Just a few weeks ago, the beat writer for the Texas Rangers had some very strong words for those who suggested the Rangers may have some interest in bringing back Milton Bradley from the Cubs: it ain’t happenin’, stop thinking about it.
Well, he’s changed his tune.
The Rangers refuse to rule out the possibility of Milton Bradley coming back to Texas.
Club officials aren’t expecting it to happen but it’s something club officials are definitely talking about as they try to figure out a way to repair an offense that scored 115 less runs in 2009 than in 2008.
A month ago, it seemed impossible that the Rangers would bring back Bradley. Now there seems some hemming and hawing.
The Rangers know that the Cubs are eager to unload Bradley, who has two years and $20 million left on his contract. They know there is a possibility the Cubs could pick up a sizable portion of that contract, a must if the Rangers are going to get involved. Posttcards from Elysian Fields.
The Rangers are likely to be the kind of team to trade prospects to the Cubs for Bradley (assuming the Cubs eat a healthy portion of the remaining $21 million on Bradley’s deal), as opposed to a team that sends back a crappy contract. In that regard, dealing with the Rangers is probably preferable – unless, of course, not getting a crappy contract outfielder back in return means the Cubs will get no new outfielder at all. The team does not have a great internal option at this time beyond Sam Fuld (in center field, Fukudome to right field), who has yet to prove he could be a productive regular.