Top 5 Red Sox Who Should Have Been Traded In 2015

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Mar 31, 2015; Port Charlotte, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. (25) runs back to the dugout at the end of the third inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Charlotte Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

#4 – Jackie Bradley Jr.

The Red Sox have called Jackie Bradley Jr up to the majors several times now and every time the sox get the same results, great defense but terrible hitting. When Bradley Jr is playing the the outfield there is no question that defensively he is one of the best in the majors. He has great range that gives him the ability to track down any fly ball, and he also has an extremely strong arm. The one downfall on his game is his ability to hit big league pitching.

Bradley Jr’s career batting stats in the minors are a .294 batting average, with 135 RBI and a .391 OBP. Those stats are only in 4 years of minor league ball. In the majors it’s a whole other story. In three seasons with the sox Bradley is batting a .191 with 43 RBI and a .264 OBP. Why can’t Bradley Jr hit in the majors? He can field great, but he just can’t simply hit the ball and in the Red Sox lineup they can’t afford to have a player who can’t hold their weight at the plate.

The Red Sox should have explored a trade to ship Jackie Bradley off. He would have helped a team who is very strong offensively but that was in need of some defensive assurance. What could he have brought back in return? Possibly some young pitching prospects but anything would help.

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