After my post yesterday about the possibility of Milton Bradley remaining with the Cubs in 2010, I decided to contact Bruce Miles to ask for his opinion. Bruce was very gracious in answering my question and also very confident that the Cubs will be trading the troubled right fielder:
“I don’t know who is starting that (rumor that Bradley is going to return to the Cubs in 2010), but the Cubs are working to trade Bradley. Milton has been with how many teams over the years? That means he’s worked with about that many hitting coaches. So sooner or later, the Cubs might hire somebody who might have worked with Bradley at some point. The imminent hiring of Jaramillo is in no way related to mending fences with Bradley…But once again, don’t look for Milton back with the Cubs.”
As you know, I trust Bruce’s opinion. If he says Bradley is leaving, then I believe Bradley is leaving. But where will he end up? One of Bruce’s readers suggested Cincinnati in exchangfe for Bronson Arroyo or Aaron Harang. The reader opined that Dusty Baker might be able to control Bradley. Bruce disagreed:
“As to other teams, I had not heard the Reds. A few years ago at the winter meetings, I got a tip that Dusty had met with Milton when Dusty was still the Cubs manager. I’ve heard even Dusty came away with doubts about Milton, and Dusty would seem to be the perfect guy to handle him.”
I never thought that Cincinnati would be a good trading partner for the Cubs on Bradley to begin with. Bruce just strengthened my belief.
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One of the reasons that has been given to back up the “Milton is staying rumor” is the Cubs’ interest in Rudy Jaramillo becoming the team’s hitting coach. Jaramillo was the hitting coah for Texas in 2008 when Bradley had the best year of his career.
What is less remembered is that Jaramillo was also the hitting coach when Alfonso Soriano was with the Rangers in 2004-05. In 2004, Soriano hit .280/.324/.484 with 28 homeruns and 98 RBI. In 2005 he hit .268/.309/.512 with 36 homeruns and 104 RBI. It’s been reported that Soriano had a great relationship with Jaramillo and has been very positive about reuniting with him.
According to Jon Heyman at SportsIllustrated.com:
“Rudy Jaramillo will be the perfect choice as hitting coach for the Cubs. He is expected to sign a multiyear deal for about $800,000 a year, which would make him easily the sport’s best-paid hitting coach. Not only is he a highly respected hitting coach, but he got great results in Texas with both Alfonso Soriano and Milton Bradley (though Bradley won’t be back if the Cubs can figure out where to send him).”
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Is Starlin Castro the Cubs shorstop of the future? There’s a really good chance he is, but when might he make it to the big leagues? Carrie Muskat from MLB.com says it could be as early as next year.
He was drafted by the Cubs in 2006 out of the Dominican Republic when he was just 16-years old. He played Rookie B all in 2008 and showed so much promised that the Cubs promoted him to high-A ball in Daytona in 2009. Again, he excelled and was moved to Double A in the middle of the 2009 season. At Double-A, in only his second professional season, Castro hit .288 and impressed everyone who saw him play. Now, he is the youngest player in the Arizona Fall League and is currently hitting .500.
Even though he’s only 19-years old, Cubs minor league infield coordinator Frankin Font thinks he almost ready for the big time. Castro feels like sometime next year will be his time to shine with the Cubs. Dave Keller, Cubs minor league hitting instructor agrees.
“He’s a very confident kid, but not arrogant,” andKeller said. “For him, it’s just a matter of getting repetitions.”
So what does that mean for the Cubs this off season? The Cubs have said that they are happy with Ryan Theriot at shortstop and are more insterested in finding a second baseman than they are in replacing Theriot. However, Castro fast ascent may alter those plans. Could the Cubs move Theriot over to second and then bring in a one-year fill-in type shortstop? Miguel Tejada maybe? Could Andres Blanco play short for a year and hold the spot for Castro? Does Theriot have a future with the Cubs now that both Blanco and Castro are waiting in the wings? All good questions. Unfortunately, there are no answers, at least not yet.
I personally like the idea of Ryan Theriot moving over to second. Blanco has impressed with the glove everywhere he has been. The good news is he’s starting to show some promise with the bat now that he is 100% healthy. I think I’d rather the Cubs give him a shot in 2010 instead of bringing in a free agent on a one-year contract. Whatever they do, it sure is a nice change to have options at shortstop.
Now let me throw a wet blanket on the whole party. Even if Castro can play at the big league level next year, should he? He’s only 19-years old. What’s the rush? I understand that it is exciting that the Cubs have a legit shortstop prospect, but why fast track him? Give him the time to learn his craft and grow into his body. Let him get stronger and add a little power to his game. Give him another year or two in the minors and make absolutely sure that he is ready for the big stage. Then, when he is ready, bring him up and give him every opportunity to succeed.
