Rays + Milton Bradley = Happy Times?

by SRQman on Oct 31, 2008 3:11 PM EDT Comment 45 comments

Ben Reiter on SI.com said this about Milton Bradley and the Rays being the best fit for each other.

Emotional and injury-prone, and most likely mainly a DH at age 30, but when he plays, he hits (.999 OPS in '08). Rays not inclined to sign or retain players who might become distractions (Barry Bonds, Delmon Young), but Bradley could be worth the risk, especially considering their lack of production from rightfield.

He also lists Rocco Baldelli and the Rays being the best fit, which is not a surprise,

Admirably dealt with his mitochondrial disease in the post-season, but the energy-sapping disorder makes him necessarily a part-time player. Even so, was the best of the Rays' rightfield options down the stretch, and would be a fine reserve going forward.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/ben_reiter/10/30/reiter.top.freeagents/index.html?eref=T1

Bradley would be worth it but could he play RF (20 games in the OF because of a torn ligament from last season) but he could be a good DH. How much would you guys give him?

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2 year 16 mil

Don’t know if that’s enough, but I wouldn’t spend much more than that. We can build from within on a spot like DH.

by staplemaniac on Oct 31, 2008 3:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think with all the injurys, character issues in the past and only playing DH

We can get him for even less. I think 2/12 mil with incentives would do it.

by joeybw on Oct 31, 2008 3:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

both of those contract proposals would be no-brainers

I’m really curious about how some of these free agent deals go down. Mostly for the all-hit, no-field guys. One, I think teams are somewhat wising up and two, there are so many of them available and not a ton of spots to fill.

Beyond the Boxscore // Calling BJ Upton lazy is lazy.

by Sky Kalkman on Oct 31, 2008 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

If the Rays really want him, they should be willing to go with something as high as 10M a yr for at least 3 years and 2 mutual option years on top of that. Somehow though I think he’ll probably end up getting somewhere in the 13-15m/yr range from someone who wants to overpay and that’ll be the end of this discussion.

by kericr on Oct 31, 2008 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd rather do 2/25 than 3/30.

More money, less years.

The Dirty Canuck of the now.

by Blicks on Oct 31, 2008 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Right now, you wouldn't pay Milton $5MM for his 2011 season?

Beyond the Boxscore // Calling BJ Upton lazy is lazy.

by Sky Kalkman on Oct 31, 2008 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I definitely would.

I’m just trying to use numbers, and failing at it.

The Dirty Canuck of the now.

by Blicks on Nov 1, 2008 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i'll lay off then ; )

I agree with the idea that a short contract is what the Rays should aim for with veteran free agent signings.

Beyond the Boxscore // Calling BJ Upton lazy is lazy.

by Sky Kalkman on Nov 2, 2008 2:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

didn't we decline a $6 million option on him? i mean, i know that was before we knew if he'd ever play again...but that would suck declining a $6 million option and then signing him for $8 per.

by walkoffwalk on Oct 31, 2008 11:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would love to get Bradley...

We need a DH with some juice in the lineup. Bradley or Giambi could provide that…

by td32 on Oct 31, 2008 3:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

He's young enough to try for a 4 yr deal

but his track record health wise is not great.

He’s coming off a 1 yr, 5m deal so 2/12 with incentives isn’t much of a step up. I’d go 3/24 with a mutual 4th year. Switch hitting DH with his plate skills would be very nice to have.

by Jason Collette on Oct 31, 2008 3:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

How about

2 years/14 mil with a team option for a 3rd year at the same price.

Maybe we give some incentives so if he can stay healthy and have a great season, he can cash in

by joeybw on Oct 31, 2008 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

nobody mentions he's fucked in the head. Do we think this is no longer an issue?

And do we have an established enough leader in our clubhouse to keep him in line?

Rays 2009 Slogan: "Come back with your shield or on it"

by PriceMultiCyYoungs on Oct 31, 2008 3:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

His "clubhouse issues" have been blown way out of proportion.

J.K.L.

by acblue on Oct 31, 2008 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Like most clubhouse issues.

Sports media is a joke.

One guy can beat his wife yet nobody calls for him to be dealt. Another guy doesn’t hustle to first and people want him gone.

by R.J. Anderson on Oct 31, 2008 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Didn't he try to attack the announcers for talking about him?

by floridaroar on Oct 31, 2008 9:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

DURING A GAME

by floridaroar on Oct 31, 2008 9:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Milton was going to confront the announcer.

Whether he was going to physically harm him or simply talk to him is up to conjecture.

by R.J. Anderson on Oct 31, 2008 11:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Conjecture...

Maybe his intent was not to harm. What is not up for debate is that he left the dug out, left the clubhouse, and went upstairs to pound on a locked broadcast booth door during a game.

He’s a ticking time bomb I’d rather not introduce to our team.

by floridaroar on Nov 1, 2008 9:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm pretty sure that it was after the game.

And he said he was going to talk to him.

He’s been clean for a good part of the last two seasons. Frankly I’m shocked he didn’t beat the living hell out of the umpire who deserved it.

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 1, 2008 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

After the game

and never even got to the elevator..

After the announcer bashed him, calling him several different veiled version of a sorry person in now the 2nd consecutive broadcast. Not to mention the same typed of comments the previous series in Texas.

The announcer holds a grudge from Milton refusing to deal to KC the previous deal and his close association with several Umpires from his days with his father the former MLB Manager Jim. Lets just say he was encouraged to not discuss Bradley on any other telecasts by the team.

I don’t condone what Bradley has done, but Lefbvere stepped over the line.

by laxtonto on Nov 1, 2008 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Okay, I thought it was during the game.

Just looked up the stories and both of you appear to be right.

Bradley is a hell of a player but not the kind of attitude I would like introduced to our team. Personally, I don’t like the guy but if the Rays Front Office decides he’s a good fit I will be all for it. With their recent success in player acquisitions, who am I to bitch if they pick up Bradley?

by floridaroar on Nov 1, 2008 5:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He's gone one record as saying he's tired of one year deals and is more concerned about security than anything.

I’m not really sure the market is going to bear a four year deal, but who knows.

J.K.L.

by acblue on Oct 31, 2008 4:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Bradley can still run and play the OF

His injury was two seasons ago, the guy is a phenomenal OF’er. This off season should have Bradley back at 100%. At 30, he’s in his prime.

2 year, 12M + playing incentatives for games played, all star, MVP vote etc. for 2009-10

2 added years of options 2011-2012, after the additional contract at $7M & $8M. per + incentives.

At this cost, Bradley’s a steal. His nogg’n is why no teams are willing to go long term with the guy. An out in the contract for him going AWOL or berzerk would have to be added into any contract to void the deal.

by John 63 on Oct 31, 2008 5:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I would pay any amount of money below $8 mil

RETURN OF THE BLACKOUT OUTFIELD

by Top Gun Numba 1 on Oct 31, 2008 5:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Concerned about first half and second half differential

Here’s Bradley’s pre-all star and post all star stats:

Pre All-Star: 269 AB, .316 avg, 19 HR, .440 OBP, 57 RBI, 41 total X-B hits (2B, 3B, HR)
Post All Star 145 AB, .331 avg, 3 HR, .429 OBP, 20 RBI, 14 total X-B hits (2B, 3B, HR)

Became just a slap-stick hitter after the All-Star break…does any one know if it was injury related, or what caused it?

It should also be pointed out that Bradley is a switch-hitter, something that Maddon greatly values. His numbers last year were great from both sides of the plate.

left: 278 AB, .309 avg, 11 HR, .415 OBP, 49 RBI
right: 136 AB, .346 avg, 11 HR, .477 OBP, 28 RBI

His numbers over the last three years indicate his ability as a switch hitter is pretty much the same. All in all, I doubt very much you will find another player with these stats available this cheap. A two year contract at 14 mil with incentives and 3rd year team option would be good.

by raysfaninminnesota on Oct 31, 2008 6:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

what's wrong with just playing him at DH?

by mittens on Oct 31, 2008 7:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

nothing

The only problem is(in my opinion) is if someone offers him a lot. I would love Bradley at DH.

by joeybw on Oct 31, 2008 7:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i agree.

but it seems like some people here are way too wrapped up in getting rid of the RF platoon.

it doesn’t matter what position we get the extra offensive production from…it would be a huge boost to have his kind of hitting in the lineup.

by mittens on Oct 31, 2008 7:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

well we can have the best of both worlds if

We can teach Aybar RF, get rid of the platoon and have Bradley at DH. Great lineup. I mean i am not jumping for joy when Aki or Barty are up but we know why they are on the team.

by joeybw on Oct 31, 2008 7:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

that's it hopefully

Bradleys numbers are sick, that would give our team such balance with all the switch hitters and another big bat to carry the team during stretches of 1-2 run games. The worst part of thinking about this is you have the answer on your roster, but he can’t play everyday.

IF only Harry Carey could be arounde for Kosuke.

by CubFanRaysaddict on Oct 31, 2008 7:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Can he DH everyday?

I know his legs start shaking in the OF but I am wondering if he can play DH every day or at least almost every day

by joeybw on Oct 31, 2008 7:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

We don't know, but it doesn't appear so, otherwise I think he would have been doing it more this season.

Tools Whore

Sign Bonds!

by Tyler on Oct 31, 2008 8:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i'm good with 2 seasons for $15 mil.

after we sign BOSSMAN

by daveh33 on Nov 1, 2008 2:39 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Bradley is about a 900 OPS guy...

His Home/Road splits last season were very different. He still is a very potent bat, but his numbers are a bit Arlington skewed.

by td32 on Nov 1, 2008 10:08 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

as a Rangers fan

I can tell you for sure that when he’s healthy, he’s a beast at the plate. Plus, this year, he played the entire season within a year of having ACL surgery, so I wonder what he’d do when he’s completely healthy.

In reference to how good the Steelers have been in their history: "No one is even close to them."- Steal Home

by hinduplaya on Nov 1, 2008 11:31 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

yes, it's pretty impressive how fast and how well he returned from that surgery.

easily-injured, but quick-healing? is he one of the X-Men?

Beyond the Boxscore // Calling BJ Upton lazy is lazy.

by Sky Kalkman on Nov 1, 2008 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Upon further review

Bradley didn’t even miss THAT much of 2008. All the injury did was limit him to DH, so in 2009, I don’t see why he can’t play the field.

by joeybw on Nov 1, 2008 12:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

He shouldn't play the field because all he ever does when he plays the field is get hurt.

75 games in 2005, 96 games in 2006, 61 games in 2007. Playing the field is bad for his health.

Also on further review, I think based on his salary from last year and the fact that he can’t seem to put 150 games together in a season, $10M/yr for 3 years might be enough to haul him in since I would think that any team offering him more than 2 years is going to try to cut his salary to the 8M/yr range.

Finally, not that this is related to the discussion of Milton Bradley at all, but I just want to put this out there: Mark Prior signed for $1M last year but could not pitch because of his shoulder. Anybody who signs him this year is undoubtedly going to get him at league-minimum. If he can prove he’s healthy, he could be a dirt-cheap reclimation project.

by kericr on Nov 3, 2008 10:31 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs