Milton Bradley goes to the Rangers (and therefore not the San Diego Padres)

this stinks

Really the first disappointment of the off-season. Hopefully we'll get Fukudome and he'll be good.

Geoff
Ducksnorts, Knuckle Curve

by Geoff on Dec 9, 2007 8:44 AM PST reply actions

This hurts

As best as I can guess, he wants to DH.

by Phantom on Dec 9, 2007 8:48 AM PST reply actions

Son of a bitch.

I really hate that. A crappy day just got crappier for me. We better get the goddamn Dome or we're really up a certain creek...

by TheThirdGonzalez on Dec 9, 2007 8:55 AM PST reply actions

our entire OF at the moment is Giles

that's right: a 37 year old right fielder with plummeting power numbers who is coming off knee surgery. Oh. Holy. God.

How awful could Chase Headley be in left field, anyway? Worse than Geoff Blum or Ryan Klesko?

Or, if we don't get Fukudome, then does that mean that Headley gets dealt for some outfield help?

by goose1 on Dec 9, 2007 9:27 AM PST reply actions

me off as well. Its not final because its pending a physical but it looks like he went to them to play DH. I believe the deal they offered him is 1 yr 5 million. Why doesnt this guy just try to stick with one team? We are one of the 1st teams that didnt want him to leave and so he does?
Milton Bradley you are dead to me

by socaldelmar on Dec 9, 2007 9:40 AM PST reply actions

20%

5 million vs. 4 million: that was the difference. A significant difference. And Milton can put up some sick numbers in Arlington if he stays health, paving the way for a multi-year deal.

Fukudome is now a must.

by Enzo Hernandez on Dec 9, 2007 9:41 AM PST reply actions

Speaking as someone who lives in Dallas

I believe you've underestimated how much nicer SD is than TX.

It's possible that Bradley still remains frightened of Bud. Maybe every time he sees him, he feels a twinge in his knee. Maybe he flinches every time Bud walks into the room. Lots of possibilities.

And I know we all wanted to get behind Bradley, that we wanted to convince ourselves that he'd matured and that he wasn't a head case. But let's face it. If you choose the Rangers for anything, you are a massive head case and you are not about winning.

by Winfield's Ghost on Dec 9, 2007 9:56 AM PST reply actions

on dallas vs san diego.

word.

by pjbno4 on Dec 9, 2007 3:39 PM PST up reply actions

Good riddance....

Great way to thank the ONLY organization that treated you with any respect whatsoever, Milton. An organization that stood behind you 100% even after you ended your tenure as a San Diego Padre like a complete and total asshole that cared only for himself and not the good of the team. A team, that despite that, still made you an incredibly fair offer. I hope that extra million in base salary was worth it. Obviously an incentive based contract isn't something an injury prone headcase isn't going to find attractive.

On a side-note, Dex...you do know the Rangers play in Arlington and not Austin, right?

by Drama on Dec 9, 2007 7:37 PM PST up reply actions

Absogoddamnlutely.

I went off on a rant about this as I was changing the front right tire in pouring rain for the second time in a two hours (it's been an all-around craptacular day for the Fourth Giles family). It's like if some guy who had gotten fired by McDonalds, Taco Bell, and two convenience stores for being an all-around jackass managed to get a job stocking shelves at Target and then they decided to give him a raise despite that time his supervisor had to hold him back from assaulting a cop. He's all about it until Wal-Mart calls and offers him a dollar more an hour. Instead of having a sense of loyalty and gratitude to the organization that gave him a chance when everyone else had given up on him, he takes a crap in the toy department and hops in his El Camino on his way to his new job where he'll get get more money to spend on meth and Def Leppard t-shirts.

...I'm bitter, I'll admit. It's like your really beautiful girlfriend breaking up with you so she can be with Neil Goldman. I could go on and on...

by TheThirdGonzalez on Dec 9, 2007 8:30 PM PST up reply actions

the fourth giles?

by mandalay on Dec 9, 2007 8:41 PM PST up reply actions

Nice catch.

I had no idea; I guess I haven't quite gotten used to this moniker yet.

by TheThirdGonzalez on Dec 9, 2007 9:11 PM PST up reply actions

if Edgar Gonzalez ever plays

you can go back to TTG...

by mandalay on Dec 9, 2007 9:26 PM PST up reply actions

That's funny.

As you were typing that, I was already in the process of creating a new e-mail address so I could get yet another new GLB account...

by TheThirdGonzalez on Dec 9, 2007 9:31 PM PST up reply actions

I always thought

the new moniker would be from the Cora family. It's like I don't even know you.

by Winfield's Ghost on Dec 10, 2007 7:25 AM PST up reply actions

We don't even have one yet!

The idea got tossed around but I'm first and foremost a Padres fan and wouldn't want to imply an allegiance to any Sox, whether they be White or Red.

by TheThirdGonzalez on Dec 10, 2007 10:22 AM PST up reply actions

Side-note

You do know that Austin is about 10 times nicer than Arlington and therefore wasn't even considered in my "nice places in Texas"? To answer your question directly, of course I know there's no Major League team in Austin. If there was, then Brooks Conrad would've been a big leaguer three years running now.

by Dex on Dec 10, 2007 8:07 AM PST up reply actions

Brooks Conrad....

It always comes back to Brooks Conrad somehow...doesn't it?

by Drama on Dec 10, 2007 8:14 AM PST up reply actions

Austin is overrated

Only 8 times nicer than Arlington.

by Winfield's Ghost on Dec 10, 2007 9:09 AM PST up reply actions

Spoken like someone...

...that's obviously never walked around campus in the middle of the spring.

by Drama on Dec 10, 2007 9:27 AM PST up reply actions

Not true

I walked around UT-Arlington last yr, talking to all the juco transfers. Oh, wait - different campus?

by Winfield's Ghost on Dec 10, 2007 10:08 AM PST up reply actions

hmmm....

Isn't that in direct violation with the conditions of your parole? I'm not accusing...just asking.

by Drama on Dec 10, 2007 10:13 AM PST up reply actions

Not a violation

If my probation officer doesn't find out.

by Winfield's Ghost on Dec 10, 2007 10:36 AM PST up reply actions

FU Dome

This time, he really is coming to the MLB. Should get his team choice soon. Pretty please with a cherry on top pick us!

by Sam (sdsuaztec4) on Dec 9, 2007 10:01 AM PST reply actions

oh this blows.....

now the pads are really screwed, now maybe the pads will listen to me when i say "bring back byron myrow"!!!!

my girl got a girlfriend

by la padres on Dec 9, 2007 10:11 AM PST reply actions

Help me Kusoke Fukudome

You're our only help.

Geoff Jenkins is probably more reliable than Bradley, though. Gotta replace our Geoff.

by Wes on Dec 9, 2007 11:30 AM PST reply actions

Hope

I meant hope.

by Wes on Dec 10, 2007 9:19 AM PST up reply actions

We have to admit Fukudome is a long shot

and that Bradley was going to be a risk (on a variety of fronts). We would have been lucky to get half a season from Bradley, given his history, so even if we had signed him we'd be looking at his back-ups.

We ran some pretty sub-par outfielders out there last season. And given what's out there, I'm not particularly optimistic.

Geoff Jenkins is looking better and better...and it'd be great to get Jason Bay back, but I have no idea what we'd have to give up to get him.

by goose1 on Dec 9, 2007 1:24 PM PST reply actions

up the offer

knowing that we NEED to get Fukudome, why dont we up that offer to the same as cubs! I know thats a ton of money but can we afford to lose out on him as well? Dont wait till the last minute to do it...some say thats a lot of money okay it is but what happens if we dont get him? Panic Mode? Terrible OF? Trade Prospects we dont want to trade?

by frequentfriar on Dec 9, 2007 4:16 PM PST up reply actions

No bidding war with the Cubs

It's a losing proposition. They have far, far more money than the Padres do--what did they dole out in contracts last year, like 300 million dollars? They're on a spending spree at the moment--and a desperate one.

Fukudome projects to be a solid player--someone we'd love to have for the right price. But he's not irreplaceable.

The Cubs have the money. We don't. Our chance at getting Fukudome depends entirely on him wanting to play in San Diego in particular. We'll see, but I'm not terribly optimistic.

by goose1 on Dec 9, 2007 8:29 PM PST up reply actions

Seems like the Milton money

could go towards bumping our offer up one mil more per.

by TheThirdGonzalez on Dec 9, 2007 8:34 PM PST up reply actions

can't really blame milton for his decision

but i am upset we wont have him. i was really looking forward to seeing how productive he could be with us for a whole year. lets face it, our offense lacks intimidating batters and he would have been one.

our outfield is bad right now. mike cameron is sitting in a position of power now. maybe towers should throw a couple more million into that fukudome offer just in case...

he took the bigger money and the smaller park which probably should work out better for him. the NL West has some great pitching so moving out of there would probably be better for him too. But he should put up good numbers in that home run park in texas and be able to get a big long term deal somewhere in 09.

what i thought was weird was in the paper it said milton had talked to giles and told giles that he thought SD didnt want him. in reply to this towers said something like "why the hell would he think that? we offered him 4 million dollars why would he think we didnt want him?" i guess after the way last year ended in such a disaster for him he felt it better idea to take a fresh start somewhere. also now he wont have to face mike winters.

http://frequentfriar.wordpress.com

by Peavyforprez08 on Dec 9, 2007 2:45 PM PST reply actions

Re: Winters

Going to the AL does nothing for this.

There are no longer NL and AL umpires. All umpires work both leagues now.

by jpleeg2 on Dec 9, 2007 5:16 PM PST up reply actions

Bradley...

Bradley is a cancer to any team that he plays for...that's why he can't stay on any team for more than a season or two. I'll give you that he can put up some hefty offensive numbers, but he's always been a time bomb waiting to go off. What's the over/under for him in TX to snap...three months? 'til the All Star Break? He was good for the Padres last year, but it was obvious he didn't want to stay. Have fun in Satan's armpit (I mean Ft. Worth), Milton.

by DarthBarf on Dec 9, 2007 6:03 PM PST reply actions

was he really a cancer

to the expos???? lol

my girl got a girlfriend

by la padres on Dec 9, 2007 9:16 PM PST up reply actions

Chicago

They are already buying Fukudome cub jerseys in chicago it seems.

by Sam (sdsuaztec4) on Dec 9, 2007 8:03 PM PST reply actions

I really hope

that he comes here for no other reason than to spite Chicago.

by Sam (sdsuaztec4) on Dec 9, 2007 8:04 PM PST up reply actions

Kosuke

Im sorry as much as I love San Diego and the Padres if it comes down to us and the Cubs I think we lose out. He is leaving an offer to play with his boyhood team the Giants, that tells me that he is only coming over to play for a marquee team. In todays MLB there exist the big three the Yankees and Red Sox and for some reason the Cubs, now the first two have shown no interest. So it seems logical then that the Cubs get him. He is coming over to prove he belongs and he is going to want to do it on a big stage. Plus like someone mentioned before if it gets down to a bidding war forget it. Oh well, lets hope that by some miracle we get him. If not I hope we have a great backup plan.

by jczar78 on Dec 9, 2007 9:19 PM PST reply actions

Bummer

And that interview with Sandy had me so full of hope...well i guess it's fukudome or bust....enjoy those WONDERFUL texas summers Milton! Summers in San Diego can be so HORRIBLE...whats the over/under on Milty's first trip to the DL? July?

Rocco Baldelli anyone?

...and we're STILL waiting for MATT HOLLIDAY to touch the plate.

by offspeedkills on Dec 9, 2007 10:29 PM PST reply actions

fukudome

i heard the cubs had the highest bid. so we won't get him. we are going to be 3rd place next year if we don't do something soon.

by pads44 on Dec 9, 2007 10:38 PM PST reply actions

There's been

a lot of erroneous speculation about him and his situation over the past couple of weeks so I'm not too concerned.

by TheThirdGonzalez on Dec 9, 2007 10:48 PM PST up reply actions

holy crap

jesus is a zombie!?!?

by Sam (sdsuaztec4) on Dec 9, 2007 11:20 PM PST up reply actions

I'm cracking up.

Right now everybody else is wondering what you're talking about. That's a pretty bizarre thing to read just out of the blue.

by TheThirdGonzalez on Dec 9, 2007 11:33 PM PST up reply actions

I got it.

To that casual observer, it probably looks like a drunken epiphany. lol.

It's time to crane kick someone in the f*cking face. -goose

by JBro12 on Dec 9, 2007 11:45 PM PST up reply actions

Hopefully..

he will listen to Aki and stay the hell out of Chicago. The only time I want to see him in Wrigley is if he is wearing a sand-colored uniform.

It's time to crane kick someone in the f*cking face. -goose

by JBro12 on Dec 9, 2007 11:02 PM PST up reply actions

Well

just because they offered the most money doesn't automatically mean he is going to sign there.

by Sam (sdsuaztec4) on Dec 9, 2007 11:22 PM PST up reply actions

As for Uncle Milty..

If he doesn't want to be here, his loss. He got some clutch hits for my Padres last year, so I sincerely hope he enjoys each one of the Rangers' 60 wins next year.

As for us... Milty is out of the question now, so let's forget him and move on.

It's time to crane kick someone in the f*cking face. -goose

by JBro12 on Dec 9, 2007 11:07 PM PST reply actions

I'm not angry with Milty...

just very, very disappointed in him.

by Demoira on Dec 10, 2007 6:00 AM PST reply actions

Can you blame him?

On a one year deal, his numbers are going to look a whole lot better in Texas than San Diego (on the chance he gets and stays healthy). It's not about a one million dollar difference in the offers - this is about his next contract as well.

This is slightly disappointing but could work out better - now let's get a corner outfielder who is not post-operative.

by Billy Almon on Dec 10, 2007 6:25 AM PST reply actions

Sad to see it

A buddy of mine heard the guys on XM saying that they didn't understand why people talked about how good Milty is, and they went on to say he's not an impact player, not a third in the order player. What? He sure had an impact for my Padres this year. Has anyone heard anything about Josh Hamilton? Rumors are the Reds are willing to part with him. He would be a great start (can't say addition, since we currently don't have an outfield) to our outfield.

by Judge19 on Dec 10, 2007 7:15 AM PST reply actions

This is going to be a LONG day...

...waiting to hear what most likely will be bad news concerning Fukudome. IF we don't get this guy...what in the hell are we going to do?? I know it's early, and a lot can happen between now and the start of spring training, but if he signs with the Cubs...we're pretty much screwed. Aaron Rowand is still out there, but he's going to want even more than Fukudome is going to sign for. We could overpay for Mike Cameron. Other than that...what are our options? Geoff Jenkins? Please.
If we end up back with Cam in CF and starting Antonelli at second...can someone tell me just how we've improved our ballclub? It's the basically the same exact team. That coupled with the fact that will STILL don't have a number 5 starter.
I know there are trade options out there for outfielders, but if management continues to refuse to part with good prospects...why would anyone deal with us?

by Drama on Dec 10, 2007 7:46 AM PST reply actions