Dodgers trade Milton Bradley to the A's

[faba]

Dodgers trade Milton Bradley to Athletics

Dodgers trade Milton Bradley to Athletics

By JOHN NADEL, AP Sports Writer

December 13, 2005

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The Los Angeles Dodgers unloaded Milton Bradley on Tuesday, sending the switch-hitting outfielder to the Oakland Athletics along with infielder Antonio Perez for minor league outfielder Andre Ethier, the Texas League player of the year.

Bradley, acquired by the Dodgers shortly before the start of the 2004 season after a run-in with Cleveland Indians manager Eric Wedge, feuded with teammate Jeff Kent last season.

Bradley didn't play after accusing Kent of a lack of leadership and an inability to deal with African-American players on Aug. 23. The following day, Bradley learned he had sustained serious injuries to his left knee that required surgery.

It was made public later in August that police responded three times to Bradley's home in nearby Redondo Beach on domestic violence calls, but he wasn't arrested or charged.

General manager Ned Colletti, hired last month by the Dodgers, believed he had no choice in the matter, that a reconciliation with Bradley wasn't possible.

"I went into it with the idea of trying to keep him a Dodger," Colletti said. "It was clearer and clearer there was no way to make this thing work. I got no glimmer at all that it could work."

Colletti said he didn't speak with Bradley until Tuesday.

"I was looking for a way to mediate," Colletti said. "I was looking for a way to keep him. At every turn, I just got stopped. I got it from a lot of different places including inside the clubhouse, outside the clubhouse, people who have known him very well and have known him for a long time.

"There hasn't been a day gone by where I haven't talked to somebody about this."

Colletti said his conversation with Bradley informing him of the trade was brief.

"He didn't have a lot to say," Colletti said. "I just gave him the information, and wished him well. That was it."

Colletti said he thinks Ethier has a chance to be "a very good everyday player in the big leagues" as a corner outfielder, but not right away.

The 23-year-old Ethier will probably begin next season in Triple-A, Colletti said, adding he could arrive at the big-league level sometime next season or in 2007.

"The scouts were very positive on him," Colletti said. "We had asked about him a while back. There was no way they were going to move him."

That situation obviously changed. Even so, Colletti said the Dodgers need to rebuild their outfield, where starters J.D. Drew and Jayson Werth return as regulars but the status of both could be uncertain because of health issues.

Colletti has been in contact with representatives for free-agent outfielders Johnny Damon and Jacque Jones, but didn't sound optimistic on either front.

Bradley has had several issues with his temper. He was suspended for the final five games of the 2004 season when he slammed a plastic bottle at the feet of a fan in the box seats in the right field corner at Dodger Stadium after someone threw it on the field. Nobody was injured.

He had anger management counseling during the offseason, and kept his temper in control last season -- even when discussing Kent, although his comments were scathing.

Then-Dodgers manager Jim Tracy later said he was disappointed Bradley was as candid as he was with the media, saying he had told the player to "keep it in-house."

Colletti said he didn't speak with Kent concerning Bradley's status.

The 27-year-old Bradley hit .290 with 13 homers and 38 RBIs in 283 at-bats. He was limited to 75 games, also missing extensive playing time because of a torn ligament in his right ring finger.

Bradley hit .267 with 19 homers and 67 RBIs in 141 games for the Dodgers in 2004, and .321 with 10 homers and 56 RBIs in 101 games for the Indians in 2003.

The 25-year-old Perez hit .297 with three homers and 23 RBIs in 259 at-bats as a part-time infielder for the Dodgers last season.

Ethier, who bats and throws left-handed, hit .319 in 131 games with 18 homers and 80 RBIs for Midland of the Texas League. He also had 30 doubles among his 161 hits and scored 104 runs. In addition, he played in four games with Triple-A Sacramento of the PCL.

Ethier was a second-round draft pick of the A's in 2003 after playing at Arizona State.

[The Troll]

Great. Now I am sure Jacque Jones will be manning right for the Cubs next year.

I hate you, Jim Hendry.

[GimmeShelter]

If I am looking for a CF I would have to think about Jay Payton.

He was lights out for Oakland after forcing his way out of Boston.

If not Payton, Kotsay maybe available on the cheap.

Jaques Jones cant hit lefties. Why did the Cubs sour on Burnitz?

[Barton]

Kotsay would be a great fit on the Yankees, but no way in hell do I give up any of these players for him:

Cano, Wang, Hughes and Duncan.

I dont know, I think if the Yankees trade for Kotsay, I will not be happy with what the Yankees give up. It will be too much.

[GimmeShelter]

Kotsay would be a great fit on the Yankees, but no way in hell do I give up any of these players for him:

Cano, Wang, Hughes and Duncan.

I dont know, I think if the Yankees trade for Kotsay, I will not be happy with what the Yankees give up. It will be too much.

For Kotsay no. Be interested to see what the price on a Zito-Kotsay package was though.

[The Troll]

If I am looking for a CF I would have to think about Jay Payton.

He was lights out for Oakland after forcing his way out of Boston.

If not Payton, Kotsay maybe available on the cheap.

Jaques Jones cant hit lefties. Why did the Cubs sour on Burnitz?

Burnitz blows, that's why we soured on him. He is a strikeout machine that faded into oblivion after the first two months of the season.

[Smizzy]

Id love to see Bubba in CF all yr.

[mbn007]

For Kotsay no. Be interested to see what the price on a Zito-Kotsay package was though.

Maybe teh A's try to move kotsay to RF, and play both Kotsay and Bradley?