Chicago Cubs Looking for Left-Handed Right Fielder?

(Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)

Looking for any signs of trade life in the Cubs, I had a look through the Chicago newspapers today, and saw this from the Chicago Sun Times that I thought was quite interesting.

Gordon Wittenmyer said that the Cubs had explored the options of trading for either Mark Teahan from the Royals or Jeremy Hermida from the Marlins.

I'm sorry, but as much as Bradley has struggled, we already invested $30 million in our left-handed hitting right fielder; I don't think we should trade prospects as well.

It is no secret that Milton is struggling to hit left-handed pitching, he has a mere .209 AVG, but he does have a .376 OBP, which is more than respectable.

Earlier in the week, the question was posed to Cubs beat writer Carrie Muskat, why Milton doesn't just hit right handed, he is hitting .347 with a .407 OBP. The answer was...the Cubs invested so much money for a left handed hitter, and Bradley will continue to switch hit.

So reading this rumor today, I thought that it was very strange, by platooning right field, surely that would mean Teahan or Hermida would hit left-handed pitchers, and Bradley would work against right-handed hitters. So, really, Bradley would be doing exactly what we said he wouldn't or shouldn't do.

Teahan has been respectable this season, but Hermida's AVG and OBP is nothing to write home about, although the deal is said to be unlikely, I would be very disappointed in Jim Hendry—and not for the first time this season.

Sam Fuld should come up with Reed Johnson going on the DL, and we always have Jake Fox or Micah Hoffpauier who is battling a little bit of a slump right now to give Bradley a day off.

However, Bradley is hitting .294 with a .419 OBP so far this second half, so he is starting to show signs of being the man we thought we were getting. He has improved out in the field, in large part he is staying healthy (*knocks on wood*) and now with the offense rolling, now is the time to let him play.

What would bringing in a right fielder do to his confidence, just when he is starting to motor? There were rumors earlier in the week that he could be traded to Detroit, reports that were rubbished by Jim Hendry and the Cubs.

Basically what I'm saying is, let Milton play.

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