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Agree with everyone else about Bradley. No, no, no.

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Bobby Jenks in all likelihood will be dealt. The return loot is what has me pondering the possibilities. The Sox shouldn’t be content with their middle infield. I advocate Jayson Nix over Getz presently simply because with the streamlining of this line-up, power still matters in the AL. – Getz has none. Alexei surprisingly is a much better SS than 2B (calculated via range factors, etc), so the so solution to the problem isn’t necessarily moving Ramirez back to second; but rather hoping he continues to grow at SS and obtain a better option at 2B. This is what I would target in return for Bobby Jenks, but not educated as to available players ready for promotion or available to be plucked off a roster in need of a high-priced closer (Angels, Dodgers, Philly, Cubs). As a back-up I target a left fielder.

My Keys for next year:
Carlos Quentin must reclaim THE Carlos Quentin status, again. Foot injury was detrimental, but to bank on his production for next year and beyond, he needs to perform and stay healthy.

Scott Linebrink needs cannot be utterly dreadful and fill the void of Dotel. Perhaps the vision of him taking the ball in the 7th or 8th as a bridge with Thorton is now a pipe dream, but he proved capable of getting a couple outs – just not sealing the deal and his K/IP ratio is still pretty good.

Scott Podsednik has performed above and beyond any reasonable expectation – yet the team has continued to struggle despite a traditional lead-off hitter. His value remains only a win and a half above replacement – in his best season since 2005 and what I would classify his absolute ceiling of production! He simply cannot return and occupy either the DH or a corner infield position – the production lost is too detrimental to the ballclub and his defense is awful to put kindly.

Outside the Box Proposal: The Cubs will unquestionably have to eat a huge portion of the Milton Bradley contract, if not all of it; if you are Kenny Williams and have faith in your top down management structure and in Ozzie who has proven to handle abrasive personalities very well (AJ, Carl Everett) – would you take a flyer on Milton? He can transition to a less media frenzied ballclub and return to taking the majority of his at-bats from the DH position. You could trot him out to RF every once and a while to spell Quentin and insert him second in the lineup. The Sox need a high OBP player who won’t “clog” the bases when they take a walk, KW went on record to suggest this just a recent as a two days ago. The dude has been bad news, but in terms of fiscal opportunity in holding the Cubs accountable for the majority of remaining dollars and evaluating risk / reward – I would be inclined to trust my manager and GM on the Southside to ensure the situation would never reach boiling point. I can’t believe I’m actually advocating this proposal – but it does make sense from a pure baseball / high reward talent acquisition perspective. The question becomes is the risk worth it on a club certainly to have a lot of young players?

Left Field (assuming Quentin shifts to RF) One man supposedly would solve a lot of problems: Chone Figgins. He is having a banner season – over six wins above replacement. However, history would tell us he will regress back to his career averages – which are still very good, but much less than ’09 and will likely be paid according to this year’s production. I am a traditionalist despite seeing my team win a WS in 2005 against this philosophy: Corner OF positions must provide some thunder. Thus, I would love to a Jayson Bay as one of the Sox “kids” are still probably a year or two away (Danks, Viciendo, Flowers); but perhaps Figgins at 2B :)

A final note on DH opportunities: I cringe every time a Nationals game is on BTN and I see Adam Dunn crushing the ball – the Thome contract was one year too long, but wonder if the Nats would spring him loose for the right combination of players. He is one of only a few players capable of blasting 50HR in the post-steroid era.

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