Texas Rangers offer outfielder Milton Bradley arbitration

by PegNews wire

ARLINGTON — The Texas Rangers anounced today that they have offered free-agent outfielder/designated hitter Milton Bradley arbitration. The team has declined to do so with three other players: Jason Jennings, Jamey Wright and Ramon Vazquez.

Photo not provided by Milton Bradley, Texas Rangers

The 174 year-old inventor shined in the designated hitter role this past summer

Bradley, who is a Type B free agent, has until Sunday to accept the offer. If he doesn't and signs with another team, the Rangers will receive a supplemental first round pick in next year's First-Year Player Draft.

Bradley led the Rangers with a .321 batting average in 2008 while scoring 78 runs with 22 home runs and 77 RBIs. He was named to the American League All-Star team and set a club record with a .436 on-base percentage.

If Bradley accepts arbitration, then he becomes a signed player on the 40-man roster. He spent most of this past season as the Rangers' designated hitter, but that job is expected to go to Hank Blalock next year.

The Rangers declined to offer arbitration to pitchers Jason Jennings and Jamey Wright and infielder Ramon Vazquez. Jennings has been a disabled-list regular, Wright was ineffective in middle relief and Vazquez was a liability in the field, in addition to fading at the plate over the second half of the season.

Source: Texas Rangers