Milton Bradley News: Pro Sports Daily

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November 20

Chicago Tribune

"The Cubs changed the course of franchise history three years ago Friday when they signed Alfonso Soriano to an eight-year, $136 million deal. With one move, the Cubs shocked the baseball world and proved they were willing to spend their considerable resources to win a World Series. It didn't work out as planned, however, and three years later new Chairman Tom Ricketts enters the scene with the same challenge as Tribune Co. and a decidedly new game plan of fiscal restraint. General manager Jim Hendry conceded Thursday that money was a factor in the decision to trade veteran reliever Aaron Heilman to the Diamondbacks for a pair of minor-league prospects. Heilman stood to earn around $2 ..."

Tampa Bay, Texas and Toronto look like destinations for Milton Bradley

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November 19

ESPN.com

columnist Jayson Stark

"Tampa Bay, Texas and Toronto look like the three most feasible destinations for Milton Bradley these days. But the Cubs are telling teams that (A) they're not interested in digesting all or most of Bradley's money (two years, $21 million) just for the sake of moving him, and (B) the hiring of his old hitting coach, Rudy Jaramillo, means they no longer think they have to trade him. So they seem to be zeroing in on clubs that might be willing to swap one messy contract for another. Pat Burrell would be that guy in Tampa Bay, but the money doesn't match up and the Cubs would have to find a third team interested in Burrell. Lyle Overbay seems to fit that mold in Toronto, but the Cubs would ..."

Bradley-for-Burell being discussed, but money's an issue

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November 12

Foxsports.com

"The Cubs and Rays continue to discuss a Milton Bradley-for-Pat Burrell trade, but money remains a major obstacle. Burrell will earn $9 million next season, while Bradley is owed $21 million over the next two years. The Rays want the Cubs to pay the vast majority of the difference. The teams are a mere $2 million to $3 million apart over the two years, one source said. The source described the negotiations as "worse than Chinese water torture." Another said, "I wish cattle prods were legal.""

Rangers and Cubs still talking about malcontent Milton

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November 11

SI.com

"The Rangers are the one team obviously pursuing Milton Bradley and they've been engaged in a negotiation with the Cubs regarding how much money would have to be sent to Texas to cover the $21 million remaining on malcontent Milton's contract. The cash-strapped Rangers, whose debt-ridden owner Tom Hicks is being forced to sell the team, could be willing to cover as much as $5 million over the two years left on Bradley's deal (they offered $8 million over one year for him to return last winter). But so far, the Cubs are holding out for more, perhaps shooting to recover as much as half the money left. If the Cubs are to recover that much money, they shouldn't expect to get it from the ..."

Byrd likely to be targeted by Cubs

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November 11

Foxsports.com

"Once the Cubs trade Milton Bradley, their plan is to find a center fielder and move Kosuke Fukudome back to right field. Free agent Marlon Byrd is certain to draw their interest. Rudy Jaramillo, the Cubs' new hitting coach, is a huge fan of Byrd's from their three seasons together with the Rangers, according to major-league sources. The Cubs also made a strong run at Byrd in trade discussions with Rangers before the 2008 season. Byrd, 32, is seeking a multi-year contract after batting .283 for the Rangers last season with a career-high 20 homers and 89 RBIs. Mike Cameron, 36, is another center fielder who could intrigue the Cubs. Cameron batted .250 with 24 homer and 70 RBIs for the ..."

Cubs' offseason plans tied to Bradley trade

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November 11

Chicago Sun-Times

"The Cubs' efforts to trade outfielder Milton Bradley picked up speed on the second day of the general managers meetings Tuesday at the Hilton Chicago O'Hare Airport. The Cubs were to meet with four or five teams late Tuesday before the meetings conclude today. Meanwhile, questions such as these hung in the air: Will the Cubs' leadoff man in 2010 look more like Kosuke Fukudome, Chone Figgins or Luis Castillo? Will the center fielder be Mike Cameron, Fukudome, Reed Johnson or Marlon Byrd? How many left-handed hitters will be in the Opening Day lineup? And will the Cubs increase their starting-pitching inventory to help cover for the early-season loss of left-hander Ted Lilly, who had ..."

Texas Rangers still an option for Milton Bradley

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November 11

Chicago Tribune

"The Cubs and Rangers continued talking Tuesday on a deal that would send Milton Bradley back to his former team, where he would be reunited with manager Ron Washington . Rangers general manager Jon Daniels confirmed he was looking for a middle-of-the-order bat, but said any interest in Bradley "depends on the specifics of the deal." Still, major league sources say the Rangers are the best option for Cubs general manager Jim Hendry, a motivated seller who would like to get a deal done before the winter meetings begin Dec. 7 so he can go forward with his offseason plans. The Rangers originally offered Bradley a one-year, $6 million deal last winter to stay in Arlington. Staying with that ..."

Cubs trying hard to trade Bradley

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November 10

SI.com

"The Cubs are trying hard to dump the perennially malcontented Milton Bradley here at the GM meetings, as it isn't just manager Lou Piniella who didn't connect with him in his season here. Apparently, several key members of the team -- including Aramis Ramirez and Carlos Zambrano -- barely speak to Bradley. "I don't think they dislike him. But Milton's a unique guy who doesn't fit in, like the oddball kid in class,'' one Cubs-connected person said. "He doesn't try to fit in. The other guys tried to take him in, but he's one of those kids that simply doesn't want to be part of anything,'' one Cubs person said. The Chicago Tribune reported that a Bradley blowup with now-deposed hitting coach ..."

Bradley's big contract a barrier

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November 10

Foxsports.com

"The Rays remain interested in Cubs outfielder Milton Bradley, but his contract might be too big an impediment to a trade. Bradley, 30, not only is guaranteed $21 million over the next two seasons, but also can earn an additional $1 million each year by making 575 plate appearances. Granted, Bradley has reached that total only once in his injury-marred career — in 2004 with the Dodgers. But the Rays, by using Bradley as their designated hitter, would anticipate that he would stay healthier and play more often. His contract includes a $200,000 bonus for 525 plate appearances, $300,000 for 550 plate appearances and $500,00 for 575 plate appearances. One way to bridge the financial gap would ..."

Hendry: Cubs haven't given up on Bradley

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November 10

MLB.com

"Major League Baseball's General Manager Meetings, taking place this year at the O'Hare Hilton, often mark the start of discussions for offseason maneuvers. But as the general managers arrived in Chicago Monday, Cubs boss Jim Hendry made it clear how his team's controversial outfielder Milton Bradley doesn't necessarily have to be involved in those Hot Stove moves. "He's still with us. He's on our roster," said Hendry, during a talk with the media on Monday. "And that's how you have to go into the offseason. "Other people have had some major hiccups along the way and come back, and that's just how you have to look at it. He's on your roster until proven differently. That's how we go about ..."

Unloading Bradley without paying steep price won't be easy for Cubs GM Hendry

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November 10

Chicago Tribune

"After spending the last two winters trying in vain to acquire second baseman Brian Roberts and pitcher Jake Peavy, Cubs general manager Jim Hendry hopes he can unload outfielder Milton Bradley in quick fashion. But as the GM meetings began Monday, there was no certainty that was possible. The Rangers might have the most interest, but sources insisted Texas would agree to a deal only if the Cubs ate most of the remaining $21 million on Bradley's contract. That's a route Hendry seems unwilling to take for now. The Blue Jays reportedly want no part of Bradley, despite a rumor on foxsports.com of a three-way deal in which the Cubs would acquire Mets second baseman Luis Castillo for Bradley. ..."

Unloading Bradley without paying steep price won't be easy for Cubs GM

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November 10

Chicago Tribune

"After spending the last two winters trying in vain to acquire second baseman Brian Roberts and pitcher Jake Peavy, Cubs general manager Jim Hendry hopes he can unload outfielder Milton Bradley in quick fashion. But as the GM meetings began Monday, there was no certainty that was possible. The Rangers might have the most interest, but sources insisted Texas would agree to a deal only if the Cubs ate most of the remaining $21 million on Bradley's contract. That's a route Hendry seems unwilling to take for now. The Blue Jays reportedly want no part of Bradley, despite a rumor on foxsports.com of a three-way deal in which the Cubs would acquire Mets second baseman Luis Castillo for Bradley. ..."

The Deal Hunters

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November 9

Chicago Sun-Times

"Is Milton Bradley still here? Yeah, and he's holding up some of the decisions the Cubs might make as the hot-stove season gets started in earnest with the general managers meetings this week at the O'Hare Hilton. But the flip side for the Cubs is that (1) their to-do list isn't particularly long, and (2) the lack of a Bradley trade should not be confused with a lack of interest. According to a source, at least three more interested parties contacted the Cubs in the last week or so. And with all the GMs in one place today to Wednesday, the Cubs could be another step closer to shipping out Bradley. ''The GM meetings provide a great forum for us to continue the dialogue we have had with ..."

After getting rid of Milton Bradley, Chicago Cubs have 3 priorities in offseason

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November 9

Chicago Tribune

"The Cubs may not have as busy of an offseason as they had last year, but they're certain to be among the league leaders in deflecting rumors. This week's general managers' meetings will serve as the ceremonial kickoff to the Milton Bradley trade rumor season, and anyone seen talking to Cubs GM Jim Hendry will probably be accused of having some kind of interest in the controversial outfielder. Hendry won't discuss his offseason game plan, but obviously moving Bradley is at the top of his wish list. Some feel Hendry will have to get rid of Bradley before making any other major moves because how much he has to spend depends on how much of Bradley's $21 million contract the Cubs have to eat in ..."

Cubs deny Bradley-for-Wells trade talks

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November 1

ESPN.com

"Although the Cubs have had discussions with Toronto about different scenarios, Cubs sources on Saturday vehemently denied that there is any type of a trade for Milton Bradley for Vernon Wells being discussed. Bradley had two years left on his contract at $21.5 million. Wells has five years left at $98 million, including $23 million each in the last two years of the contract."

Wells swap 'has legs'

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October 31

Toronto Sun

columnist Bob Elliott

"It's not a match made in heaven. In fact, it is quite the opposite. The Chicago Cubs would like to -- have to -- deal disgruntled outfielder Milton Bradley. And one player they are eyeing as a target destination is the Blue Jays, with centre fielder Vernon Wells going to the Cubs in return. "It's early on, but we think this one has some legs," said one Cubs official. "But they aren't the only team we are talking with." Bradley, 31, who was suspended for the remainder of the season by the Cubs on Sept. 20, has two years and $21 million US remaining on his contract. Wells has six years left on his contract extension, $107 million remaining, including the $8.5-million final instalment of his ..."

Mets not interested in Lackey or Bradley; Holliday tops their list

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October 26

SI.com

(scroll down)

"The Mets don't seem inclined to pursue top free-agent pitcher John Lackey, who will surely shoot for a $100 million-plus contract in light of A.J. Burnett's $82.5 million deal. They do want to add a solid starting pitcher (they may try a do-over on Randy Wolf), but their big-ticket target is most likely going to be a left fielder. Matt Holliday is believed to top their list, though Jason Bay will certainly suffice. Bobby Abreu is another top free-agent outfielder, while Carl Crawford could be available in trade. The Mets have no interest in taking on Milton Bradley's problems."

Multiple teams interested in Bradley

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October 22

Foxsports.com

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"Multiple teams are in contact the Cubs about outfielder Milton Bradley, with one source saying, "You would be shocked at the level of interest." The Cubs remain confident that they can trade Bradley without assuming the vast majority of the $21 million remaining on his contract over the next two years. New owner Tom Ricketts has set a limit for how much money the Cubs will include in a deal, one source says. The Cubs can take back a contract but pay only a fixed amount of cash."

Report: Cubs pushing Rays for Bradley-Burrell deal

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October 9

Tampa Tribune

"The Chicago Cubs are pushing the Tampa Bay Rays to take bad-boy outfielder Milton Bradley off their hands for Pat Burrell, according to the Chicago Sun Times. The talk of a deal isn't new, but it appears the Cubs want to move quickly, possibly as one of the first official acts of new owner Tom Ricketts, whose purchase could be approved by a bankruptcy judge within weeks. The Cubs are so desperate to unload Bradley that they might pick up some of Bradley's salary for the Rays, the newspaper reported. The Rays are a primary target because they were among the teams attempting to acquire Bradley before last season. The Cubs, however, ended up signing Bradley to a three-year, $30 million free ..."

Piniella: Cubs will try to replace Bradley

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September 29

ESPN.com

"Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella said Tuesday he's looking forward to adding a "big bat" to the lineup next season, which could mean that disgruntled outfielder Milton Bradley has played his last game for the Cubs. "Our general manager Jim Hendry had to do a tough task of sending him home [on Sept. 20], and I'm sure it wasn't very pleasant for him," Piniella said on the "Waddle & Silvy" show on ESPN 1000. "The big thing with Milton this year was the fact he drove in 40 runs. "We needed a big bat to put in the middle part of our lineup, and we thought Milton would be the one. And it just didn't work out, for whatever reason. So we move forward from there and now we try to find somebody ..."

Here's a 'real' apology from Milton Bradley

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September 27

Chicago Tribune

columnist Rick Morrissey

"There are politicians who are feeling like paragons of sincerity after reading the apology Milton Bradley issued the other day. "I said and did certain things that I regret," his statement read. Does that sound even remotely like our guy? A true apology wouldn't have come slathered with agentspeak. It would have come unscripted and in front of the same cameras, tape recorders and notebooks that captured all of Bradley's outlandish statements the last seven months. An authentic, from-the-heart apology from Miltie would have sounded something like this: "I have a terrible habit of blaming everybody else when things go wrong. That's not fair. It's not everybody's fault. Let's just say there ..."

San Diego or San Francisco could be destination for Milton Bradley

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September 27

Chicago Tribune

"The market for troublemaking outfielders on the suspended list with expensive contracts may be better than originally anticipated. Cubs general manager Jim Hendry is definitely a motivated seller, trying to find a counterpart who thinks he can revive Milton Bradley's career after a crash-and-burn season. After pawning Todd Hundley off on the Dodgers in 2002 for Eric Karros and Mark Grudzielanek, Hendry is hoping to catch lightning in a bottle again. While conventional wisdom says Bradley has burned too many bridges to make anyone want him, the Padres, Giants and Royals are three teams Hendry may have on speed-dial this offseason. So far, Padres GM Kevin Towers is the only one on record to ..."

Cubs might have taker for Bradley

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September 26

Chicago Sun-Times

"Around and around the rumors swirl, and where Milton Bradley stops nobody knows. But at least one general manager actually went on the record Friday expressing interest in the suspended Cubs' outfielder, and even with Bradley out of sight, he is far from out of mind. As for where the Cubs' other unpredictable clubhouse phenomenon stops, Carlos Zambrano made that perfectly clear a few hours later -- first by beating Tim Lincecum and the San Francisco Giants 3-0 with a two-hitter, then by trying to put to rest any doubt about where he intends to pitch next season. ''I don't want to be traded,'' said Zambrano, who has three years and about $54 million left on his contract -- and a full ..."

Padres or Giants could be destination for Bradley

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September 26

Chicago Tribune

"The market for troublemaking outfielders on the suspended list with expensive contracts may be better than originally anticipated. Cubs general manager Jim Hendry is definitely a motivated seller, trying to find a counterpart who thinks he can revive Milton Bradley's career after a crash-and-burn season. After pawning Todd Hundley off on the Dodgers in 2002 for Eric Karros and Mark Grudzielanek, Hendry is hoping to catch lightning in a bottle again. While conventional wisdom says Bradley has burned too many bridges to make anyone want him, the Padres, Giants and Royals are three teams Hendry may have on speed-dial this offseason. So far, Padres GM Kevin Towers is the only one on record to ..."

Here's a 'real' apology from Milton Bradley

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September 25

Chicago Tribune

columnist Rick Morrissey

"There are politicians who are feeling like paragons of sincerity after reading the apology Milton Bradley issued the other day. "I said and did certain things that I regret," his statement read. Does that sound even remotely like our guy? A true apology wouldn't have come slathered with agentspeak. It would have come unscripted and in front of the same cameras, tape recorders and notebooks that captured all of Bradley's outlandish statements the last seven months. An authentic, from-the-heart apology from Miltie would have sounded something like this: "I have a terrible habit of blaming everybody else when things go wrong. That's not fair. It's not everybody's fault. Let's just say there ..."

Put Milton in past tense

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September 24

Chicago Sun-Times

"Milton Bradley finally released his first statement following his suspension. His mom finally didn't. And the Cubs finally, officially moved on without concern over Bradley contesting his way back into the clubhouse. Three days after general manager Jim Hendry sent Bradley home from St. Louis for conduct detrimental to the team, the specter of a union grievance was quashed with an agreement between the team and Bradley's agents to accept terms of the suspension with pay. ''There's nothing, there's nothing. It's over, it's over,'' said Hendry, who seemed irritated with reports this week that the players' union was poised to challenge the lengthy suspension -- which, according to baseball ..."

Bradley issues statement of apology

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September 24

Chicago Tribune

"In what is likely his last "official" act as a Cub, Milton Bradley actually may have helped the team. His apologetic statement -- released by his agents through the Cubs -- appears to be an effort to rehabilitate his reputation and at least make him more tradable. And that will be the next project for Cubs general manager Jim Hendry, who likely will have to pay most of Bradley's remaining $21 million even if he finds a taker. With Bradley's statement, both sides basically have acknowledged his days with the Cubs are done, although he remains suspended -- with about $400,000 in pay -- for the rest of the season. Apparently, part of Wednesday's hand-washing was an agreement that the players' ..."

A's chemistry cooled Bradley's fire

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September 23

San Francisco Chronicle

columnist Gwen Knapp

"The Cubs' decision to suspend Milton Bradley for the rest of the season serves as a reminder of the extraordinary team chemistry on the 2006 A's. Bradley's volatility didn't entirely vanish that year, but his time in Oakland was relatively stable and pleasant. Frank Thomas had a remarkably calming effect on Bradley. The Big Hurt could simply tap Bradley on the shoulder or elbow and cool off a heated argument with an umpire. Bradley and Nick Swisher, who along with CC Sabathia has enlivened the Yankees' clubhouse this season, met in the dugout after home runs and executed a goofy, intricately choreographed home run dance. The easygoing nature of that team carried over. And who can forget ..."

Milton's mom: He'd be open to a Cubs return

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September 23

Chicago Sun-Times

"Charlena Rector answered the phone and insisted she wasn't talking to another reporter. Milton Bradley's mom felt her ''Christian statement'' to a Chicago Tribune columnist got twisted around, and she felt duped into doing a radio interview with Jonathon Brandmeier. Besides, Milton had just phoned her to say no more comments to the media. Fair enough. Then there was a pause, before Rector resumed talking Tuesday night."

Don't disrespect fans, media, teammates

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September 23

Chicago Tribune

columnist Fred Mitchell

"Andre Dawson might be delivering his Hall of Fame speech next summer, but the eight-time All-Star has a message for suspended Cubs right fielder Milton Bradley right now. Bradley, who signed a three-year, $30 million contract last offseason, has had a disappointing season and a miserable time adjusting to Cubs management, coaches, teammates, media and fans. General manager Jim Hendry put an end to Bradley's season Sunday with a suspension. "(Former Cubs manager) Don Zimmer always said it best," Dawson said Monday from Miami. "The only thing that he expected was that you show up on time and you do not go out and disrespect the fans, the media and your teammates." Dawson asked to sign with ..."

Teammates tried to reach out to Bradley

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September 21

Chicago Sun-Times

"A half-dozen veteran Cubs said they tried to reach out to $30 million problem teammate Milton Bradley this season with little to show for the effort, and nobody in the clubhouse seemed to care much whether he returns next year. Aramis Ramirez said he doesn't expect to see Bradley back for the final two years of his contract after being suspended Sunday, and others suggested he'd be a better fit somewhere else. 'I think it'd be difficult for him,'' veteran Ryan Dempster said when asked whether it would be hard on the team if Bradley returned. ''We'll see what happens. But he said some pretty harsh things about the Cubs, and just maybe it's something that if he is somewhere else, maybe it's ..."

Bradley gets sent home

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September 21

Chicago Sun-Times

"Milton Bradley's career with the Cubs likely came to a stunning, abrupt end Sunday, when general manager Jim Hendry suspended the $30 million Mistake by the Lake for the rest of the season after he blamed fans, media and the organization for ''negativity'' in a published report. After more than five months of head-scratching, finger-pointing comments by Bradley, the interview in the Daily Herald, which closely followed a combative postgame session with reporters Thursday, was seen as a shot at teammates and the organization and became the final straw, Hendry said. ''The only real negativity here is his own production,'' Hendry said. ''There's been a lot of issues, as we've all lived with ..."

Milton Bradley takes himself out of Chicago Cubs lineup

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September 20

Chicago Tribune

"Milton Bradley was in Saturday's starting lineup and took batting and fielding practice. Everything looked fine until he pulled himself out of the lineup about an hour before the game, telling trainer Mark O'Neal he couldn't go because of his sore left knee. Bradley expressed his unhappiness to the Daily Herald, saying, "You understand why they haven't won in 100 years here." He said he hasn't enjoyed his first season in Chicago. "Not really," he said. "It's just not a positive environment. I need a stable, healthy, enjoyable environment. ... It's just negativity." Manager Lou Piniella couldn't say what would happen next. "I don't know," he said. "I'm not going to say [he's] day-to-day." ..."

'Iron Man' Bradley proves critics wrong

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September 5

Chicago Sun-Times

"Get a load of who has suddenly, quietly turned into the Cubs' ''Iron Man.'' As Alfonso Soriano sits with a knee injury, Aramis Ramirez uses occasional days off to play through shoulder pain, Kosuke Fukudome rests against tough left-handers and Derrek Lee returns from two days off for the birth of his son, right fielder Milton Bradley has the Cubs' longest playing streak, 19 consecutive games, and has played in 40 of 42 games going back to mid-July. Wasn't this the guy the Cubs were going to be lucky to get 125 games from this year? The guy with the history of injuries that prevented him from playing more than 141 games in a season -- and only once more over 101 games? Now he's Iron Milty, ..."

Just get job done, Brenly tells Bradley the blamer

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September 4

Chicago Sun-Times

"A week ago, Milton Bradley encouraged the media to seek out Cub teammates Ryan Theriot, Derrek Lee and Geovany Soto if they were looking for ''politically correct answers.'' But he's no match for Cubs TV analyst Bob Brenly, who went on WSCR's Mully and Hanley show Thursday and broke down Bradley's five-month Cubs career in a few candid sentences: ''The bottom line is, just get the job done,'' said Brenly, a former World Series-champion manager. ''He can point fingers and assign blame wherever he wants and laugh in the face of critics that he can swing the bat from the left side and he can stay healthy, but do it all year long; don't just do it for a month of the season and proclaim ..."

Bradley burst completes double digits in outfield

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August 29

Chicago Sun-Times

"Not until Milton Bradley homered Tuesday against the Washington Nationals could the Cubs say they had three outfielders with at least 10 home runs. He homered again Wednesday to give him 11. The team went three seasons (2005-2007) without having three outfielders with double-digit homers before doing it last season (Alfonso Soriano had 29, Kosuke Fukudome had 10 and Jim Edmonds had 19). This year, Fukudome has 11 and Soriano 20, but Soriano hadn't had a homer in August until Friday. Soriano now has eight consecutive seasons of at least 20 home runs. ''It's been a long time,'' manager Lou Piniella said of Soriano's August dry spell. ''I'm sure the [sore] knee doesn't help, but if you get a ..."

Bradley hecklers show no racism ... and no mercy, either

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August 28

Chicago Sun-Times

"When Cubs outfielder Milton Bradley trotted out to right field Thursday, the Bleacher Bums and I were waiting for him. Over nine innings, fans screamed: ''Milton, we love you,'' ''You big bum,'' ''You suck,'' ''You're the best, man,'' ''You don't get paid time-and-a-half after nine innings,'' and ''Let's play two, a-hole.'' A group of drunk guys chanted ''Let's go, pork chop!'' when Bradley was at the plate. And the best heckle of the day came from a guy who yelled: ''You're on my fantasy team, Milton, and I'm not talking about baseball.'' Only at Wrigley Field. On Wednesday, Bradley griped that he's getting heckled so badly he dreads playing extra-inning games. He even hinted that some of ..."

Who'd possibly take Bradley from Cubs? Just two teams

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August 28

Chicago Sun-Times

"Now that the Cubs-Milton Bradley mutual admiration club officially has disbanded, what's next? The guy clearly wants to be here even less than critics in the organization want him to be -- a point that probably couldn't have been better made than with that you-gotta-be-kidding bunt he popped up in the first inning Thursday. Assuming the Cubs are willing to pick up at least half of the $21 million in the last two years of his contract, where might they possibly be able to trade him? The Yankees or Red Sox? They don't need him, and they wouldn't risk the headaches. The Phillies? They had their chance and signed the other guy represented by the same agents, Raul Ibanez. The Angels? They had ..."

Bradley blaming writers after 0-for-5 day, 5-4 Cubs loss

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August 28

Chicago Sun-Times

"As the Cubs' season circled closer to the drain Thursday, Milton Bradley remained at the epicenter, starting his day at the ballpark with a meeting with general manager Jim Hendry and finishing it by claiming beat writers ''twisted'' what he said Wednesday about racist treatment at Wrigley Field. In between, the Cubs lost a series to the team with the worst record in baseball, falling to the Washington Nationals 5-4. Bradley went 0-for-5, including an inexplicable first-inning bunt he popped up and a ground out with a runner on second to end the game. Manager Lou Piniella seemed to refer to him when he spoke about poor team chemistry this season and sounded upset with the latest ..."

Bradley says media 'twisted' his remarks

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August 28

Chicago Tribune

"When Milton Bradley grounded out with the tying run on second in the ninth inning of Thursday's 5-4 loss to the Nationals, the game ended. But the real story was just beginning because Bradley refused to let it end. The Bradley saga took another strange turn when the Cubs outfielder claimed the media "twisted" his comments Tuesday and Wednesday about being the victim of racial abuse from fans in Wrigley Field. It all started when Bradley was asked if he was "misunderstood." "When the perception is out there about what kind of guy you're alleged to be, nobody gets to see when you're in here with 25 guys," he said. "Nobody wants to go talk with guys I played with and get the real story, so a ..."

Chicago Cubs should cut Milton Bradley

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August 28

Chicago Tribune

columnist Phil Rogers

"Milton Bradley? There are three possible solutions for the Cubs: continued patience and hope, endless headaches while hoping some team is silly enough to deal for him or pay him his money and send him home. My recommendation: Release him. Sadly, Jim Hendry is a baseball executive. The Cubs general manager is not a magician. This is an unfortunate reality, as it means sleight of hand is out of the question. He is going to have a hard time turning Bradley into something that will make an audience ooh and ah, certainly not in the time it takes to look away from Bradley in the on-deck circle to the sight of a pretty magician's assistant, carrying a cold Old Style. The timing couldn't be much ..."

$30 million right fielder not feeling much love in not-so-friendly confines

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August 27

Chicago Sun-Times

"The only thing disintegrating faster than the Cubs' season might be Milton Bradley's frame of mind. Asked to clarify comments the night before about facing ''hatred'' daily at Wrigley Field, Bradley alluded Wednesday to racial overtones in taunting and boos, said he's overheard waiters ''bad-mouthing'' him in restaurants and said it has become bad enough in right field that he dreads extra-inning games. ''All I'm saying is I just pray the game goes nine innings so I can go out there for the least amount of time as possible and go home,'' Bradley said Wednesday before driving in three runs in the Cubs' 9-2 win over the Washington Nationals. That was in response to a reporter asking whether ..."

Milton Bradley accuses some fans of racial taunts

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August 27

Chicago Tribune

"An angry Milton Bradley lashed out at his treatment from Cubs fans Wednesday, suggesting he has been the victim of racial abuse at Wrigley Field. But Bradley declined to give specifics, saying no one wanted to listen to him. "America doesn't believe in racism," he said sarcastically before repeating the remark. Speaking to beat writers in the Cubs clubhouse Wednesday before their 9-4 victory over the Nationals, Bradley was asked to clarify his comments from Tuesday night, when he said he faced "hatred" on a daily basis. To what exactly was Bradley referring? "I'm talking about hatred, period," he said. "I'm talking about when I go to eat at a restaurant, I have to listen to the waiters ..."

Bradley bumped to No. 2

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August 8

Chicago Sun-Times

"So much for the $30 million run producer. After months of a small-ball approach from the left side, switch-hitting Milton Bradley was moved from the middle of the Cubs' lineup to No. 2 on Friday, and manager Lou Piniella said he might leave him there when the team faces right-handed pitchers. Shortstop Ryan Theriot, one of the team's top two hitters, moved from No. 2 to No. 8. ''Look, first of all, Theriot is doing his job. This has nothing to do with Theriot,'' Piniella said. ''We're trying to get Bradley going and utilize his on-base percentage hitting him second.'' It was one of the few things that worked Friday in a 6-2 loss to the Colorado Rockies, with Bradley reaching base three ..."

Milton Bradley on Chicago Cubs bench once more

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August 5

Chicago Tribune

"Milton Bradley had another game off Tuesday night, the sixth time he hasn't been in the starting lineup in the 19 games since the All-Star break. Jake Fox started in right field, going 0-for-3 with a run scored. Despite working with hitting coach Von Joshua and manager Lou Piniella, Bradley still is hitting only .207 against right-handed pitchers. Asked if he is considering platooning Bradley with Fox against right-handers, Piniella said: "I don't think we're going to do that, no. This month here we have more games than any other month we play. So we're taking as many liberties as we can resting people, and I hope it works." Bradley is 2-for-10 on the trip. He's hitting .271 since the ..."

Chicago Cubs GM says Milton Bradley rumors 'unfair to player'

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July 29

Chicago Tribune

"There was no known movement on the trade front Tuesday, though Cubs general manager Jim Hendry addressed a rumor that spread over the Internet last weekend about Detroit's alleged interest in Milton Bradley. Hendry shot down the rumor Saturday before Tigers manager Jim Leyland told the Detroit Free Press: "We have absolutely no interest in Milton Bradley. Now does that mean I don't think Milton Bradley is a good player? Don't get into, 'Oh, Jim Leyland doesn't like Milton Bradley.' That's not what I said." Hendry said Tuesday he usually laughs such rumors off, but added: "I think it's unfair to the player, and in this case obviously there wasn't anything to it, and we're finally getting a ..."

Cubs do their best to kill Milton Bradley trade rumor

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July 26

Chicago Tribune

"Modern technology has made the July 31 trade deadline crazier than ever, as evidenced Saturday with a Milton Bradley rumor that spread on the Internet. It began when White Sox analyst Steve Stone twittered that the Tigers were interested in trading for Bradley, adding the Cubs "should fly him in a private jet." WGN-AM personality David Kaplan picked up Stone's tweet on his Chicagonow.com blog and it was reported widely in the blogosphere. After Saturday's game, Bradley was asked about the rumor. "I don't pay attention to rumors," he said. "I'm always rumored. I'm one of them guys that are multi-talented, can do a lot of things. I'm not surprised. It's just a rumor." A Cubs official then ..."

Milton Bradley's third year all but vested

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July 23

Chicago Sun-Times

columnist Gordon Wittenmyer

"What a week for Milton Bradley. His playing time for the week had consisted only of a pinch-hit ground out until he started Wednesday for the first time since a three-strikeout game Saturday. But just by getting through Wednesday without going on the disabled list made this by far his biggest week of the season. That's because only 74 days remain in the season, assuring that Bradley can't spend 75 on the DL, which all but assures the final year of his three-year, $30 million contract will vest. The only way it won't vest at this point is if he ends the season on the DL, specifically with an injury to his surgically repaired right knee, and remains unable to play because of the same injury ..."

Struggling Milton Bradley will never be all right

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July 21

Chicago Sun-Times

"Judging by the e-mails, there's a growing sentiment among Cub fans that switch-hitter Milton Bradley, who's been in a deep, season-long funk from the left side, should scrap the switch-hitting thing and hit from his natural right side against everybody. Forget it. Manager Lou Piniella, who benched Bradley to personally work on hitting mechanics with him, said, ''We're not even contemplating doing that. [General manager] Jim Hendry would wonder what the hell we're doing.'' Hitting coach Von Joshua said that's not something you generally consider with a more established switch-hitter such as Bradley, even if he does hit 39 points worse lefty than righty in his career (.266 but with 73 of his ..."

Cubs hitting coach thinks Milton Bradley pressing and regressing

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July 9

Chicago Tribune

"Milton Bradley epitomized the Cubs' problems Wednesday, going 0-for-4 with a ninth-inning strikeout to end the 4-1 loss to Atlanta. Hitting coach Von Joshua said it's his job to point things out, but it's up to the players to execute. He hopes Aramis Ramirez's return will help Bradley and the rest of the slumping hitters to relax. "I think [Alfonso] Soriano will come out of it," Joshua said. "I'm a little concerned about Milton on his left side. It's just a matter of him needing to relax, above all, and try to let things come to him. "If we get three or four guys going ... the problem is the guys who are supposed to be our big guys, or for lack of a better word, your 'money' guys, they ..."