Milton Bradley Traded To Mariners For Carlos Silva

[Guancous]

Guancous wrote:

Remember all the jokes about Hendry overpaying middle relievers? He trumped them all: The worst middle reliever in baseball for 2 year/$15 million deal.

 

No one let Bill Bavasi know there's a job opening up soon.

 

Serious question: When was the last time the Cubs had a pitcher as bad as Carlos Silva on the roster?

 

Even Shawn Estes wasn't as bad but it would be close.

 

Trachsel in 07 was honestly one of the worst Cubs pitchers I have ever seen, I don't think Silva will be quite that bad, but it could be close.

 

Silva was worse last year in twice as many innings: http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/trachst01.shtml

[jersey cubs fan]

There's no line of behavior that a player could cross that would make having him back out of the question? That can't be right.

 

Sure, if he killed somebody, or raped a chick or something like that I would strongly advise not bringing him back to the team.

[ThePenguin11]

There was never a point of no return. People weren't going to stop showing up because of Bradley. Players weren't going to stop playing because of Bradley. Those are the only way you have a "point of no return" with a player like that in terms of "personality issues" and even then it's still not something they HAVE to do.

 

He was a PR nightmare on the team that cares more about PR than almost any team in sports. You don't have to like it, but it doesn't make it untrue.

 

No more criticism of any team doing anything. Cause that's just the way they are.

 

Get used to it. It's the Cubs. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. Tom Rickets isn't going to change the whole makeup of this organization in one year. It's the same PR driven, happy / fuzzy come to our ballpark win or lose team that it always has been. The same people are still here. It's going to take the new ownership group at least a couple of years to clean house. And I'm not confident that he even has what it takes in the first place. If he did, Crane Kenny and Jim Hendry would be unemployed. To expect the Cubs to all of a sudden just GET IT, is not realistic. At all.

[Section538]

It was an option. The only reason it wasn't was because they have idiots in charge, and only an idiot would actually think it wasn't an option.

 

Ha ha alright tough guy. So i guess you work for the cubs front office and knew it was an option in their thinking. We dont work for the cubs smart guy, and it was obvious they didn't consider it an option but yet you continue to beat this idea that somehow, keeping bradley was an option the cubs were still considering.

 

The whole point is that it should have been an option they were considering and that they're stupid and short-sighted for not considering it.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

They got money back on a bad investment and took on a slightly worse player to do it.

 

Nearly pissed my pants

 

I'm sorry, I should have said slightly less valuable.

I'm not sure you know what "slightly" means

[SouthSideRyan]

There's no line of behavior that a player could cross that would make having him back out of the question? That can't be right.

 

What was it that Bradley did again?

[Wilson A2000]

How did Silva ever get a contract like that? I can understand how Milton did, he at least had a few good years. But Silva...he must have a great agent.

[SpongeWorthy]

Nothing publicly that I've heard. I'm just saying the line exists. I think it's probably short of rape or murder.

[Guancous]

Take a look at this roster from the 2008 Cubs:

 

http://www.baseball-reference.com/pl/player_search.cgi?search=2008+Cubs

 

What has improved? I'll be generous and say Randy Wells is better than Jason Marquis. Otherwise everything remained the same except for age and additional holes in the roster.

[ThePenguin11]

There was never a point of no return. People weren't going to stop showing up because of Bradley. Players weren't going to stop playing because of Bradley. Those are the only way you have a "point of no return" with a player like that in terms of "personality issues" and even then it's still not something they HAVE to do.

 

He was a PR nightmare on the team that cares more about PR than almost any team in sports. You don't have to like it, but it doesn't make it untrue.

 

That still doesn't make it something that they have to do. How would this "PR nightmare" effect the team? The Cubs stunk last year because 2B turned into a black hole offensively for much of the season, Soto was fat, hurt and awful/had a ton of bad luck and Soriano was bad and playing hurt. Bradley definitely got off to an ice cold start offensively but ended up being a productive player. People aren't going to stop buying tickets and merchandise because of Milton Bradley. Milton Bradley can't make his teammates play worse. Never at any point has moving him beein something they had to do. Who gives a [expletive] if he doesn't like the fans?

 

BECAUSE HE WAS A DISTRACTION IN THE MEDIA, TO HIS MANAGER AND HIS TEAMMATES. NOBODY LIKED HIM AND NOBODY WANTED HIM AROUND. IT WAS A BUSINESS DECISION THAT HE HAD TO BE REMOVED FROM THE CUBS PERFECT, HAPPY, FUZZY, STUPID EXISTENCE. That's just how that [expletive] works.

[inari]

There was never a point of no return. People weren't going to stop showing up because of Bradley. Players weren't going to stop playing because of Bradley. Those are the only way you have a "point of no return" with a player like that in terms of "personality issues" and even then it's still not something they HAVE to do.

 

He was a PR nightmare on the team that cares more about PR than almost any team in sports. You don't have to like it, but it doesn't make it untrue.

 

That still doesn't make it something that they have to do. How would this "PR nightmare" effect the team? The Cubs stunk last year because 2B turned into a black hole offensively for much of the season, Soto was fat, hurt and awful/had a ton of bad luck and Soriano was bad and playing hurt. Bradley definitely got off to an ice cold start offensively but ended up being a productive player. People aren't going to stop buying tickets and merchandise because of Milton Bradley. Milton Bradley can't make his teammates play worse. Never at any point has moving him beein something they had to do. Who gives a [expletive] if he doesn't like the fans?

 

BECAUSE HE WAS A DISTRACTION IN THE MEDIA, TO HIS MANAGER AND HIS TEAMMATES. NOBODY LIKED HIM AND NOBODY WANTED HIM AROUND. IT WAS A BUSINESS DECISION THAT HE HAD TO BE REMOVED FROM THE CUBS PERFECT, HAPPY, FUZZY, STUPID EXISTENCE. That's just how that [expletive] works.

 

I don't care about any of that despite the fact you typed it in all-caps. No smart person cares about it, either.

[Mugged By Fluffy]

 

As mentioned by others is it worth getting rid of Bradley, downgrading your pitching staff and waste a roster spot for 6 million dollars?

 

It's 5, and no.

 

I bet you'll think differently if an injury occurs to some other team, or if at the trading deadline some other team comes along and takes Bradley from Seattle. Even giving Bradley away in a salary dump for a career A prospect come July is still going to be a good deal for the Mariners as it gets money off the books.

 

Hendry however is stuck with Silva for the two years and the money on his contract. Noone is ever going to trade for Silva.

Edited December 18, 2009 by Mugged By Fluffy

[SouthSideRyan]

Actually, the all-caps changed my mind.

[Guancous]

There was never a point of no return. People weren't going to stop showing up because of Bradley. Players weren't going to stop playing because of Bradley. Those are the only way you have a "point of no return" with a player like that in terms of "personality issues" and even then it's still not something they HAVE to do.

 

He was a PR nightmare on the team that cares more about PR than almost any team in sports. You don't have to like it, but it doesn't make it untrue.

 

That still doesn't make it something that they have to do. How would this "PR nightmare" effect the team? The Cubs stunk last year because 2B turned into a black hole offensively for much of the season, Soto was fat, hurt and awful/had a ton of bad luck and Soriano was bad and playing hurt. Bradley definitely got off to an ice cold start offensively but ended up being a productive player. People aren't going to stop buying tickets and merchandise because of Milton Bradley. Milton Bradley can't make his teammates play worse. Never at any point has moving him beein something they had to do. Who gives a [expletive] if he doesn't like the fans?

 

BECAUSE HE WAS A DISTRACTION IN THE MEDIA, TO HIS MANAGER AND HIS TEAMMATES. NOBODY LIKED HIM AND NOBODY WANTED HIM AROUND. IT WAS A BUSINESS DECISION THAT HE HAD TO BE REMOVED FROM THE CUBS PERFECT, HAPPY, FUZZY, STUPID EXISTENCE. That's just how that [expletive] works.

 

Everyone here is angry because that business decision cost the Cubs a roster spot, removed a productive hitter, added a below replacement pitcher and cost millions of dollars over three years. (Including the buyout. Good God, it never even occurred to me that the 2012 option might get picked up. After today, anything is possible.)

[Butterscup1679666578]

There was never a point of no return. People weren't going to stop showing up because of Bradley. Players weren't going to stop playing because of Bradley. Those are the only way you have a "point of no return" with a player like that in terms of "personality issues" and even then it's still not something they HAVE to do.

 

He was a PR nightmare on the team that cares more about PR than almost any team in sports. You don't have to like it, but it doesn't make it untrue.

 

That still doesn't make it something that they have to do. How would this "PR nightmare" effect the team? The Cubs stunk last year because 2B turned into a black hole offensively for much of the season, Soto was fat, hurt and awful/had a ton of bad luck and Soriano was bad and playing hurt. Bradley definitely got off to an ice cold start offensively but ended up being a productive player. People aren't going to stop buying tickets and merchandise because of Milton Bradley. Milton Bradley can't make his teammates play worse. Never at any point has moving him beein something they had to do. Who gives a [expletive] if he doesn't like the fans?

 

BECAUSE HE WAS A DISTRACTION IN THE MEDIA, TO HIS MANAGER AND HIS TEAMMATES. NOBODY LIKED HIM AND NOBODY WANTED HIM AROUND. IT WAS A BUSINESS DECISION THAT HE HAD TO BE REMOVED FROM THE CUBS PERFECT, HAPPY, FUZZY, STUPID EXISTENCE. That's just how that [expletive] works.

 

My god, you're a [expletive] loon.

[Sammy Sofa]

How is he a distraction to his manager and the players when it comes to actually playing and managing a game? And who gives a [expletive] what the media is "distracted" with? You act like the Cubs have to work hard to get people to come out and spend money. Having Milton Bradley spend all of his offtime calling up Cubs fans and insulting them still wouldn't keep them away.

[Guancous]

 

As mentioned by others is it worth getting rid of Bradley, downgrading your pitching staff and waste a roster spot for 6 million dollars?

 

It's 5, and no.

 

I bet you'll think differently if an injury occurs to some other team, or if at the trading deadline some other team comes along and takes Bradley from Seattle. Giving Bradley away in a salary dump for a career A prospect come July is still going to be a good deal for the Mariners.

 

Hendry however is stuck with Silva for the two years and the money on his contract. Noone is ever going to trade for Silva.

 

At least one team did. I'd trade Silva to the Giants for Angel Villanova, straight up.

[ThePenguin11]

They got money back on a bad investment and took on a slightly worse player to do it.

 

Nearly pissed my pants

 

I'm sorry, I should have said slightly less valuable.

I'm not sure you know what "slightly" means

 

Do you really think Milton Bradley had any trade value in MLB??? He hasn't had trade value since he went after the Royals announcer or had to get taken down by his Padres manager. Aside from one inflated year in Texas, he's a statistical joke with nothing but peripheral stats that are a pipe dream because they never amount to actual production over a 162 game season. Fact: Milton Bradley has had NEGATIVE trade value for several years. Because of this it was stupid for Hendry to sign him in the first place.

[jersey cubs fan]

 

As mentioned by others is it worth getting rid of Bradley, downgrading your pitching staff and waste a roster spot for 6 million dollars?

 

It's 5, and no.

 

I bet you'll think differently if an injury occurs to some other team, or if at the trading deadline some other team comes along and takes Bradley from Seattle. Even giving Bradley away in a salary dump for a career A prospect come July is still going to be a good deal for the Mariners as it gets money off the books.

 

Hendry however is stuck with Silva for the two years and the money on his contract. Noone is ever going to trade for Silva.

 

I don't think you understood my answer.

[SouthSideRyan]

Aside from one inflated year in Texas, he's a statistical joke with nothing but peripheral stats that are a pipe dream because they never amount to actual production over a 162 game season. Fact: Milton Bradley has had NEGATIVE trade value for several years.

 

Ok, now I actually pissed my pants.

[loukycub]

Those who think the Cubs should have brought Bradley back have to remember that he was past the point of no return. The Cubs and Bradley had irreconcilable differences and it was beyond repair. Bradley's behavior was too provocative to the fans and his teammates to ever be able to suit him up again. Whether you like it or not, it was both a business decision and a public relations decision. And with a team like the Cubs, those two departments work together very closely. Because Bradley was so out of control the cubs were forced into a situation where he had negative trade value. Which means, if you want to get something positive back from him in a deal - such as a $6MM savings - you have to take a bigger negative back in exchange. It's just basic math really. It's basically like this equation: 5 + -10 = -5 ($6MM cash savings + Silva = Bradley). To say we were better off with Bradley is basically a false statement because Bradley would still never play another game for the Cubs. That's while they call the differences, "irreconcilable". They got money back on a bad investment and took on a slightly worse player to do it. All we can hope for now is that Silva doesn't have a meaningful role and that the $6MM isn't wasted on bullcrap.

 

thank you. for all here that absolutely know for a fact of what silva will do, well what's your excuse for what you absolutely knew for a fact of what bradley would have done this year from past history, all of his past history on and off the field?

 

when silva starts trashing the main people who help pay his salary (that would be the fans who show up to the ballyard, buy overpriced concessions and souvenirs), then i'll throw him under the bus. until then silva may or may not do well this year. but none of us knows FOR 100% CERTAIN that he will be a bust this year right now.

[jersey cubs fan]

Do you really think Milton Bradley had any trade value in MLB???

 

 

So you don't trade him. You keep him and take advantage of his baseball playing value.

[inari]

They got money back on a bad investment and took on a slightly worse player to do it.

 

Nearly pissed my pants

 

I'm sorry, I should have said slightly less valuable.

I'm not sure you know what "slightly" means

 

Do you really think Milton Bradley had any trade value in MLB??? He hasn't had trade value since he went after the Royals announcer or had to get taken down by his Padres manager. Aside from one inflated year in Texas, he's a statistical joke with nothing but peripheral stats that are a pipe dream because they never amount to actual production over a 162 game season. Fact: Milton Bradley has had NEGATIVE trade value for several years. Because of this it was stupid for Hendry to sign him in the first place.

 

lol wat

 

Why the hell was their a market to sign him as a free agent for anything above league minimum if he had zero trade value? And statistical joke? Really? Come on. You don't believe that garbage.

 

Should I retype that in all-caps?

[jersey cubs fan]

Those who think the Cubs should have brought Bradley back have to remember that he was past the point of no return. The Cubs and Bradley had irreconcilable differences and it was beyond repair. Bradley's behavior was too provocative to the fans and his teammates to ever be able to suit him up again. Whether you like it or not, it was both a business decision and a public relations decision. And with a team like the Cubs, those two departments work together very closely. Because Bradley was so out of control the cubs were forced into a situation where he had negative trade value. Which means, if you want to get something positive back from him in a deal - such as a $6MM savings - you have to take a bigger negative back in exchange. It's just basic math really. It's basically like this equation: 5 + -10 = -5 ($6MM cash savings + Silva = Bradley). To say we were better off with Bradley is basically a false statement because Bradley would still never play another game for the Cubs. That's while they call the differences, "irreconcilable". They got money back on a bad investment and took on a slightly worse player to do it. All we can hope for now is that Silva doesn't have a meaningful role and that the $6MM isn't wasted on bullcrap.

 

thank you. for all here that absolutely know for a fact of what silva will do, well what's your excuse for what you absolutely knew for a fact of what bradley would have done this year from past history, all of his past history on and off the field?

 

when silva starts trashing the main people who help pay his salary (that would be the fans who show up to the ballyard, buy overpriced concessions and souvenirs), then i'll throw him under the bus. until then silva may or may not do well this year. but none of us knows FOR 100% CERTAIN that he will be a bust this year right now.

 

 

Is it possible to measure the level of stupid in this post? I don't think it is.

[mul21]

 

BECAUSE HE WAS A DISTRACTION IN THE MEDIA, TO HIS MANAGER AND HIS TEAMMATES. NOBODY LIKED HIM AND NOBODY WANTED HIM AROUND. IT WAS A BUSINESS DECISION THAT HE HAD TO BE REMOVED FROM THE CUBS PERFECT, HAPPY, FUZZY, STUPID EXISTENCE. That's just how that [expletive] works.

 

And why is any of this true? Because the people in management positions completely fubared the handling of the situation. Suspension, bad mouthing, and just general stupidity in dealing with the situation is what caused it. Get that through your head. If Theo Epstein had the same issue, you wouldn't hear a peep out of him about how difficult the player made the situation. He didn't bad mouth Manny when he had to get rid of him. He may have overpaid to get rid of him, but he got something decent in return. The way the Cubs allowed the situation to play out is the reason that there was a perception the "he couldn't come back". If they kept their mouths shut and dealt with it like adults instead of 10 year olds, Milton might be a Cub still and maybe provided some much needed production next year.