The Red Sox’ patience with Jackie Bradley Jr. is finally paying dividends, as Rob Bradford of WEEI.com writes. As Bradford explains, it’s not just about the results on the field. Bradley has, of course, been producing at a remarkable rate since his most recent call-up, but he’s also presented a different kind of demeanor, coachability, and comfort. Always a highly-regarded defender and a consistent offensive producer in the minors, Bradley seems to be putting it all together at the big league level in his age-25 season.
A few more notes out of the game’s eastern divisions …
- The Marlins are giving an extended look at first baseman Justin Bour to see if he could play an expanded role in the future, MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro writes in a fan Q&A. The left-handed-hitting Bour is getting more plate appearances against southpaws at present. He owns a strong .252/.321/.449 slash with 15 home runs over 336 plate appearances, though he really has yet to be exposed to left-handed pitching at all to date. Another matter that could need addressing is the fact that defensive metrics are not fans of his efforts with the glove thus far.
- Yankees lefty CC Sabathia says he’s feeling good about his progress as he works to return to the mound, as George A. King III of the New York Post reports. “No pain, I’m excited,” Sabathia said of this right knee. GM Brian Cashman said recently that Sabathia will be utilized as a starter when he is activated. There had been some indication that the club was considering utilizing the high-priced former ace in a relief role.
Had Cherington still been in charge I would have said Betts/Bradley/Castillo was garuenteed for next season with Holt and a low level FA taking on 4th outfielder roles. But with Dombrowski in charge I gotta wonder if he sees Bradley as a centerpiece trade chip for a pitcher.
People keep saying this. Hanley is done in the outfield. Who takes the third outfield spot if you trade Bradley? Dombrowski tried to acquire Bradley for the Tigers last off season. What possible reason would he have to trade him now? There’s no one to take his spot if he goes.
Allen Craig is an option in the outfield.. A pretty poor option but I don’t see him getting traded without the Sox eating most of his contract.. JBJ would make an excellent trade chip but I do agree that Bradley/Betts/Castillo is a very nice outfield and should be kept.. Craig and Holt can be the 4th/5th guys with Craig also being available to back up Ramirez at 1st.. I think DD will just buy a couple of pitchers in free agency and if he makes a big trade it will be for someone like Ross and he will send some of his close to the majors prospects in return.. He does like to make those big splashes so a trade for someone like Strasburg is also a possibility.. Regardless, I don’t see Bradley going anywhere..
Believe I read that Travis Shaw was going to the Instructional league this fall to do nothing but learn to play both corner OF positions. He has already been stuck in LF for part of a game this year at Fenway and getting him some time, as a 5th OF for both corners could work.
He’s already adequate at 1/3b, then emergency use at both corners, combined with Holt should be fine. I also think the team should consider sending Josh Rutledge to either winter ball, or instructional league with the same purpose in mind.. Corner OF.. Save a roster spot and tho Rutledge’s bat will vanish next season? He is a useful glove to play all over, like Holt. Shaw can be the useful bat from the bench.
From what I’ve heard from Dombrowski, he seems to hold Bradley in extremely high praise. I would be pretty shocked if he lets him go given how enamored he seemed with his defense and his growing bat.
Maybe they can try and flip Sandoval for Matt Kemp then sell high on JBJ. I’m not buying into him going from a guy that is an offensive liability into a sudden slugger.
Use JBJ to try to get a young controllable starter then go big in FA for your ace.
1. Betts CF
2. Holt 3B
3. Ped 2B
4. Ortiz
5. Bogaerts SS
6. Kemp LF
7. Castillo RF
8. Hanley 1B
9. Swihart/Hanigan C
Price/Ross/Porcello/Buchholz/Miley
Then you haven’t been paying attention to him. In his previous two attempts to crack the ML roster he’s had a noticeable hitch in his swing that completely threw his timing off. He used to employ a toe tap, and he also had a hitch when he would load his hip before he swung. If he was doing the exact same thing and getting different results it would be one thing, but he’s simplified his approach and his swing. And it’s not like he’s going from being a light hitter to tearing the cover off the ball. He’s had success at every level from college to the minors. He’s realizing his potential.
Pretty funny that any team could have had JBJ for relative peanuts a few months ago. Even though Cherington denied it, JBJ for furbush was floated with the mariners.
I’ve been thinking all along Pablo for Sheilds never thinking of Kemp. Money wise that might work.
The other option might be Pab and a prospect for Sheilds.
Strass is an interesting option from the Nats,
They have some young talent so they could trade JBJ and if they are ready mid season have Margot or Benintendi capable of moving up to Boston.
It should be a fun winter with DD and a big checkbook.
Boston’s patience is finally paying off? They did everything but release him. They signed Hanley, traded for Craig, signed Castillo, kept Victorino around, traded for DeAza…. How many OF’s did they go thru BEFORE going back to Bradley because none of the others worked out? He has succeeded IN SPITE OF the organization that drafted him.
False. Nice try though. They easily could have kept, Nava, De Aza, Victorino, but got rid of all of them so Bradley could have playing time.