In case you somehow missed it, Milton Bradley is a Padre. Acquired Friday afternoon along with cash for minor-league right-hander Andrew Brown, the outfielder from Long Beach with a checkered past begins his Padres career on the disabled list due to a strained left oblique. (The Pads knew about the injury and didn’t request a physical “because if they had, they believed that Bradley likely would have been dealt to Texas.”)
So, what do we make of all this? Good question. Let’s take a closer look.
Brown, you may recall, came to the Padres in the November 2006 deal that sent Josh Barfield to Cleveland. You may also recall that Brown never appeared in a single game for the Padres.
Congratulations to Trevor Hoffman and Jake Peavy for being named to the National League All-Star team. Chris Young probably deserved to go as well, but I really have zero interest in the All-Star game, so I’ll leave the outrage to people who actually care.
Here’s to the health of Hoffman and Peavy. Let’s get a ring.
One point we identified in the Ducksnorts 2007 Baseball Annual as key to building a bullpen on the proverbial shoestring was to “give yourself plenty of options in spring to increase the odds of gambles paying off.” Specifically we identified Brown, Heath Bell, Royce Ring, and Scott Strickland as newcomers who might help, noting that “chances are slim that…all will contribute, but the likelihood that any one of them will be useful is pretty good.”
As it turns out, Bell has been more than useful and Ring has come in handy on occasion as well. Strickland has done nothing, while Brown has bided his time, waiting for an opportunity — in this case, a trade to an organization that can use him. Brown, to put it coarsely, became a bargaining chip. His ultimate use to the Padres consisted in being the piece that convinced the A’s to part with Bradley.
Ah yes, Bradley. Troubled. Enigmatic. Injury-prone. Talented. Let’s not forget talented.
Acknowledging Bradley’s on- and off-field issues, we don’t know how he’ll react to his new environment. One theory I’ve heard advanced by the pop psychologist types is that Bradley will disrupt the clubhouse and somehow negatively affect chemistry. (Oddly, these folks never seem to think that things could flow the other way, i.e., that the clubhouse will elevate Bradley. Why is that?) I’m not going to delve too deeply into this issue because I find it presumptuous to make claims about things I can’t know, but I will say that winning has a way of fixing a lot of problems.
The outlook is simple: either Bradley fits in here or he doesn’t. We’ll know soon enough, but there are reasons to be optimistic. It’s encouraging to note that one of his former coaches, Padres third-base coach Glenn Hoffman, expects good things from Bradley. In my view, a single word of endorsement from Hoffman, who has been in uniform with the guy, is worth infinitely more than every talk show caller put together.
The other reason I like Bradley’s chances here has to do with economics. Bradley is 29 years old and in the final year of his contract. As others have observed, he has every incentive to be a model citizen.
Of greater concern to me are the injuries. Bradley has managed as many as 500 plate appearances in a season just once over the first seven years of his big-league career (and he certainly won’t come anywhere near that total this season). He’s been on the disabled list — including now — four times in 2007: twice for a strained left hamstring (April 23 – May 11; May 15 – 30), once for a strained right calf (June 8 – 20), and now for the oblique.
I won’t pretend to like the fact that Bradley has played only 19 games this season. Neither will I pretend that a talent of his magnitude would have been available for a minor-league reliever with command issues if there weren’t mitigating factors. There’s always risk involved (or maybe in the case of Milton Bradley, it’s Risk), but the fact remains that when Bradley has been healthy, he’s been extremely productive. He potentially gives the Padres a potent switch-hitting bat that can slot anywhere from #1 to #6, as well as stellar defense in the outfield.
Check out how Bradley compares offensively over the past few seasons with other players (some of whom the Padres are believed to have coveted):
| Player | AB | BA | OBP | SLG | ISO | XB/H | AB/HR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stats courtesy of David Pinto’s Day by Day Database. | |||||||
| Hideki Matsui | 2248 | .294 | .369 | .480 | .186 | .360 | 26.1 |
| Dmitri Young | 1843 | .287 | .349 | .493 | .206 | .382 | 22.5 |
| Milton Bradley | 1587 | .287 | .377 | .459 | .172 | .333 | 27.4 |
| Trot Nixon | 1585 | .282 | .372 | .462 | .180 | .365 | 27.8 |
| Cliff Floyd | 1791 | .271 | .356 | .473 | .202 | .386 | 21.1 |
| Aubrey Huff | 2547 | .284 | .344 | .481 | .197 | .368 | 22.7 |
| Aaron Rowand | 1921 | .287 | .346 | .461 | .174 | .350 | 29.1 |
The comps here that make the most sense to me are Nixon, Floyd, and Rowand — right down to the propensity for injury. For as much as people dog Scott Linebrink, would anyone honestly prefer to part with him for Rowand than move Brown for Bradley and a boatload of cash? (I mentioned that the Padres are on the hook for less than $700,000 of Bradley’s salary, right?)
It may not work — Nixon has been a disaster this season for the Indians — but even if that’s the case, what has been lost? Seriously, I hope Brown works out for the A’s, but remember that he couldn’t crack a staff in San Diego that includes two guys who almost never actually pitch.
Beyond the short-term gains, Bradley is one of the more intriguing center fielders that figure to be on the open market this coming winter. Most of the focus has been on marquee players such as Torii Hunter, Andruw Jones, and Ichiro Suzuki. The downside with them, of course, is that all will command marquee salaries to go with the spiffy brand name label.
Bradley isn’t as good as Hunter, Jones, or Suzuki, but if he’s healthy and he can fit into a team’s clubhouse, the gap isn’t as large as you might think. If only there were some way to learn these things before Bradley becomes a free agent. If only a team could bring him in for a trial run and see firsthand, in game situations, what exactly he’s capable of doing…
by Peter Friberg
You will not see Chris Young in the 2007 All Star game unless you vote early and vote often.
Let me say this, I did not think that any of the Padre hitters deserved to go to the All Star game. However, the guy I was “hoping” for was Trevor Hoffman. I was certain that Jake Peavy and Chris Young would make the team. Certain. They both had top 3 NL ERAs. The team’s pitching staff was the best in all of baseball… Furthermore, Chris demonstrated the last two years that he had staying power; this was not a random pitcher with a career 5.00 ERA having a lucky couple months…
Friday, June 29, 2007
AAA
No notable performances…
AA
Chase Headley: 4 AB, 3 R, 2 H, 2 RBI; HR, SO – G1
Will Venable: 3 AB, 0 R, 2 H, 3 RBI; 2B, BB, SO – G1
Cesar Ramos: 5.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO, 0 HR – G1
Chase Headley: 2 AB, 2 R, 1 H, 0 RBI; 2B, 2 BB, SO – G2
Nick Hundley: 3 AB, 1 R, 2 H, 5 RBI; HR, SF – G2
High-A
Matt Antonelli: 4 AB, 0 R, 0 H, 0 RBI; 3 SO
Chad Huffman: 4 AB, 1 R, 2 H, 1 RBI; HR
Low-A
Cedric Hunter: 4 AB, 1 R, 1 H, 1 RBI, HR, 2 SO
Nathaniel Culp: 7.0 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 SO, 0 HR
Short Season-A
Danny Payne: 2 AB, 1 R, 0 H, 0 RBI; 3 BB, SO – .542 OBP
Kellen Kulbacki: 4 AB, 1 R, 2 H, 0 RBI; 3B, BB, SO
Cory Luebke: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO, 0 HR
Rookie
Yefri Carajal: 3 AB, 2 R, 0 H, 0 RBI; 2 BB, SO
Shawn Estes: 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO, 0 HR – alive!
Cooper Brannan: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO, 0 HR
Commentary:
It’s good to see that Chase’s time in the big leagues didn’t disrupt his rhythm. I’m thinking the Texas League pitchers are not happy to see him back.
Danny Payne will not make my top-10 list (he’s a reasonable bet to be in the top 25, but probably outside the top 20) but he’s becoming one of my favorite players to look up. In 10 games, he now has 17 walks (awesome! — the 0 XBH; not so awesome).
Saturday, June 30, 2007
AAA
Tim Stauffer: 6.0 IP, 10 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 1 BB, 5 SO, 1 HR
AA
Chase Headley: 4 AB, 0 R, 0 H, 0 RBI; BB, 2 SO
High-A
Matt Antonelli: 4 AB, 0 R, 2 H, 0 RBI; BB
Kyle Blanks: 4 AB, 2 R, 2 H, 1 RBI; HR, SO
Wade LeBlanc: 5.1 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 4 SO, 0 HR
Low-A
Rayner Contreras: 3 AB, 1 R, 2 H, 7 RBI; 2B, HR, 2 BB, SO
Drew Miller: 5.0 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 10 SO, 0 HR
R.J. Rodriguez: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 0 SO, 1 HR
Short Season-A
Danny Payne: 4 AB, 1 R, 1 H, 1 RBI; 3B, BB, SO – 1st pro XBH
John Hussey: 4.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 8 SO, 1 HR
Rookie
Yefri Carvajal: 4 AB, 0 R, 2 H, 2 RBI
Commentary:
Wade LeBlanc still has a stellar 2.64 ERA but he has allowed 4 earned runs in three of his last four starts (4 ER in 7.1 IP, 1 ER in 4.0 IP, 4 ER in 6.0 IP, and 4 ER in 5.1 IP on Saturday).
Sunday, July 1, 2007
AAA
Vince Sinisi: 3 AB, 1 R, 2 H, 1 RBI; 2 2B – .311/.357/.477
Paul McAnulty: 5 AB, 1 R, 2 H, 2 RBI; 2B
Pete LaForest: 3 AB, 2 R, 2 H, 3 RBI; 2 HR, BB, SO
AA
Chase Headley: 2 AB, 1 R, 0 H, 0 RBI; 2 BB
High-A
Matt Antonelli: 5 AB, 1 R, 2 H, 2 RBI; CS
Chad Huffman: 5 AB, 1 R, 2 H, 3 RBI; HR, 2 SO
Low-A
Aaron Breit: 3.0 IP, 1 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 6 BB, 3 SO, 0 HR – yikes!
Short Season-A
Danny Payne: 4 AB, 1 R, 1 H, 1 RBI; 2B, BB, SO
Kellen Kulbacki: 3 AB, 1 R, 1 H, 1 RBI; 2 BB, SO
Jeremy McBryde: 3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO, 0 HR
Rookie
Jose Martinez: 1.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 0 SO, 1 HR – got the “W”
Orlando Lara: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO, 0 HR
Commentary:
Vince Sinisi is interesting. I don’t know how good he is defensively and he’s probably more of a fourth outfielder than a starter, but his success is good to see.
Sinisi looks interesting, but I seriously hope Pete LaForest is on the 2008 roster!
Going into his July 1 contest, Chad Huffman only had 19 at-bats in the three hole. Roughly half of his 250 at-bats have been batting fifth (usually behind David Freese and Kyle Blanks). Sunday Chad batted in front of those two — I don’t think that batting order is insignificant. We’ll see if that trend continues.
Thanks, Peter. The Padres return home to host the Florida Marlins for three four games. The series opener is Monday night, first pitch 7:05 p.m. PT. You know where to be…
48- Well as far as the Braves are concerned we have :
1. Heap (Brian McCann)
2. Frenchy (Jeff Francouer)
3. Scooter (Kelly Johnson)
4. Rent (Edgar Renteria)
5. Salty (Jarrod Saltalamacchia)
6. Larry (Chipper Jones)
Thats the ones I can think of off the top of my head.
48: See the glossary on the sidebar
48: Ah.. you were asking about other teams, my bad!
why do you call Chipper Larry?
Re: 54 n/m its his real name
I know the Padres players call Bud “Harry”.
re 51-I don’t think shortening someone’s name is really considered a nickname. Salty and Rent should be eliminated off the top and last I checked calling someone by the name their mother intended doesn’t count either.
I’ll give the Braves blog credit for 2.5 nicknames, unless we think a good nickname for Milton Bradley would be Brad……or a good nickname for Michael Barrett would be…….Mike?
Oh and before I forget, time to call the Cardinals and see what they want for Anthony Reyes. They demoted him again and I’m sure he’d make an adequate 5th starter going forward next season.
57: im all for calling Milton “No Salt” or “Swingline” Bradly
43: Tom, I’ve called questioned you on this forum before, but never about such an important issue. I’m pretty sure that it was a fax machine. Somebody who’s not at work put the movie in and settle this dispute before things get out of hand
51, 57: Larry certainly does not count as a nickname for Chipper Jones. Lousy Braves fans…
It’s a printer. At work but pretty darn sure.
Re: 60 I think it is a fax machine although I have gotten the dreaded PC load letter several times on out copy machine.
So, normally the callers on 1090 make pretty inane suggestions (present company excluded of course) but today I heard a caller mention a Khalil Greene + Sledge + prospect (Peter and I thought maybe Ramos) for X. Nady and Jack Wilson. The Pirates would get a SS who plays great defense who might hit 25-30 HR’s a year in the NL Central and they’d get rid of a contract that they regret (Wilson’s 3/20 thru 2009). The Padres would retain defensive excellence at SS (probably even an upgrade), get long term security at SS (since the front office doesn’t seem to think that Khalil is the answer) and get a guy who can spot start at all of the corner positions and provides a power RH bat. I think spot starting Nady with Bradley, Giles, and Kouzmanoff helps our offense, gives us a great bat off the bench no matter who starts, and gives us a starting DH for World Series games 3, 4, and 5 (Go NL!!)
Is it possible?
Re: 61 Micheal is trying to feed a document into the machine it has to be a fax or a small copier.
64: Sweet vindication!
Thanks Steve.
Re: 63 no way the Pirates make that deal,Nady is haveing a better year than Bay at the plate and make less money. The Pirates wont give up Nady unless it is for a desent pitching prospect. Also why would the Pirates want a poor defensive corner OF who can’t hit lefties?
I could see a Clay Hensley for X-Nady deal working out.
Wikipedia references both a printer and a fax machine being beaten. IMDB says its a printer.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0151804/trivia
He could be trying to load a sheet of paper manually, because the error message is PC Load Letter.
Pirate Deal: That deal doesn’t make us better. Wilson is an offensive hole and Nady is a platoon hitter. Cruz and Bradley are both better hitters and defenders than Nady, they’re here, and we don’t have to suffer Jack Wilson.
64, 65: Not so fast. I’ve got sources. The PC Load Letter error is a common printer code, and you can manually feed pages into printers.
#59: I still prefer “Jenga” myself.
#63: Pass on Royce Clayton, er I mean Jack Wilson.
68: I can see your reasons for not doing the deal, and I was remembering the 2004 version of Jack Wilson, I had forgotten how steep his decline was. However, you really think that Jose Cruz is a better hitter than Nady?
60- Yeah we’re all lousy and stuff. The thing with Larry is that No One not even his mother and father call him that. And it started with the Mets fans, and to show it didn’t bother anyone we call him the same thing or use his full name when it applies. Larry Wayne Jones, Junior. Or “Hooters Boy” works well in a bind.
69:
from Wikipedia’s Office Space site:
“# The Fax Machine — In the movie, this appliance’s unreliability finally prompts Peter, Samir and Michael to take baseball bats to the device in an open field as “Still” by the Geto Boys plays, in a scene visually referencing a violent episode in Casino. The term Office Space-style, or “Going Office Space on” is used to refer to this type of destruction.[2]”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Office_Space
69/73: If you’d like to verify for yourself, you can look on youtube at the following site:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_dHJYyQDJk&mode=related&search=
I’m not an expert office supply person, but I’m sure that someone will be able to identify the appliance in question.
**Be careful of explicit lyrics if you’re at work or with kids.
Jack Wilson, seriously? Am I missing something here? Do we really need to add a .675 OPS shortstop, although his .315 OBP would be a big improvement over Greene.
Greene is a tough guy to move, unless he brings back a legit all star because he is loved by both the fans and other players.
By VORP courtesy of my subscription to Baseball Prospectus:
Jack Wilson:0.2
Greene:8.2
A little perspective about Wilson, that puts him squarely between John McDonald and Enrique Cruz. Blah!
75: I guess I was thinking more about the upgrade of Nady and the long-term security of LF. However, as I said, I was thinking of the 2004 Wilson, not the current vintage. Check out his ’04: .308 and more than 65 extra base hits. He’s not anywhere near that player anymore. Oddly, some people rejected the deal because the Pirates wouldn’t do it, and some saw it as a loss for the Padres. I’d guess that it’s probably pretty fair–but that doesn’t mean that it’s a deal that would help us this year.
71: Yes, because Cruz isn’t useless against RHP the way Nady is. Cruz is less of a lefty-killer but against RHP, the dominant species, Nady barely cracks a 700 OPS. That’s not even adjusted for parks, and Cruz has played in tough ones. In an ideal world Cruz is a 4th OF who platoons, but at least he gives you a chance from both sides of the plate. Both he and Bradley are much better defenders, a little better speed.
73: The same wikipedia article states “PC Load Letter — an actual HP laser printer error message indicating that the printer needs letter-sized paper, but more generally a catch-all for any nonsensical error message. The “PC” in the phrase stands for “Paper Cassette”, a paper reservoir for many printers. This error is more common in Europe when printing US documents on printers loaded with size A4 paper.”
76: The people who think the Pirates wouldn’t do that deal underestimate how badly they’d like to get out from under Wilson’s contract. I bet they’d gladly move Nady if that was what it took to save 14M the next 3 years.
From the Padres standpoint, there’s no way we do it. Don’t need Nady, really don’t need Wilson.
Well I can think of one giant reason the Pirates would jump at the opportunity, money.
They don’t want to pay Wilson 6M a year, for good reason.
Also, I don’t think Nady is an improvement over Bradley and next off season there should be plenty of guys available to fill that spot.
Ruining shortstop in order to fix left field when shortstop is a much more difficult position doesn’t seem like a smart plan, especially when you’re paying an extra 7M a year for the privilege.
79: I agree-after seeing who the real Jack Wilson is-I don’t think it makes sense for the Padres either.