Odds & Ends: Minaya, Bradley, McClain

Scot Gregor of the Daily Herald wonders if Luis Vizcaino could return to the White Sox.

No Scot (where is the other T?), he can't

while bradley is acting like a spoiled child, i wouldn't be a fan of the chicago media either. i listened to dave kaplan's radio show on WGN last night and they had sully (the trib's cubs beat reporter) on and sully was bemoaning the lack of cooperation from bradley. again, i'm not defending bradley's behavior, but it's a little hard to swallow from sully since A) he gives absolutely no worthwhile insight in his game recaps, B) i get better away game recaps from bruce miles from the daily herald, a guy who's paper doesn't allow him to travel to away games due to money concerns, C) is the absolute LAST person you hear reporting on any legitimate trade rumor, and D) his end of the year recap written to fans after last season's flameout was to burn all our cubs gear, not renew season ticket packages and forget about baseball, at least for the winter. this guy has the nerve to call out a struggling player for being uncooperative when he subjects us to his "reporting"? he then went on to say he was going to someone's house to watch the bulls game and "drink milton bradley off my mind." that's a great idea sully. you concern yourself with milton bradley, who won't even be playing for a while now, the rest of us will concern ourselves with a team that has scored 1 run in approximately 20 innings, has a wreck of a bullpen, can't catch the ball, and is going to play the first-place, red-hot, arch-rival cardinals, at their place, where they've lost twice all year. if the cubs were winning and playing overall good baseball, then milton bradley's lack of access to the media being the main story would be a little more tolerable. but, the cubs have bigger problems than a hurt player's relationship with the already notoriously bad local media.

/sorry about the rant

"and you guys have him for four years!!"

Three years, and please dont make it worse then it is.

Also, if he can not play 75 games this year (which he is on pace for only about 100, and isnt healthy yet) then the third year will not vest and it will be only 2. I have my fingers crossed.

I'm with Bradley on this one. The Chicago media sees him as nothing more than juicy headlines. I think his best bet is to not give them any fuel for the fire. With the Cubs as a whole, they take everything out of context and add a negative spin - there's not a doubt in my mind they would love nothing than a Bradley collapse.

This is one instance that I think Milton is showing a sign of maturity.

"I'm with Bradley on this one. The Chicago media sees him as nothing more than juicy headlines. I think his best bet is to not give them any fuel for the fire."

I would agree with this at first glance, but take a closer look at what was said

"I'm just not into negativity," he said. "I can see already I'm going to be that guy that since nothing else is going on in here -- 'We're going to harp on Bradley all year and see if we can get him to snap.' I'm not going to go for it.

"You can't get a good story if I don't talk to [the media]," he said. "You'll make something up like you always do. If I talk to you, you're going to make something up, and if I don't talk to you, you're going to make something up. So just go ahead and make something up and leave me out of it."

that plays right into the 'the world is out to get me' mentality that Bradley has constantly given his entire career. Is there some truth to it? Yes, probably is. But nothing else is going on with the Cubs? Wrong Bradley. “We’re going to harp on Bradley all year” is what the Media is thinking because they asked you very relevant questions in the first two weeks of you signing a big contract? They are going to make something up if you talk to them or not? Really Milton, they just make everything up? He is making everything about himself, without taking in realistic expectations. He is complaining about things that everyone else deals with, as if he shouldn’t be subjected to any questions. And he is writing off all reporters as making things up or twisting his words constantly, as if this has anything to do with the constant distraction and detriment he has been on the field. He is not taking any steps to better himself, or handle the situation better – he is merely avoiding it, which will always make it worse.

Then "I never had a problem in my life until I started playing baseball," he said. "All of a sudden, there are all these things.”

Wait a minute Milton, you never had any problems before baseball? And all of a sudden you have all these problems because your employer unrealistically (in your eyes) wants you to not fight anyone and everyone who questions you and to respect their desire for you to show hustle on the field? Those were the issues early in your career lack of hustle, a lack of desire shown and the inability to control your temper when things didn’t go your way. (not surprisingly, they are also the root of problems things that continue to plague you today) But none of that is really your fault, right? You never had any issues before baseball and people expected unrealistic things of you (ie, presenting yourself as an adult)

Great hillenbrand article.

"Great hillenbrand article."

Agreed. Nice to see someone do that type of work.

I'm a bit surprised about the Toronto clubhouse but then again, not really.

"I like Bradley. I like the fire and emotion he plays with, and I think he has the ability to make that lineup truly scary. But unless he can control his emotions, accept his responsibilities as an adult, suck it up, stay healthy, and just play, then I'm not sure that he's a good thing for the Cubs. And honestly everyone knew all of this in December."

Scribble: Exactly. I'm not sure if I were the Cubs that I wouldn't allow Milton to only talk to Team affiliated media. Who cares if it keeps him mentally stable?

100,

I, too, like Kaplan for the most part. I, too, did not like his response to that caller. He got all fired up when a media guy or the media in general was being questioned. Just like Bradley should know the media comes with being a pro player, Kaplan should know there are plenty of poor meida reporters out there.

As far as Bradley, he is making it worse. Come on, everyone knows there are media people around town itching to jab him when he signed here. He should know that, too. Just get healthy, stay healthy and hit/catch the ball. That's all I care about. Same thing I use to say about another right fielder with drama on the team a few years ago.

"I think that a big problem with Bradley is that he refuses to blame himself for practically anything, despite the fact that some of this is clearly his fault. He fails to go 100% on every ball in play, he didn't run out a groundball earlier this week, and he snapped and got suspended for making contact with an umpire. At no point does Bradley ever seem to realize that he's an adult and he's responsible for his actions, and everything he does is under a microscope as an athlete.

I like Bradley. I like the fire and emotion he plays with, and I think he has the ability to make that lineup truly scary. But unless he can control his emotions, accept his responsibilities as an adult, suck it up, stay healthy, and just play, then I'm not sure that he's a good thing for the Cubs. And honestly everyone knew all of this in December." - scribbletone

Well said scribbletone, you hit the nail on the head. As an athlete Bradley is just what the Cubs needed. As a personality and fragile player he's nothing that the Cubs needed to take on. At some point he's going to have to realize that he's the common denominator in all of the trouble he's had. Even if people are coming after him, like the Chicago media or the umpires he's got to be able to control himself, make good decisions and not let his emotions get out of hand and turn into anything violent, disrespectful or hateful. Basically, he needs to grow up. His approach to adverse situations is much like an immature adolescent who acts out on his immediate feelings and can't process conflict without behaving negatively.

Anyway, the point is he needs to grow up and start taking responsibility for his actions. I like the guy too and I think he can help the team but I'm glad that the Cubs can get out of the contract after only two years if he doesn't play enough. That may end up being best for the team.

Side issue -- isn't this yet another nail in the coffin in Carrie Muskat's credibility as a journalist? Apparently Milton doesn't consider her part of the Chicago media, since he talked to her. Oh well -- can't wait for her next "mailbag" where she tells us how everything the Cubs do is fantastic, and how Mark Prior should be ready go in just a few more weeks.