Ricketts press conference: 11:00 AM CDT, October 30, 2009

[1060Ivy]

<!--quoteo(post=67793:date=Nov 1 2009, 04:16 AM:name=KBwsb)-->QUOTE (KBwsb @ Nov 1 2009, 04:16 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <!--quotec-->CHICAGO -- 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.

More realistic opportunities to trade Bradley still exist in Tampa, with a possible trade for Pat Burrell, or possible scenarios with the Texas Rangers or the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
<b>Gary Matthews Jr. of the Angels is a name which has been speculated about in media reports over the last couple of day</b><b>s</b>.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
If a Mathews for Bradley deal ever goes through, I think it'd be bad for the Cubs.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Does Sarge Jr deal come with his own supply for HGH?

[Andy]

<!--quoteo(post=67795:date=Nov 1 2009, 07:13 AM:name=1060Ivy)-->QUOTE (1060Ivy @ Nov 1 2009, 07:13 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=67793:date=Nov 1 2009, 04:16 AM:name=KBwsb)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (KBwsb @ Nov 1 2009, 04:16 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <!--quotec-->CHICAGO -- 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.

More realistic opportunities to trade Bradley still exist in Tampa, with a possible trade for Pat Burrell, or possible scenarios with the Texas Rangers or the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
<b>Gary Matthews Jr. of the Angels is a name which has been speculated about in media reports over the last couple of day</b><b>s</b>.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
If a Mathews for Bradley deal ever goes through, I think it'd be bad for the Cubs.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Does Sarge Jr deal come with his own supply for HGH?
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

The problems with Matthews is he's old and can't hit. He can still field CF and would allow us to move Fukudome over to RF, but we'd have to make sure to pick up someone else who can hit to pick up the slack. I'm not sure that makes much sense.

[kbwsb]

It makes no sense whatsoever, unless you're the type that puts great stock in Mathews undeniable athleticism. And it is undeniable. He's supremely athletic. Plus his dad has strong ties to the Cubs.

As luck would have it, being able to hit is significantly more important than being able to jump high and run fast. In regards to winning baseball games, hitting (and hitting's pesky little concomitant partner, Not Making Outs, is more important than leaping over the wall for a highlight catch once or twice a year.

But that's just my opinion, albeit, one backed up by voluminous research by highly paid baseball executives and statistical experts. But who knows...sometimes the so-called experts are wrong. Besides, keeping warm relations with the Mathews family tree is always important.

[savant]

One interesting note with Mathews is that he did have his best two years with Jaramillo.

[Dave]

<!--quoteo(post=67849:date=Nov 1 2009, 07:40 PM:name=savant)-->QUOTE (savant @ Nov 1 2009, 07:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->One interesting note with Mathews is that he did have his best two years with Jaramillo.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
And in a ballpark that was (according to park factors) much more hitter friendly than Angels Stadium. And also, he was drugging.

[Coach]

<!--QuoteBegin-"Kaplan on Twitter"+-->QUOTE ("Kaplan on Twitter")<!--QuoteEBegin-->Ricketts family 2 Az tday for the Cubs organizational meetings. 90 scouts/coaches expected in Mesa to go over the system from top 2 bottom.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

[veryzer]

i will scream bloody murder if the cubs trade for gary matthews jr. that smacks of the typical kind of move the cubs were making a few years ago. a step backwards. i'd rather placate bradley and keep him here than pick up that piece of shit.

i understand the desire to get rid of bradley at any cost, in fact i support it, but if we aren't going to get someone in return with at least a slight chance of having some success, then we may as well keep bradley. and nobody wants that.

[jstraw]

Ok, I'm exploring the idea that two years isn't very long and no move on Bradley might be better than a bad, desperation move. Especially since the Cubs may have hurt his value by focusing too much attention on his shit in 2009.

Hey, I'm just exploring it...

I understand we can't park him in Des Moines for two years and free up his roster spot, if not his salary.

Here's my question...how much can we exploit the DL rules (a la Patton) if we were of a mind to?

[Butcher]

To keep Bradley, he would need to make a very sincere public apology in order to placate the fans or else he will get absolutely abused next season. I don't see Bradley making an apology and if he does, I don't see it coming off as genuine.

I'm all in favor of a Burrell/Bradley swap (or something of that nature). But a Bradley/Matthews swap is a horrible idea.

[rok]

<!--quoteo(post=67890:date=Nov 2 2009, 10:24 AM:name=Butcher)-->QUOTE (Butcher @ Nov 2 2009, 10:24 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->To keep Bradley, he would need to make a very sincere public apology in order to placate the fans or else he will get absolutely abused next season. I don't see Bradley making an apology and if he does, I don't see it coming off as genuine.

I'm all in favor of a Burrell/Bradley swap (or something of that nature). But a Bradley/Matthews swap is a horrible idea.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
+ 1

[1060Ivy]

Just can't see Bradley being OK with staying on the DL with a "fake" injury for any length of time. Bradley wants to play baseball but wants to play baseball on his terms. The contract and union provides him the opportunity to do just that.

The Cubs can always place him on waivers but I can't see them releasing Bradley without some return on the remaining $21 MM.

[Dirk]

What are the MLB rules regarding having a player killed to get out of a contract? I know it sounds like a long shot but we should probably be exploring all of our options.

[rok]

<!--quoteo(post=67902:date=Nov 2 2009, 11:36 AM:name=Dirk)-->QUOTE (Dirk @ Nov 2 2009, 11:36 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->What are the MLB rules regarding having a player killed to get out of a contract? I know it sounds like a long shot but we should probably be exploring all of our options.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Racist...

[Scarey]

<!--quoteo(post=67818:date=Nov 1 2009, 02:36 PM:name=KBwsb)-->QUOTE (KBwsb @ Nov 1 2009, 02:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->being able to hit is significantly more important than being able to jump high and run fast. In regards to winning baseball games, hitting (and hitting's pesky little concomitant partner, Not Making Outs, is more important than leaping over the wall for a highlight catch once or twice a year.

But that's just my opinion<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Not it isn't. It's the opinion of anyone that's ever watched baseball.

[BT]

Rickets was on WGN saying all the right things. Money can't fix everything. He wants to develop from within. He wants payroll to stay in the top 3 of baseball.