way and hell that we could get Ross and Uggle giving up almost nothing. You would have to slide in Cashner/Carpenter, and another one of the Cubs upper level prospects..

 

Well the players and/or the money could be tweaked to get the trade done. With Ross and Uggla being mentioned often as trade bait and Hermida possibly being DFA, it might not be as expensive (in players) as you think. Maybe make the deal smaller by taking out Uggla:

 

Bradley + Fuld/Colvin + Berg/Patton/Stevens + $10 million for Ross + Hermida

 

It still gives us a decent CF and a 4th OF, leaves Baker/fontenot at 2B, and gets rid of Bradley ( :thumbsup: ).[/quote

 

So in your opinion the trade value of Mike Fontenot is roughly Dan Uggla.

[Backtobanks]

From MLBTR:

Hermida A Non-Tender Candidate

By Tim Dierkes [september 30 at 4:47pm CST]

The Marlins are unlikely to tender a contract to outfielder Jeremy Hermida, according to Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post. Hermida followed up on a lackluster '08 with a .259/.348/.392 line in 491 plate appearances this year. His defense is not well-regarded, though heading into the season John Dewan of the Fielding Bible said Hermida was "dependable, if unspectacular" and has the physical talent to improve.

 

In 2006, Hermida graced the cover of Baseball America's Prospect Handbook. A few years later, he's a non-tender candidate. If the Marlins cut Hermida loose, he'll be the youngest member of this winter's free agent class at 26 years old (which the exception of Aroldis Chapman). The Fish will presumably attempt to find a trade partner first.

 

How about working a deal with the Marlins:

Fontenot + Bradley + Fuld/Colvin + Berg/Patton/Stevens + $10 million for Hermida + Ross + Uggla.

 

Cubs get power hitter, CF, and 4th OF (2009 salaries - $5.4 million, $2.3 million, $2.3 million)

Cubs basically break even in money for 2010 and pay most of Bradley's salary for 2011 and have usable players.

Marlins make the deal for the usual reason - $$$$$

 

1B - DLee

2B - Uggla

SS -Theriot

3B - ARam

LF - Soriano

CF - Ross

RF - Fukudome

C - Soto

 

Bench - Baker, Blanco, Hermida, Hill, Hoffpauir/Fox (one to be traded)

 

Not a way and hell that we could get Ross and Uggle giving up almost nothing. You would have to slide in Cashner/Carpenter, and another one of the Cubs upper level prospects..

 

Well the players and/or the money could be tweaked to get the trade done. With Ross and Uggla being mentioned often as trade bait and Hermida possibly being DFA, it might not be as expensive (in players) as you think. Maybe make the deal smaller by taking out Uggla:

 

Bradley + Fuld/Colvin + Berg/Patton/Stevens + $10 million for Ross + Hermida

 

It still gives us a decent CF and a 4th OF, leaves Baker/fontenot at 2B, and gets rid of Bradley ( :thumbsup: ).[/quote

 

So in your opinion the trade value of Mike Fontenot is roughly Dan Uggla.

 

No, Fontenot was a low-cost replacement for Uggla in the original trade. When Cubsfandan posted that the Cubs were getting too much in the deal, I removed a better player from their side and a lesser player from our side to make the deal more fair.

[Backtobanks]

If as many teams are as interested in Bradley as is reported, we won't be paying 90% of his salary and getting nothing back.

 

I'll take that bet

 

If there are a lot of teams involved in the negotiations, the likelihood is that they'll begin to offer against each other and drive up the price. They might not be willing to go that high with their bids, but if there are 5-6 teams involved, Inari has a good chance of being right.

 

I hope inari is right, but I have my doubts. That's a big "IF" (if 5-6 teams are involved) because they might start dropping off once Hendry tells them he's not paying 85% of the money owed.

 

It's not a matter of Hendry coming out and saying "I'm not going to pay 85% of his salary", it's a matter of beginning the negotiations at one point and playing two or three teams off of each other. Bradley is one of the best corner outfielders on the market and any teams interested will take that into account.

 

The Cubs' desire to trade Bradley would only have a significant effect in one of two ways. Either Hendry sells at the first offer he gets or if Bradley had a no trade clause and gave the Cubs only one team he'd go to (or if there was just one team interested). If there are multiple teams interested, the likelihood is that they'll start bidding against each other. That's how any negotiation works.

 

I understand how negotiations work, but the rest of the GMs have knowledge of the situation and aren't going into negotiations totally clueless. The reason Bradley is "one of the best corner outfielders on the market" is because Hendry and Lou want him gone and are willing to eat a big part of his salary. The leading candidates (according to reports) is the Padres. Do you think they're going to take on Bradley's contract? I hope Hendry can pull off a miracle, but I see only two options: take on another bad contract or eat most of Bradley's contract. Because of those two options (which other GMs are aware of), Hendry doesn't have much leverage.

[inari]

If there's multiple teams involved, it barely even matters that Hendry wants him gone as they're going to have to bid relative to each other not relative to how much the Cubs want Bradley gone.

[Backtobanks]

If there's multiple teams involved, it barely even matters that Hendry wants him gone as they're going to have to bid relative to each other not relative to how much the Cubs want Bradley gone.

 

As I posted earlier, I'm not sure how many teams are going to be involved if they have to give up something of value and pay most of Bradley's contract. I think the "interest" in Bradley comes from the fact that the other GMs know they have all the leverage. The other GMs have seen the stories about Bradley and have read the quotes from Lou and Hendry basically stating that Bradley will be traded because nobody wants him back. When you see the low-payroll Padres are interested, you know teams are looking for a something-for-nothing deal. Actually with all the negative publicity and the national media claiming Hendry will have to eat 80% - 85% of his contract, I'm surprised there aren't 20 teams interested at this point.

[dew1679666265]

If there's multiple teams involved, it barely even matters that Hendry wants him gone as they're going to have to bid relative to each other not relative to how much the Cubs want Bradley gone.

 

As I posted earlier, I'm not sure how many teams are going to be involved if they have to give up something of value and pay most of Bradley's contract. I think the "interest" in Bradley comes from the fact that the other GMs know they have all the leverage. The other GMs have seen the stories about Bradley and have read the quotes from Lou and Hendry basically stating that Bradley will be traded because nobody wants him back. When you see the low-payroll Padres are interested, you know teams are looking for a something-for-nothing deal. Actually with all the negative publicity and the national media claiming Hendry will have to eat 80% - 85% of his contract, I'm surprised there aren't 20 teams interested at this point.

 

I've also seen teams like the Mets interested as well. If Hendry can get one or two teams like the Mets bidding against each other, how much he has to pay of Bradley's contract will likely decrease.

 

And the fact that Bradley is probably the best corner OF on the market means that a team with a need there might be willing to give more and make more of an effort to outbid others. I don't expect anybody to pay most of Bradley's salary, but the more teams that are involved the more likely it becomes that the Cubs aren't paying 80+% of his contract.

[davearm2]

If there's multiple teams involved, it barely even matters that Hendry wants him gone as they're going to have to bid relative to each other not relative to how much the Cubs want Bradley gone.

 

As I posted earlier, I'm not sure how many teams are going to be involved if they have to give up something of value and pay most of Bradley's contract. I think the "interest" in Bradley comes from the fact that the other GMs know they have all the leverage. The other GMs have seen the stories about Bradley and have read the quotes from Lou and Hendry basically stating that Bradley will be traded because nobody wants him back. When you see the low-payroll Padres are interested, you know teams are looking for a something-for-nothing deal. Actually with all the negative publicity and the national media claiming Hendry will have to eat 80% - 85% of his contract, I'm surprised there aren't 20 teams interested at this point.

Right on.

 

If interest in Bradley is high, it's primarily because the (perceived) price is low. And that interest will quickly fizzle to nothing if the price rises much at all.

 

The notion of a bidding war erupting here strikes me as quite a stretch. I expect a handful of teams will make lowball offers, won't budge off of them, and Hendry will have to pick the least awful of them.

[Backtobanks]

If there's multiple teams involved, it barely even matters that Hendry wants him gone as they're going to have to bid relative to each other not relative to how much the Cubs want Bradley gone.

 

As I posted earlier, I'm not sure how many teams are going to be involved if they have to give up something of value and pay most of Bradley's contract. I think the "interest" in Bradley comes from the fact that the other GMs know they have all the leverage. The other GMs have seen the stories about Bradley and have read the quotes from Lou and Hendry basically stating that Bradley will be traded because nobody wants him back. When you see the low-payroll Padres are interested, you know teams are looking for a something-for-nothing deal. Actually with all the negative publicity and the national media claiming Hendry will have to eat 80% - 85% of his contract, I'm surprised there aren't 20 teams interested at this point.

 

I've also seen teams like the Mets interested as well. If Hendry can get one or two teams like the Mets bidding against each other, how much he has to pay of Bradley's contract will likely decrease.

 

And the fact that Bradley is probably the best corner OF on the market means that a team with a need there might be willing to give more and make more of an effort to outbid others. I don't expect anybody to pay most of Bradley's salary, but the more teams that are involved the more likely it becomes that the Cubs aren't paying 80+% of his contract.

 

Sure the Mets are interested as long as we're willing to take Oliver Perez for Bradley.

[Backtobanks]

From Foxsports:

 

Jose Reyes could miss all of 2010 season

The Mets' willingness to let Jose Reyes keep testing his ailing right leg came back to bite them in a huge and embarrassing way yesterday. An MRI exam revealed the shortstop tore his right hamstring muscle Tuesday while running at a workout facility in New York, endangering part or all of Reyes' 2010 season, too. The torn hamstring muscle is a new injury and comes on top of the torn right hamstring tendon Reyes suffered while running in Port St. Lucie in early June. Already under fire for their bungled handling of so many of their injured players this season, the Mets now face fresh scrutiny for letting Reyes continue to run, even when it was obvious he would not be back this season. -- NY Post .....Ben's Take: Jose Reyes is making Mets fans miss the good old days with Rey Ordonez.

 

How about Bradley for Reyes even up. Salaries are equal for 2010. The Cubs dump Bradley and his contract and get a great SS in 2011 (assuming he's healthy). The Mets get Bradley's production for $12 million over 2 years without giving up a player that would play a part of the 2010 team.

[davearm2]

I can't imagine a torn hamstring suffered in September 09 could keep a guy out for all of 2010. That seems like some pretty wild (and unfounded) speculation.

[inari]

If there's multiple teams involved, it barely even matters that Hendry wants him gone as they're going to have to bid relative to each other not relative to how much the Cubs want Bradley gone.

 

As I posted earlier, I'm not sure how many teams are going to be involved if they have to give up something of value and pay most of Bradley's contract. I think the "interest" in Bradley comes from the fact that the other GMs know they have all the leverage. The other GMs have seen the stories about Bradley and have read the quotes from Lou and Hendry basically stating that Bradley will be traded because nobody wants him back. When you see the low-payroll Padres are interested, you know teams are looking for a something-for-nothing deal. Actually with all the negative publicity and the national media claiming Hendry will have to eat 80% - 85% of his contract, I'm surprised there aren't 20 teams interested at this point.

 

I've also seen teams like the Mets interested as well. If Hendry can get one or two teams like the Mets bidding against each other, how much he has to pay of Bradley's contract will likely decrease.

 

And the fact that Bradley is probably the best corner OF on the market means that a team with a need there might be willing to give more and make more of an effort to outbid others. I don't expect anybody to pay most of Bradley's salary, but the more teams that are involved the more likely it becomes that the Cubs aren't paying 80+% of his contract.

 

Sure the Mets are interested as long as we're willing to take Oliver Perez for Bradley.

 

I think you dramatically underestimate how much teams will value Bradley independent of a discount that may or may not come. The discount is not the only reason there is interest.

[dew1679666265]

If there's multiple teams involved, it barely even matters that Hendry wants him gone as they're going to have to bid relative to each other not relative to how much the Cubs want Bradley gone.

 

As I posted earlier, I'm not sure how many teams are going to be involved if they have to give up something of value and pay most of Bradley's contract. I think the "interest" in Bradley comes from the fact that the other GMs know they have all the leverage. The other GMs have seen the stories about Bradley and have read the quotes from Lou and Hendry basically stating that Bradley will be traded because nobody wants him back. When you see the low-payroll Padres are interested, you know teams are looking for a something-for-nothing deal. Actually with all the negative publicity and the national media claiming Hendry will have to eat 80% - 85% of his contract, I'm surprised there aren't 20 teams interested at this point.

 

I've also seen teams like the Mets interested as well. If Hendry can get one or two teams like the Mets bidding against each other, how much he has to pay of Bradley's contract will likely decrease.

 

And the fact that Bradley is probably the best corner OF on the market means that a team with a need there might be willing to give more and make more of an effort to outbid others. I don't expect anybody to pay most of Bradley's salary, but the more teams that are involved the more likely it becomes that the Cubs aren't paying 80+% of his contract.

 

Sure the Mets are interested as long as we're willing to take Oliver Perez for Bradley.

 

I haven't heard that their interest in hinged only on us taking Perez. Are you speculating or is there something to that?