And like that, the Cubs are done upgrading in the field - although it remains debatable as to whether or not the team actually upgraded (and I'll have a post on that tomorrow, probably).

As HC pointed out in the Reader's Blogs, the Cubs now have an overflowing roster, but in theory they still have a couple of moves to make.  First and foremost, Jim Hendry will probably make one more attempt to acquire Jake Peavy.  He also just might go after another lefty reliever assuming he doesn't want to burden Cub fans with the presence of Neal Cotts next year.

I have to disagree with Rob, though.  Lou Piniella has demonstrated the tenacity to start the best player.  He does not play favorites, especially not with newcomers, and Aaron Miles and his versatility makes way more sense on the bench.

As it stands, I like the team's chances in '09 and I'll love them if they acquire Peavy.

On December 13, 2005, Bradley was traded to the Oakland Athletics along with infielder Antonio Pérez for outfielder Andre Ethier, who at the time was a minor league prospect.

In game 4 of the 2006 American League Championship Series versus the Detroit Tigers, Bradley became the third player in Major League History to hit home runs from each side of the plate in a playoff game, joining Bernie Williams and Chipper Jones.

On June 21, 2007, the Athletics designated Bradley for assignment. Eight days later, the San Diego Padres acquired Bradley and cash considerations from the Oakland A's in exchange for minor league pitcher Andrew Brown, marking the second time the two had been traded for each other. The Padres did not require Bradley to pass a physical examination before signing him, as he would have failed it and gone elsewhere. Bradley started his tenure with the Padres on the 15-day disabled list, but came off it right before the All-Star break. After the break, he was a continual starter in left field and one of the most consistent hitters for the Padres throughout the rest of the season.

According to the The Dallas Morning News Bradley attempted to confront Kansas City Royals television announcer Ryan Lefebvre in the press box following a game due to what he believed were unfair comments made on the air. As the Rangers' designated hitter, Bradley was able to watch the broadcast when he wasn't on the field and took offense to a comparison Lefebrve made between him and Josh Hamilton. Manager Ron Washington and general manager Jon Daniels chased after him and stopped Bradley before he got to Lefebvre, at which point Bradley returned to the clubhouse in tears and said

"All I want to do is play baseball and make a better life for my kid than I had, that's it," Bradley said to a quiet clubhouse. "I love all you guys. ... I'm strong, but I'm not that strong."

Daniels said that Bradley was upset that someone that didn't know him was passing judgments about him.^[8]

Let's hope to God Milton Bradley doesn't know about this blog.

It appears that your 2009 Cubs lineup is, as follows:

CF  Johnson/Fooky

SS  The Riot

3B  Clutchy McClutcherson

RF  Life!  by Milton Bradley

LF  Sori (I dropped that fly ball, I'll do better next time)

1B DPLee

C  Rookie-of-the-year

2B Icanseefor Miles

P  Pitcher du-jour

Let's go get 'em!!!