Crisis in Cubbie Blog Land

I have decided to skip DAOTW this week and here's why:

Over a past several weeks, a disturbing trend has started to happen.

People are starting to reconsider the need to trade Milton Bradley (except Maddog at ACB who has always supported Bradley).

Why is this?


What has happened in the past 2 1/2 months that has now caused people to think he can be a productive and positive member of the Chicago Cubs?

Is it the cost of trading him?

Is it the lack of good talent to replace him when he's gone?

I don't know.

But what I can tell you is that if Milton Bradley remains on the Cubs for the 2010 season, you can expect exactly the same thing to happen as in 2009.

In fact, you can probably expect a couple of things to be worse...

It is likely fans will get on Bradley even more since they are mostly demanding he be traded right now.

And, it is likely Bradley will not be as healthy this season as he was last season.

But let's remind everyone why he should not be on the Cubs anymore...

1. The Cubs don't have a center fielder.
Look, Fukudome is not a center fielder. As much as people want to think he was ok out there, he wasn't. He is an above average right fielder. He is a below average center fielder. If the Cubs keep Bradley, they still need a center fielder.

2. Bradley is a bad outfielder.
At one time he was an above average right fielder. Injuries have taken their toll on him and he is not even close to a good outfielder any more. There was a reason the Rangers used him primarily as a DH.

3. Bradley is oft injured.
I have to question his toughness as well...but regardless, he tends to get injured a lot. 2009 was a good season for him health-wise. Don't expect the same in 2010.

4. Bad attitude.
Maybe I'll do a story about my personal experience with regarding the affects in the workplace of a person with a bad attitude. But the point here is that even if a player's statistics are good, a bad or poisonous attitude can affect a team drastically...especially younger, inexperienced players.

5.  The media hates him.
Say what you will.  Right or wrong, that's the way it is.  And it isn't going to change.  The media will continue to ride this guy no matter what, and he is going to react badly to it. 

6. The Cubs need a left handed bat that can drive in runs.
Bradley has never been a huge run producer. He gets on base; walks, hits...whatever. But he is not the RBI guy the Cubs actually needed. In fact, I'd say the Cubs already have a left handed OBP guy, and that is their other left handed right fielder, Kosuke Fukudome.

I could probably list more, but I'm too tired.

Deal with it people...this guy cannot stick around. The Cubs don't need him. The Cubs don't want him.

Get rid of him.

Marlon Byrd IS a better option.
Curtis Granderson IS a better option.
Mike Cameron IS a better option.

(forget Rick Ankiel and Scott Podsednik; they actually are worse options)

I'm sure I'll have more on Bradley in the future. But that's enough for now.