I LOVE this trade ( I think Ethier is overrated and I can't believe we got this much for him), but lets temper our enthusiasm a bit. They've still got to win the games, Bradley's got to fit in with this clubhouse, there are still too many "ifs" to pronounce this a World Series team.

I definitely agree that Perez is the underrated part of this deal though. Basically at minimum we got an above average outfielder and a young utility man for a prospect. I was huge on Ethier, but until he makes it in the bigs, he is just that... a prospect (albeit a good one).

that's not negligable power. he also hit one of the most towering upper-deck shots i've ever seen. granted, it was in colorado, but it was HUGE. he's hit some similar lasers in LA i've seen personally. when he connects, he's got pretty good power.

And I agree that our outfield is still deep.  Swish is young, Kotsay is locked up and Barton is on the way.  

If it's true that Bradley is under a one year deal and walks next year, that would be alarming.  But he is only 27 and if we could keep him, our outfield looks good for a very long time.

If we only have Bradley for next year, then that's a lot to give up in Ethier for a 1-year rental.

Also, Barton may be younger but not similar to Ethier in that Ethier can actually play a position on defense.  Do we really want to see Barton playing left field if Bradley is let go after 2006???

Barton in the outfield could be worse than Mini-G.

Anyways, I'm sure it's just coincidental, but this offseason we've done a lot to improve our diversity:
Loaiza, Bradley and Perez (and Gaudin sounds French!)

I only mention this because I couldn't have ever seen Bradley in a clubhouse where he was the sole minority (Wash excluded, and I second the fact that Wash will help Bradley feel more comfortable, as would TBH if we can sign him).

Looking forward to '06!!

My section sang happy birthday to him from the bleachers last year, he tipped his cap to us. So long as you can avoid the blow ups, Bradley is a fun guy to have on the team.

Bring on Parker Brothers baby, we just got Milton Bradley!!

If he stays healthy, I expect a very high ceiling.

I am sure Beane had a lot of input from Depodesta on this one.

With the Kent thing, I think he shouldn't have said what he said to the press, but it's not like he was out of control.

i'm going to have a hard time rooting for the guy.

The guy has never hit 20 home runs or driven in more than 70 runs.  Who cares if he's a jerk?  Can he actually play a full season?

Current update:
5469-5433, B-G Sky is leading but we're closing in and are 2 hours behind them.

C'Mon AN!!!

He says this about the outfield:

A natural center fielder, Bradley likely will start in right field with Oakland, but he'll be able to spell starting center fielder Mark Kotsay, who suffers from recurring back spasms. Nick Swisher, who spent much of his rookie season in right field, will be moved to first base, moving Dan Johnson, a unanimous pick to the 2005 Topps All-Rookie team as a first baseman, to designated hitter. Outfielder Bobby Kielty, like Swisher a switch-hitter, also figures to log significant playing time, either in left field, right field or at DH.

Did Urban just forget about Payton? Or what's going on here...is it possible there is more to this than meets the eye?  What if Urban already knows JayPay's off somewhere else and had this written preemptively? </conspiracy theory>