Milton Bradley and Cubs agree to deal?

[leonardsipes]

<!--quoteo(post=21345:date=Mar 2 2009, 06:33 PM:name=Ace)-->QUOTE (Ace @ Mar 2 2009, 06:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=21339:date=Mar 2 2009, 06:56 PM:name=leonardsipes)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (leonardsipes @ Mar 2 2009, 06:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Given this years salaries, I do not think Hendry is paying Gathright .8 mil to pinch run. Pie could fill the role of PR and defensive replacement. I think at a minimum Gathright will get the majority of ABs when Bradley is out, and possibly compete for starting CF job. Gathright is young and still has potential, I don't think Hendry is looking for a .330 OBP to put at the top of the lineup. He is hoping Gathright can come close to his potential.

I also think that speed is valuable at the top of the lineup. Don't bash Neifi w/o looking at his stats. In 2005, Perez and Walker made almost identical plate apps in the 2nd spot. Perez was driven in more times than Walker (R-HR).<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

He's gonna be 28, he's been in the league 5 years, and his career OPS - which he pretty much hits every year - is .632.

There's no potential there. Except the potential to give me ulcers.
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There are 2 positives: his 2007 stats and that he only has 1250 MLB plate apps. I have to believe that Hendry did not sign him to get 200+ ABs at the top of the lineup and OBP .328. I assume Hendry feels he has the potential to be a much better hitter.