21
2009
Cubs Didn’t Look At Milton Bradley’s Intangibles; Lesson Learned
An article by 
I haven’t really had a lot of nice things to say about the four-year deal the Mets gave Luis Castillo just before the start of the 2008 season. It turns out that he was injured or in pain for most of the season in the first year of that contract, but this year Castillo has made the deal much more palatable after delivering an unexpected solid year at the plate and in the field. Suddenly, with just two years remaining for a total of $12 million dollars, the contract doesn’t look as terrible as it once did.
In comparison, the Cubs thought they got themselves a steal when they signed Milton Bradley to a three-year $30 million dollar deal last winter. Bradley has long been the darling of the sabermetric crowd, but all production aside, Bradley’s “intangibles” were chock full of seedy and undesirable flaws and character traits. Yesterday, the Cubs decided to cut his cancerous presence from the rest of the team and eat the remaining $21 million left on his contract. He will undoubtedly be traded or released after the season.
The Cubs were expected to win the division this season. They were one player away in their minds, and they thought they got that player in Milton Bradley. Unfortunately for the Cubs, instead of a signing a player with a winning attitude they made the mistake of ignoring things like heart, determination, leadership and grit. The GM made the mistake of believing those things were non-existent and now he must pay the price. Lesson learned.
The Chicago Tribune reports that the Cubs have suspended disgruntled outfielder Milton Bradley for the rest of the season.
Bradley, who signed a three-year, $30MM contract last winter, took shots at the Cubs organization during an interview with the Arlington Heights Daily Herald on Saturday, and has battled with fans on the North Side of Chicago for much of the season. GM Jim Hendry is expected to seek out a trade partner for the 31-year-old right fielder this offseason.
“The last few days became too much for me to tolerate,” Hendry said Sunday, fed up with the player’s attitude toward the fans and media in Chicago. “I’m certainly not going to let our great fans become excuses.”
Bradley’s trade value has undoubtedly taken a hit because of this mess. And it’s not like he was hitting the cover off the ball. Through 124 games this season, he had a .257/.378/.397 batting line, 12 home runs and 40 RBI.
It’s hard to believe that some fans have considered Milton Bradley a prime target for the Mets for 2010. Really?
I know things are bad in Metsdom these days, but I didn’t realize we were so freakin’ hard up.
Bradley is the polar opposite of Jeff Francoeur. He makes some Mets fans drool because they believe that intangibles dont really exist, and find it hard to ignore Bradley’s career OBP?
As for me, I’ll take the guy with the crappy OBP and the winning attitude over Bradley anyday. I bet if you gave that choice to Cubs manager Lou Piniella and GM Jim Hendry, you’d get the same answer.
You can pretend that heart, grit, determination, leadership and a positive attitude don’t mean anything. But then a guy like Milton Bradley comes along and blows that theory out of the water.
Bradley will now be looking for his eight team to play for in eight years. I hope he doesn’t look toward the northeast.
About the Author: Joe DeCaro
Went to my first Mets game, a Mayors Trophy game at Shea, in '73. We beat the Yankees 8-4 and I was hooked. I marched in two Banner Day parades, and before the Grand Slam single, there was the "Hendu Can Do" grand slam - I was there. I've collected Mets memorabilia all my life and started Mets Merized Online to feed my addiction.
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Cubs fan here. I have a big problem with your insinuation that Lou Piniella had anything to do with this signing. Every Cubs fan knows that he hated the signing but had to grin and bear it. And if you think that Lou doesn’t believe in gritty players and heart, well then it’s clear you know nothing about the man. Blame Hendry for this disaster, but don’t taint Piniella with it as he was an unwilling victim.
Interesting article, which is more about Jeff Francoeur than it is about Milton Bradley. I think there is very little chance that the Mets will sign Bradley. As stupid as Omar is, I really doubt he’s THAT stupid!
I’m in no way against bashing Milton for his conduct, but in the following comments let’s refrain from citing him as the reason the cubs have underperformed.
A Bradley for Perez swap would save 2 mil. Is that worth the gamble? Bradley, f-mart, pagan in LF depth chart is pretty damn good – especially with Milton’s 380 obp batting right before Frenchy’s free swinging ways.
I say no for bringing Bradley here to the Mets. The problem with him is the fans who has no love for him.
Perez for Bradley? No thanks! Perez and Castillo? Now you’re talking. How about Perez and Castillo for Bradley and Fox? You know I still wouldn’t do it. Bradley is that much of a headcase.
Can we stop the Castillo bashing yet and realize last year was an aberration? He is an ideal top of the order guy.
Seriously, Castillo has been one of just a few bright spots this season. You throw away last season when he was hurt all year and you have one of the most productive second baseman in baseball year after year. He’s one of the toughest players in the game to strike out, and a superb number two hitter. Give the guy a break already. I’d like to see how Orlando Hudson perform 4 months after two knee surgeries. Plus, if you dont like the contract blame Omar, not the player. How would you like it if everybody hated you because your boss chose to overpay you?
I got a good laugh out of this piece Joe. When I saw you post a Cubs related story I just knew you had an ulterior motive and you certainly did.
I’m not a big fan of Francoeur OR Bradley, but for entirely different reasons. The Cubs have handed you a tiny moral victory as your intangibles argument has been somewhat resuscitated and made a little more credible. Good job on identifying and grasping your golden fleece.
Imagine a player with Bradley’s bat skills and Francoeur’s intangibles. We’d have the perfect player.
Let’s just agree that advanced metrics and intangibles should work hand in hand, and that neither should be easily dismissed by either sides proponents. Both schools of thought should have a seat at the table when evaluating a player.
My biggest beef with so many is that they look at some advanced metrics as something ungodly, when in fact all they are is a more practical way of analyzing performance. Why use an ordinary screw driver when you can use a powered screwdriver instead?
Steve, that was beautifully put.
I welcome as much information as possible when evaluating a player, and that includes observation, even if I seem to constantly refer advanced metrics.
Very well said. There is no reason for both sides not to coexist and come together.
We have enough headcases on the roster and signing Bradley wuold just add one. I say don’t pursue him.
I dont care how good a hitter this guy is, we can’t add him to a 2010 team that will already be haunted by two collapse and a season from hell. I wouldn’t want any of our young prospects exposed to Bradley in any way. Nice post.
maybe the lakers should cut kobe; everyone says he is a colossal jerk. i guess the lakers actually want to be winners.
Are you comparing Milton Bradley to Kobe Bryant? You’ve got to be kidding, HOW is Milton Bradley a winner? What has he ever done?
Kay!!! Where’ve you been!
VACATION!! I toured Italy for 16 days!!! Funny thing I booked the trip a year ago and was a litle concerned I’d be out of the country when they clinched – hahahahahahhahahahh I crack myself up!
this guy gives me the heebie jeebies
I read a post on another Mets blog last week on Milton Bradley and why he would be perfect on the Mets. It was such a joke that it wasn’t even worth commenting on. Anyone who wants this guy really needs to have their heads examined.
Way wrong answer. He’s a cancer to the locker room when he joins any MLB team.