DODGERS NOT PLAYING GAMES, DEAL FOR BRADLEY.Byline: Rich Hammond Rich Hammond Los Angeles Daily News sports writer. Instrumental in bringing the Los Angeles Kings hockey organization closer to the fans. He is the atypical "what a guy" to Kings fans everywhere. Rich Hammond on himself. Staff Writer ANAHEIM - After six months of inactivity, the Dodgers finally made their big move Sunday, and by all accounts within the organization, Milton Bradley  This article or section is written like a personal reflection or and may require .Please [ improve this article] by rewriting this article or section in an . was well worth the wait. The Dodgers acquired Bradley, a 25-year-old center fielder who is considered among the game's top young hitters, from the Cleveland Indians  Editing of this page by unregistered or newly registered users is currently disabled due to vandalism. in exchange for top prospect Franklin Gutierrez. Bradley will
bat third for the Dodgers and will be expected to boost what was
baseball's worst offense last season.
``I've been saying all along that I don't think the solution lies in just one player, but I think if anyone is close to being that one player, it's this guy,'' Dodgers general manager Paul DePodesta Paul DePodesta (born December 16, 1972) is baseball front-office assistant for the San Diego Padres. He has also served as general manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers from February 16, 2004 to October 29, 2005. said. ``I can't imagine a better fit for our club.'' Bradley hit .321 last season with 10 home runs, 56 RBI RBI abbr. Baseball runs batted in Noun 1. rbi - a run that is the result of the batter's performance; "he had more than 100 rbi last season" run batted in , 17 stolen bases and a .421 on-base percentage, even though hamstring and back injuries limited him to 101 games. ``We added a five-tool player In baseball, a five-tool player is one who excels at hitting for average, hitting for power, baserunning skills and speed, throwing ability, and fielding abilities. In Major League Baseball, players considered five-tool players have included Hall of Famers Willie Mays to this ballclub,'' manager Jim Tracy
The Indians viewed Bradley as a future All-Star but were troubled by questions about his maturity. In 2001, he got so drunk at a restaurant that he had to be taken to the hospital by emergency workers, and in February, Bradley was sentenced to three days in jail after speeding away from police during a traffic stop. Cleveland decided to trade Bradley after he failed to run out a pop fly that fell for a hit in a spring-training game last week, and the Dodgers were something of a curious suitor SUITOR. One who is a party to a suit or action in court. One who is a party to an action. In its ancient sense, suitor meant one Who was bound to attend the county court, also, one who formed part of the secta. (q.v.) because Bradley had a well-publicized exchange with Paul Lo Duca Paul Anthony Lo Duca (born April 12, 1972 in Brooklyn, New York) is a catcher in Major League Baseball who plays for the New York Mets. Previously, Lo Duca played for the Los Angeles Dodgers (1998-2004) and Florida Marlins (2004-2005). during a game in Cleveland last year. Bradley and Lo Duca exchanged words during and after that game, but both said the issue is in the past. However, Bradley kept one of Lo Duca's baseball cards taped to his locker this spring. ``I apologized to him the next day,'' Lo Duca said. ``I'm excited, and I want to be his friend and his teammate because I know he's going to help us win. He can play. He's one of those guys who's under the radar This article is about the magazine. For other uses, see Under the Radar (disambiguation). Under the Radar is an American magazine that bills itself as "The solution to music pollution." It features interviews with accompanying photo-shoots. and you don't hear a lot about, but he can hit and he's a great fielder.'' The Dodgers seemed unanimous in their desire to give Bradley a fresh start, as DePodesta said Bradley had developed a ``bad rap'' and touted his work in the Cleveland community. ``I've always dreamed about being a Dodger, and it's a great opportunity,'' said Bradley, who was reared in Long Beach. ``There has been some stuff in the past and I've been characterized as a bad guy, but if you talk to my former teammates and coaches they'll tell you that I'm just a competitive person.'' The cost for Bradley was high, as Gutierrez was considered the Dodgers' top offensive prospect. Cleveland also will receive a minor-league player to be announced To be announced (TBA) A contract for the purchase or sale of an MBS to be delivered at an agreed-upon future date but does not include a specified pool number and number of pools or precise amount to be delivered. . Bradley is under contract for $1.73 million this season and is eligible for arbitration after the next two seasons. ``This organization deserves better than just continually waiting for the future,'' DePodesta said. ``We want to be in the middle of this thing right now. This isn't just a one-year guy. This guy has a chance to be a cornerstone of our club for years to come.'' Rich Hammond, (818) 713-3611 rich.hammond(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): 2 photos, box Photo: (1 -- cover -- color) HE GOT GAME Dodgers trade top prospect for talented but troubled Cleveland outfielder Milton Bradley; Shawn Green moves to first base (2) There are questions about the maturity of Milton Bradley, whom the Dodgers got in a trade Sunday and will bat third. Ben Margot/Associated Press Box: MILTON BRADLEY |
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