Cubs' outfield hinges on health of newcomer Bradley
Eighth in a series
Editor's note: As the countdown continues toward the April 6 opener for the Cubs, Daily Herald Sports Writer Bruce Miles will offer his analysis of each position on the team and the key issues facing the club this season.
Q. Milton Bradley already had to back out of a spring game due to a little tweak. Really, how much of a concern are injuries with him?
Miles: They're probably a big concern until he proves that he's not susceptible to these nagging things. His media guide page includes DL stints for everything from an eye contusion to sprained fingers to appendicitis. Minus one appendix, Bradley can scratch that one off the list of concerns.
Q. What happens to the outfield rotation should Bradley go down for a while?
Miles: You'd see Kosuke Fukudome slight back over to right field, especially if he is hitting at all well. Reed Johnson and Joey Gathright would man center field, and Fukudome would see the bulk of time in right.
Q. We all know about his offensive prowess, but how does he rate defensively? Similar to Fukudome?
Miles: He played only 20 games in the outfield last year with Texas. The Cubs say they're excited about his outfield play and that he throws well.
The big things to watch will be how his legs hold up and how he handles right field during day games at Wrigley Field.
Q. Do you agree with Lou Piniella's plans to slot him in the cleanup spot?
Miles: He led the American League last year with an OBP of .436 and in OPS (on-base plus slugging percentages) at .999, so cleanup looks to be a pretty good slot for him.
That way, Lou can leave Bradley alone there and rotate Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez around Bradley, depending on how everybody is performing.
Q. What are the realistic expectations for him this season? All around.
Miles: He hit 22 homers and drove in 77 in 126 games with the Rangers last year. Both Wrigley Field and the Texas park are hitter-friendly. So if Bradley can play in 140 games, it isn't out of the question that he could hit 25-30 homers and drive in 85.
He'll need time off here and there, especially with some of the tough game-time turnarounds the Cubs have. It'll all hinge on health. Given that, Lou has a pretty good track record of judiciously using his regulars.
• Got a question about the Cubs for Bruce Miles? Visit his blog, Chicago's Inside Pitch, to share your questions and comments.
<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Stories</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="http://blogs.dailyherald.com/node/1547">Blog: Joe Sheehan of Baseball Prospectus says Bradley a mistake <span class="date">[03/04/09]</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>