A Free Agency's Eve Update on Milton Bradley

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 19, 2009 1:22 PM EST

BNightengale: #mlb The Tampa Bay #Rays have become the clear-cut favorite to acquire Milton Bradley

This seems to indicate there was a time when the Rays weren't the frontrunner to acquire Bradley. Everything that can be written about this potential swap has been written. Free agency starts tomorrow and today the Cubs re-signed John Grabow for $7M over two years. That should tell you two things: A) the Cubs have their checkbooks out and B) they aren't afraid to waste some money. To be blunt, I'm tired of waiting on this thing to happen. I've got articles about how B.J. Upton is going to be a horrible influence on Bradley waiting to go. Just spend some cash and make the goat go away. That's how it works, right?

For those wondering, Burrell's CHONE projection is 10 runs worse than Bradley.

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Upton a bad influence on Bradley or vice versa?

I am more worried about Bradley’s two years vs Burrell’s one.

by Doyouseeit? on Nov 19, 2009 1:31 PM EST reply actions

'Twas a joke about B.J. being a horrible person.

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 19, 2009 1:49 PM EST up reply actions

Not worried at all about Bradley's 2 years if the Cubs are paying for most of it

I don’t see the Rays making this deal unless they are paying Bradley less over 2 than what they are set to pay Burrell this year. If they’re on the hook for 4 or 5 million and he goes bananas half-way through, cut him, eat the 2.5m, and call up Jennings.

Dockoftherays.com

by Jason Collette on Nov 19, 2009 1:36 PM EST reply actions

Just get it done already

Maybe Upton could spread his laziness to Bradley so he just complains about announcers and umpires, and doesn’t actually do anything about it.

the ghost of stokes, camp, lugo strikes TB-sept 2009

by CubFanRaysaddict on Nov 19, 2009 1:39 PM EST reply actions

Bradley's CLUBHOUSE projection is 15 runs worse than Burrell

Then again Burrell fighting with Crawford killed the Rays season. I kid, just in case anyone couldn’t detect it.

I really hope this gets done.

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by FreeZorilla on Nov 19, 2009 1:40 PM EST reply actions

Even if you assume they are equivalents on the field,

A free extra year is a nice thing. I’d take 2 years of Burrell over 1 of Bradley if it were reversed.

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by FreeZorilla on Nov 19, 2009 1:42 PM EST reply actions

Like you said yesterday RJ, this FO thinks outside the box and doesn't give a damm what others think

I’m guessing the money issue will be a wash, either the Cubs eating some or the Rays dumping Wheeler

by sternfan1 on Nov 19, 2009 1:45 PM EST reply actions

I can't get over how knee-jerk I get about Wheeler.

I want him here, I want him gone, I want him here, I want him gone, etc. It’s the only player who I can’t help but be complelled to change my mind on every 15 minutes.

I can't wait until we trade him for a reliever.

by kericr on Nov 19, 2009 1:53 PM EST up reply actions

When you look at his body of work, rather than a few isolated games, he's done well

He throws the deep fly ball which always brings with it lingering negative thoughts

by sternfan1 on Nov 19, 2009 1:58 PM EST up reply actions

Hopefully hes eating well this offseason

I far prefer Fat Danny’s results

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by FreeZorilla on Nov 19, 2009 1:58 PM EST up reply actions

Bradley being a SH, takes AB away from someone

S-Rod and Kapler most noticeably

by sternfan1 on Nov 19, 2009 2:00 PM EST reply actions

Bradley being injury prone evens things out.

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 19, 2009 2:01 PM EST up reply actions

B/c we pinch hit for Burrell quite a bit last year, right?

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by FreeZorilla on Nov 19, 2009 2:14 PM EST up reply actions

Willy did get a few match-up starts at DH against tough righties, didn't he?

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 19, 2009 2:15 PM EST up reply actions

I'm asking. The season feels like five months ago.

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 19, 2009 2:15 PM EST up reply actions

I don't recall but its possible

Seemed like most of Willie’s starts came when Burrell’s neck flared up or when Maddon decided to have private batting practice for a stretch of a few days off. I know “Aybar’s swing plane matched up well with Grienke” resulting in a few starts." Not sure if it was at PTB’s expense

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by FreeZorilla on Nov 19, 2009 2:18 PM EST up reply actions

That's probably what I'm thinking of.

Anyhow, interesting thought:

Is 120 games of Bradley > 150 (Give or take) of Burrell?

With the Rays depth, can’t we afford to take on a higher risk/higher reward type?

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 19, 2009 2:20 PM EST up reply actions

Let's not forget the PT Burrell lost last year due to injury

by sternfan1 on Nov 19, 2009 2:56 PM EST up reply actions

Take a look at 2002 and 2008

Judging by PTB’s performance in contract years vs. the first year of a contract, I would not be surprised if 2010 turned out to be a return to what was expected in the first place.

2002 in 157 games: 37 HR, 116 RBI, .281 BA, .920 OPS
Offseason signs a 6 year deal
2003 in 146 games: 21 HR, 64 RBI, .209 BA, .713 OPS

2008 in 157 games: 33 HR, 86 RBI, .250 BA, .875 OPS
Offseason signs a 2 year deal
2009 in 122 games: 14 HR, 64 RBI, .221 BA, .682 OPS
2010 contract year: ?

Bradley has the same thing going on. 2007 and 2008 were both contract years and he had huge numbers. He signs a multi-year deal and he disappears (unless he’s throwing balls into the stands). Jaime Cevallos is one thing, self-interest is another.

by tbclays on Nov 19, 2009 5:17 PM EST up reply actions

Bradley was a better than league average hitter last season.

I don’t think it’s fair to look at contract years and assume the guys stop trying after getting a multiple year deal. For one, you’re assuming there’s no luck (either good or bad) occurring, and no regression.

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 19, 2009 5:25 PM EST up reply actions

The assumption is not that they are not trying

It is curious that his two worst years and his two best years coincide with contract years. It is curious that Milton Bradley’s best numbers came in contract years. It is curious that Manny Ramirez nearly batted .400 heading into the offseason last year. The Dodgers only wanted to sign him to a one-year deal. Kevin Millwood actually does well enough to force the Rangers to pick up an option. Joel Pineiro is good again. These are just off the top of my head and maybe it is only noticeable when someone does better than average in a contract year and then worse than average after the contract is signed. Nevertheless, when someone tries to give a reason for standout years, all options must be considered, and playing harder to earn more money the following year must be a consideration.

by tbclays on Nov 19, 2009 6:05 PM EST up reply actions