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Milton Bradley: DFA

Goat_tiny by Nico on in News

When I log onto AN, I always expect to see that one of our players is DOA, but not DFA. Milton Bradley, future-former-Athletic, gone someway somehow in the next 10 days. Here's my take:

First off, it is in transactions like this where I most trust Billy Beane. I am confident that this move was not made out of any subjective emotions or rash action, but rather out of good business sense, and I am confident that it is the right move--I'm not yet sure why, so I'm going to speculate, but I do not believe Beane would have made this move unless he knew it was the right move. For one thing, you don't DFA your #3 hitter without giving all your options a whole lot of thought.

What I have to think, first and foremost, is that Beane calculated that Milton Bradley was not going to play very much between tomorrow and the end of September. I think it's clear that when Bradley plays he helps the team win. He may have a temper, heck he may be a "malcontent," but he was not a "cancer" (on the contrary he was the best hitter's best friend) and his presence on the field made the A's a much better team. Whether Bradley reinjured himself--yet again--yesterday, or whether all signs just pointed towards a never-ending "seven days on, seven weeks off" pattern that has been Bradley's career, I have to believe that Billy Beane did not see Bradley playing much the rest of the season.

So Beane will probably try to trade him for a bucket of balls just to get Bradley's salary off the books. Meanwhile, the A's have their backup infielder up in Kevin Melillo. If there are no takers in the proposed Bradley-Bucket deal, Beane may be forced to eat Bradley's salary in exchange for opening up a spot on the 25 and 40 man rosters. Perhaps this is where Piazza and Cust can both fit in. Maybe we'll see Cust in LF after the All-Star Break--hopefully following daily 5-hour practice sessions between now and then.

All I know right now is that as with the Mulder-Hudson deals, I'm surprised now and expect to be appreciative later. The A's do know what they're doing--even if we don't know what they're doing.

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My gut feeling...

...to be either confirmed or blown out of the water as details come forth... is that this has everything to do with Bradley's injuries and realistic playing time and nothing to do with Chavez or any other players.

by UncleLeo on Jun 21, 2007 10:31 AM PDT   0 recs

We may never know...

But I see no way they DFA'd him for injuries/playing time.  I bet he flipped a lid at some point yesterday and said or did things that couldnt be fixed.  Just my gut feel too of course, but I don't see it being plausible the other way.

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Jun 21, 2007 10:37 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

agreed

injuries, lack of production or roster flexibility wasnt the reason. Milton must have misbehaved in the clubhouse or with Beane/A's management for this to happen.

Still its a loss for both Milton and the A's whichever way you look at it.

by oak1 on Jun 21, 2007 10:58 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah

I agree with Nico that Beane surely had some good reason for this. But the explanations that Nico proposes - lack of faith in Bradley's health, or clearing a roster spot for a backup infielder - are exactly the kinds of things that don't constitute a "good reason" for such a sudden move.

It just has to be something related to off-the-field issues.

What stank flatulist.

by andeux on Jun 21, 2007 11:04 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Sudden to us...

...possibly not "sudden" to the team, i.e. Beane, Geren, etc.  It wouldn't surprise me if they've been discussing this privately for some time.  Especially once they were satisfied that Buck was the real deal.

by UncleLeo on Jun 21, 2007 11:16 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I guess my question, andeux,
is, "If the A's believed Bradley was going to play in 70-75 of the last 90 games, would they still have gone the DFA route (due to whatever incidents may have happened)?"

I suspect no. But it sounds like you and OaktownPower suspect yes. Depends on what may have happened, I suppose.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Jun 21, 2007 11:43 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Hard to answer....

I think it all depends on the severity of any incidents.  The timing of it all with his reported possible tantrum and just coming back off the DL.  I have a hard time believing some off the field actions did not play a major part in this decision, especially considering his past incidents.

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Jun 21, 2007 11:46 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Hypothetically, if Swisher
approached Beane and said, "Hey man, do whatcha gotta do," I suppose that would be pretty powerful.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Jun 21, 2007 11:49 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

what does that have to do with the

price of tea in china?

subject to revision pending next issue and there are too many issues

by ak_A on Jun 21, 2007 11:51 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Swish is Bradley's best friend on the team

and Swish is central to the team's future.

If Swish has reached a point where he's ready to see Bradley go, then that means it's time.

(Not that I have any information whatsoever about this hypothetical. I'm just explaining why it's relevant if Swish and Beane did have such a meeting.)

"...but we're also always open to hearing about other sandwiches if it can make our lunch better." -- Nico, channeling Billy Beane

by iglew on Jun 21, 2007 11:56 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

M-m-mmm...Yunnan Black <drool>
If even Swish felt Bradley was a "tired act" that would say something.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Jun 21, 2007 11:57 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Is that Bud's little brother? (joking!)
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Jun 21, 2007 12:27 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Agree as well.

I can't believe he was dumped for performance reasons, nor because of injuries. It's not like Oakland is full of injury-proof players and he was the outlier. (Rich Harden anyone?) Bradley is too good not to play when healthy, and Oakland is smart enough to realize that. Sure, he gets hurt from time to time...that's what the DL is for, you put him on it and play someone else. You play him when he's healthy and get what you can out of him. And when healthy, Milton is a legit corner-OF hitter who can play respectable defense in CF. You simply DO NOT release players like that for any reason other than personal ones, injury-prone or not.

Milton did something that pissed someone off. It couldn't be more simple than that. Period.

I like Milton a lot. I've followed him since his days in LA, and will fully acknowledge that he's a bit, uh...surly, at times. But you know what? I'd much rather cheer for a guy who plays hard and gets upset when he loses, than cheer for a guy who is simply showing up to collect his paychecks. Plenty of people don't like him, and I'm not sure why. Last I checked, "playing hard" was a quality people tended to get behind.

by rageon on Jun 21, 2007 11:49 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

sure....but that's it

"too good not to play when healthy" and it looks like, with this year at least, the "when healthy" part was the deal buster.

subject to revision pending next issue and there are too many issues

by ak_A on Jun 21, 2007 11:53 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

"Playing hard" is an oxymoron when refering to

Milton (unless you're talking about something other than baseball).

by Bacon on Jun 21, 2007 11:53 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Here to discuss the price of tea in China

is my pal Ying.

"...but we're also always open to hearing about other sandwiches if it can make our lunch better." -- Nico, channeling Billy Beane

by iglew on Jun 21, 2007 12:18 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Ying is a ripoff artist!

And if Bradley could stay off the damn DL for more than a couple of days at a time, he'd still be here!

"The problems in the world today are so enormous they cannot be solved with the level of thinking that created them."- A. Einstein

by The Pilots Dared Me To Die on Jun 22, 2007 3:49 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't think Milton Bradley plays hard
To play hard, you have to play, even sometimes when you have an owie. Eric Chavez, Mr. no-discernible-emotion-or-fire, plays hard. Milton Bradley pouts hard.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Jun 21, 2007 11:53 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

... and I hate hard

< /Fred Astaire >

That's not such a bad idea ... but it's a strange inference. ~ mikeA @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jun 21, 2007 12:03 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I strongly disagree!

Milton played hard when he played, and I don't think anyone, except maybe the A's training staff(and who trusts them?), and Milton himself knew how much pain he was in and how well he could perform while injured. Chavy played with sore forearms and was absolutely worthless at the plate. Milton had leg injuries, which means he couldn't run, and that makes him worthless in the field AND at the plate, except for maybe an occasional pinch hit.

"It is very important while building a toy of chaos to include a light." - margret@live-evil.com

by McFood on Jun 21, 2007 12:10 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Being worthless in the field and at that plate

=worthless as a ballplayer. Good riddance, Milty!!!

by Bacon on Jun 21, 2007 12:14 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

He played against Detroit in the playoffs

on one leg, essentially.  I doubt he's been coming up with bogus injury excuses to avoid playing.

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Jun 21, 2007 12:29 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

non-playoff games = practice?

c'mon, we're talking about practice people.  practice.

Signatures? We don't need no stinking signatures.

by jubjub on Jun 21, 2007 12:31 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

This just in . . .

Bradley has been traded for Allen Iverson.

by EddieVegas_NRAF on Jun 21, 2007 5:54 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

So long Uncle Milty

I'm wondering if his little tirade yesterday helped himself out the door?

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cg...

"A's outfielder Milton Bradley had a mini outburst after Tuesday's batting practice.
On his way from the field to the clubhouse, he emphatically proclaimed his injured calf completely healed and showed frustration that he still isn't playing."

Fire Macha Yesterday!

by dboysick on Jun 21, 2007 10:33 AM PDT   0 recs

Yeah, my inference re Tuesday
is the A's informed Bradley that even though he was finally ready, he'd have to wait a day to be activated and that Bradley was miffed. Which probably miffed the A's to the tune of "You make us wait a month...again, and again...and now you can't a day?"

But I don't believe that this "conflict" or his clubhouse outburst yesterday, was the driving force behind the DFA (it looks to me, anyway, as if Bradley threw the chairs in reaction to meeting with Beane, not before).

If the A's felt he was going to get 200 more ABs this year, they would, IMO, have kept him. They must not feel that way, and given his track record who can blame them?

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Jun 21, 2007 10:53 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

That was my feeling, also

Any meltdown was a reaction to something else, maybe being told what was going happen, or given an ultimatum of some sort, not the reason behind the DFA.

by UncleLeo on Jun 21, 2007 11:05 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Bradley

Wow, my guess is that the A's indicated that he will not be a full time player.  Too many guys not enough AB's to go around.  That Bradley probably went off at being a part time player.  (I think he had similar problems in the past)And gave the A's no choice but to cut him.

ogallalabob

by ogallalabob on Jun 21, 2007 10:33 AM PDT   0 recs

That sounds like a good guess to me. n/t
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Jun 21, 2007 12:30 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm just surprised that

a trade couldn't be consummated without the DFA.

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Jun 21, 2007 10:36 AM PDT   0 recs

Can't say that I am surprised at all

Too bad....move on.  Next.

subject to revision pending next issue and there are too many issues

by ak_A on Jun 21, 2007 10:42 AM PDT   0 recs

That's right.

Milton has not been a help this season...and the injury go round clogs up the rest of the team.

by IM4Oakgal on Jun 21, 2007 10:47 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

The injuries just meant

we had to put worse players out there. Now we are guaranteed to continue to put worse players out there.

My last sig was about Doyle.

by mikeA on Jun 21, 2007 10:58 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Shannon's homerun

yesterday was the turning point.

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Jun 21, 2007 11:01 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Stewart

has a 5.000 OPS in his last AB. There's no way you can leave that kind of proven production out of the lineup.

What stank flatulist.

by andeux on Jun 21, 2007 11:06 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Shannon Stewart:

devastating counterexample to the Moneyball-is-racist theory.

My last sig was about Doyle.

by mikeA on Jun 21, 2007 11:12 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

i thougth shannon stewart was a devastating
counterexample to the moneyball-as-a's-theory theory?
A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Jun 21, 2007 11:28 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Beane was worried about the

moneyball-is-racist theory, so he kicked Forst and Zaidi out the room and signed Stewart.

My last sig was about Doyle.

by mikeA on Jun 21, 2007 11:32 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

You meant to say "Frank Thomas"

But really, if Moneyball undervalued a player due to race, it would contradict it's entire rational of seeking market inefficiencies, and evaluating players by clear eyed statistics rather than gut feelings.

If Beane is racist in application of 'Moneyball' he has failed his own test.

by MobiusKlein on Jun 21, 2007 11:35 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

geren was in th loop

knew there was something strange about geren quickly responding that swisher would not be spending more time at first base, now know why

by pieful35 on Jun 21, 2007 10:43 AM PDT   0 recs

Let's take a moment to appreciate

the human resources gal in the A's front office.  
She has not had one break from the players' paperwork all season! I don't remember her name, she was on one of Robert Buan's preseason shows.

I hope she has a strong constitution, cause I'm sure her inbox will be overloaded in the next month or so. Not to mention the clubhouse manager Vusivich (sp?), his head must be spinning.  

Nature's first green is gold...

by prana160 on Jun 21, 2007 10:43 AM PDT   0 recs

Pam Pitts?
"Kots went yard. With a pink bat. Stud."

by Jennifer on Jun 21, 2007 10:45 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Zazu Pitts?
Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Jun 21, 2007 10:50 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Arm Pitts?
"Kots went yard. With a pink bat. Stud."

by Jennifer on Jun 21, 2007 10:51 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

busy day in office?
subject to revision pending next issue and there are too many issues

by ak_A on Jun 21, 2007 10:52 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

It's the pitts.
Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Jun 21, 2007 10:53 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

slowest day i have had in weeks

and naturally, no game thread to follow.

subject to revision pending next issue and there are too many issues

by ak_A on Jun 21, 2007 10:54 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I hate off-days

this one in particular

"San Jose A's of Fremont" validates the Halo's stoopid name

by ArakSOT on Jun 21, 2007 11:21 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

william pitt the younger
subject to revision pending next issue and there are too many issues

by ak_A on Jun 21, 2007 10:52 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Brad Pitts?

Shakespeare? The Bard Pitts?

"It is very important while building a toy of chaos to include a light." - margret@live-evil.com

by McFood on Jun 21, 2007 11:30 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Lord PALMERSTON!!!
"...but we're also always open to hearing about other sandwiches if it can make our lunch better." -- Nico, channeling Billy Beane

by iglew on Jun 21, 2007 11:47 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

and one of my personal favorites

Lord Curzon.

subject to revision pending next issue and there are too many issues

by ak_A on Jun 21, 2007 11:54 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I actually agree with Boggs

Assuming the question is who was Britain's greatest prime minister, my vote really does go to Pitt the Elder.

"...but we're also always open to hearing about other sandwiches if it can make our lunch better." -- Nico, channeling Billy Beane

by iglew on Jun 21, 2007 11:58 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

pitt the elder

i agree

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Jun 21, 2007 6:07 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

My Bradley Bobblehead joins my Tejada one

What will my bobblehead be worth now? It isn't that badly damaged and shakes it's head at least once a month.....

Morada Mudshark

by Morada Mudshark on Jun 21, 2007 10:55 AM PDT   0 recs

I'd say a Milton Bradley bobblehead
is now worth about as much as a Jairo Garcia bobblehead: So-o-oooo yesterday.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Jun 21, 2007 11:04 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I'd like to see:

Jairo Garcia day at the Coliseum, where they fly up Jairo Garcia so he can throw out the ceremonial first pitch and he and Mr. Casilla can stand arm and arm on the mound in front of the people.  That would be fun.

"The problems in the world today are so enormous they cannot be solved with the level of thinking that created them."- A. Einstein

by The Pilots Dared Me To Die on Jun 22, 2007 4:22 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

i agree it was probably the right move

for whatever reason. just sucks we had to give up ethier to get him in the first place.

http://westcoastmediabias.blogspot.com

by blasefaire on Jun 21, 2007 11:02 AM PDT   0 recs

Yeah, but

We also got Anthony Perez for Ethier.

... that really doesn't make it better, does it?

by kirbyk on Jun 21, 2007 11:11 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

There's Gotta Be More....

Remember Mychael Urban's article from last season?

by richwol on Jun 21, 2007 11:11 AM PDT   0 recs

That's a shame

Like Nico, I trust Billy ... just really sad to see Bradley go -- I thought the team was considerably better with him in the lineup.  I guess that's the thing though -- just couldn't stay in the lineup.
It'll be interesting to see what the "real reason" was.

VacaAsFan

by Vacafan on Jun 21, 2007 11:14 AM PDT   0 recs

I think more will come out

I think Bradley did something very "anti-team" beyond just throwing the chairs.

Beane had a "private" conversation with him.  Then they DFA'ed him.  Throwing chairs is what you do when you cannot help your situation.

Beane never reveals all.  And won't, ten years later.   Nonetheless, someone will talk a little.  Then someone else, and a picture will emerge.

For right now, we just trust in Beane.  After all, do we know the operator on the rollercoaster before we get in? No but his "track record" says we trust him anyway.

Rename Fremont, CA, to Philadelphia, CA. All East Bay printing cos. support this idea!

by One won lost won on Jun 21, 2007 11:14 AM PDT   0 recs

BB will speak

A's vice president and general manager Billy Beane were to discuss the Bradley move in a conference call with reporters at 1 p.m. PT.

link

by gotgreen on Jun 21, 2007 11:16 AM PDT   0 recs

i hope we get some real info

though, i'm expecting "we made a roster move to designate milton bradley for assignment.  it was a decision we made collectively and we feel it was the best move for the team.  thanks for coming.".

by Eric in Atlanta on Jun 21, 2007 11:59 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

maybe so

but I hope somebody that can hear/see this will take notes

"San Jose A's of Fremont" validates the Halo's stoopid name

by ArakSOT on Jun 21, 2007 12:03 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I'd like to say I'm upset

It's a little surprising, but I can't say I disagree.

by sprtsnwyn on Jun 21, 2007 11:16 AM PDT   0 recs

There's always another shoe.

And when it drops, we'll better understand.  

Intrigue abounds in this situation with pennant races sharpening toward the trading deadline, our suddenly over-crowded roster, the speedy development of several prospects, etc.  I suspect that MB went-off in some unfortunate direction that precip'd this move, but I bet it was coming, anyway.  

Time to sit back and chant the AN Motto as a mantra.

The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus

by The Dogfather on Jun 21, 2007 11:17 AM PDT   0 recs

on the positive side

we could see Piazza on the field next week with Cust playing more OF to get both bats in the lineup.

by oak1 on Jun 21, 2007 11:17 AM PDT   0 recs

Does this mean we get Ethier back?

  Do overs would be nice but Bradley's intensity in the playoffs probably bought him time. His words about the "best clubhouse atmosphere he's ever played in" will not help his chances elsewhere. Too bad he squanders his talent b/c many have been willing to overlook his idiosyncracies.

"I've been accused of using too many words...I suppose that's like accusing Mozart of using too many notes." Bill King

by Gerard on Jun 21, 2007 11:18 AM PDT   0 recs

I don't get it

When he's healthy he's on of our best players.  So you're eating his contract when he's hurt but if you can't trade him you're going to have to eat it without the 30 games he might have helped the A's during the remainder of the season.

by methodrampage on Jun 21, 2007 11:19 AM PDT   0 recs

30 games he might have helped,

while getting paid to play every game, and taking up a valuable roster spot in the process...

Bye bye, Miltie...

"The problems in the world today are so enormous they cannot be solved with the level of thinking that created them."- A. Einstein

by The Pilots Dared Me To Die on Jun 21, 2007 11:39 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Roster spot
We're most likely going to have to pay him no matter what.  And he's not taking up a roster spot on the DL.  So what legs are you standing on now?

by methodrampage on Jun 21, 2007 3:24 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Are you so sure this wasn't a rash decision?

Remember BB traded Jeremy Giambi for some scrub named John Mabry back in 02 cause he was pissed at Giambi's partying and whatnot (of course that move actually worked but it was due more to luck than anything). Look, Billy isn't some totally objective baseball god capable of making completely rational baseball moves every single frickin time. He's human just like the rest of us and prone to irrationality. I'm pretty sure this move had nothing to do with salary issues, injury issues, roster space issues whatever you wanna throw out there to defend the move.

Bottom line, Milton did something to piss off Billy (a lot) and Billy irrationally DFA'd him in another Jeremy Giambi move.

"We were s--, pathetic," Guillen growled early in spring training. "We hit too many home runs."

by lenscrafters on Jun 21, 2007 11:23 AM PDT   0 recs