The Cubs might like to find a new home for Milton Bradley, but it won’t be Detroit.

The rumor of Tigers interest in the gifted but much-maligned outfielder began with a Twitter from White Sox broadcaster Steve Stone, then picked up steam quickly with a report from a Chicago web site.

That was news to the Tigers. A source with knowledge of the team’s plans said Bradley’s name hasn’t come up in organizational discussions all year. For a team that has been searching far and wide for offensive help, that speaks volumes.

The reasons are numerous. Though the Tigers lost out on Matt Holliday, there remain several outfield/DH types on the market with better numbers and contracts than Bradley, who entered Saturday batting .242 with six home runs and 22 RBIs and is under contract through 2011 with $21 million over the next two years. Even with money kicked in, it would still be a big commitment for a player who would probably be a full-time DH again in the American League.

While manager Jim Leyland has a reputation for working well with players who have been labeled as difficult, he does not like issues that distract from the team. And Bradley, justifiably or not, would have the potential to be a major distraction.

— Jason Beck