MLB.COM reports that the Washington Nationals are currently in serious pursuit of All-Star outfielder Milton Bradley. The Nats are currently on the rebound after being rejected by new Yankees first basemen Mark Teixeira and are looking to add a solid bat to place in the middle of the order to give support to their younger hitters.
Bradley shocked critics last year, recovering from what many considered to be a career ending knee injury to not only make it back to the big leagues, but come close to winning the batting title with a line of .321BA, 22 HR, and 78 RBI. Bradley also led the American League in on base percentage, a stat that was very poor for the Nats in 08 (.323), with a .436 mark.
Bradley, 30, was originally drafted by the Montreal Expoes in the second round of the 1996 draft, he has since bounced around between six teams and has not been able to find stability in any stop. Bradley has only played more then 126 games in a season once and his ability to stay healthy is currently questioned.
Reasons the Nationals should go after Milton
Bradley is a professional hitter; the Nationals are stock full of professional athletes. Moving to get Milton will not only help the team win a few more games immediately by giving them a guaranteed .300, .380 and 20, he will also hopefully be a good baseball influence on the inexperienced Nationals outfielders. One thing that Bradley does as well as anyone is select his pitches and make solid line drive contact. This is a learned ability, not a natural one.
Bradley also will add a bat from the left side of the plate, something the ball club also desperately needs. If the Nats elect to put him in front or behind Zimmerman, it will stop opposing managers from pitching around the two batters, and it will keep lefty/righty specialists out of the game.
Reasons not to drink the Kool Aid
1. While Bradley’s 2008 was very impressive at first glance, a deeper look raises a few concerns. Take a look at the splits:
Bradley played his home games at the Ballpark in Arlington last season, renowned as possibly the best hitters park in baseball outside of Colorado.
Home BA/OBP/SLG: .358/.466/.679
Away BA/OBP/SLG: .290/.410/.462
The away numbers here are still very solid but do not compare to the home numbers he put up. It’s much more reasonable for Nats fans to expect that second line, not the first.
2. Bradley put up a career high home run total (22) in 2008. This has made him a solid middle of the order threat, and a likely candidate to bat third or fourth for the Nationals if they attain him in 2009. However what should concern Nats fans is that Bradley only hit three homers in the second half last year, after hitting 19 in the first.
This is even more alarming when you remember that Bradley was in his first season recovering from a terrible ACL Injury. When a player’s power tapers off like that after the wear and tear of a season sets in, it’s a strong indicator that their injury is resurfacing and likely bothering them. Tack this on to the fact that Bradley has never exactly been a pillar of health, the Nats need to be cautious with investing money into what may be damaged goods. Anyone remember Nomar Garciaparra’s ‘injury comeback’ year of 2006?
Pre All Star: .358/.426/.578 Post All Star: .229/.286/.408
Nomar hasn’t been the same since.
3. The reports I have read have said the Nats plan on playing Bradley in centerfield in order to move Lastings Milledge into left or right, a more natural position for him. The Nats right now are sold on Dukes and Milledge as their corner outfielders of the future, but don’t really believe they have a solid centerfield option. Putting Bradley in centerfield would allow the younger two to develop quicker without the pressures of playing out of position.
However it isn’t clear why Jim Bowden believes Milton Bradley can play centerfield. He has not played more than 15 games there since 2005 and played no games there in his injury comeback year last season. In fact, Bradley only played 20 total games in the outfield last year where he committed three errors, an incredible amount for only 20 games. Bradley spent most of the season last year DHing, so his ability to play centerfield is certainly in question.
4. Bradley went to Texas and found instant offense. Lets look at who he had protecting him in the line up.
Kinsler: .319/.375/.517 18 HR 71 RBI
Young: .284/.339/.402 12 HR 71 RBI
Hamilton: .304/.371/.530 32 HR 130 RBI
Protecting him with the Nats?
Guzman: .316/.345/440
Milledge: .268/.330/.402
Zimmerman:.283/.333/.442
Milton Bradley…has a reputation…So much to the point where he has been nicknamed by various sportscenter anchors as Milton ‘Crazy’ Bradley.
2002: Taken to the Hospital after having ‘too much to drink’
2004: Threw a bucket of balls onto the field after being ejected
2007: Tore ACL trying to argue with
Bud Black after being called out at first base
2008: Attempted to accost a Royals broadcaster after he heard things he felt was unfair about his character.
Quotes:
“..It’s not funny to Milton Bradley.”-Milton Bradley
“I want people to say Milton Bradley was a pretty good ballplayer and a pretty good person. Anybody who is going to stand between me getting there, then they need to be eliminated.”-Milton Bradley
Conclusion
If the Nationals are considering signing this guy for more than three years, it’s not funny to YardYoder. His body wont hold up, his numbers are inflated, and he has yet to prove that he can keep it together mentally for a full season. Signing him for more than three years would in effect be saying that this is the team’s franchise player and an absolute cornerstone. I don’t think he has that type of ability or longevity.
However if the Nationals are looking to sign him to fill a gap for a few years, to give the fans some thrills and to be a on the field teacher to the youngin’s, go for it. His contract will expire around the time the Nationals are ready to compete, and around the time Bradley’s career will start to wind down.
While he had a meltdown or two last years it really looks like Bradley has legitimately made a move to get his mind set on straight. The New York Times had an excellent article last all star break about his maturation and hopefully this means he can be a positive influence on players like Dukes and Milledge and not negative.
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