Sunday a.m. things

by Adam J. Morris on Dec 9, 2007 11:38 AM CST in News Comment 31 comments

So, I wake up this morning, wander in here, and discover the Rangers have signed Milton Bradley to a one year deal for around $4 million.

Very nice.

Look, I'm not going to get too hyped up about this, because Bradley has the baggage everyone knows about...can't stay healthy, a headcase, recovering from a torn ACL that may keep him out at the start of the season...

But you know what? He's immediately the best outfielder on this team. And on a one year deal, he's worth taking a chance on. Plus, we are seeing the managerial situation starting to pay dividends. From the Evan Grant article I linked above:

As the Rangers left the winter meetings on Thursday, they weren't optimistic about the chances to get Bradley. A California native, it appeared Bradley would be going back to San Diego on a one-year, $4 million deal. But the Rangers apparently made a strong push over the last two days. Bradley's desire to reunite with manager Ron Washington, with whom he worked in Oakland, was apparently a significant factor. Washington has long expressed an affinity for Bradley.

Hey, this may be Richard Hidalgo redux. But given where this team is, and given the outfield options, this is a worthwhile roll of the dice. And it isn't like this deal is going to prevent the Rangers from doing something else. Grant also mentions that Kosuke Fukudome is expected to announce this week that he's heading for the U.S., and the Rangers are still in on him.

Grant also mentions that the Rangers have been informed that LaTroy Hawkins is signing somewhere else, which doesn't cause me to lose too much sleep.

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Bradley

Isn't he a Type A free agent?

Oh Man!!!!

by SwiperNoSwiping on Dec 9, 2007 11:31 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

SD...

...declined to offer arb.

by Jamey Newberg on Dec 9, 2007 11:33 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Ok.....thanks

Oh Man!!!!

by SwiperNoSwiping on Dec 9, 2007 11:33 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

and then tried to sign him

whats up with that. how much was he going to get in arb?

by DSheppard on Dec 9, 2007 11:35 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Well

He made $4 million in 2007. So, probably $4.5-5.5 million, I'm guessing.

by Adam J. Morris on Dec 9, 2007 11:41 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

¡Vámanos!

by brettgardner on Dec 9, 2007 11:45 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I like it

provided he recovers 100%, he'll be a nice spark for our team. Love his intensity.

by SteveP on Dec 9, 2007 11:44 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Yeah baby!!!

just woke up, and read this news, very happy! JD's a beast.....beast.

by Longhorn on Dec 9, 2007 11:47 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Great News

Even if he can't play until May this is still excellent news. It gives us one legitimate ML OFer and could give us to take one final look at Cruz. I am in favor!

Fire Ron Washington

by pblack on Dec 9, 2007 11:51 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

oh man...

exactly what I needed to read, I reallllly hope he's healthy for us for at least half a year next year, I wanna lock him down on an extension...this is exactly the type of fiery, passionate player this team needs

"No, Donny, these men are nihilists, there's nothing to be afraid of."

by Walter Sobchak on Dec 9, 2007 11:52 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Dysfunctional

This signing just goes to show how dysfuncional this organization is.

They do not have a clue.

It's the blind leading the blind.

by LBrooks on Dec 9, 2007 11:57 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

It's the stuff

The stuff of country songs. If god will send his angels...

by brettgardner on Dec 9, 2007 12:01 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Go fart dust

or something, would 'ya?

You're hijacking the thread and being repetitive. Move forward.

by Rodney on Dec 9, 2007 12:03 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

This is exactly the kind of signing

this team should be doing right now. They have nothing to lose, and possibly a great deal to gain from this.

Once again I must ask, what is your plan (other than to complain about every single Rangers transaction)?

Tomorrow Never Knows

by t ball on Dec 9, 2007 12:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Hidalgo

I don't think that is a good comp. There is no question that Bradley can hit. He is more like an angry Juan Gonzalez that anything else.

Remember that time your dog ate my goldfish, and you lied and told me I didn't have any goldfish? Why did I have the bowl bart? Why did I have the bowl?

by i hit straight ball very much on Dec 9, 2007 12:10 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Washington

his being here almost got us Zito and others. I'm confident Ron can get this team back together and have them play like they did towards the end of the year. Playoffs 08!

by meatbonelefty on Dec 9, 2007 12:11 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I like it

One question; What's his defense like?

Hop on the bandwagon while It's still fashionable: Rickey Henderson for Centerfield in '08!

by BudLight on Dec 9, 2007 12:27 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Above average for a COF spot

Below average in center.

Although we'll have to see how quickly his knee recovers, since the bad knee will limit his range.

by Adam J. Morris on Dec 9, 2007 12:33 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

He'd be the starting centerfielder by default

Right?

Hop on the bandwagon while It's still fashionable: Rickey Henderson for Centerfield in '08!

by BudLight on Dec 9, 2007 12:41 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Probably not

Given his knee problem, you'd probably see Murphy or Byrd in CF.

If Bradley is limited to DH duties initially, you'll probably see an outfield of Botts in left, Murphy in center, Byrd in right, with Cat and Shelton at 1B and Cat getting some time in LF.

by Adam J. Morris on Dec 9, 2007 12:46 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Inexperienced Hitters

The Rangers have a fair number of inexperienced hitters, and I think they should do all in their power to give them the bulk of the AB's (unless, they provide poor results). I would rather see Byrd as the platoon partner with Cat. We already know what Byrd is, a 4th OF'er. Instead, give the AB's to Shelton (1B), Murphy (CF), and Botts (RF). These guys are young, cheap, and under team control for a few years. Moreover, these are exactly the kind of guys you want on your team, and you can fill the other holes with expensive, more talented free agents. 2008 should be about seeing which players belong in talks about the future of this franchise.

by Excel Hearts Choi on Dec 9, 2007 2:45 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Neither Botts nor Cat

has any business playing in RF.

But I agree with your main point: We should use this season to see what we have in these youngsters, rather than letting Byrd prove once again that he's a 4th OF.

It's what we should've done last season.

We lost a chance to see what Botts could do so that Sammy could... I don't know, give casual fans someone to cheer for at home games?

Dwyade once challenged God to a game of 1-on-1, only to realize that not even God can play 1-on-1 against Himself.

by thedirkatron on Dec 9, 2007 3:35 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

question

I am seeing a lot of support for playing time for Jason Botts in this thread, and yet I have not yet seen the name Nelson Cruz in any outfield projections. Odd, because I consider them to be very similar players, except that Cruz is a plus defender and Botts is a liability.

Both have put up strong numbers in winter ball, and both should be given a shot to win a starting job next spring.

by clark on Dec 9, 2007 5:14 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I think that both

should be given shots at roles, definitely. However, just based on swings and approaches I have quite a bit more hope that Botts hits than Cruz (and I don't have a ton of hope about Botts at this point).

by Brett Perryman on Dec 9, 2007 5:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs