Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Bradley, Burrell, M's, Jays

M's have been able to embrace former hated rivals in the past, with Carl Everett coming to mind, but where in the outfield is there room for Milton, and why would they go after him for DH when Matsui is an option

How about some sort of 3way?
Cubs send Bradley and $6mil to SD. SD sends a few low level prospects to Cleveland and cleveland sends Wood to cubs and $5mil to SD. SD gets Bradley for $5mil a year, Cubs get bullpen help, cleve gets salary relief and prospects

That "Dock of the Rays" post is absurd.

He doesn't want to pay Burrell $9m because "the Rays are paying a declining skill set ...". What is this based off of? One bad year in which he was injured? For a 4 year period before 2009 the guy AVERAGED an OPS of 890 w/ 30+ HR's. He will most likely decline because of age but you only have him for 1 more year.

Using that same logic, why would you want Bradley. He clearly is "declining" as well. He went from a 999 OPS to an OPS of 775. He went from 22 HR's to 12 (in roughly the same # of AB's). Oh, and he's one year younger than Burrell and you have are committing to him for 2 years. So far, no team has been able to put up with Bradley's antics for more than 2 years.

The next argument is that Burrell is less valuable because "he is a huge risk when he puts a glove on." Yeah. We know that. Bradley has hardly a quality leatherman this year - turning in a below average performance in 2009 (historically Bradley has been fine when healthy - but playing the field really compromises his ability to stay in the lineup). Throw in his injury risk and the fact that the Rays don't need another body in the outfield and this becomes another stupid excuse.

Yeah, couple weeks ago I figured that Toronto and Seattle would be our best bets to unload this bum. Glad to see the cities opening up to the idea - maybe we get super lucky this will bring us something useful in return. Ok, doubtful, but you never know...

"Throw in his injury risk and the fact that the Rays don't need another body in the outfield and this becomes another stupid excuse."

I think reason number 1 for the Rays to stay away would be influence. Bradley is infamous for being lazy/uninterested (well, not running out plays and such), selfish and irresponsible, blaming everything he can pull out of his rear for his problems to the point his teammates, coaches and even GM were fed up with it in only 1 season. Next year he will be under an even harsher microscope no matter where he goes (which is what he attributes to the start of his Cubs problems). That is the last thing the Rays need in that young clubhouse - if he rubs off on even one player, his presence would be more costly then helpful.

"That is the last thing the Rays need in that young clubhouse - if he rubs off on even one player, his presence would be more costly then helpful."

You mean Bradley's presence would make Upton hustle less :)

"You mean Bradley's presence would make Upton hustle less :)"

Theoretically, its kind of possible - which is scary as F* huh? But cant you see a situation where the two become friends, only to see Upton pick up even more of Bradley's bad habits? I can. All of a sudden Upton could be calling in sick every 4th day too. And even if Upton doesnt get worse, and Upton/Bradley two-headed monster could rub off on another just the same.

O yeah and Mags Ordonez for Bradley

If the M's added Bradley, the Cubs would have to eat a lot of the salary. Need to conserve payroll for Felix.