Brewers sign Jackie Bradley Jr. (2-year/$24M with player option after first year.)

[GenoSeligPrieb]

Migod, if I added together the birthdays of my family, my number would look like I'm a non-roster invitee.

[markedman5]

https://images.app.goo.gl/zRXhkf6L5PiQyMRPA

 

I remember this 41

[MNBrew]

Gross number.

No, Gabe Gross wore #18.

[MNBrew]

... if I added together the birthdays of my family, my number would look like I'm a non-roster invitee.

That formula would make me wear #179. That would pretty much make me a borrowed-for-the-day-from-minor-league-camp guy for the Yankees.

 

Edit: OOPS, that's the sum of our ages, not birthdates, though the latter puts us at 109, which is still Yankees minor league camp loan guy -- same end result, just not quite so high.

[reillymcshane]

Gross number.

I'd call it a prime number

[GenoSeligPrieb]

A gross number would be 144

[Pugger]

I finally got to see a replay of the Crew play the Cubs last night in MBL Network and BA along with Rock said Bradley hasn't officially signed? What is up with this?

[Lathund]

I finally got to see a replay of the Crew play the Cubs last night in MBL Network and BA along with Rock said Bradley hasn't officially signed? What is up with this?

 

Signings are usually "pending a physical". This year, there are Covid routines (Short quarantine, negative covid test) before they can join the ST complex. Which is where the physical will be done, I assume. So there will be a delay between the time a deal is agreed and the actual signing. Has generally been the case for signings this offseasn, longer delay than usual between reports of a done deal and official announcement. In some cases also due to needing to sort out the 40-man roster spot too, but many have been for Covid reasons.

[PDCBalla]

Sounds like things will be official today and Bradley will be in camp.

[Pugger]

I finally got to see a replay of the Crew play the Cubs last night in MBL Network and BA along with Rock said Bradley hasn't officially signed? What is up with this?

 

Signings are usually "pending a physical". This year, there are Covid routines (Short quarantine, negative covid test) before they can join the ST complex. Which is where the physical will be done, I assume. So there will be a delay between the time a deal is agreed and the actual signing. Has generally been the case for signings this offseasn, longer delay than usual between reports of a done deal and official announcement. In some cases also due to needing to sort out the 40-man roster spot too, but many have been for Covid reasons.

 

OIC

 

I saw MLB Network is airing today's Crew/Angels game 10 PM Eastern tonight at so I'll get to check them out again. Perhaps Bradley will play.

[jerichoholicninja]

A gross number would be 144

 

Eye roll at that dad joke.

[mtrebs]

A gross number would be 144

 

Eye roll at that dad joke.

 

I thought it was pretty funny... and more clever than a typical dad joke.

[CheezWizHed]

A gross number would be 144

 

Eye roll at that dad joke.

 

I thought it was pretty funny... and more clever than a typical dad joke.

 

Its pretty typical of my "dad jokes", so I approve!

 

My jokes do have the power to make my teenage son walk get up, walk into the room I'm in, roll his eyes at me, and walk back out.

[CheezWizHed]

Back to JBJ discussion...

 

[sarcasm]I'm surprised no one has brought up how we can now start 4 OFers and use Arcia and Wong shifted over to cover the infield. Thirdbase problem solved![/sarcasm]

 

I really think JBJ is Cain insurance. In 2019, Cain had an off year... probably injury driven. Then he opts out of 2020. Now he comes back and I'm not sure anyone knows what we will get from him. Maybe the year off helped his body recover and he'll bounce back. Or maybe 2019 was the beginning of decline for him.

 

So at worst, we have JBJ there to fill in for Cain as the starter.

 

At best, JBJ is used a spot starter to give all three guys a break and a late inning defensive replacement for Cain (reduce wear-and-tear in meaningless games) or Yelich. This probably could've been done with Taylor also, but as I said above... I'm thinking he is much more about Cain insurance.

[jjfanec]

Back to JBJ discussion...

 

[sarcasm]I'm surprised no one has brought up how we can now start 4 OFers and use Arcia and Wong shifted over to cover the infield. Thirdbase problem solved![/sarcasm]

 

I really think JBJ is Cain insurance. In 2019, Cain had an off year... probably injury driven. Then he opts out of 2020. Now he comes back and I'm not sure anyone knows what we will get from him. Maybe the year off helped his body recover and he'll bounce back. Or maybe 2019 was the beginning of decline for him.

 

So at worst, we have JBJ there to fill in for Cain as the starter.

 

At best, JBJ is used a spot starter to give all three guys a break and a late inning defensive replacement for Cain (reduce wear-and-tear in meaningless games) or Yelich. This probably could've been done with Taylor also, but as I said above... I'm thinking he is much more about Cain insurance.

 

It will be interesting because at this point I assume Bradley will be better than Cain and not just because of the missed season. Bradley was good last year and in 2019 he hit better than Cain even with his second lowest BABIP of his career.

[SeaBass]

Yes, Cain was injured during 2019. If you'll remember he had issues with his thumb which ultimately required him to get the same cryotherapy that Braun had done a few times for his thumb issue. Cain's 2nd half in 2019 saw a performance more in line with his career slash numbers. Still wasn't as great as his 2018 but it was more of a normal performance for him.

 

2019:

Pre-All Star break (83 games): .246/.309/.352/.660

Post-All Star break (65 games): .281/.350/.403/.752

 

Career:

.288/.348/.413/.761

 

I just keep seeing posts doubting Cain and, while the future for any aging player is always questionable, I think people focus on his season numbers from 2019 rather than looking closer and remembering his injuries. He still regressed and the thumb bothered him for "a little over a month" so it can't explain away all of his struggles but I think it's important to emphasize that his 2nd half showed evidence of him performing more normally and snapping out of his early season funk.

[markedman5]

Sophia interviewing Bradley.....” What was it that drew you to the Brewers?”

 

Bradley “ They offered the most money”

 

Just kidding.....just once it would be funny to hear a player( other then Greinke) just admit the obvious......lol

[DR28]

Agreed, I dont understand all the Cain bashing... Dude is still a good ball player... We need him roaming center while JBJ roams right.

[monty57]

Yes, Cain was injured during 2019. If you'll remember he had issues with his thumb which ultimately required him to get the same cryotherapy that Braun had done a few times for his thumb issue. Cain's 2nd half in 2019 saw a performance more in line with his career slash numbers. Still wasn't as great as his 2018 but it was more of a normal performance for him.

 

2019:

Pre-All Star break (83 games): .246/.309/.352/.660

Post-All Star break (65 games): .281/.350/.403/.752

 

Career:

.288/.348/.413/.761

 

I just keep seeing posts doubting Cain and, while the future for any aging player is always questionable, I think people focus on his season numbers from 2019 rather than looking closer and remembering his injuries. He still regressed and the thumb bothered him for "a little over a month" so it can't explain away all of his struggles but I think it's important to emphasize that his 2nd half showed evidence of him performing more normally and snapping out of his early season funk.

 

I like Cain, and hope he does great for us this year. My biggest concern is that he took last year off, and said the only exercise he got was chasing after his kids. Counsell is obviously concerned about the shape he's in, as he put him on a program that kept him out of games for the first week in order to get him in shape and ready for game action. Then, in that first week of training he pulled something in his leg, further delaying his progression.

 

These guys are professional athletes. I have doubts that Cain will be at his elite level this year. I hope I'm wrong, but it looks like he took a year off and got soft, and the Brewers are on the hook to pay him regardless of whether or not he gets back to "playing shape."

 

Meanwhile, Garcia shed 35 pounds and looks like a different person. At this point, I'm thinking that it will be Cain who loses the most playing time out of the trio of Bradley, Cain, and Garcia. Either way, I'm glad we have the extra depth.

[Warning Track Power]

I like Cain, and hope he does great for us this year. My biggest concern is that he took last year off, and said the only exercise he got was chasing after his kids. Counsell is obviously concerned about the shape he's in, as he put him on a program that kept him out of games for the first week in order to get him in shape and ready for game action. Then, in that first week of training he pulled something in his leg, further delaying his progression.

 

These guys are professional athletes. I have doubts that Cain will be at his elite level this year. I hope I'm wrong, but it looks like he took a year off and got soft, and the Brewers are on the hook to pay him regardless of whether or not he gets back to "playing shape."

 

Meanwhile, Garcia shed 35 pounds and looks like a different person. At this point, I'm thinking that it will be Cain who loses the most playing time out of the trio of Bradley, Cain, and Garcia. Either way, I'm glad we have the extra depth.

While the Brewers don't have the financial resources to carry a $16m a year leader, I will say that Cain's role in the clubhouse cannot be understated and I think that was evident in 2020. Whereas Braun always seemed like a more quiet lead-by-example kind of guy, Cain seemed to be the heartbeat of the team since his return. I share some concern about his early spring injury concerns and the year off, but I think a majority of his value is in the intangibles. While he can't hit .240 and provide no power, a season of 80% of normal Cain D and a .275/.340 slash will play. I think he can do it.

[markedman5]

Will Sammon

@WillSammon

·

30m

Jackie Bradley Jr. will play in his first Cactus League game on Saturday, Craig Counsell said. He will also participate in intrasquad game on Friday.

[djoctagone]

reported that bradley, jr. has a mutual option for a third year on his contract.

[RollieTime]

Yuck, $6.5 million buyout for next season?

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

Yuck, $6.5 million buyout for next season?

 

Which combined with his $6.5 base salary for this year makes for a total guarantee of $13 million, which I believe was reported previously. It's just a way for the Brewers to kick the can down the road to a season when revenue has theoretically been returned to closer to normal levels.

[CheezWizHed]

Yes, Cain was injured during 2019. If you'll remember he had issues with his thumb which ultimately required him to get the same cryotherapy that Braun had done a few times for his thumb issue. Cain's 2nd half in 2019 saw a performance more in line with his career slash numbers. Still wasn't as great as his 2018 but it was more of a normal performance for him.

 

2019:

Pre-All Star break (83 games): .246/.309/.352/.660

Post-All Star break (65 games): .281/.350/.403/.752

 

Career:

.288/.348/.413/.761

 

I just keep seeing posts doubting Cain and, while the future for any aging player is always questionable, I think people focus on his season numbers from 2019 rather than looking closer and remembering his injuries. He still regressed and the thumb bothered him for "a little over a month" so it can't explain away all of his struggles but I think it's important to emphasize that his 2nd half showed evidence of him performing more normally and snapping out of his early season funk.

 

I like Cain, and hope he does great for us this year. My biggest concern is that he took last year off, and said the only exercise he got was chasing after his kids. Counsell is obviously concerned about the shape he's in, as he put him on a program that kept him out of games for the first week in order to get him in shape and ready for game action. Then, in that first week of training he pulled something in his leg, further delaying his progression.

 

These guys are professional athletes. I have doubts that Cain will be at his elite level this year. I hope I'm wrong, but it looks like he took a year off and got soft, and the Brewers are on the hook to pay him regardless of whether or not he gets back to "playing shape."

 

Meanwhile, Garcia shed 35 pounds and looks like a different person. At this point, I'm thinking that it will be Cain who loses the most playing time out of the trio of Bradley, Cain, and Garcia. Either way, I'm glad we have the extra depth.

 

Yes, this. It isn't bashing Cain, it is being realistic about his age, injury history, and taking a year off.

 

If you were to wager on which of our starting OFers was most likely to not reach their career numbers and/or have an injury prone year, which one would you choose?

 

Cain - Age 35 - 288/348/418

Yeli - Age 29 - 296/381/488

Garcia - Age 29 - 271/324/472

 

Cain is clearly the wild card because of age and time away. Signing JBJ is probably 50% Cain insurance, 25% 4th OFer (which means starting about 10% of games), 15% Garcia insurance/platoon-mate, 9% Yeli injury insurance, and 1% Yeli performance insurance. Either way it adds up to a good move, IMO.