Cubs close to signing Milton Bradley: Is this the right move?

December 31, 10:19 AMMLB ExaminerAlex Brown

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According to Dan Kaplan of CSN Chicago, the Chicago Cubs appear set to sign free agent outfielder Milton Bradley to a multi-year contract.  The signing should be announced sometime next week.  This signing would fill the Cubs’ need for a left handed hitting outfielder (Bradley is a switch hitter) and run producer in the middle of the lineup.  Bradley’s an interesting player – let’s take a look at his career and see how he would be best used in Chicago.

First, it would be hard to mention Bradley without talking about his interesting past.  He’s been at odds with fans, teammates, coaches, and even broadcasters throughout his 8 year career.  I don’t want to dwell too much on each incident, so here’s a short list of Bradley’s transgressions:

• 2002, Indians: Taken to the hospital from a restaurant after refusing to leave.  Bradley was reportedly “severely intoxicated.”
• 2004, Dodgers: Hurled a bucket of baseballs onto the field after being ejected.
• 2004, Dodgers: Threw a plastic water bottle into the stands and unleashed a verbal tirade on Dodger fans.
• 2005, Dodgers: Accused teammate Jeff Kent of being a racist.
• 2007, Padres: Tore his ACL while being restrained by manager Bud Black while arguing a call with first base umpire Mike Winters.
• 2008, Rangers: Attempted to confront Royals broadcaster Ryan Lefebvre after hearing what he believed were unfair comments about his character.

Bradley’s career features a few more incidents like those mentioned above, but the point of all this is that 2008 marked the first year that Bradley was not forcibly run out of an organization.  Cubs manager Lou Piniella is famous for his own player-relations issues (Rob Dibble!), so those two could make for an interesting season in Chicago. 

If Bradley can behave himself, the Cubs will have themselves one heck of a hitter.  Playing for the Rangers in 2008, Bradley led the league with a .436 on base percentage, hit 22 homers and logged a .321 batting average.  Throughout his career he’s been consistent, providing decent power and run production with a high batting average and a lot of walks.  There is some debate about Bradley’s role in a team’s offense – his high OBP makes him ideal for the top of a batting order, but his power and ability to drive in runs seem to indicate that he belongs in the middle of the lineup.  A quick review of his career statistics indicates that:

• Bradley hits .327 when playing as a DH, and a combined .274 at the three outfield positions (there’s not much leeway here)
• Hitting second in the lineup, Bradley only hits .248.
• Hitting third in the lineup, Bradley hits .266.
• Hitting cleanup, Bradley takes off with a .331 batting average and .443 on base percentage
• Bradley hits over .300 when coming up in the second and sixth innings (typically when your middle of the order is hitting).

So, using his 8-year career statistics, I can make an analysis of how the Cubs should use Milton Bradley.  His left handed bat fits nicely in the number four spot in the lineup between right handed sluggers Derrek Lee (3rd) and Aramis Ramirez (5th).  Placing Ramirez behind Bradley works well because of Bradley’s ability to take walks – taking a walk in the number five slot might lead to being stranded on base.  Taking a walk in front of Ramirez however, is a whole different story.  Given Milton Bradley’s strengths and the team already in place, and assuming the rumored signing occurs, I believe that the Cubs made the best possible choice for their outfield vacancy.