Boston Red Sox outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. has had his name in the trade winds all winter long but he isn’t worried about the rumor mill.
It’s no surprise to Red Sox centerfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. to see his name involved in the trade winds this winter. Hell, it feels like anytime there is even a rumor of a possible trade for Boston he’s included somehow. For several seasons now it seems that we’ve all read or heard some report that has the defensive dynamo heading to another city.
The rumblings don’t worry JBJ, however, as he knows that he doesn’t have much say in the matter. Trades can be one of the most exciting sporting situations for fans but they can also be heartbreaking in the same breath. Players and their families are uprooted and shipped off to another team with even more uncertainty than what they left with their previous organization.
Alas, baseball is just like any other business and when all is said and done, everyone is expendable. JBJ was one of the several players in attendance at the recent Red Sox Winter Weekend event and he was asked about his feelings on the topic.
"“Same as every year,” Bradley said at Red Sox Winter Weekend at MGM Springfield. “I’ve been traded seven, eight, nine different times every year. So it’s the same. Like I said, I don’t put too much attention into it. It’s out of my control. One of those things where if I can’t control it or I can’t do anything to impact that, then I’m not going to worry about it."
As much of a bummer as it has to be to constantly hear rumors that your team may want to get rid of you, I think his mindset is perfect. He knows that he can’t control the situation and nothing he can say or do will change what the front office does. I’m sure in the back of his mind it may weigh a bit heavy, but he doesn’t appear to be letting it control his mental space.
When the offseason first began I fully believed that we had seen the last of Jackie in a Red Sox uniform. However, with the recent shakeup in Boston, I think Chaim Bloom has his hands more than full with his manager search and maybe closing the trade window for now. I’m sure something could always pop up but there are bigger fish to fry right now for the new CBO.
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JBJ was one of a handful of players that avoided arbitration ahead of the 2020 season by agreeing to an $11M salary for the upcoming season. The Gold Glove winner is gearing up for the final year on his current deal with the Red Sox as free agency looms next winter. Something could always happen as Boston tries to inch ever so much closer to that magical $208M CBT threshold.
"“I’m prepared. When the season starts, I’ll be ready. And I’m excited. I’m excited for the opportunity to go out there and perform and help my team win. And when free agency comes around, I’ll focus on that and go from there.”"
When you look at what Bradley brings to the table his defense is always the first thing mentioned, and rightfully so. What he does out in centerfield should be considered art and immortalized in every gallery the world over. He has glimmers of genius when at the plate as well as we saw in the 2018 ALCS.
He may not have had the hottest bat but his hits came at times when the Red Sox needed them the most, earning him the MVP award for the series.
I can admit that I have had my ups and downs with JBJ during his time in Boston but I’ve always appreciated his effort. Whenever he has that uniform on he gives everything he has in the tank to help the Red Sox add another tally to the win column. I hope he finishes his time at Fenway Park with a hell of a 2020 and has a nice contract coming his way, he’s more than earned every penny.