MLB free agency: 3 landing spots for Jackie Bradley Jr.
MLB free agency: Multiple teams interested in Jackie Bradley Jr.
Jackie Bradley Jr. is most likely looking for a new home. The Boston Red Sox have shown some interest in bringing back the former All-Star and Gold Glove recipient in MLB free agency, but it looks like Bradley will be playing center field for another team next season.
Bradley who will be 31 in April, is a very solid option in center field. He has great range and still runs well. He is still capable of robbing home runs and making crazy catches, just like he used to.
Bradley is inconsistent at the plate, strikes out a little more than preferred and only occasionally has power at the plate. He is fairly durable and has not been injured often.
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Since he debuted in 2013, in eight seasons Bradley has a .239 batting average and a .732 OPS., while slugging 98 home runs and driving in 376 runs. He is not known to be a base stealer either.
Bradley, a 2018 World Series champion, is now trying to find a new home, hopefully one where he can contend. He will not get a huge deal this offseason, but he should get a fair salary for about two years.
Here are three teams that could sign Jackie Bradley Jr. this offseason to be their new center fielder.
MLB free agency: The case for the New York Mets
The New York Mets might think they have a center fielder in Brandon Nimmo, but he cannot man the position anymore. He is truly a corner outfielder. It is time the Mets bring in a real center fielder and sign Jackie Bradley Jr. to a short-term contract.
In a situation without a universal designated hitter, Bradley and Nimmo split time in center and Dominic Smith and Nimmo would split time in left. If there is a DH in the National League, then this move would work even better for the Mets.
Smith or Pete Alonso would DH and Nimmo would play left, while Bradley takes over in centerfield.
Commissioner Rob Manfred hesitating about the universal DH is putting teams in weird positions because they are not exactly sure how they should construct their rosters.
Either way, Bradley gives the Mets a legit center fielder and improves their defense. Improving their defense has been one their biggest priorities this offseason, already adding former two-time Gold Glove recipient Francisco Lindor and solid catcher James McCann.
Ideally, the Mets would be in a pretty good position to contend for the division if they were to sign Bradley because they would have a solid overall team defensively and would be much deeper.
MLB free agency: Houston Astros have a hole to fill
The Houston Astros just lost center fielder George Springer after he signed a massive contract with the Toronto Blue Jays. They need a new guy in center and Jackie Bradley Jr. would be a good fit for Houston.
He would help them defensively and he would be a strong hitter toward the bottom of their lineup. He provides much depth and could be in their price range, since they are not willing to spend like crazy this offseason.
Right now, Houston does not have a major league center fielder on their roster. Kyle Tucker will most likely play right field and Michael Brantley is back on a two-year deal to play left field. Losing Springer is a huge loss, but Bradley Jr. could help fill that hole and help Houston return to the postseason again.
He would not be that expensive and would be a great option, since they do not want a long-term, expensive commitment in center field.
Houston is interested, but Bradley may look elsewhere because of the sign-stealing scandal. This has hurt Houston with multiple free agents and could be the same case for Bradley. He is nothing close to Springer and will not replace him, but he makes the hole Springer left a bit smaller by bringing an experienced bat and good defense.
MLB free agency: Colorado Rockies lacking in center
The Colorado Rockies do not really have a legit center fielder on their roster and have some holes to fill.
Charlie Blackmon is their full-time right fielder, and they have Ian Desmond or Raimel Tapia to play left. Jackie Bradley Jr. would be a good fit in that ballpark. He does not have much power but has hit 20-plus homers twice — 21 in 2019 and a career-high 26 in 2016.
In Coors Field, he would be able to hit closer to 30, if not more, if he were to play for a full season.
He adds depth to a thin Rockies’ team and would be inexpensive compared to other options in the future. They need to address center field for the short-term and Bradley would be a strong fit for the next season or two.
He will help keep with team competitive and will be a legit player at the bottom of their lineup. He should not bat higher than sixth, but he would be a smart addition if the Rockies were to sign him.
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They have interest and Coors Field could be a smart place to revive his career. If he has a few good seasons there and his stats are impressive, his next contract could be lucrative as well.