Texas Rangers: Milton Bradley Is for Sale

In the past offseason, the Texas Rangers, with the recommendation of Ron Washington, took a chance on the troubled Milton Bradley.

Texas was looking for Bradley to do something similar to what Sammy Sosa had done for Texas in 2007.

What they have gotten was so much more than expected.

Bradley currently leads the AL in hitting at .338, eleven points ahead of second place. He is fifth in RBI with 45, which would lead on most teams, except his teammate Josh Hamilton has 70.

Bradley is also currently tied with Hamilton in runs scored, 45; both are behind teammates Ian Kinsler (55) and Michael Young (50). He is tied for second with teammate David Murphy in doubles with 20, and leads the AL in slugging percentage (.638) and on-base percentage (.455).

These are great numbers. Currently, he is ranked 14th in outfield voting for the All-Star Game, but he has been climbing recently.

So why trade him?

The negative side of Milton Bradley is his history of injuries and on-field problems.

Bradley has been on and off the DL for the past few years of his career, and never played more than 90 games in a season. Currently, he is at 58.

He is also playing on his seventh team in his ninth season in the majors, with countless events of clubhouse or on-field tirades, though has shown no signs of this at all this season.

The Rangers are building for the future, standing at 33-33 and third in the AL West. Texas is seven games behind the Angels. The Rangers could make a run at the Angels, but with big question marks in the pitching department, and the Angels getting back healthy starters, it would be a difficult job.

The Texas Rangers are being geared more toward 2010, possibly 2009. The front office seems to be sticking to the plan of allowing the youngsters to develop, and if this is true, Milton Bradley and his one-year contract don't really fit into those plans.

That is why I'm theorizing that the Rangers pull off a similar trade to the one they did last season with Kenny Lofton and Eric Gagne.

Last year the Rangers traded Lofton back to the Cleveland Indians for catching prospect Max Ramirez, who ranks near the top in catching prospects and has been experimenting with first base over the past couple of weeks.

Texas also sent Gagne to the Boston Red Sox, and in return got 26-year-old lefty Kason Gabbard and outfield prospect David Murphy.

Today, Lofton is out of baseball. Gagne lasted about a week with the Red Sox and a month this year with the Brewers. Ramirez is thriving in AA Frisco, Gabbard is at AAA Oklahoma City, and Murphy is the leading contender for AL Rookie of the Year.

The first possibility is that the Rangers keep Bradley for this season and sign him to an extension that makes him the DH for the next couple of years. I have nothing against Bradley, I like what he is doing, and if he stays healthy this year, I have no problem with an extension like that. It could turn Hamilton-Bradley into the new Ortiz-Ramirez.

However, if the Rangers wanted to do something similar to last year's trade, here are some teams that could show interest and what the Rangers might be able to get for Milton Bradley.

Boston Red Sox

Last year they made a trade that worked out great for the Rangers. Boston is not really looking for another hitter/outfielder, but if David Ortiz's injury is delayed or if J.D. Drew goes cold again, the Red Sox might show interest.

Texas would love to be able to get Jon Lester, but I think Boston might have him penciled in for their future. They have a better chance of acquiring either Clay Buchholz or Justin Masterson, two young right-handers that are showing that they are Major-League ready.

Chicago White Sox

Ozzie Guillen has been screaming for some offense, and White Sox sluggers Jim Thome and Paul Konerko are not performing this year. Texas would like to dip into Chicago's young prospects here, but how about a deal that could bring John Danks back to Arlington.

Cleveland Indians

Here is another team that is struggling with their sticks. Cleveland has plenty of good pitching this year, but they aren't getting any run support. With Travis Hafner presently hurt, and hurting the team when he has been playing, Bradley could return to the club he spent the most time with.

Texas would ideally love to get the young, groundball-inducing Fausto Carmona, but also acquiring rookie left-hander Aaron Laffey would be ideal as well.

Detroit Tigers

The Tigers aren't really looking for another hitter, but if they felt things were turning around, and they wanted to take a shot at the AL Central or Wild Card, then Bradley would help this potential power-producing lineup.

With not many young pitchers, it's doubtful the Rangers could wrestle away Justin Verlander, but Armando Galarraga is more likely, who was a Rangers prospect until this season when the Tigers acquired him.

Kansas City Royals

I know, I know; why the hell would the Royals want Milton Bradley. I was just intrigued by the idea that Texas could get Alex Gordon for Bradley and settle the 3B/1B problem.

Minnesota Twins

There are multiple scenarios of working out here, even some that could include position players. However, the one trade that seems the most interesting, but yet the biggest risk, would be Bradley for Francisco Liriano.

With Liriano's command and injury problems this year, this move is very risky. But if he were able to re-gain his command and confidence and pitch like 2007 again...WOW!

New York Yankees

The Yankees always seem ready and willing to get hitters, but with a depleted minor-league system, it's harder to find young talent. But I can see a couple different scenarios that could include Yankees' pitching prospects Phil Hughes, Ian Kennedy, or Chase Wright.

Oakland Athletics

I don't normally like to see a move that keeps the player leaving within the same division, but the A's have a couple of young pitchers that could make it worth it.  Dana Eveland and Greg Smith are young left-handers who are having solid seasons in the majors this year. With the A's struggling to find a DH, this could work out well for both teams.

Tampa Bay Rays

Now, the Rays could do something like this, if they are still in contention for the AL East closer to the trade deadline. They have a ton of pitching and good hitting, but adding a bat like Bradley's would make them a force at the plate. 

Ideally for the Rangers, you get the guy who keeps beating you (Scott Kazmir), but I doubt the Rays would let him go. James Shields or Andy Sonnanstine could spark this deal to get some talks going.

Toronto Blue Jays

If the Jays want to take a shot at the AL East or the Wild Card, then they are going to need to add another bat. Bradley would fit well in Toronto, and in return the Rangers would love to acquire pitcher Jesse Litsch.

It would be hard to see Bradley go back to the National League. He can't play in the outfield everyday and needs to be DH most of the time. But here are a few deals in the National League that could possibly happen.

Atlanta Braves—Jair Jurrjens

Cincinnati Reds—Edinson Volquez (No, I'm kidding. Could you imagine?)

Florida Marlins—Andrew Miller

Houston Astros—Wandy Rodriguez

Los Angeles Dodgers—Clayton Kershaw

Milwaukee Brewers—Yovani Gallardo

New York Mets—Mike Pelfrey

Philadelphia Phillies—Kyle Kendrick