Boston Red Sox: Three trade fits for Jackie Bradley Jr.

New York Mets

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The New York Mets have what feels like 17 different guys who can play in the outfield. The problem is none of them can play center field, or should be there on a regular basis. Michael Conforto is a much more productive player when he’s playing an outfield corner. Brandon Nimmo is better in the corners than in center field. Jeff McNeil is a super-utility player who should be used like Ben Zobrist in his prime. J.D. Davis? Dominic Smith? No. Yoenis Cespedes? This isn’t 2015.

Juan Lagares spent a lot of time in center field this season, and while he’s an excellent defender, much like Bradley, his OPS+ of 63 left a lot to be desired. Like the Reds, the New York Mets are built on their starting pitching, and they need to upgrade their defense, including in center. Making a trade with the Boston Red Sox for Jackie Bradley Jr.would make some sense.

The Mets are in a win-now mode and Bradley’s contract would be coming off the books after 2020 like Marcus Stroman, Cespedes, Wilson Ramos, Jed Lowrie, and other veteran players. The issue for the Mets is they don’t have a ton of prospect collateral to work with and with what they do have, would the be better off served using that to help fill other needs, including the possibility of Zach Wheeler leaving.

With a weak outfield free-agent class, the Boston Red Sox should have no problem finding a suitor for Jackie Bradley Jr.should they decide to move him. These are just three options that they could use. It’s sure to be an interesting off-season in New England and Bradley will be a part of that.