Just when I start to believe that Jack Zduriencik can’t get any more amazing, he goes and pulls off a trade that, in my eyes, is even more impressive than the Lee deal. Several sources are now confirming that we will send Carlos Silva to the Cubs in exchange for Milton Bradley.
If you were shocked that we were able to get Cliff Lee for so little – this one is even crazier. We turned a useless, overpaid, aging starting pitcher into a talented, also overpaid, switch hitting DH, who happens to have issues with the media. There might be a little bit of money exchanged, as Silva is making slightly more than Bradley, but either way, we just filled our need for a DH, either for free, or for no more than a few million dollars.
And make no mistake, Bradley is good. He’s projected to be a 3 win player in 2010 – that number might realistically be more around 2-2.5 with the DH positional adjustment, but we still just traded Carlos Silva for a 2-3 win player, who just so happens to fill one of the team’s biggest needs. It’s important to remember that Bradley was one of the best hitters in the game as recently as 2008 – yes, he dropped off fairly significantly last year, but he was still above average offensively, and at age 32, there’s no reason to think he won’t be again in 2010.
The one issue that people might have with this trade, is the fact that Milton Bradley is notorious for having a bad attitude. This is not something I’m worried about. There’s no better place in the world for a good player with a bad attitude to be than Seattle. I have faith that Griffey, Don Wakamatsu, and the rest of the coaching staff will be able to at least keep him in line – and maybe even, dare I say, happy? You never know.
This trade – this week, is just incredible. Rejoice, and enjoy what is looking like one of the best off season’s this team has ever had.
EDIT: Word from Jon Heyman is that we’ll be sending $6 million to the Cubs over 2 years. Still awesome.
Taylor’s take:
I still don’t believe any of this is actually happening. Jack Zduriencik has now acquired Cliff Lee, Chone Figgins and Milton Bradley for three decent prospects and a man who ought to be in the business of sumo wrestling instead of professional baseball. Jack Z is good. Jack Z is great. Jack Z is incredible. The 2010 Mariners are going to be good, really good, and they’re going to get even better before the offseason is through.
World Series dreams are still a stretch with the Yanks being as good as they are, but Zduriencik has done nothing but inspire faith in his abilities. Who knows what’s going to happen? The Mariners are back afloat and their captain’s a damn good one.
Dream big, Mariners fans. We’re in good hands.
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I guess that article I told you about last night was true haha.
Wait, so are we not going to be using him in left field at all?
Oh, I guess that GMZ just answered that for me. He will split both
It was something that had been discussed during the winter meetings, but someone from within the Mariners organization basically said there was no way it was going to happen. So this was kind of a surprise.
Yeah, I saw that Larry Stone article during the meetings that said ABSOLUTELY NO WAY! So this is a very pleasant surprise. I know everyone says that their team will help him get over his attitude problems, but haha i’m gonna say it as well. I think our club house can do exactly that. It’s gonna be awesome watching him.
Keep in mind christmas isn’t here yet, with what has happened the past few days who knows what may happen in the next week. I can’t belive this deal happened!
Remember that Jay-Z previously said the same thing about Griffey playing left field going into last season. He brought in Bradley to play DH.
Harrison, I’m sorry, I just don’t think Jay-Z is going to stick. It’s taken.
Noo ITS JAY-Z!
It’s so fetch!
Mean Girls reference. To I get a Crow-point or whatever they were called?
I love ichiro. I worked hard to get him on my fantasy team keeper league and will not let him go until he is ready to retire. I wish the Braves had him.
Big difference in Griffey and Bradley at this point haah.
Crow points are fetch too…
@Chad – Actually at this point they both have had health related issues with their legs and while Griffey maybe older, Bradley sure isn’t going to be risked much in the field. His value is at the plate on this team.
I understand that,I just thought you were implying that Bradley wouldn’t be used in LF at all.
He may be, but very infrequently. Expect maybe 10 starts in left and 10 at first over the whole season.
That’s not what Z said in his interview
Yes because Z has always done what he said he will do in interviews.
Z is smart. Don’t worry.
haha yeah, I just don’t get why he would lie about something as simple as where a guy will play. Why would he be trying to hide the fact that Bradley will not actually be playing in LF and DH.
He wasn’t lying about anything. He said he’d play some left field and some DH. Obviously he’s going to play but that doesn’t mean he’s going to be playing a lot of it. He was just being vague, which is nothing new for this organization.
Hey mate, nice blog Happy Holidays!