Rightfully so, Red Sox fans are eager to get on with the offseason already and start making some moves, whether that be via trade or signing a free agent (JD Martinez, if you’re reading this, please come here already; myself and so many others are begging you). Fans are throwing hypothetical trades around like nobody’s business as teams like the Yankees make move after move and get light years better as the Red Sox sit around and do nothing. While this is frustrating for all of us, we need to think about the names we’re seemingly okay with shipping out of town for a player(s) that would, in our minds, make the team better.
The player that fans are willing to trade for apparently anyone is Jackie Bradley Jr. Honestly, why is that? I understand that he’s an inconsistent hitter, but Boston’s offensive woes go far beyond one single player. Statistically, Bradley is an above-league-average hitter by five percent. Over the last two seasons, Bradley has averaged 22 home runs, 75 RBI, 105 adjusted OPS and .257 batting average. Bradley is not necessarily a problem, and most certainly is not the problem. His contributions at the bottom of the lineup shouldn’t be overlooked and swept under the rug as frequently as they are.
Bradley’s bat is decent enough to carry him as Boston’s center fielder, and it has been for a couple of seasons now. His value on defense is literally through the roof. Not to mention, he’s one of the most athletic outfielders I’ve personally seen in a while; his range is unbelieveable and that set of legs he has on him are rockets. It’s quite simple to overlook the positives in any player when there are negatives present, and that’s understandable. At some point, though, we need to reevaluate exactly what we’re talking about and think about it past the general fan consensus.
For example, last season, Bradley saved 10 defensive runs, which was seventh among all American League players and third amongst AL center fielders. He also tallied a 1.3 WAR on defense alone, which is more than Christian Vazquez’ overall WAR. Nothing against Vazquez, but it’s simply interesting. Bradley is one of, if not the best Red Sox defensive center fielders ever. I’m on the fence as guys like Freddy Lynn and Ellis Burks are atop the list, but you could certainly make an argument for him.
Albeit, one of this means that Bradley is untouchable or untradeable. As a Red Sox fan, I am for any move that makes the team better, especially right now. If Dombrowski suddenly strikes a deal with, say, the White Sox for Jose Abreu and an arm (I apologize for my lack of Chicago White Sox roster knowledge) and Bradley is involved, sweet. Sayonara. He’s one of the most valuable trade assets the Red Sox currently have, as you’ve been reading about. At the same time, many fans are already willing to personally drive Bradley to Logan when there’s a chance that he’s not even on the trade block.
Bradley has three more years of arbitration. Think about it: Boston won’t have to worry about the center field position for another three seasons. In three years, Bradley will be 31. If he isn’t gone by then which, personally, I doubt will be the case, then we can start lining up to drive him to the airport. Until that day comes, trading him forcibly may cause more problems than it solves. When you really think about it, the team that needs him the most is the team that is currently employing him. Unless it makes the ball club better, there’s really no rush to push Bradley out of town.
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