Red Sox Predictions: 5 possible landing spots for Jackie Bradley Jr.
With Jackie Bradley Jr. likely to be traded this offseason under new Chief Baseball Officer, Chaim Bloom, let’s look at 5 possible destinations for the Gold Glover.
Jackie Bradley Jr. was drafted by the Red Sox in 2011. He hasn’t been awful in his time in Boston, but he hasn’t lived up to the 2016-All Star expectation he set. Despite that, it seems as if his time in Boston is over as Ken Rosenthal reported it is “all but certain” Bradley is traded.
Bradley is set to make $11 million in 2020, per MLB Trade Rumors. That is pricey for an offensively lacking, (.225/21/62) but strong center fielder. Bradley should be relatively easy to move compared to players such as Mookie Betts, Nathan Eovaldi, and David Price, so he is easy payroll to get rid of.
Bradley was one of the finalists for the gold glove in center field after winning in 2018. He had a slow start to the season but finished with an OPS of .738. He won the ALCS MVP in 2018 showing that he can shine with the biggest lights on – that’s what Boston does to you.
He would most likely not be acquired by a large market team, but rather fringe contenders that can marginally improve to sneak into the 2020 postseason. So, with the increasing expectation that Bradley will not be back for 2020, let’s examine 5 possible trade partners.
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds traded with the Cleveland Indians and San Diego Padres in order to acquire right-handed starter, Trevor Bauer. They are a possible fourth place to first-place team in 2020 with how the division looks.
They are rumored to be in on Yasmani Grandal and can expect a bounce-back performance from Joey Votto. They have top of the order threats in both Jesse Winker (.830 OPS in 2019) and Eugenio Suarez (49 HR’s in 2019).
With Yasiel Puig getting booted to Cleveland last season, the Reds could use an outfielder in order to be legitimate contenders for the NL Central title. Bradley could add a few wins in 2020, posting a 2.0 WAR in an awful 2019 campaign.
The Reds, a mid-market team that has to hold onto prospects, wouldn’t have to give up many in order to pry JBJ from Bloom. Bradley would only have 1-year of control remaining, so he wouldn’t be a factor post-2020.
Jackie hasn’t performed anywhere near to his all-star potential over the past 3 years, but a change in scenery could help him. Fenway Park has a deep right field, making it difficult for a left-handed pull hitter to thrive. The small dimensions of Great American Ballpark can definitely benefit him.
While Bradley wouldn’t be the piece that would make Cincinnati first place contenders, he would be a nice complimentary piece in a series of moves. With only adding $11 million if he was acquired, other free agents could be signed still such as Grandal and Jake Odorizzi.
Overall, the Reds may view that $11 million can be spent better elsewhere and choose another outfielder than Bradley. However, if veteran leadership is a priority for the Reds, a trade with Boston could be in the cards.
Minnesota Twins
Byron Buxton was supposed to be the center of the Minnesota Twin’s resurgence. Though injuries have constantly halted his time in the majors, the potential is still oozing through Buxton.
However, trading for Bradley could provide some stability in Minnesota’s outfield, as he averaged 145 games a season the past 4 years. He won’t be the main guy on the roster, but if acquired, he can fill in at either of the positions.
He could lengthen out the bottom of an already powerful lineup (307 home runs in 2019, the MLB record). He could play a very good center field in a large Target Field – similar to Buxton, except a near guarantee to play 140-plus games.
The Twins cruised to the AL Central crown in 2019, but struggled heavily in the postseason, getting swept by the Yankees. Bradley has experience against the Yankees, playing in the AL East his whole career. He also has postseason experience in 2016, 2017, and 2018.
The Twins wouldn’t be thrilled giving up a top prospect for 2020 JBJ, but if they believe that he can put up a 3-4 WAR season, it could be well worth it. If a player who posts a 90 OPS+ can boast a 2 WAR, anything like 2016 Bradley (118 OPS+) can turn into a stellar, MVP conversation, season.
Overall, the Twins outfield is already tightly packed and paying $11 million for a platoon player may not be something that Minnesota is interested in. If Boston were to eat some salary, this trade could make more sense from the Twins’ perspective.
San Francisco Giants
The San Fransisco Giants have had a goal to regroup and relieve themselves of bad contracts since Farhan Zaidi was hired as the President of Baseball Operations. The Giants have a massive outfield, specifically right-center, which Bradley can cover with his defensive prowess.
The Giants can afford Bradley for one season as they are one of the biggest market teams in baseball. The Giants won’t try to contend in 2020, but buying Bradley low to deal him at the deadline could be a sensible strategy.
They’ve lacked a true, defensively gifted center fielder for years. If acquired, Bradley could inject a young core, such as Mike Yastrzemski, with how to become better defensive players – like JD Martinez teaching the 2018 Red Sox better hitting techniques.
Unfortunately, if traded to the Bayside, it would not increase Bradley’s homers. However, with the large outfield, JBJ’s speed could be displayed and allow him to hit more doubles and triples. This might make him harder to trade come the 2020 Trade Deadline.
At the end of the day, the Giants may be interested in a buy-low player in order to get back a larger return than what they paid for him. Boston wouldn’t have to eat any salary as the Giants have a reducing payroll and can afford to pay a player for 1 year.
Arizona Diamondbacks
Another NL West team, the Arizona Diamondbacks lost AJ Pollock, Paul Goldschmidt, and Patrick Corbin in the 2018-2019 offseason. Then Zack Greinke was dealt to Houston for 4 prospects at the 2019 Trade Deadline.
Finishing 4 games above .500, despite heavy losses, the Diamondbacks showed that they can be contenders in 2020. Finishing 4 games behind a second Wild Card, one piece can allow them to sneak into the crowded NL playoff field.
With the young prospects acquired from St. Louis and Houston sure to advance in 2020, then the Diamondbacks have a chance to give the Dodgers a run for their money. While winning the NL West division is unlikely, the Wild Card is definitely in Arizona’s reach.
Due to dropping expensive players at the recent Trade Deadline and offseason, the payroll has shrunk significantly over the past few years. The D-Backs are set to have around a $105 million dollar payroll so $11 million for Bradley should be affordable.
If he can post 2016 numbers, Bradley can be a key piece in the success of the 2020 Diamondbacks in addition to helping the young core. He has the postseason experience that most in Arizona lack and can pass it down.
For a medium prospect or two, Bradley can help the D’backs in the future and now. He can provide a consistent center field and has potential offensive upside if he can regain his prior form.
New York Mets
The New York Mets center-fielder in 2019 was Juan Lagares who had a -0.7 WAR. With Lagares hitting the free-agent market, the Mets could use a definitive upgrade at the position.
Bradley obviously didn’t set the world on fire, but wouldn’t lose the Mets games as he had a 2 WAR in 2019. Though last year was a bad season – a better campaign could come as displayed in 2016.
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The Mets have depleted their farm system the past few years in the Robinson Cano and Marcus Stroman trades. If they displayed an interest in taking Bradley off Boston’s hands, it wouldn’t require a haul of prospects.
Giving up a prospect for one year of Bradley may not entice the Mets though. Perhaps, if signed to an extension and then traded, the Mets may jump at the chance for Jackie. A 3-year, $20 million dollar contract may be enough for a JBJ extension.
Being a fringe contender in 2019, Bradley could be the finishing touch that pushes the Mets into a Wild Card berth. If the Mets could swing into the postseason, they could make a deep run, especially with their powerful starting rotation.
Overall, this trade has a very good chance of happening because the Red Sox are seemingly desperately shopping Bradley in order to cut payroll. The Mets have a hole in center field which could be fulfilled, while also helping out the Red Sox financially.