Jackie Bradley

Position: CF
Bats/Throws: L/R
Age: April 19, 1990 (28)

Traditional Stats: .234/.314/.403, 33 2B, 4 3B, 13 HR, 59 RBI, 17 SB, CS
Advanced Stats: 2.1 bWAR, 2.8 fWAR, 92 OPS+, 90 wRC+
Defensive Stats: -2 DRS, 7.4 UZR

Free Agent: 2021

Fresh off a World Series victory where the Red Sox had to cycle starters into the bullpen on their throw days, the Boston Red Sox are looking for relief help this offseason. Their needs are all the more heightened when you consider their closer, Craig Kimbrel, and their top set-up man, Joe Kelly, are free agents.

The Red Sox ability to sign free agents or to improve their team is hindered by their payroll. Last year, the Red Sox had the highest payroll in baseball, and they were well over the luxury tax. In addition to the team’s $238.4 million payroll, they had to pay $11.3 million in luxury tax.

At the moment, even with Kimbrel likely gone, the Red Sox payroll obligations are expected to rise, and that is before bringing in bullpen help. As a result, Boston is exploring trading some of their players to free up payroll room and/or add relievers.

One of the more attractive options on the market is Bradley, who is two years removed from free agency. From a Red Sox perspective, they could move Mookie Betts to center making Bradley one of their more expendable players.

With respect to Bradley, he has a reputation as a good defensive outfielder. While his DRS was down last season, he had the second best UZR among center fielders, indicating the down year was a little more than a blip. From 2016-2017, he had the fourth best DRS among center fielders with the third best UZR.  Among the players in the top five, he was arguably the best hitter of the group.

That doesn’t mean he was a particularly good hitter. Aside from a two year stretch from 2015-2016 where he had a 119 wRC+, Bradley has been a below average league hitter. In fact, over the past two years, he has had an 89 wRC+. Surprisingly, that does put him in the top 15 among Major League center fielders over that stretch. Considering players like Michael Conforto and Andrew McCutchen are ahead of him on the list, he is really among the top 1o.

In terms of his offense, there is reason for optimism and pessimism. On the one hand, Bradley could be an effective part of a platoon as he hits .251/.332/.437 against right-handed pitchers and .185/.260/.303 against left-handed pitchers last season. Another consideration with Bradley is he hit .277/.351/.442 at home and .193/.279/.366 on the road.

Overall, Bradley is arguably one of the best defensive and even offensive center fielders in baseball. At 28, he may not present much upside, but he may also be a terrific addition for whichever team obtains him.

Why the Mets Should Obtain Him

By obtaining Bradley, the Mets can set up a platoon between him and Juan Lagares. By doing that, you get phenomenal defense while getting the most out of the offensive potential from each player. Also, in the event Lagares suffers yet another injury, you can be more than comfortable playing Bradley in center everyday.

Why the Mets Should Not Obtain Him

While the Mets are looking for center field upgrades, they are also looking for upgrades in the lineup, and Bradley may not exactly be that. In some ways, it is difficult to give Bradley and Lagares roughly $17 million between them and not get much back in terms of offense. Mostly, with the Red Sox looking for relievers, you’d be extremely hard pressed to part with their relievers, like Seth Lugo when you are a team who needs bullpen help itself.

Verdict

With Brodie Van Wagenen being one for the bold move, you have to wonder if there is a blockbuster deal here. At the moment, the Red Sox are dangling Xander Bogaerts and Rick Porcello in addition to Bradley. The Mets may have the pieces to acquire one if not all of them in one deal, but the question remains if that is a worthwhile endeavor, especially when you take salaries and proximity to free agency into account.

While Bradley should prove to be an upgrade, getting him at the cost of your pitching or even just eating the expense when looking to address other areas of this team may not be worth it. That is unless the Red Sox and Mets could pull off and blockbuster where they shift players back-and-forth to fill in the holes in each respective roster. The chances of that happening are extremely unlikely.