MLB - Sports Rumors

Fri Oct 09, 2009 8:32 am EDT

Cubs sending Bradley to Rays for Burrell?

By Mark Miller

The Tampa Bay Rays and Chicago Cubs are supposedly talking trade about unhappy outfielder Milton Bradley(notes), according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

The Cubs apparently want the trade to happen quickly if it's going to happen at all so that it doesn't affect any of the team's attempts to sign other free agents.

Last winter, the Rays competed with the Cubs to sign Bradley and then picked up Pat Burrell(notes), who had been sent packing by the World Series-winning Philadelphia Phillies. Burrell (two years at $16 million) had come cheaper than Bradley (three years for $30 million), so that price discrepancy may still be a factor.

Rumor has it the Rays could send Burrell to the Cubs for Bradley, but it would mean that the Cubs would also need to include some money in the deal.

Source: Chicago Sun-TimesNew Window

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144 Comments

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  1. Artist formerly known as Evil Empire!
    1. Posted by Artist formerly known as Evil Empire! Fri Oct 09, 2009 8:42 am EDT

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    I say do it.
  2. Jeff F
    2. Posted by Jeff F Fri Oct 09, 2009 8:45 am EDT

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    i hate the cubs but if you can get burrell for the biggest pain in the a$$ in baseball i say do it too
  3. Jim
    3. Posted by Jim Fri Oct 09, 2009 8:53 am EDT

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    the only issue is, where in the hell would burrell play? He's shown he can not play well... has worse numbers than bradley (although just getting rid of milton would be a win win situation). I don't think you can take Pat's contract and have him as a pinch hitter.... i just don't know about this one!!!
  4. brian
    4. Posted by brian Fri Oct 09, 2009 9:08 am EDT

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    Send them both to the Red Sox for 39th & 40th round draft choices. Addition by subtraction.
  5. Dave
    5. Posted by Dave Fri Oct 09, 2009 9:08 am EDT

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    Pull the trigger...even if Burrell blows he's only around for another year...if the Rays are dumb enough to do it, take him.
  6. Anthony C. D
    6. Posted by Anthony C. D Fri Oct 09, 2009 9:09 am EDT

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    Hell, I am a cub fan and I say eat the money-dump Bradley spend like the yankees! I pay 100 dollar a ticket to see them! the cubs have the money spend it! go after Mauer, Upton and everyone else! Come on one title before I die!
  7. jlud
    7. Posted by jlud Fri Oct 09, 2009 9:26 am EDT

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    Let's get rid of Bradley!!!! But getting a .221 hitter in exchange? I don't get it, are the Major Leagues that short on talent?
  8. Kurtis A
    8. Posted by Kurtis A Fri Oct 09, 2009 9:26 am EDT

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    Pull the trigger and move Bradley ASAP.
  9. joarby2
    9. Posted by joarby2 Fri Oct 09, 2009 9:31 am EDT

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    wow...that is a bad idea for the Rays! He is very good but a bad roll model for the younger players! Could be a disaster!
  10. goggle
    10. Posted by goggle Fri Oct 09, 2009 9:32 am EDT

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    Why would the Rays take on more contract for a bigger risk?
  11. Sheryl B
    11. Posted by Sheryl B Fri Oct 09, 2009 9:38 am EDT

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    I say make a package deal. Send Bradley, Gregg, Soriano, and Harden, get some middle relief and a really good left hand hitter. So far as that goes tie the package with a pretty Theriot ribbon. Get some players Cubbies. I wont live another 101 years.
  12. PatN
    12. Posted by PatN Fri Oct 09, 2009 9:39 am EDT

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    Encourage TB to take Bradley. Then ask Cubs fans to chip in a buck apiece (Even I can afford that), to pay him off or TB, or anyone else. Problem solved.
  13. SamuelB
    13. Posted by SamuelB Fri Oct 09, 2009 9:40 am EDT

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    Bradley for just about anybody or anything would be a bad deal for the other team. Avoid the guy at all costs. He's poison.
  14. Daniel V
    14. Posted by Daniel V Fri Oct 09, 2009 9:47 am EDT

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    This trade makes zero sense for the Rays. If there is a shred of truth to this trade, the Cubs needs to pull the trigger this morning! I never got what the big deal about Bradley ever was anyways. Forgetting he is a clubhouse cancer and total distraction, besides 2008, a contract year mind you, what has he really accomplished in his 10 year career that he keeps getting all these extra chances and teams willing to throw $$ at him? 2 other worthwhile seasons, but mostly a bunch of injuries, inconsistent play, and temper tamtrums-a-plenty! The Cubs giving him 3 years guaranteed was the positional player equivilent of the Mets giving Oliver Perez 3 years guaranteed: doesn't make sense any which way you slice it for underachieving head cases. At least Perez just stays quiet in the corner of the dugout. Bradley's out picking fights with fans, commentators, fellow teammates, etc... I just don't get it for a 4th outfielder, which is essentially what he is, but would never agree to come off the bench. I just don't get it.
  15. joarby2
    15. Posted by joarby2 Fri Oct 09, 2009 9:50 am EDT

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    The old Sox would never get shut down the way they did last night. They should have gotten a big bat...I knew this was coming and management knew it but they couldn't land Tex. The result is inconsistency on the offense side. There is no way pitching can carry the burden the entire season sooner or later it all falls apart.
  16. g
    16. Posted by g Fri Oct 09, 2009 9:50 am EDT

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    Burrell weighs more than his batting avg...a perfect fit for the cubs
  17. puffmcdragon
    17. Posted by puffmcdragon Fri Oct 09, 2009 9:53 am EDT

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    I suspect this is more about insurance if they lose one of those plucky younger OFs they got in Tampa. Burrel either can't play in the AL or is past his prime. Getting rid of him now makes sense.
    Personally though, my Jays would be better off with either.
  18. Daniel V
    18. Posted by Daniel V Fri Oct 09, 2009 10:16 am EDT

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    Joarby, first off, last I checked, this article has nothing to do with the Sox/Angels series. Second, you have any actual data, proof, etc... to back up such a dumb statement? Last I checked, the Sox were 4th in the majors in overall hitting stats, but since the Yankees are ahead of them, that must equal inconsistent and no clutch hitting, by your expert logic? Lackey pitches a gem of a game, so now the Sox lineup is inconsistent, lacking the big bat, and don't have the pitching depth to be successfull in the playoffs? And, of course, as with everything that happens in baseball over the last 30 years or so, you predicted this would happen. Don't forget to copy and paste this one for your scrapbook!
  19. taz
    19. Posted by taz Fri Oct 09, 2009 10:44 am EDT

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    I love this idea, but the only catch I have is sending Jim Hendry along with him. Bradley should be tethered to Hendry for the rest of each of their careers for what they both did (or didn't do) to the Cubs.
  20. scott
    20. Posted by scott Fri Oct 09, 2009 10:57 am EDT

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    Daniel, as the Angel fan here, I say post 15 might just sound like the Sox fans know there is no curse. Lackey pitched his azz off. Let's give a little credit were credit is due. You are right on MB to the Rays. The Rays can't be that stupid. No team can be that stupid. Maybe someone needs to question why the Dodgers had this clown in anger management. Just think, the Dodgers traded Franklin Gutierrez for this joke.
  21. Ronald
    21. Posted by Ronald Fri Oct 09, 2009 10:57 am EDT

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    This is such a sad situation. I had so hoped that Bradley would somehow shake off the black cloud that follows him about, but alas it was not to be. He slumped early, and finally at the end when he did get his game on, it was too late to avoid that disconnect with the team and city he was representing. At this point I feel he has become a distraction and the harbinger of team fragmentation. I don't dislike him at all, its just time to let him and all of Cubbie Nation return to a happier state, one that may just foster a tighter team attitude.
  22. RaymondGuy
    22. Posted by RaymondGuy Fri Oct 09, 2009 11:10 am EDT

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    Do the Rays get to get their Devil moniker back with this 'trade'?
  23. Joseph
    23. Posted by Joseph Fri Oct 09, 2009 11:29 am EDT

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    I would take a used bag of baseballs for Bradley... Addition by subtraction.
  24. nelsoneddie717
    24. Posted by nelsoneddie717 Fri Oct 09, 2009 11:33 am EDT

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    I'll drive Bradley to Florida. He doesn't even need to pay me for the gas. The quicker we get rid of him the better. He was a bum before we got him and he proved his worth this season.
  25. Joseph
    25. Posted by Joseph Fri Oct 09, 2009 11:39 am EDT

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    One thing to consider here... The Rays may actually be considering this. Burrell didn't do much this year and is signed next year at $8M. Bradley is an excellent hitter who had an off year but is highly likely to hit again (and get into a fight with a teammate). Their question is, can their clubhouse handle MB's attitude and if so, is his .290/20/80 better than Burrell given that he can't hit for average or field?
    Everyone thinks they can "make it work" but the only example of this I can remember is Rodman on the Bulls, kind of. :)

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