Red Sox center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. has been popular in trade rumors in the past, though no club has come up with a compelling enough offer to pry him out of Boston yet. Now, however, Bradley is approaching his last year of team control – in which he’ll make a projected $11MM – and the Red Sox may be on the verge of reducing payroll. With those factors in mind, Bradley may be heading into the offseason as one of the majors’ strongest trade candidates. Bradley, with his combination of defensive adeptness, passable offense and quality base running, remains valuable enough on the field for the Red Sox to tender him a contract at a fairly high cost. But if the Red Sox decide it would be wise to move on via trade in the coming weeks, there would surely be interest from elsewhere. Bradley probably isn’t going to require a sizable return in a trade, after all, and free agency isn’t exactly rife with appealing center fielders teams could count on as starters.
Here’s a look at several clubs that could inquire about Bradley…
- Braves: Center field isn’t a pressing need for the Braves, as they could continue to go with superstar Ronald Acuna Jr. as their man pick there (at least until hyped prospects Cristian Pache and Drew Waters show up). The Braves also have two other viable outfield starters in Ender Inciarte and Nick Markakis, though they’re facing a decision on the latter’s $6MM club option/$2MM buyout. If the Braves part with Markakis, would they send Acuna to a corner? Even if Markakis stays, MLBTR’s Steve Adams raised an interesting question when the two of us were discussing Bradley: Would Atlanta and Boston consider a swap around Bradley and Inciarte? Both teams would come out with capable center fielders, with the Red Sox cutting some of their payroll for 2020. They’d get two years’ control over Inciarte, who’s due a guaranteed $16.025MM through 2021 (including a $1.025MM buyout for 2022).
- Cubs: Center field was a sore spot during a bitterly disappointing 2019 for the Cubs, whose top choice, Albert Almora, posted horrific numbers. The Cubs had to consistently turn to Jason Heyward amid Almora’s struggles, so they could simply keep the former in center next next year. But if Chicago wants to shift Heyward back to right field on a full-time basis in favor of a more traditional center fielder, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the team at least check in on Bradley. Who selected Bradley in the first round of the 2011 draft? Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein, then Boston’s general manager.
- Diamondbacks: Arizona may have its center fielder in breakout star Ketel Marte, though if the club would rather put him at second, a Bradley pursuit would make sense. Like Epstein, Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen happened to be in the Red Sox’s front office when they drafted Bradley.
- Giants: The Giants already have a pricey veteran center fielder in Kevin Pillar, who’s projected to make $9.7MM in 2020. Whether they’ll keep or non-tender Pillar is up in the air, though, considering the 30-year-old’s offensive limitations. Although Bradley isn’t a world-beater at the plate in his own right, his .317 career on-base percentage is an improvement over Pillar’s .296 mark. That said, even if the Giants were to cut the cord on Pillar, it’s possible they’d just hand center to Steven Duggar to evaluate whether he’s fit for the role.
- Mets: Center field is a question for the Mets, who would likely be better off playing Brandon Nimmo and Michael Conforto in the corners instead of forcing them into the outfield’s most challenging position. The problem, as MLBTR’s Jeff Todd noted Friday, is the club’s lack of financial flexibility. Fitting Bradley into their payroll would be tough without shedding a similar salary or salaries (Jed Lowrie, for example).
- Phillies: The Phillies figure to have Bryce Harper and the returning Andrew McCutchen in the corners next season, though it’s unclear what they’ll do in center. While the team does have some in-house options in Odubel Herrera, Scott Kingery, Adam Haseley and Roman Quinn, it’s highly debatable whether any would be preferable to Bradley. Herrera might not even play for the Phillies again after missing most of this year because of a violation of the MLB-MLBPA joint domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy.
- Rangers: This would partly hinge on whether the Rangers want to deploy slugger Joey Gallo as a full-time center fielder next year. If so, Bradley to Texas would be all the more improbable. Gallo aside, the Rangers have seen Delino DeShields struggle mightily as their primary center field choice over the past couple seasons.
- Reds: Not only does Cincinnati seem to be preparing for an aggressive, payroll-increasing offseason, but center field stands out as an area it could plausibly upgrade. However, that depends on whether the team wants to line up Nick Senzel in center, where he played as a rookie in 2019, or move him to second base.
- White Sox: A change of Sox for Bradley looks like a possibility, as Chicago is in obvious need of outfield help. The unit may have been the worst of its kind in 2019, when Leury Garcia and Adam Engel combined for uninspiring production in center. Going forward, only left fielder Eloy Jimenez looks like a lock to return as a starter next season. Likewise, stud prospect Luis Robert could play an important role in a year, though his forthcoming arrival won’t stop the Sox from seeking veteran help. Of course, if the Sox decide Robert’s ready to take over center imminently, they’ll probably be in the market for a big-hitting right fielder instead of someone like Bradley.
DarkSide830
Haseley is better than Bradley – end of story
13Morgs13
Agree. Bradley is awful, so overrated
pasha2k
JBJ is not overrated, only by those who don’t watch him everyday.
delete
Ok I will watch him. What time does he play tomorrow?
Black Ace57
.317 career on base percentage is garbage.
wordonthestreet
True but his defense is outstanding and that counts as well
nyy42
I see him everyday and he is not good! Just a late inning defensive replacement!
soup94
Wrong
Randy Red Sox
JBJ is not really over-rated. He is a beast in CF but who has a weakish bat but does have some power. Overall he probably has limited trade value but he could help somebody.
Black Ace57
And they included Kingery in the article who is WAY BETTER than Bradley Jr.
Ketch
At hitting, yes. But at playing center field?
DarkSide830
i wouldnt peg Kingery as a long term option in CF. spot starter perhaps, but he could use to settle down at 2B and get his bat back on track.
JoeBrady
Kingery is likely to be their 3B next year.
tbone0816
Cardinals
seamaholic 2
Meh. Bader’s basically the same player. Not quite as “good” a hitter (they both stink) and Bader is in the same level as a defender and much cheaper.
I’m not convinced JBJ’s whole salary is even tradeable. Barely. All glove CF aren’t that rare.
cards81
Exactly my sentiments
mlb1225
Even so, at this point, Bader has more upside with his bat, and is faster
Birdman1182
Rather have Betts
pasha2k
Betts should be traded.
Kayrall
Why would any team trade for a past his prime, defense first and only, overpaid centerfielder?
chitown311
*See Jason Heyward
afsooner02
Heyward had a prime?
Dotnet22
His 1st AB when he homered in ATL.
Drew Waters Bat
The Gattis homer felt better to watch. Nice to see Tom Hart on SEC football on the Georgia game sometimes.
nyy42
Yes he had the Prime Rib!
User 4245925809
Heyward falls into the BJ Upton class of totally hyped up player that barely amounted to much of anything and ended up hammering some team into massively overpaying him for mediocrity. It’s amazing how scouts and GM’s can ignore what they see with their own eyes and go with so called analytics sometimes.
Analytics good? Sure, but NEVER ignore what is within plain sight in front of you.
wordonthestreet
Cubs did not trade for Heyward. Heyward was a free agent. Cost money only. No prospects. I am surprised Chitown311 did not know this basic fact
Vandals Took The Handles
Defensive CF’s abound. Why would any team trade to take on that salary for a year?
White Sox have Engel for a lot less money. Want to trade for a CF that can’t hit? Brett Phillips. Manuel Margot. Michael A. Taylor. Harrison Bader. Mallex Smith. A half-dozen others.
Maybe at 25% of his salary the Red Sox might be able to move him. If the Sox want to dump that contract in trade, they’ll have to throw in at least one quality prospect, quite probably 2 or 3.
Every team in MLB needs more relief pitching. $11m can bring in 2 or 3 decent possibilities for 2020.
JoeBrady
If the Sox want to dump that contract in trade, they’ll have to throw in at least one quality prospect, quite probably 2 or 3.
——————————————————
Why would the RS throw in a quality prospect to trade JBJ, when they can simply DFA him?
bleacherbum
Diamondbacks.
With Hazen on the Red Sox staff that drafted Bradley id imagine there would be interest. Arizona most likely will want to replace the value Dyson brought with the glove, on defense and with speed from the left side of the plate, all of which boxes Bradley checks.
A young bullpen arm back to Boston
Vandals Took The Handles
D-Backs have 2 CF’s. And they don’t have that sort of money to pick up a 3’rd.
Goodness, you’re talking an $11m salary!
sidewinder11
How do they not have they money? Arizona’s newfound $ flexibility has been a headline around Phoenix since they traded Greinke along with most of his contract.
sidewinder11
Second, who are their 2 CF’s? Dyson is a free agent. Marte can easily be moved back to 2B. Every other outfielder on their roster is better off in the corners.
GothamGuy
unless you think that Hazen is a complete dummy, why would he make such a trade ??
Horace Fury
I won’t call Hazen a dummy, but he does seem to be inordinately attached to Red Sox players who fail their promise–Deven Marrero, Blake Swihart.–and he’s willing to give up something to acquire them.
Matt Tobin
Agreed.
While, I would prefer they pursue Starling Marte, JBJ fits.
The D-Backs have a wide open hole at 2B. And the market for 2B is…. REALLY bad.
Good thing Ketel Marte can play 2B. Problem solved…..but that leaves you with an OF of David Peralta and…uh….the corpse of Steven Souza? The CF market isn’t exactly overflowing with options either. Starling Marte will command a sizable return. JBJ will cost you practically a PTBNL Sure his bat is lacking, but did you see the other CF available…….? Now you have an elite glove patrolling the OF, but need some offense in the corner. Great! You’ve gotten options here! Ozuna. Castellanos. Puig. Calhoun. Possibly JD Martinez. Maybe Dickerson on the low end. Maybe you can get Jay Bruce for free from the Phillies.
You can’t just say “JBJ isn’t good, why would I want him?” without taking a step back and looking at your other options. JBJ is roughly a 2 WAR player. 2B or CF FA that were worth 2 WAR? 36-year olds Brett Gardner and Howie Kendrick,
Actually Villar makes sense too. Villar or JBJ. Pick your poison,
lowtalker1
Lol
No one
I dislike one year players
bostonbob
Anyone offering a bag of used bp baseballs???
Ricky Adams
Id take him for rangers if theyd be interested in mazara and/or odor. But not much else id give for him and dont think theyd do that so probably not
johnrealtime
Mazara for one year of Bradley is a very bad deal
Ricky Adams
Mazara sucks. 4 yrs of near identical stats, he is all hes ever gonna be… .260 avg, 20 homers, and avg to below average defense. Thats not good for corner outfielder.
cards81
I see a lot of negative post but I think a change of scenery (NL) would be something (NL) teams should take a chance on
jakec77
Putting aside the likelihood that the Mets probably have to trim some salary- if I’m GM of the Mets and ownership comes to me and agrees to increase payroll up to $180 million (which would be well above what they’ve ever spent)- that leaves me with maybe $20 million, no way I’m spending that on JBJ, Mets need to retain or replace Wheeler, and really should add another arm to bullpen rather than solely counting on bounceback years.
Vizionaire
his career basic batting stats away from home-213/295/382.though he is still a very capable with his glove.
Lefty_Orioles_Fan
Hey at MASN i recommended and got poo pooed a
JBJ for Villar deal
The O’s get a decent CF’er ( good defense and sometimes good offense) and the Red Sox get someone who is box of chocolates, but is good and could replace Dustin Pedroia.
I kinda like the idea, but I would like to see what other think
Vizionaire
do sox have prospects and money to sweeten the deal? if not o’s can get better deals elsewhere.
Lefty_Orioles_Fan
Well that too but I still like the trade
It should help both teams
Pingleja
Baltimore shouldn’t be in the business of trading for one year players with a salary like that, especially giving up a trade asset like Villar, who made less than $5M last year.
If I’m Baltimore, I shop Villar and take on an SP with a bad contract for good prospects, which Boston is also lacking.
metsie1
No way the Mets would go after Bradley. He’s overpaid at $11M. He’s a left handed bat. Mets need a right handed batter. Finally, Bradley can’t hit (.225) and won’t come near 25HRs at Citifield. Just not a fit.
rmullig2
I think they may do it if the Sox took back Lowrie or Familia. At that point they could make Bradley a late inning sub and get more value.
802Ghost
I don’t see Atlanta going for it. Pache is starting CF in 2020, he should have made it in 2019 based on spring training stats.
braves25
I don’t think Pache or Waters breaks camp at the MLB level but I think Waters makes it before Pache.
SoCalBrave
Maybe in the middle of the season if things go right for him, but he doesn’t start the year with the ML team unless someone gets hurt and he has an amazing spring training.
inkstainedscribe
I think the deal makes sense. Change of scenery for both players. Pache and Waters get more time to mature in AAA. JBJ has a year to rebuild value and could be flipped at deadline. Ender gets fresh start in Boston.
ChiSoxCity
Again with this nonsense. How do you figure JBJ matches up with the White Sox? What does he provide that don’t already have? Lazy writing.
johnrealtime
Did you actually read the paragraph on the white sox?
keysox
Yes he did. He matches up with White Sox very well after his non tenure.
1yr/ 2m. Fifth outfielder
ChiSoxCity
They have enough extra OFs who can’t hit, no thanks.
ChiSoxCity
I sure did. There’s been atleast three articles like this about the Sox trading for some scrub player that never makes any sense. And each time, they discount Robert or Madrigal who’d be blocked by said trade. The point of a rebuilding team making trades is to improve some weakness or need. How precisely does JBJ improve the Sox next year?
Paulie0514
You can thank your boy conner bryne for being an idiot on wiriting about the white sox.
Black Ace57
It seems like the White Sox have been the team they go to for any player to trade for or sign when they don’t have other good options.
TheWhiteSoxGuru
Then your reading comprehension level is lacking. The writer mentioned Robert and also said the Sox might be looking at a bigger bat in RF which would be the more likely destination for JBJ if the WSox were interested..
I would imagine the Red Sox will have a hard time trading JBJ at his salary. Now if he is non tendered there will be plenty of teams interested in a 20 HR , good base running , good defense 4th OF.
Yes JBJ would fit on the WSpx but only if non tendered . They have a huge hole in RF. They also have a young pitching staff and less than stellar defense in LF in Jimenez . In order to support the young pitching a defensive 1st RF with some pop wouldn’t be the worst option . WSox probably are going to go with a stopgap in RF and most of the stopgap options are limited defensively or don’t usually play RF like Dickerson and Gardner. With Robert in CF and Bradley in RF that’s some damn fine defense along with some power both of which the WSox didn’t have in RF last year. If the WSox can upgrade offensively at other positions (Grandal , JDM , Moose) they can carry a defensive 1st RF. On top of all that the WSox priority is starting pitching amongst Free Agents.
If the Red Sox don’t non tender him the WSox shouldn’t look to trade for him . No one should be looking to help the Red Soc pursue starting pitching which is the one reason the may non tender Bradley.
ChiSoxCity
Uh, no. The White Sox need OFFFENSE. HITTING. POWER. JBJ never has, nor will he ever fit that description. You don’t trade for an OF who can’t hit, on a team in desperate need of a big bat. It’s stupid. Yes, I saw that they vaguely mention Robert towards the end. It only served to undermine the author’s premise of adding JBJ in the first place.
mike127
Chisox—-while I DO agree with your opinion of JBJ—-the Sox right fielders hit a COMBINED 6 home runs the entire season while hitting .220 and their DHs hit .205. At this point any player with a pulse should be put on the list. And with the coming of all the Gods (Eloy, Robert, Magridal, Anderson, Moncada, etc) they really don’t need much to beat the Dodgers in the World Series next year. Let’s just let JBJ get another ring, please.
ChiSoxCity
Hahn needs to think bigger, and so do you. Add Puig or Ozuna on a two year contract and stick them in RF for now.
The Sox aren’t a deep playoff team next year unless they can pick up a TOR starter Cole/Stras/MadBum. Kopech and Cease need more seasoning/development.
DarkSide830
also dont see Leury as that bad of a hitter. his numbers were pretty solid last year. theyre, at the very least, pretty good 4th OF numbers, if not better.
StandUpGuy
How bad is JBJ? I don’t know much about him but as a Braves fan I am looking at the fact that a swap of Inciarte for him would save the Braves more than $5 million over 2 years. It sounds like Inciarte is better offensively but he still isn’t vary good in that department. Not to mention he can’t stay healthy. I kind of wouldn’t mind the idea of rolling with JBJ as our back up center fielder next year to replace Billy Hamilton with Acuna in center, Markakis in right and either Duvall or Riley in left. That way the Braves get to cut bait with JBJ and Inciarte after next season and save more than $5 mill overall. Inciarte wasn’t even good/healthy enough to be considered a backup this season. I am sure he is a better hitter than JBJ when he is healthy but who knows when/if that is going to happen. Taking his 9+ million off the 2021 salary sounds pretty good right now even if JBJ is just a backup.
SoCalBrave
I rather keep Inciarte. JBJ is Inciarte 2 years from now.
rmullig2
If all the Red Sox can get for Bradley is a negative value player like Inciarte then they would be better off non-tendering him.
phillyballers
Would be nice for all leagues to remove the cap/luxury tax implications for domestic/sexual assault offenders letting teams just cut ties and void the deals. And then if a team decides to sign that player after being cut they have to take on the salary regardless no min deal. Keeps trash like Odubel from getting paid and out of the league teams can move on.
johnrealtime
Good luck getting that voiding of contract agreed to by the union. What would it take to let the team keep all the money? Allegations? Criminal charges? Conviction? Video tape? This stuff is not so simple
phillyballers
or at least remove the implications from a cap/lux tax standpoint.
bhambrave
I’d rather the Braves keep Ender rather than trade for JBJ. 2019 was a down year for him, but he’ll rebound. I don’t know what JBJ is like, but Ender fits in well in the Braves clubhouse and dugout. Plus, he’s really really good in center field.
Zach725
They are keeping Ender no matter what they do.
RunDMC
Who says? ATL has shown they like front loading expiring deals. JBJ is due about $6M less over 1 less year than Inciarte (figuring in his buyout for ‘22). If Inciarte is not the future (he’s not, clearly, with 3 CF options in Acuna, Waters, Pache), why wouldn’t you give JBJ a chance for 1 year to rebuild his value at less money coming back to the south (from SC) with power potential, which Inciarte will never have, at the bottom of your lineup? He’s also a def upgrade to Inciarte already with Ender losing a step over the last 2 years. Less money, less years, higher ceiling…
bhambrave
Ender has been consistently better than JBJ, has more upside, is younger, and is cheaper AAV. He has a better chance to “rebuild his value” than JBJ, and has more trade value if/when he rebounds. Two guaranteed years and an option. Even in his worst year, Ender had a higher OBP than JBJ. Power numbers aren’t as important at the bottom of the order as OBP is.
Hibbie
Wothless. just non-tender him end of story. One year rental of a 11M dollar .225 hitter? No thanks.
hiflew
Swap him to the Rockies for Bryan Shaw or Jake McGee. The perfect change of scenery deal for both sides. Maybe they would have to add a piece or two on both sides to balance money, but I really think this would be fantastic for both sides.
Melchez
If someone is in need of a center fielder, why would they consider Bradley? The team that takes Bradley is either looking for a prospect to come along with him or they’d be looking to exchange bad contracts.
mohoney
Bradley isn’t signed to any contract. He can be non-tendered if the Red Sox can’t get a minimal return of some kind.
cecildawg
Bradley peaked four years ago. He isn’t a Major leaguer. He should be happy with his 20 some odd million and retire. The minors are gonna revamp? How about the majors? Two to many teams. Weakness spreading. Spiking the ball so randoms get twenty homers?
Weed out time. Dead wood bonfire time!
Lucky-Arm28
English next time
ammiel
even if the Giants keep Pillar, JBJ is a potential corner fit, theres so much grass at home its nearly a case of needing 3 CF potential OF.
rmullig2
As if that lineup wasn’t bad enough. Kershaw will probably die laughing at it.
Phanatic 2022
Giants, diamondbacks and rangers seem like reaches and really bad fits considering contract, control and current status
skarbekb
The Phillies should send Hernandez for Bradley. Money will be close and both could change of scenery
Phanatic 2022
But if money is close… my understanding is this move is to shed salary for Boston
MrMet33
How much better is JBJ at $11M than Billy Hamilton at $1M. Red Sox fans have overrated him the past 3 seasons
mohoney
Bradley can hit the ball over 200 feet once in a while. Hamilton can’t.
Other than that, you are correct. They are both bench players.
SoCalBrave
The problem with Hamilton is that he hits the ball over 200 feet consistently, softly, and exactly where outfielders are positioned. He needs to hit the ball 100 feet, on the ground.
StandUpGuy
Billy Hamilton is paid way more than $1 million. He made $5.25 million this season and has a $1 million buyout on a $7.25 million option for next season. That basically means he made over $6 million this season and will have to be paid the same if the Braves want to keep him next season. I don’t know a ton about Bradley and he doesn’t sound like he’s worth it at twice as much as Hamilton but that’s not the same thing as 10 times more than Hamilton. You are right though. Hamilton is absurdly over paid as well which is why the Braves will pay him the $1 million to leave as opposed to $7+ million to stay. I am curious about the first trade mentioned on this site though that has to do with the Hamiltons team (the Braves). The Sox owe Bradley $11 mill next season and the Braves owe Inciarte $7 mill. The season after that the Sox owe Bradley nothing but the Braves would still owe Inciarte over $9 million. If they trade the Braves would get a more healthy younger center fielder that doesn’t have as many injury concerns. Yes Bradley would be considered less offensively capable as Inciarte but not by a ton and if you compare their 2019 seasons, Bradley is actually a better hitter. It would add $4 million to the Braves payroll next season but it would save them more then $9 million the season after that. The trade would basically save the Braves more than $5 million dollars overall and they would get to have a younger, healthier center fielder next year than Inciarte is. JBJ could play for one year to give Pache and Waters an extra year in triple A. Even if JBJ is our back up center fielder to replace Hamilton that would still be better than Inciarte was last year. I believe if the Braves could cut bait and release Inciarte right now they would. No team want to payba guy with his production last year over $16 million. Boston would save $4 million next season and the Braves would save over $9 million the season after that. I think if the Braves make a deal like that they would have to look at Bradley as an expensive super-sub that saves them money down the line. Then again… If Bradley were really not worth what he is projected to earn in arbitration, Boston won’t tender him. It could all be a moot point. I am only saying that because the article says he is “projected” to make $11 mill next season. I assume that means he is eligible for arbitration. I don’t see why Boston would even tender him if they didn’t think he was worth $11 million (which it sounds like most people don’t).
Phanatic 2022
It seems like everyone thinks they go to arbitration for the 11m then trade him. But your not wrong in that nobody seems to think he’s worth 11.
jb226
Cubs don’t have that kind of money to spend on somebody without a bat, much less to give up pieces to acquire him. If all we want out of CF is defense I’d much rather they just hope Almora remembers how to play it and redistribute the money elsewhere. If we’re looking to spend money and/or talent, we need somebody with good contact and OBP skills who can hopefully fill a leadoff position.
ChiSoxCity
The cubs have all kinds of money. Not that JBJ would help them either.
Zachary Hines
How about a swap of BAD contracts Dexter for JBJ
Melchez
Red Sox have too many bad contracts, that’s why they want to get rid of him.
Brixton
The sox can just nontender bradley if they dont want him that badg
SupremeZeus
Non-tender.
30 Parks
Jackie Bradley Jr is overrated in all regards.
jimmertee
The BlueJays are collecting 4A players like McKinney, Davis, Fisher etc. What’s one more?
madmc44
Bradley has more World Series rings than every player mentioned in the article.
Watch him every day–practically every play he makes looks routine; he’s that good. How many of the CF’ders in the article had more than 21 HR’s.?
If the Sox didn’t have two very good corners in Betts and Benentendi that can both play CF well, I would say they need him. They need a way to reduce salary to sign Betts long term. If the White Sox sign JD–they will probably keep JBJ.
The Sox will need a 1B–perhaps Abreu–would sign for less than JD.
We’ll soon see.
JoeBrady
How many of the CF’ders in the article had more than 21 HR’s.?
—————————————————-
Yup, not a lot of the posters are looking at this in context. The average OPS for an AL CF is .753, so JBJ’s .738 is almost league average. And JBJ carries a better glove than most.
Another thing not mentioned (that I saw) is that JBJ doesn’t have to get $11M. It’s entirely possible that he settles for $9M. IMHO, he is better off agreeing to a deal, rather than taking a chance on being non-tendered.
And lastly, there is still a chance the RS sign him to a mid-term contract, like $21M/3. He is at minimum, imo, a league-average CF, and the RS CF prospects are limited. Wilson was a good return for Swihart, but is still less than 50/50 shot at being an MLB CF. Duran has some talent, but again is maybe 50/50?
rmullig2
The problem is that at this point his World Series ring is more valuable than he is.
frankf
How about straight up for Addison Russell? Both are capable of outstanding defense at a premium position, and despite their recent numbers, both are capable of quality offense.
ChiSoxCity
JBJ = Almora
JoeBrady
Except for JBJ being a much better offensive player, a much better defensive player, and a much better baserunner, you are right.
JoeBrady
If JBJ is traded, Atlanta & the RS match up well. Inciarte is pretty similar to JBJ.
But the key difference is JBJ is a one-year commitment and Inciarte is a 2-year commitment. I think Atlanta is rushing Pache, but he will still be on Atlanta in 2021. At that point, Inciarte becomes a liability.
That second year of the contract is far less of a liability for the RS, since we don’t a Pache. If Wilson or Duran make enough strides to compete for CF in CF in 2021, it will still be a positive development.
I think there is something there for both teams.
bhambrave
The Braves would be selling low on Ender. JBJ has been typical JBJ.
JoeBrady
I’m guessing (RS fan here) there is a little upside to JBJ. He ht better in the second half. Past that, neither player has high trade value. And for Inciarte, the issue is more about where is he going to play in 2021? If Pache is almost certainly your CF, then Inciarte almost certainly gets traded.
bhambrave
If he gets traded now, he won’t bring back much. If he gets traded midway through a healthy season, then he will have more trade value. If Pache and/or Waters aren’t ready for MLB yet and Inciarte is healthy, then he has a lot of value to the Braves.
AUTiger7222
I want no part of Jackie Bradley Jr. JBJ had a couple good seasons early in his career but even with that he’s still only a .236/.317/.409 (.727) hitter. We’d be better off going with a platoon of Duvall/Markakis than trading for Bradley who will be a free agent after the 2020 season.
stratcrowder
Cincinnati. Please Lord, intervene. No.
SG
Don’t know why this JBJ trade issue keeps coming up.
The Red Sox will non-tender him as he’s going to be too expensive per arbitration.
He’s not worth $11M.
No one will pick him up and pay him that.
And no one will trade for him and pay $11M.
Unless someone else knows how to get out of paying JBJ $11M in 2020?
So I say he gets non-tendered.
angt222
I could see the NYM, TEX, COL, CHC and CWS all be fits for Bradley just a matter if BOS wants to dump the salary or actually receive value in return.