Jim Hendry took a step forward on Monday by reportedly agreeing to a three-year deal with Milton Bradley worth around $30 million. Bruce Levine from ESPN 1000 in Chicago joined Joe Castellano Monday night on XM Radio to discuss the deal.
Levine revealed that the third year on Bradley's contract is not guaranteed and is a vesting option based on games played in the first two years. Bradley is expected in Chicago by Thursday to take a physical with the official announcement being made on Friday at Wrigley.
The Jason Marquis to the Rockies trade reportedly could be made official as early as Tuesday. The Cubs are expected to send Marquis along with between $875,000 and $1 million to Colorado for Luis Vizcaino. Even with all of the activity in the last week, the Cubs do not appear to be done.
According to a report from Bruce Miles, Jim Hendry is "expected to pursue a starting pitcher of some sort between now and the start of spring training in February." Jake Peavy is still on the Cubs radar, but the sale of the Padres and the pending sale of the Cubs might have put that deal on a permanent hold. The Tribune also reported on Monday night that the Cubs are looking for an arm to replace Jason Marquis' innings.
Here's the latest from the mill on the day the Cubs' Spring Training tickets go on sale. Ten days until the Cubs Convention, 39 days until pitchers and catchers report and 50 days until the Cubs first Cactus League game against the Dodgers....
Milton Bradley
Tom Verducci from SI discussed the Milton Bradley signing on the MLB Network during the Hot Stove show. He said Bradley is a perfect fit for the Cubs as long as he stays on the field. He said the Cubs looked at Bobby Abreu, Pat Burrell and Adam Dunn but in the end decided on Bradley because of the defense he can bring when on the field.
Verducci added if Bradley is on the field for 120 or more games then the Cubs will be in good shape, if anything less the Cubs are in trouble.
Bruce Miles reported that the Bradley deal will be worth around $30 million..."give or take a little, with incentives for games played thrown in." Miles threw in for good measure that it will be a busy week.
The Sun-Times listed all of Milton Bradley's incidents over his career....for those unfamiliar, here's a link.
Brian Roberts
After Bruce Levine discussed the Milton Bradley signing with Joe Castellano on XM Radio, they talked about the rumors the White Sox are interested in Brian Roberts. Levine reported the same to Castellano as he did on Saturday that the Sox are not interested in sending Gavin Floyd to the Orioles for Roberts.
Levine told Castellano that his sources have told him Brian Roberts wants out of Baltimore. He said Roberts feels betrayed because he was told the Orioles would be building a team around him. Levine did not mention if the Cubs would be pursuing Roberts again or not.
Ronny Cedeno
According to a report from Scout.com, Ronny Cedeno "looks to be a good bet to get traded. Cedeno ran afoul of Piniella the last two years with what the Cubs perceived to be careless play at times."
Gordon Wittenmyer on the Baseball Beat
The Cubs beat writer for the Sun-Times joined Charley Steiner on the Baseball Beat for a short time on Monday. Wittenmyer discussed Milton Bradley just before news began to surface that the Cubs had agreed to terms on a three-year contract with the switch-hitting outfielder.
The discussion then switched to the recent trade of Mark DeRosa. Wittenmyer said one could make the argument that DeRosa was the Cubs' MVP over the past two seasons. He added the Cubs are taking a big risk by trading him but added the Cubs know what they are doing. Wittenmyer added from a baseball standpoint the trade made a lot of sense but questioned if they will be able to replace his numbers.
Jake Peavy is still on the Cubs radar according to Wittenmyer. The Cubs have the room to add Peavy and his contract in 2009 but the big concern is his contract in 2010 and beyond. The new ownership must be in place for the Cubs to trade for Jake Peavy and his contract.
Aaron Miles on Sports Central
The Cubs new utility man joined Dave Kaplan during Sports Central on Monday night. Miles said he always enjoyed watching Cubs' games on WGN growing up and has always liked playing at Wrigley Field.
Kaplan asked him about the Cubs-Cardinals rivalry. Miles said he used to be a Cardinal that tried to beat the Cubs, now he will be a Cub trying to take it to the Cardinals.
Miles has been told he will be considered for the job at second base and acknowledged that Mike Fontenot is a good player, a lot like himself. Miles added the fact that he can switch hit and can play multiple positions gives him a lot of versatility that can help a team win. Miles went on to say that he is ready to come in and do whatever the Cubs want him to do.
Tony LaRussa wanted him back in St. Louis and was very disappointed to see him leave. Miles admitted he called LaRussa after he signed with the Cubs. Miles described his relationship with LaRussa as a good one. He said it was tough for him to leave the Cardinals because he has family there. LaRussa told Miles he was one of the best teammates he'd ever been around. Miles revealed later in the interview than no one on the Cardinals 'hates' the Cubs more than Tony LaRussa.
Miles feels like second base is his best position and he feels more comfortable hitting toward the top of the lineup....but he quickly said he would do whatever the Cubs want him to.
Miles added that he wants all of the Cubbie fans to know that no one will be working harder than he does.
Aaron Miles will be at the upcoming Cubs Convention and will join Dave Kaplan on Friday night's Sports Central from the Hilton.
Ken Rosenthal on Sports Central
Here are a few highlights of Ken Rosenthal's time with Dave Kaplan:
- Loves Milton Bradley but wonders if he can stay healthy and on the field
- Bradley plays really hard that's why he's always hurt
- Rosenthal said it will help that the Cubs have Reed Johnson and Kosuke Fukudome to spell him
- Rosenthal called Bradley an excellent teammate
- It may be a challenge for Lou Piniella to leave Bradley alone and let him play
- Rosenthal said Bradley was good in Texas and with the Padres until the incident with the umpire
- The same things that are being said about Bradley could be said about Lou Piniella
- There's an appeal for every player to play for the Cubs
- Rosenthal like where the Cubs are right now but understands the criticism
- The three reason the Cubs traded Mark DeRosa: 1) to get more left handed and add balance to the lineup 2) Cost savings 3) DeRosa will be a free agent at the end of the year
- The key is to keep Bradley on the field
- Rosenthal said there is still a possibility they trade for Jake Peavy but with the ownership change in San Diego he put the odds at only 10% that Peavy will end up as a Cub
- Rosenthal said it stands to reason that the Cubs could get another starter
- Derek Lowe is probably a stretch with the pending ownership change
New Look at the World Wide Leader
For those that did not notice on Monday, ESPN.com unveiled their new design.
Well, that's the latest....and I'm sticking to it!
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Well the contract for Bradley was right about what I expected it to be. I figured he'd get two years with a third option year that will automatically kick in based on a certain number of games played. His salary is a bit more than I projected. I figured 8 million per, plus incentives to reach higher.
I do not think Peavy will be dealt any longer. With the quick pending sale of the Padres to former player agent and Diamondback CEO Jeff Morrad. It is unlikely that they will dismantle anymore. In fact, I wouldnt be suprised to see Trevor Hoffman brought back to the team to bring fans back.
It would be great if we could get Roberts. That would really be the final piece to our lineup.
I think the Cubs will still get Peavy because I will get upset because they trade Mark De Rosa and it would of been for no reason. And I still question the Kevin Gregg trade.
The DeRosa trade was more to free up money for Bradley. They got rid of DeRosa and Marquis which will save them about $10 million, the same salary as Bradley is earning.
The comment about replacing Marquis innings got me thinking of potential SP free agents that are available, could Hendry make a run at Lowe, Sheets, Garland, Petitte, or someone I'm forgetting?
Team owners dieing brings sadness and change, and I remembered Carl Pohlad on the the Community Blog last night. But, in the Blue Jays case, the owner's death is leading to reduced payrolls and re-building. And the creative JH may be able to get us a top lefty reliever there.
I mentioned a trade for Scott Downs (former Cub) last season. He would be my first choice--and he is owed $4 mil in '09 and 10. He is 32, had a 1.78 ERA in 70 IP last year, and was very effective against lefties and righties. We could likely get him for Cedeno and the lefty in the DeRo trade, Gaub, or Pie or Cedeno + a Gaub. Or Hill + or Hart for that matter.
The second choice would be the more famous, B.J. Ryan--who is owed $10 mil in '09 and 10. Ryan is 33 and has had some health issues. He was 2.95 last year with 32 saves in 36 opportunities and pitched 58 innings. The Jays would likely take Vizcaino's $4-5 mil in 09 to move Ryan's $10 mil in '09. But we would likely be on the hook in '10.
As mentioned before, it sure would be a plus to get Peavy, but the chance of that seems very slim now. An excellent lefty reliever seems doable--and likely would strengthen the team.
Interesting that Rosenthal said there is a 10% chance cubs get Peavy, Because Bruce Levine said he thinks its closer to 80%. I like both reporters, but one of them is way off, obviously. We'll see. But I tend to agree with Rosenthal, I don't see it.
But ya never know. Go Cubs.
Here in San Diego the belief is that Peavy will end up staying now that a buyer has come forward so quickly. Moorad will want to keep Peavy as he is the staff ace, and a key part of any success the team will have. The though is that they will bring Hoffman back as well because of this quick sale. The concern is getting fans to the park which will be tough enough after a horrid season. They at least want to keep the key players.
Levine is the best reporter in the business, I tend to listen to that man when he speaks. And why would anyone question the Gregg trade. The kid they traded to get him couldnt find the plate. I mean you can have all the "stuff" in the world but if you cant locate your pitches your stuffs not gonna do anyone any good.
I like the thoughts about the BJ Ryan trade. Would be nice to add a guy like him to the pen. Especially if we could move Vizcaino in the process. Personally I am hoping to see them improve 2nd base. I know they have fontenot and i love the guy but I just dont know he can do it day in and day out. I would love to see Orlando Hudson in that lineup. Him and Bradley would give the team more heart then they have ever had before. I got soo sick watching those guys all hang their heads and just sit back on the bench as they were having their butts handed to them by the Dodgers. O Dawg and Milton would never let that fly.
Regarding a starting pitcher, would it be worth taking a flier on Petite, if he can be had for cheap?
Petitie just turned down a one year deal from the Yanks for $10M... he ain't gonna be had cheap.
What if McFail and the O's are leaking this BS story about Roberts to the WSox just to get JH to up the Cubs offer... like the way Boras does with his Free Agents and his mystery teams (see Arod & Rangers)... Shady move but I could see it being done.
Probably just the conspiracy theorist in me coming out...
Cliff, your conspiracy theory is close to right about Roberts. A team spokesman has confirmed that the story "probably" emerged from an internal discussion about pitching trades. The O's are a plate of bad crabs.
Other than Peavy and his $9 mil for 2009 somehow falling in our laps in a Tampering Towers stupor, we likely need to think "under $5 mil" for a starting pitcher, a reliever or a position player. A Peavy deal would mean moving a contract like Vizcaino's.
With some of our own signings still not done and the back-up catcher spot unsettled, a couple of trades or signings for new players (where the cost is under $2 mil) may have to take precedence over another $4-5 million scoop of Blue berry ice cream in our post season sundae.
I think I would take a flyer on CF Andruw Jones from the Dodgers. The Dodgers have reached an agreement with him to defer much of the money they will owe him. I am sure he can be had relatively inexpensive.
Last year was a horrible year for him, but the guy is a Gold Glove center fielder who averages 30 homeruns and 100 rbi.
I recall a certain other gold glove center fielder who was tanking with the Padres, and who we picked up cheap, that did fairly well for us last year.
As much as I like Reed Johnson, I certainly would like Andruw Jones out there if the price is right.
There is no way I would take Andruw Jones...not over Reed Johnson, not over Felix Pie, not over a box of Cracker Jack.
Living in Atlanta I've seen Andruw over the years. In his "prime" he was a great outfield who made a feast on mistake pitches. The guy is overweight, has poor off-season training habits, and has yet (after all these years) to figure out how to lay off the out-of-the-strikezone breaking ball. Pitchers now never throw him a strike....it's either the breaking call or a high fastball which he can't catch up to anymore. Andruw makes Soriano look like a genius at the plate.
I still think he would be worth a flyer to see if he can bounce back.
He averages 30 homeruns and 100 RBI's. Not to shabby.
Since 1998 he has had at least 90 RBI's in every season but one. (Not counting last years injury season)
Since 1998 he has 26 or more home runs in every season. (Not counting last years injury season)
He averages about 130 strikeouts per season. Not bad for a power hitter and certainly not awful in todays say and age.
He also averages about 66 walks per season which is noit bad either.
Prior to being injured this year, he had won 10 straight gold gloves in CF,
And he is only 32 years old this year, still well within his prime years.
If the Dodgers are eating most of his salary, he's definitely worth a gamble. I wouldn't sell the farm to get him and I certainly wouldn't pay him a ton of money. But under the right conditions he is certainly worth a look.
JoeS....I'm concerned that you struck your head in a fall. Andruw Jones has not been embarassed enough, at least yet, to get anywhere close to a decent playing weight. I saw a report a few days ago that he was doing terribly in the winter league and looked like the Michelin man. His countrymen are shouting, "One man to a pair of pants out there!" LOL
You are right that he could be cheap, because a Dodger site said they will release him if there are no takers. I think that means any team that signs him only has to pay the major league minimum and the Dodgers pay the rest of his $20 mil.