Report: Cubs sign OF Bradley

Jan 5, 2009 - 9:57 PM BRISTOL, Connecticut (Ticker) -- The Chicago Cubs apparently have found a left-handed bat to augment their lineup.

The Chicago Cubs have agreed to a three-year, $30 million contract with free-agent outfielder Milton Bradley, ESPN reported Monday.

Although Bradley has had a history of anger issues, he enjoyed a solid season with the Texas Rangers last year, leading the American League with a .436 on-base percentage. He batted .321 with 22 home runs and 77 RBI.

According to numerous reports, the Cubs are close to a trade that will send righthander Jason Marquis and his nearly annual $9 million contract to the Colorado Rockies for reliever Luis Vizcaino.

The deal would free up enough money for the Cubs to sign Bradley.

Cubs righthander Ryan Dempster told the Chicago Tribune that he would love to have Bradley as a teammate.

"I know (Bradley) has that reputation of being a hothead, but you hear from guys who played with him, and they all say he's a great teammate," Dempster said. "Obviously, he'll bring a pretty powerful dynamic to our lineup."

The Cubs recently traded versatile utility man Mark DeRosa to the Cleveland Indians.

The 30-year Bradley is a career .280 hitter with 103 homers and 399 RBI in parts of nine major league seasons.

The addition of Bradley would provide diversity to Chicago's predominantly right-handed lineup, which features Alfonso Soriano, Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez and reigning National League Rookie of the Year Geovany Soto.