Although sending Milton Bradley to Tampa for Pat Burrell remains the far most likely scenario, the Chicago Cubs are working to increase the possible destinations for Bradley.
Meanwhile, the Cubs met with about a half-dozen teams during the first day of the winter meetings at the Indianapolis Marriott and had plans for at least two more meetings Monday night in an effort to increase the market for Bradley.
Tampa Bay and Texas have been the most serious suitors, but multiple sources said Monday more teams have entered the picture, with one source saying that the number of interested teams is up to four.
The Cubs have given teams permission to contact Bradley, but a source said no teams have done that. CHICAGO SUN-TIMES.
At present, the Cubs are willing to take on at least an equally bad 2010 contract ($9 million), and eat some of Bradley’s 2011 salary ($12 million). So the best return is likely going to come from a team with a bad contract in a position of need for the Cubs, but a team that actually wants Bradley – not just a team that’s looking to bottom fish.
Of course, Paul Sullivan has said that the Mets and Royals are not interested, and that it’s Tampa or bust.