Cubs’ GM Jim Hendry finally pulled the plug on Milton Bradley Sunday, suspending the disgruntled outfielder for the remainder of the season after Bradley criticized the team in a Daily Herald article.
But it was clear early on that Bradley was a poor fit for the Cubs. He didn’t play well to start the season. He had miscues in the field, was suspended for arguing with an umpire and criticized Chicago fans. And as the season wore on and the Cubs fell further behind in the NL Central, Bradley seemed to get even more restless and critical. Hendry had seen enough and put Bradley on the shelf – possibly for good.
It’s highly unusual for a team to suspend a player for the rest of the season, when there are two weeks remaining. The fact that the Cubs have done this shows how desperate they are to end the Milton Bradley experiment. The Cubs are Bradley’s eighth team in nine years in the big leagues. Doesn’t it make you wonder why he can’t stick with any one team for too long?
In hindsight, maybe the Cubs should have done something sooner with Bradley – suspension or trade or something – to get him out of the clubhouse. But I guess when you have $30 million invested in a player, you want to be patient and give him time to adjust to the team and perhaps come around on his own.
So what next? Do the Cubs take the loss and let him go? Or will they be able to work out a trade? And with all the well-publicized baggage Bradley carries, would any team want him?
There is no doubt in my mind that Bradley will not return to Wrigley Field next season. It’s clear he’s been looking for a way out almost since the day he walked into the clubhouse. And the Cubs should do all they can to give him a one-way ticket out of town.
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