Jackie Bradley Jr’s time with Boston Red Sox could be coming to an end
The Boston Red Sox decision to bring Jackie Bradley Jr. back was questionable from the start. While that trade did bring back a pair of solid prospects in David Hamilton and Alex Binelas, it also cost them outfielder Hunter Renfroe. As the Red Sox are struggling on offense, the loss of Renfroe’s solid bat looms even larger.
Although Bradley had been in the lineup, it also seemed to be a matter of time before he lost that spot. That time may have come on Friday, as Jarren Duran has been recalled from Triple-A due to Enrique Hernandez being placed on the Covid-19 Injured List.
Boston Red Sox hoping Jarren Duran can provide jolt
Duran hardly impressed in his major league debut last season. He produced a .215/.241/.336 batting line in his 112 plate appearances with seven extra base hits but striking out 40 times. However, he had been on fire at Triple-A to start the season, producing a .397/.478/.638 batting line in his 67 plate appearances, hitting four doubles and two homers while stealing seven bases.
Bradley, meanwhile, has not been as putrid as he was in Milwaukee in 2021, but he has not been much better. He has produced a .200/.268/.293 batting line in his 83 plate appearances, hitting seven doubles.
The Red Sox lineup as a whole has been struggling. They are ahead of just the A’s, Reds, and Royals in team wRC+. Virtually the entire lineup has been a disappointment thus far. However, the likes of Trevor Story and Alex Verdugo are expected to heat up. The same cannot be said for Bradley.
It all comes down to Duran’s production. If he shows that he is ready for the majors, he could force drastic changes to the Red Sox lineup. Bradley would be pushed to a fourth outfielder spot at best, with the Red Sox possibly being forced to eat his salary and buyout for 2023 should Duran take over.
The approaching end with Xander Bogaerts and the Red Sox. dark. Next
It was a matter of time before Jackie Bradley Jr. played his way out of the Boston Red Sox lineup. If Jarren Duran impresses, Bradley may be gone entirely.