Bradley liking the Texas heat

August 20, 2008   ·   Paul Raymond   ·   Jump to comments

It sounds as like Milton Bradley is happy with the Texas Rangers and would like to stay in Arlington next season. The Star-Telegram reports that Bradley and team general manager Jon Daniels have admitted to discussions on the topic but that negotiations haven’t started yet. Serious talks should take place thou when the season ends. Can one blame Bradley for wanting to stay? He’s having a career season that included his first All-Star appearance. He’s batting .316 with 20 homers (career high) and 63 rbis (4 off career high).

“I feel comfortable here,” said Bradley, who has a career-high 20 homers. “We’ve got a nucleus in place to do good things. It all just comes down to how things work out in negotiations.”

Bradley couldn’t be more right. The team has a solid lineup, that will only be stronger next year as the players age. The problem with this team has been pitching, and will continue to be. A little money in free agency thou should change things and make this team a contender in the American League West. Especially if the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim lose too many players in free agency.

The problem in getting a deal done thou will be salary. This season, Bradley has earned $5.25 million. I have a feeling he’s in for a considerable raise. He should hit near 30 homers and an easy 90 rbis, which should put him in line for a contract around $10 million next year if he really tests the market. He may be happy and wanting to stay in Texas but I’m not sure if someone like Bradley would take a hometown discount.

“We’re very pleased with Milton’s production and how he’s fit in the clubhouse,” Daniels said. “We’ll wait until the end of the year until we make any decisions or have any discussions.”

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