Before You Judge, Give Bradley a Chance

When the Mariners made the deal Friday morning that moved, out of shape, overpaided pitcher Carlos Silva to the Chicago Cubs for hard to understand, potential All-star Outfielder Milton Bradley, I thought that move was quite possibly the best move the Mariners had made all off-season.

Sure Seattle picking up Chone Figgins from division rivals Angels was huge, and the Cliff Lee trade was out of nowhere and a great move, but getting rid of a 25 million dollar problem in Silva not only freed up money but also gave the Mariners a potential bat to work with and a Left Fielder to fill the hole.

That is when I started hearing the comments, reading the responds and thought why, why are people judging Bradley by what he has done in the past, and not what he could do in Seattle in the future.

Since 2000, Bradley has been with 11 teams, including the Mariners, so it was just a matter of time that he would end up in the Emerald City, playing for the Mariners. Also being that Bradley is kind of a "West Coaster", born in California, has played for the Padres, Dodgers, A's and now the M's it only seems like a good idea to have him here.

But I still hear the collective Hmmmmm... no, coming out of Seattle about this. Yahoo sports editor Steve Hansen has even gone on to say that Seattle will rue the day they traded for Bradley. I like a few others kindly disagree with that remark.

I see Bradley as possibility in a Mariners uniform, a man that wants to play baseball and be a man with the team that is taking a chance on him.

I quote Bradley and remarks he made in 2008 while in Texas, after an altercation with a sports writer. "All I want to do is play baseball and make a better life for my kid than I had, that's it, I love all you guys. ... I'm strong, but I'm not that strong."

I read those comments, and thought that this is a guy that truly loves the game of baseball and his family. I believe that he just needs help from his teammates every once in a while.

Bradley during his teleconference after finding out he was traded, was positive and uplifting, he said being in the same clubhouse as Ken Griffey Jr. will be an amazing experience, and see Seattle as a chance. I don't disagree with those remarks either.

Bradley can't erase the past, but he sure can change the future for his career and at 31 is still in the prime of his career. I believe he will surprise many and be the player that all of baseball knows he can be on a team that is looking for that elusive World Series.

For now, give him a chance, and if he proves me wrong that I am sorry for believing this time was different, but I think he will surprise everyone, and will be fun to watch as well.