Put the injury risk aside: when Milton Bradley is healthy, he is insanely productive. At $10 million a year, Bradley's contract is pure risk/reward. He'll surely provide more at $10 million than Marquis would in 2009 (even if he only plays 5 days a week). He's also coming off a season with an OPS of almost 1.000. Can you name anyone else who could sign a contract so "inexpensive" off such a stellar season (even if he did only play 126 games)? Like Ben Sheets, Bradley is going to sign for less than he's worth because of looming questions. Yes, those questions are legitimate (the list of Bradley's injuries is ridiculously frivolous, including "his hand hurt"), but much like Rich Harden who posted an ERA under 2 in the dozen starts he made for the Cubs, the reward ceiling potential is quite high. It's not like the Cubs resigned Mark Prior, who hasn't pitched in 3 seasons, or Chris Carpenter, whose elbow is made of bone spurrs. They got a guy who can produce in perhaps 60-70% of the teams games with above average defense skills and is a much better asset than the alternative at the same price (Jason Marquis).
Who else could one want besides Adam Dunn (who, by the way, doesn't even TRY at baseball!*)? Pat Burrell is a streaky righty and Bobby Abreu is on the decline of his career (power down, BBs down, etc.). Raul Ibanez maybe?
Let's take a look at the 37 year old Raul Ibanez's defensive range:
To him I say we already signed Jacque Jones once.
My prediction for Bradley, if he doesn't stay 100% in 2009, is 110 games, 400 AB, 20 HR, 60 walks. That's a very reasonable prediction and very much in line with his career numbers. That's also pretty fucking good production for a guy who would only play in 65% of the team's games. DeRosa did that in 149.
*Side note: I don't care how little you try when you mechanically hit 40 HRs and take 100+ BB a season.
The question is will he stay healthy?
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