Milton Bradley Rumors & More

ESPN’s Jayson Stark suggests that 3 teams, Tampa Bay, Texas and Toronto look like the most likely destinations for Milton Bradley.  But Jim Hendry appears to be holding firm on not eating a large part of Bradley’s contract, telling teams that the hiring of Rudy Jaramillo means they do not have to trade Bradley.

So its likely that if Bradley is traded, it will be as part of a bad contract swap, suggesting that the Cubs will receive one of Pat Burrell (Tampa Bay), Lyle Overbay (Toronto) or Kevin Millwood (Texas).  However, if the Cubs were to receive Burrell or Overbay, they will likely have to move them in a three way deal, as the Cubs need a centerfielder, which Burrell can’t play, and they already have a first baseman in Derek Lee.

Bob Nightengale tweets that “The Tampa Bay Rays have become the clear-cut favorite to acquire Milton Bradley from the Cubs”.  However, take that for what its worth, as the Cubs were the clear-cut favorite to acquire Jake Peavy last offseason.

MLB.com’s Carrie Muskat says that “Hendry and the Cubs were expected to try to make some deals to tinker with the roster rather than do much shopping”.  She goes on to say that, despite their interest in returning, Rich Harden and Reed Johnson are unlikely to be resigned by the Cubs due to budget constraints.  Paul Sullivan reports that you can rule out seeing Pedro Martinez in a Cubs uniform.

The Cubs really don’t need Harden or Pedro as they have pretty good pitching depth.  Reed Johnson, although a good reserve, is replaceable.

So, other than the Grabow signing and the Heilman trade, there’s not much to report on the Cubs front.  I expect things to pick up prior to and during the Winter Meetings December 7-10.  However, chances are we are going to see a quiet Thanksgiving.

Tags: Chicago Cubs, Hot stove news, hot stove report, Jim Hendry, Kevin Millwood, Lyle Overbay, Milton Bradley, Pat Burrell, Pedro Martinez, Reed Johnson, Rich Harden, Rudy Jaramillo, Trade Rumors