Can’t Ignore the Risk When Discussing the Reward of Milton Bradley

It is difficult to question Seattle Mariners General Manager Jack Zduriencik when it comes to his decisions. After all, he has taken a 100 loss team with poor clubhouse chemistry to a team that is being discussed as a realistic playoff contender. He inherited quite a mess from former General Manager Bill Bavasi: poor contracts given out to the likes of Carlos Silva and Jose Vidro, a volatile clubhouse, a poor defensive team, and a team that just traded its best prospect in Adam Jones for an injury prone, often times malcontent pitcher. Zduriencik worked quickly and efficiently; he traded his closer in a blockbuster three team trade and received his top-flight centerfielder in Franklin Gutierrez. He made the wise decision to give Russell Branyan a full-time job. He added Jack Wilson mid-season to bolster his defense. This winter he has added Chone Figgins and Cliff Lee to his suddenly talented roster. All of his decisions have been quite successful; there is no rational argument to the contrary. That track record, however brief it may be, is what makes his latest decision so controversial. Zduriencik finally rid the Mariners of the albatross that was Carlos Silva’s $48 million dollar contact. But, in doing so, Zduriencik brings in one of the more polarizing players in the game today, Milton Bradley. In an almost perfect tenure, this easily ranks as his most daring and controversial decision.

By The Numbers

“This is a player who can produce for us”, explains Zduriencik. On paper, this looks to be another absolute steal for the Mariners. One misconception is that this trade is about money. It most assuredly is not as the Mariners are actually adding salary to make this deal happen. Carlos Silva is under contract until 2011 for $11.5 million in each of the next two seasons. Bradley is under contract for $9 million and $12 million for the next two seasons. Add in the fact that the Mariners are sending along $9 million dollars, and the idea of shedding payroll is non-existent. Instead, this is about improving the lineup, which is exactly what the Mariners need to do.

After all, despite their 85 victories in 2009, they had an offense that ranked last in the American League in runs scored, on base percentage, and OPS. A league average offense would’ve likely led to a division title. Adding Milton Bradley, the player, is a tremendous acquisition, especially when the price was Carlos Silva and some cash. Even in a down 2009 season marred with controversy, Bradley produced a .257/.378/.397 batting line. His on base percentage would’ve only trailed Ichiro Suzuki for the Mariners’ team lead. His power outage was a bit of a mystery as he holds a career mark of .277/.371/.450. For much of his career, Bradley has battled just to stay on the field as he has only played 124 or more games three times in his career. But, with an OPS+ over 100 in six seasons (and 99 last season), Bradley’s talent as a hitter is unquestioned. He likely settles into the Mariners’ lineup as the number three hitter as a part-time outfielder and part-time designated hitter. The lineup is vastly improved from a season ago with Ichiro Suzuki, Chone Figgins, and Bradley occupying the top three spots. Milton Bradley, the hitter, is a good risk to take when considering his health. Jack Zduriencik should be praised for getting a hitter of Bradley’s caliber for Silva, perhaps the worst pitcher in the Major Leagues over the past two seasons. But, the risk of Bradley, the person, is far too great to ignore.

Nature or Nurture?

Of course, the reason for the supposed heist has to do with Bradley, the person. Many are choosing to ignore this as Zduriencik has had a near perfect record with his player acquisitions. But, as has been proven many times, players, more specifically, people don’t often change. As well documented, Bradley had his share of problems in Chicago after signing a three year, $30 million dollar deal last winter. His first problem was that he began the season dreadfully. For the first three months of the season Bradley hit just 5 homeruns and drove in 18 runs. Quite unfairly, he became the poster child for the Cubs’ failures. He was booed. But, Bradley didn’t handle it so well, further complicating the problem. He was booed early in the season for not running out a groundball at home. He exploded that the umpires had a sort of grudge against him. He got booed again for throwing a ball into the stands with just two outs; he stated that he essentially doesn’t care. He said he is a victim of racism in Chicago, feeling that the city and media aren’t treating him as a man. In September, he took himself out of a game with no explanation. Before being sent home, he refused to be included in the starting lineup and then refused to pinch hit.

All of that doesn’t even include his prior incidents when leaving Los Angeles or his tumultuous run in Cleveland, his mysterious banishment in Oakland, or his outburst in San Diego, which caused a leg injury. It is impossible to judge Bradley as a human being. In fact, it would be quite irresponsible. He may very well be “the most simple, basic, quietest guy going” that he describes himself as. It is always a dangerous situation when the public mistakes athletes for demi-gods or to hold them to a standard that no human being can stand. All that can be judged is his track record. That track record shows a talented player who has had many incidents during his career. Perhaps he has been misunderstood and perhaps all of the incidents are the result of the actions of others. But, those incidents are on his ledger. He comes to Seattle with the potential to launch the Mariners into contention or to plainly destroy everything Zduriencik has built. That last statement may seem a bit hyperbolic except that athletes have continually proven this true over the years. It can be ignored, but it doesn’t make it any less truthful, relevant, or important.

Zduriencik looks at this situation through the eyes of a General Manager who is strictly looking at his lineup. He’s not wrong for doing so; it is his job. While he won’t acknowledge it publicly, there has to be an element of doubt with this move. “Two years ago, he led the American League in on base percentage. He’s a competitive guy who really wants to win. We are going to welcome him with open arms”, explains Zduriencik. Indeed, talent has never been the question. It is Bradley’s volatile past that can be questioned. Jim Hendry, the Cubs General Manager, thought it would be different when he signed Bradley off of a relatively calm season in Texas. The Dodgers thought it would be different after the Indians traded him as a result of an altercation with Manager Eric Wedge. It is often an organization’s fatal flaw when its evaluators think they have the magic formula to change a player. Zduriencik downplayed Bradley’s past, but added, “Our community is the type of community, the dugout and locker room communities too, is one that he can feel comfortable in.”

Betting on the community to take care of Bradley is risky. The Mariners worked hard to change the tense clubhouse that existed just two seasons ago. Bradley has the potential to damage that. But, his talent is far too valuable to the Mariners’ playoff chances. Zduriencik explains, “We’re always careful who we bring in. There comes a time when superior talented players bring a lot to your lineup. Every situation is different. We are hoping this kid comes in and realizes that he is going to be an integral part of what we are trying to do, embrace that, and produce for us.” Those statements seem like the Mariners are a bit worried. In fairness, the Mariners did seem to do their homework. Zduriencik described how he reached out to his coaching staff (two members worked with him in Texas and Oakland), he asked Manager Don Wakamatsu his thoughts, and he reached out to others in the know. “People I talked to had nice things to say about Milton. He cared about wanting to win. Some players need space. Every single player has something about him where some may need space. He’s a good person, very intelligent, and he wants to be here.” Needing space is the indication of worry and perhaps some special treatment coming.

Zduriencik refused to say that Ken Griffey Jr. will serve as a mentor, but the organization is obviously hoping that Bradley will follow Griffey’s leadership. In fact, the subject of Griffey was about the only thing Bradley was excited about when discussing the move to his new team. “Being able to play with Ken Griffey is surreal. There are only two guys I have ever wanted to get an autograph from–Barry Bonds and Ken Griffey. I am looking forward to it (playing on the same team as Griffey). He’s represented the game well and I hope those qualities rub off on me”, stated Bradley during his phone conference with the media. Zduriencik has to be hoping the same thing.

Or, perhaps Bradley’s tumultuous career really is a series of several unfortunate events that get a person labeled. When hearing Bradley describe himself, it is evident that this is the belief he holds. “I mean, I am most simple, basic, quietest guy going. I just go about my business and you don’t know I am there…honest, loyal, love to compete, and love to win. It’s very simple; just treat me like a man and respect me as an individual and the person I am, you won’t have a problem.” If that is truly the case, perhaps the Mariners are taking a smart risk. Seattle seems to be the type of Baseball town where the scrutiny is less than it is in Chicago. Bradley isn’t the biggest name to be imported this offseason. He isn’t the biggest name on the roster. And, he won’t have to answer questions day after day. Ken Griffey Jr. already occupies that role. There is a difference between the smart Seattle media and the smart, but jaded Chicago media. Aesthetically, it is a better situation for him to have space, be treated better, and to be less of the focus. He’ll be just one member of a solid group of players. It is not as if he is going to a volatile situation. There is an element of truth to that; there is a reason to hope for a good 2010. But, that is so rarely the case.

History

The problem is that history shows that people don’t change. Sure, some players with questionable pasts can have one or two relatively quiet seasons, but something always comes up. The litany of athletes given second and third chances to change only to revert back could fill novels. People don’t normally change. The usual pattern is that the troubled player enjoys one quiet, productive season before getting set off and reverting back. Terrell Owens’ stops in Philadelphia and Dallas are two recent examples.

Zduriencik is putting his faith in the idea that Bradley can be a good soldier for one season, a season in which they can win the American League West Division title. If Bradley can stay healthy (something also being severely overlooked), produce to the back of his baseball card, and stay quietly tucked away in the Emerald City for a season while helping the Mariners win a division title, the trade was wildly successful. Zduriencik will worry about 2011 the minute 2010 is over. Bradley’s tenure in Seattle is not likely to end well. It hasn’t anywhere else, with the possible exception of Texas. But, it is not a worry right now. That will be next winter’s storyline.

For now, the Mariners will hope that Bradley can do what he has expressed—go out and play baseball with a good bunch of guys. If he can do that (and to his ability), the Mariners are a better team. Winning usually masks problems, at least temporarily. If he can’t and he becomes disruptive, the Mariners’ pennant hopes will be quickly dashed, as they do not have offense in reserve. Jack Zduriencik is choosing to build his middle of the order around Bradley. If it doesn’t work out, the impact is devastating to a team that needs all of the offensive firepower it can get. Zduriencik has been right about everything thus far so perhaps he got this one right too. Only time, as the cliché goes, will tell. The problem is that the past has told something far different.

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