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If the Cubs really want to get rid of Bradley, the Mets should take advantage
BY AARON YORKE
STACHE WRITER
I know Milton Bradley is a lunatic, and I know for those of you who think the Mets need some sort of attitude adjustment that this is not what you had in mind, but Bradley is a talented outfielder who can help the Mets in 2010.
The way to acquire Bradley has become clear over the past few weeks as Castillo-to-the-Cubs rumors have risen and been squashed. It seems as though the Mets and Cubs are looking for a third team to become involved so that the Cubs can dump Bradley and the Mets can gets a useful piece for 2010. Ted Berg, whose opinions I respect very much, says the third team would be a sucker. Well, I think the Mets should be that sucker.
That’s because Milton Bradley is a good defensive outfielder who was one of the best hitters in the majors just a season ago. While he’ll never be as good again as he was in 2008 with Texas, it’s just as unlikely that he’ll repeat his dreadful 2009. Bradley actually got on base at a more than acceptable .378 rate last season. The problem was that his Castillo-like .397 slugging percentage dragged down his offensive game. That’s very peculiar since he slugged in the .500s all through ‘07 and ‘08. In fact, Bradley’s 2009 slugging percentage was the lowest it has been since 2001. That just screams fluke.
The main arguments against Bradley are his attitude and his health. As far as team chemistry is concerned, there is really no way of knowing what will happen. The 1986 Mets had a lot of shady characters and drug abusers on the team, but I think most of us were happy with that season.
Bradley’s health is the real issue here. In 2007 he made just 244 plate appearances, but came back with 510 in 2008 and 473 in 2009. Those aren’t full seasons, but for me, he’s been on the field enough to warrant a trade, especially with such a reasonable contract. Bradley will make $23 million over the next two years. Not bad when you consider he’s capable of hitting as well as Jason Bay. You also have to take into account that Luis Castillo is not going to just disappear. Even if you’re not as high on Bradley as I am, you should at least like the possibility of opening up second base while adding a bat to the lineup.
I know Milton Bradley is a risky play, but as far as affordable outfielder options go, not many have more upside than Bradley. The risk will be offset not just by the shaving of Castillo’s salary, but also by the ability of Angel Pagan to fill in should any unforeseen circumstances arise. The Mets aren’t going to go anywhere in 2010 without taking risks in the offseason, and when you can take a “risk” without shelling out big time dollars or prospects, you can sign me up.
Tags: Milton Bradley
Categories: Aaron Yorke , MLB , Mets
In a word, NO! He’s a lunatic and he has issues staying healthy. It is a recipe for a momentous disaster, worse than Vince Coleman, Bobby Bo and Big Mo.
I’m sick of hearing about character guys. We’ve got tons of them, and they haven’t really accomplished squat for us. The last time we were relevant, the worst kind of guy, Scott Spiezio, whipped us in the playoffs. Many of us grew up watching Doc, Darryl, and Coney, not a boy scout among them. While I’m not sold on Bradley, I would say that acquiring him would represent an upgrade offensively and defensively, and he certainly stands to offer more through the course of his contract than Punch and Judy Castillo.
[...] Aaron Yorke of the Daily Stache asks, “Why not Milton Bradley,” who he acknowledges is a [...]
Robert, while I agree Doc, Darryl and Coney werent boy scouts, they believed in the team first philosophy. Those guys would pick each other up, whether it’d be on the diamond or in a bar drinking. I highly doubt Milton Bradley would do the same, to lets say, Murph or Pelf. There’s your difference.
Frankly I love the idea. I agree that we can’t compete in 2010 unless we add significantly to our payroll. And since I don’t think that will happen – the next best option is to go after the high ceiling guys that we can grab (relatively speaking) on the cheap. Along the same lines we should bring in Ben Sheets. Ace ceiling to be had for a relative pittance for what Lackey will command. And while I would love to have Lackey as well – I just don’t see us throwing significant money his way. So…if we are going to be cheap again – let’s at least field a Team that has the kind of upside necessary to compete in the NL East…
[...] Aaron Yorke of the Daily Stache asks, “Why not Milton Bradley,” who he acknowledges is a [...]
I was on this months ago, to Gary Cohen’s chagrin. The Mets need a bastard like Bradley. For years now, 25 cowards have taken the field. I think if anyone opposing pitcher even thought about throwing about throwing at Wright’s head in 2010, they’d lose theirs. It’s ugly, it’s brutal, but cojones win.
I don’t think this is the most horrible way things could turn out. In fact, aside from Holliday and maybe Randy Winn, there isn’t a OFer available that I like more than I like Bradley, which just means that I don’t particularly like any OF bat. I definitely think that the Mets are better with Pagan/Bradley in left and Polanco/Lopez at 2B than Castillo at 2B and someone other than Holliday in LF. Like you say though, Bradley is a huge health concern and may not play much. But if that were to happen then we have Pagan for LF, and that is not too bad. Plus, we are likely going to make sure our depth and AAA team is much better than last year, so if he were to go down we shouldn’t be hurting too much. Or maybe F-Mart or Niuewenhuis shows they are ready for the bigs. Also, lets say Bradley gets hot in the first half, then some AL team short on offense would likely be intrigued enough to offer a decent prospect or two, or some help elsewhere, and that wouldn’t be so bad. Also, if he flops then Omar is to blame and is likely to go bye-bye.
In all, this isn’t a horrible idea, but should be more like plan B or C. Although, in order for this to work best for the Mets it might have to be implemented as if it were plan A so we can