And the train keeps moving…
After missing out on free-agent center fielder George Springer to the Toronto Blue Jays, the New York Mets have reportedly turned their attention to defensive specialist and former Red Sox’ center-man Jackie Bradley Jr.
According to Jon Heyman of MLB Network, the Mets have Bradley “on their radar”, listing the Phillies, Red Sox, Astros, and the Rockies as teams all “monitoring” the veteran’s market.
Bradley, 30, enjoyed an encouraging offensive campaign over 55 games in 2020, hitting .283/.364/.450 with seven homers, 120 wRC+, and 1.5 wins above replacement (FanGraphs) over 217 plate appearances. From 2017 through 2019, Bradley hit just .234/.318/.409 (90 wRC+) over 424 games.
The longtime Boston staple’s defense in center field is his calling card. In just 471 innings in center last season, Bradley racked up seven outs above average.
Since Statcast began tracking the stat in 2016, Bradley’s accumulated 46 OAA, good for sixth in the majors over that span.
As Heyman notes, a right-handed bat would fit the Mets’ specific needs a bit better, but Bradley’s elite defense up the middle would check off a long-empty box for this ball club.
Enrique Hernandez, Kevin Pillar, and Albert Almora round out the more viable free agency options the team has, while Tampa Bay’s Kevin Kiermaier and the Cardinals’ Harrison Bader — as well as Lorenzo Cain in Milwaukee — stand in as intriguing options on the trade market.
MMO‘s Rich Sparago outlined the Mets’ options with Springer off the board earlier this week.
With mere weeks until pitchers and catchers report to Port St. Lucie, it’s fair to assume New York will be sewing things up in short order.
We’ll keep you posted with more information as it becomes available.
