The Real Story Behind What Jim Hendry Had to Say About Milton Bradley
Earlier this week, ESPN patted itself on the back for securing an interview with former Chicago Cubs outfielder Milton Bradley, and getting him to say all the things that they knew he would say.
Chicago sucks.
Cubs fans are racist.
I’m going to rise above it all and dominate this year.
We’d heard it all before, and with growing antipathy for the whole Milton Bradley saga, most of us who write about the Cubs were content to let it go. It was actually great to watch - the interview was released late on Monday, and for more than 24 hours, there was not so much as a peep about it in the Chicago main stream media. Finally, we’d been released from the curse of Bradley.
But it turns out, they were all just waiting to get the Cubs’ reaction - and when it came yesterday from general manager Jim Hendry, they all blew their collective wad penning stories about “looking in the mirror,” and “Bradley stinking.”
And they completely missed the story.
The real story behind what Jim Hendry had to say about Milton Bradley, after the jump.
ShareXavier Nady Can Throw, but Likely Can’t THROW Until June
Chicago Cubs reserve outfielder Xavier Nady finally got into a Spring Training game yesterday, but only as the DH. He’s not ready for the field, and by some estimates, he might not be fully ready to make all of the necessary outfield throws for several months.
“It’s a work in progress,” Nady said. “Even I couldn’t tell you if I’ll be ready April 10 or when I’ll feel comfortable to let it fly. The June 1 [date] is more to play and a guy tags from third, try to throw him out at home. That gives me almost 11 months [since the surgery].”
He said he’ll be able to play the outfield before that date and the Cubs will simply have to make some defensive adjustments, moving the cutoff men back to compensate.
“I heard ‘June,’” Nady said, “but I could play some games here and there. I really don’t know. I think time will tell.” Muskat Ramblings.
Lou Piniella confirmed that he believes Nady will be able to play long before June, he simply won’t be able to make big time throws. That, of course, is an issue, but it isn’t the end of the world.
Don’t be surprised if the Cubs start Nady off on the disabled list. It will allow them to sort out their bench situation, and will give Nady another two weeks to keep building arm strength and taking batting practice without straining the Cubs’ bench.
ShareSpring Training Battle Watch: March 10, 2010
Carlos Zambrano got smacked around, at least in one inning, and the Cubs fell to the Giants 5-1. Derrek Lee fouled a ball off his foot and had to leave the game, but there hasn’t been an indication (yet) that he suffered any kind of serious injury. On to the battles:
- Sam Fuld, hoping to make the Cubs as a reserve outfielder, played center field and went hitless in two plate appearances.
- Jeff Baker failed to put any distance between himself and Mike Fontenot in the battle to start at second base. Baker went o-3 with a walk.
- A host of pitchers trying to make the bullpen (or the rotation, if possible) each threw a scoreless inning, including Rule Five pick Mike Parisi, Andrew Cashner, Thomas Diamond, John Gaub, and Justin Berg.
Why the 2010 Milwaukee Brewers Will Suck
Editor’s Note: Yes, it’s that time of year again - the time for us to settle back into our protective bubble where the Chicago Cubs are destined for greatness, and every other team in the National League Central is bound for spectacular failure. If you’d care to check out last year’s fare:St. Louis Cardinals, Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Brewers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Houston Astros. Already featured for 2010: Cincinnati Reds, Houston Astros.
The 2010 Major League Baseball season is nearly upon us, and that means two things: (1) we’re all so deprived of real baseball action that we’re willing to treat meaningless Spring Training games like they’re the playoffs, and (2) the prognosticators are out in full force. Yes, every sports publication in the world puts out a season preview. Some are interesting, some aren’t. For the most part, folks just don’t have the time necessary to do the kind of in-depth preview that is going to be of any use to a reader that actually follows the team being previewed.
So most previews end up being pretty surface level, and boring. Well, we’re not going to do that here at Bleacher Nation. It’s much more interesting (notice how I subtly pat myself on the back?) to simply examine why the team currently sucks and is going to suck in 2010.
So enjoy - we’ll be previewing the suckiness (suckosity?) of the other teams in the National League Central over the next five weeks. Up next, Bud Selig’s favorite beer-swillers, the Milwaukee Brewers. Read the full preview on why the 2010 Milwaukee Brewers will suck, after the jump.
ShareTed Lilly is a Recovery Machine
Chicago Cubs starter Ted Lilly is recovering from shoulder surgery, and despite the team throwing up yield signs, Lilly is showing no signs of slowing down in his recovery. After throwing 30 pitches off the mound on Sunday, Lilly is ready to throw 35 today.
He’s feeling so good, he says he wants to get into a Spring Training game.
“I’m going to try to get out there and compete soon,” Lilly said Tuesday. “At the end of the day, it’s their call, but I’d certainly like to face some competition soon. I think I’ll be able to get ready to pitch in a game fairly soon. It’s hard to give any dates.”
Lilly is not projected to join the Cubs’ rotation until mid-April or early May.
“I think towards the end of Spring Training, it’s a very distinct possibility [he'll get in a game],” Cubs manager Lou Piniella said. “He’s coming along well. I would think that before we leave here, Teddy will pitch in a ballgame.
“The important thing is to have him continue to progress the way he has. We’re hoping he’s well enough along the way that we can pitch him at the end of Spring Training and go from there.”
Lilly does know that he needs to build up stamina and arm strength.
“It’s still a day-to-day kind of thing,” said Lilly, who was 12-9 with a 3.10 ERA in 27 starts last season. “I anticipate gradual progress, and we’ll see how we go. As far as my shoulder, I’ve felt great. I haven’t felt anything that says I need to slow down.” cubs.com.
It’s important to note that, even if Lilly makes it into a Spring Training game, that doesn’t mean he’ll be ready at the start of the season. It will, however, give us a good idea of where he’s at, and will undoubtedly be a great sign. Ted Lilly is as important to the Chicago Cubs as any player, so a swift - but more importantly, fully-recovered - return could be a boon to the team’s 2010 chances.
ShareThe Cubs Clearly Think Mike Fontenot Can Be the Backup Shortstop
Mike Fontenot is locked in a battle with Jeff Baker to be the starter at second base (even though it’s a natural platoon situation, but whatever - I don’t get paid $4 million by the Chicago Cubs to make these decisions like Lou Piniella), but the Cubs are hoping he can also be the backup at shortstop.
And so far, so good.
Manager Lou Piniella also was pleased at something that didn’t show up in the box score: Mike Fontenot’s performance at shortstop.
“That’s one of the highlights of [Monday's] game,” Piniella said. “He made a couple real nice plays and felt real comfortable out there. We’ll continue to play him there from time to time. It gives us different options, if we chose.”…
“I enjoy moving around,” Fontenot said Tuesday. “It’s fun to do that. Most of the time, if I’m not starting, I’m probably at shortstop. It breaks up the monotony.”…
Fontenot had been slowed by a sore right shoulder, which he injured last Thursday in the Cubs’ first Cactus League game when he took a tumble at third base. He hasn’t had any problems since.
“I completely forgot about it,” he said.
The Athletics didn’t waste any time testing Fontenot’s throwing ability, as he fielded several grounders in the early going.
“They tried to get me right off the bat,” Fontenot said. “That’s usually what happens is you get out there and someone hits a missile at you. It was just good to get out on the field. I hadn’t played in a few days.”
The throw from short compared with second base is different.
“It’s a little bit further,” he said. “You just have to move your feet a little more and make sure you’re not just sitting back. You have to get your feet set.”
The left-handed-hitting infielder batted .305 in 2008 and was tabbed the Opening Day second baseman for ‘09. But he batted .236 in 135 games last year. The good news is that he never let his offensive struggles carry over onto the field.
Fontenot doesn’t mind moving back and forth in the infield.
“It’s always good to show the Cubs, or anybody else, that you can play multiple positions,” he said. “You never know what’s going to happen. I look forward to any opportunity I can get on the field, even if they want to throw me out in the outfield. I’m available for anything.”
Last year, pitcher Sean Marshall was moved to left field for one batter so he could stay in the game in relief. If Marshall can handle the outfield, so can Fontenot. But the Cubs will worry about the infield for now.
“I was encouraged by what I saw,” Piniella said. “He feels comfortable with it, which is more important than anything else.” cubs.com.
Interesting that Fontenot said it’s good to show the Cubs or anybody else that you can play multiple positions.
To me, it’s pretty clear that the Cubs are not going to carry an extra infielder for defense. Andres Blanco’s knee injury didn’t make the decision, but it didn’t help. Piniella is already touting Fontenot’s ability to handle shortstop, and that’s really all he needs to know. Ultimately, it’s probably fine. Ryan Theriot will rarely sit, and if he’s out for an extended period of time, the Cubs will bring up a defensive shortstop - Starlin Castro or otherwise.
ShareSpring Training Battle Watch: March 9, 2010
Randy Wells was nearly perfect again yesterday, though the Cubs fell to the Brewers 5-3. Save some for the season, son. On to the battles:
- Mike Fontenot went 1-3 with an RBI in his quest to lock down the second base starting job. Jeff Baker played just a couple innings at third base and went o-1.
- Lefty James Russell continues to dominate, throwing a scoreless inning in relief and striking out the side. If neither Sean Marshall nor Tom Gorzelanny make the rotation, with John Grabow already in the pen, the question will be whether the Cubs are willing to have four lefty relievers. The answer is probably not, so we’ll have to see how things shake out.
- Other youngsters competing for a bullpen spot include AAA Iowa’s dominant closer Blake Parker and AA starter, and pitcher of the year, Casey Coleman. Both pitched yesterday, but neither impressed this time around.
Xavier Nady May Finally Play on Thursday
Chicago Cubs outfielder Xavier Nady is still working his way back from Tommy John surgery last year, and was expected to be ready to do some DH’ing this past weekend. The throwing program he’s on, however, wore him down, and he wasn’t ready to risk jacking up his arm at the plate.
By Thursday, the Cubs think he’ll be ready.
Lou Piniella said they considered using a designated hitter on Wednesday against the Giants so Nady could play. But Carlos Zambrano is starting that day for the Cubs.
“The only problem [with Wednesday] is the ‘Big Z’ is pitching,” Piniella said. “Thursday might be a good day to start [Nady]. Give Big Z an at-bat or two and he’ll be very happy.” Muskat Ramblings.
It’s still not a concern that Nady isn’t batting, but he’ll need to start soon, if only to get his rhythm back. This isn’t just a guy needing Spring Training to get ready for the season - Nady hasn’t faced Major League pitching since April of 2009.
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