Winter Meetings: Red Sox Jackie Bradley Jr. trade proposals

With rumors that the Red Sox are going to trade Jackie Bradley Jr., lets go over trade proposals with a few of the teams rumored to be in on the outfielder.

With the Winter Meetings beginning today and the New York Mets presumably exiting the Jackie Bradley Jr. sweepstakes due to the acquisition of Jake Marisnick, his trade market for the Boston Red Sox doesn’t seem as large as it was once conceived to be.

His shrinking market decreases the value of Bradley as this gives the Red Sox less leverage in trade negotiations. There are still some teams, specifically fringe contenders, still in the market for a center fielder. MLB Trade Rumors suggests teams such as the Reds, Padres, Cubs, White Sox, and Diamondbacks.

However, other names have been put on the trading block. If the teams that have an interest in an outfielder are looking for a better player, they could choose to acquire the likes of Starling Marte, Charlie Blackmon, or Kyle Schwarber.

These players would cost much more as they would deliver significantly more production than the Red Sox center fielder. Nonetheless, let’s make plausible trade proposals for JBJ with a few of the remaining teams.

Red Sox acquire: SP Corbin Martin

Diamondbacks acquire: OF Jackie Bradley Jr.

In this trade, the Diamondbacks acquire the proven center fielder in Bradley, while giving up a piece of the future. Arizona doesn’t want to go all in for 2020, but they should be fringe contenders as they accumulated 85 wins in 2019. The Red Sox are looking to deal away Bradley and the $11 million (per MLB Trade Rumors) he is set to make in 2020.

Corbin Martin is a prospect who was brought in during the recent Zack Greinke trade with the Houston Astros. He underwent Tommy John surgery in July of this past season and there is virtually no chance he will pitch in 2020.  With no guarantee he will come back and be the pitcher he once was, the Diamondbacks may not be against trading him away. He wouldn’t cost the Red Sox much in 2020 which would help lower the payroll.

Red Sox acquire: RP Kyle Ryan, OF Albert Almora

Cubs acquire: OF Jackie Bradley Jr.

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The Cubs could use a short-term upgrade in center field and the Red Sox can provide that. Their primary center fielder in 2020 was Albert Almora and he had a 66 OPS+. That is even worse than Bradley and he is well…. a defensive oriented player.

Almora would be sent to the Red Sox to fill the void of Bradley. He would likely platoon with Sam Travis or whoever takes over in the outfield. Kyle Ryan would also be sent over, a serviceable relief pitcher who authored a 3.54 ERA in 2019.

Per MLB Trade Rumors, Ryan and Almora will combine to make less than $3 million in 2020, about $8 million less than Bradley.

Red Sox acquire: OF Nick Senzel

Reds acquire: OF Jackie Bradley Jr.

This trade is straight up center fielder for center fielder. Nick Senzel played his rookie season last year with Cincinnati and hit below average. He had an 89 OPS+ and played an average to below-average center field. With the Reds signing Mike Moustakas to compete in the bleak NL Central, they have a strong case to sneak into the postseason. Bradley could put the Reds over the hump.

The Red Sox would acquire a below-average outfielder with five years left of control. He will make around $1 million next year and would be a downgrade from Bradley. However, he could improve in those five years and could end up being a steal while Bradley helps propel the Reds into the postseason in 2020.