MLB - Sports Rumors

Tue Nov 03, 2009 8:28 am EST

Milton Bradley may return to Texas Rangers

By Mark J. Miller

“MiltonA month ago, the Texas Rangers scoffed at the notion that it could bring back outfielder Milton Bradley(notes), but now it's looking like the idea is gaining some steam in the executive suites, according to MLB.com

Bradley was with the team in 2008 when he had a .321 average and led the American League in OPS (on base plus slugging). The loss of Bradley to the Chicago Cubs is part of the reason the Rangers scored 115 fewer runs in 2009 than in 2008.

He's got two more years and about $20 million left on his deal with the Cubs but they want to unload Bradley. Who wouldn't want a guy who injured himself while trying to go after a first baseman after he had gotten on base, confronted a television announcer in the press box for comparing him to Josh Hamilton(notes), and complained of the "negativity" in Chicago.

Source: MLB.comNew Window

Related: Milton Bradley, Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers

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67 Comments

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  1. bballplyr252004
    1. Posted by bballplyr252004 Tue Nov 03, 2009 8:41 am EST

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    what a bum
  2. str A's hooter
    2. Posted by str A's hooter Tue Nov 03, 2009 8:49 am EST

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    The Chicago Cubs will have to pay for "Meltdown" Bradley's bloated contract, no matter who risks taking him. Texas has the best chance of "Taming the Shrew" with their understanding manager, Washington.
    Rot's of Ruck!
  3. Cubs Fan
    3. Posted by Cubs Fan Tue Nov 03, 2009 9:01 am EST

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    If I were Ricketts, I'd happily pay to make Bradley SEP (someone else's problem). He's a $20mil cancer that batted .257 and had 40 RBI's. Good riddance I say.
  4. Artist formerly known as Evil Empire!
    4. Posted by Artist formerly known as Evil Empire! Tue Nov 03, 2009 9:03 am EST

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    Unless Cubs are paying a huge chunk I dont see why Texas would want to trade for him
  5. budman_42320
    5. Posted by budman_42320 Tue Nov 03, 2009 9:07 am EST

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    C-Yaaaaa !!!!
  6. budman_42320
    6. Posted by budman_42320 Tue Nov 03, 2009 9:09 am EST

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    If that was Brenly that,he confronted......Bob should have kicked his.....A...S...S !!!
  7. JD
    7. Posted by JD Tue Nov 03, 2009 9:10 am EST

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    Why abbreviate SEP if you're going to spell it out anyway? That's PS (pretty strange).
  8. j_blazys@...
    8. Posted by j_blazys@... Tue Nov 03, 2009 9:13 am EST

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    I said this from the beginning of last years off season............ Shoulda picked up Ibanez
  9. Edwin
    9. Posted by Edwin Tue Nov 03, 2009 9:24 am EST

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    Bradley does it the same way so many others do, Cry, [profane], and complain until a team gets rid of them. So many others have been doing it for years. I think Major League Baseball needs to get a grip. If you can't get the Players association to back up these disgruntled contracts then MLB needs to fine these guys big time. If I had a contract and broke it trust me I'd be in a court of law. Fine these son of a b..tches until it hurts and then make sure they can't transfer contracts and buy outs.
  10. The Lord Humungus
    10. Posted by The Lord Humungus Tue Nov 03, 2009 10:20 am EST

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    What an amazingly hateable person Bradley is, but he kept the Rangers' offense going two years ago. When he bothered to grace the lineup with his presence. He was the only player on the team who knew a ball from a strike.
  11. JS
    11. Posted by JS Tue Nov 03, 2009 10:28 am EST

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    What a drama queen.
  12. Rob F
    12. Posted by Rob F Tue Nov 03, 2009 10:32 am EST

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    If you have to pay him, make him a glorified pinch hitter. Put him up front at press conferences and watch him implode. There is a point when it just becomes rediculous. Make him miserable.
  13. Rob F
    13. Posted by Rob F Tue Nov 03, 2009 10:32 am EST

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    And I would NOT let him go to a team he WANTS to go to. Send him to Pittsburgh.
  14. rfffr
    14. Posted by rfffr Tue Nov 03, 2009 10:35 am EST

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    I don't think the Cubs would be able to get Hamilton for him but if they did that would be great for them.
  15. scott
    15. Posted by scott Tue Nov 03, 2009 10:37 am EST

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    Rob, I found a truck for you. 1936 Ford. It has the cab, doors, bed. No engine, trans or front fenders. How ambitious you feeling? You could either go rat rod or totally high tech.
  16. Livin' the Vegas Life
    16. Posted by Livin' the Vegas Life Tue Nov 03, 2009 10:44 am EST

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    Rangers should be a contender in the west and a world series berth. Trading for Bradley would be a dicey move that could "blow up" in the Ranger's face. They are a contender without Bradley, but are they a contender with Milton Bradley?
  17. Rob F
    17. Posted by Rob F Tue Nov 03, 2009 11:02 am EST

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    Not sure Scott. I was checking out some '69 C10's/C20's online the other day. Keeping with the original stuff is nice, but I do like high tech a little more. The parts for them seemed cheaper.
  18. Winholder
    18. Posted by Winholder Tue Nov 03, 2009 11:08 am EST

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    Game Boy would be a disaster to bring back to Texas. He has never played a full season without being hurt or suspended. The Rangers are trying to bring up a lot of young players...he is not the example they want these guys to learn from. When one of the young guys is playing well and they want to give him additional playing time and Mr. Jerkface isn't hurt, he will scream like a stuck pig if he doesn't get the playing time he want.
    Even if the Cubs pay 90% of his salary, they shouldn't make this deal. If they have to give up anyone with any upside potential at any position, don't do this deal. Washington says he knows how to handle Bradley...hell he can't handle what he has on his plate and sure doesn't need his attention diverted elsewhere because of some half-wit egomaniac with the personality of a rabid coyote.
    Leave him in Chicago or anywhere else but Arlington.
  19. wes878
    19. Posted by wes878 Tue Nov 03, 2009 11:18 am EST

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    To be fair, it wasn't the first baseman, it was the first -base umpire!! Then he tore his ACL being spun down by Bud Black during the argument. What an idiot!!
  20. philsphanwest
    20. Posted by philsphanwest Tue Nov 03, 2009 11:26 am EST

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    Jeff Lebowski #8: Yeah, you, me, and just about everyone else other than Jim Hendry, of course, saw the Bradley meltdown in Chicago coming a mile away. I agree with Artist that no matter what, the Cubs are stuck with a huge (90% or more) of his remaining salary, and I really don't think they'll bring him back no matter what. Which makes him a perfect trade candidate for the Rangers. Rangers agree to take him and pay $500k of Bradley's salary next year, the Cubs pay the rest in 2010, and in so doing, they free up a roster spot and save $100k by not having to outright release him and worry about him playing against them in the NL. That way, just like Andruw Jones this past year, if he doesn't work out, the Rangers haven't really spent that much. If the Rangers keep him for 2011, they again pay $500k and the Cubs pay the rest.
    If the Cubs hadn't have been so obsessed with Jake Peavy during the early part of last winter, they might have correctly focused on Ibanez, and this mess would have never happened. Ironically, it appears the Braves are doing the exact same thing by focusing this winter on a pitcher they do not need (Tim Hudson), rather than the power outfield bat and back end of the bullpen that they do need.
  21. scott
    21. Posted by scott Tue Nov 03, 2009 11:27 am EST

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    Rob, on something like a 1936 Ford high tech would mean a-arm front end, coil overs, rack and pinion streering, 4 link rearend, and that's all stuff you could buy aftermarket. All the stuff I need to buy for my Mustang, front clip, rear clip, rear wheel tubs, comes out to about $4200. It will be labor intensive and I need to buy a wire-feed welder but it's all doable in my garage. The front clip is about $2300, all new with brakes, a-arms, coil overs, rack and pinion. That isn't much more than rebuilding the existing front end and converting to disc brakes. You could even go to TCI in Orange County and order a frame finished ready to put a body on it for about $9000. That is a complete rolling chassis. As far as my Mustang goes, the future restorers of the world will hate me but I don't see myself losing sleep over it.
  22. Rob F
    22. Posted by Rob F Tue Nov 03, 2009 11:27 am EST

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    It's funny. I never really paid much attention to Bradley, I just don't [profane] cases the time of day. But every time there is a rumor about him, I read more stories about his "incidents." I bet you could make a TV sitcom about him.
  23. ballers inc
    23. Posted by ballers inc Tue Nov 03, 2009 11:28 am EST

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    ok I'm a cubs fan and have been for a long time but I am sick and tired of these other "cub fans" because they are the quickest to put the blame on other people. WE SUCKED! not Milton Bradley but we sucked as a team and having Derosa back wouldn't have made that much of a difference. I really think the team is better if they play on the road because Cubs fans are more negative than any other fans ever! I'm so sick of it. Stop blaming other people we sucked as a team and we really do suck as fans because anytime anything happens we automatically go back to suicide watch. It's pathetic
  24. Anthony M
    24. Posted by Anthony M Tue Nov 03, 2009 11:29 am EST

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    Texas would be INSANE to make any kind of deal w/the Cubs for this lunatic! The MLBPA needs to back these contracts, so if a player does pull this type of sh*t, they only get paid a fraction of what the contract is worth. Until they do, I say, you "OWN" a player, and can do what you want. Unless the MLBPA, offsets the cost/loss of the contract when trading him, then Ricketts should sit his a** for the next two years, or do whatever he wishes w/him. Send him to A league to carry the bags, drive the bus, or have him come clean your toilet 162x/year. Sure, it was a costly mistake, but he certainly doesn't deserve to see a MLB field ever again. These clowns need to be held accountable, they get paid a ridiculous amount of money to play a game, and need to keep that in perspective.
  25. Rob F
    25. Posted by Rob F Tue Nov 03, 2009 11:38 am EST

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    Good post ballers. I'm not sure I agree that we are more negative. I will admit to holding my breath and waiting for the other shoe to fall. Hey, there is always next year! lol. Seriously though, I do think Hendry needs to make better decisions or step asside. Bradley was a mistake, plain and simple.

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