10:07pm: Rob Bradford of WEEI passes along different information, tweeting that the D-backs are not targeting Bradley.
5:37pm: Red Sox center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. is near the top of the Diamondbacks’ wish list, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reports on Twitter.
There’s a clear connection to Bradley in Arizona, whose general manager, Mike Hazen, worked in Boston’s front office before taking the helm of the Diamondbacks in 2016. The 28-year-old Bradley’s also familiar with Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo from his time on the Red Sox’s coaching staff. And the world champion Red Sox are reportedly taking offers on Bradley and other veterans, perhaps making a JBJ trade a realistic possibility. It’s worth noting the Red Sox would still be loaded in the outfield even without Bradley, which could make him expendable in the team’s estimation.
Arizona’s need for a center fielder is obvious, on the other hand, as previous starter A.J. Pollock is now a free agent and is sure to price himself out of the desert. Bradley, meanwhile, has two years of arbitration eligibility remaining and is projected to make a reasonable $7.9MM next season. Bradley’s coming off his third straight campaign with at least 2.2 fWAR, having totaled 2.8 as he combined passable offense (.234/.314/.403 with 13 home runs and 17 steals in 535 plate appearances) with another year of plus defense.
Could’ve had Billy Hamilton for less dollars and similar production. No trade necessary.
Except Bradley can actually hit.
Bradley goes on streaks where he hits, and hits well. The rest of the time he looks lost at the plate.
Right, that’s why they call it a batting ‘average’, you know, because it’s the ‘average’ of his his streaks and cold streaks.
Yes and it was .234
Well his “batting average” isn’t that good. His value clearly lies in his glove which is outstanding. I can’t imagine the Sox trading him to save about $8 mil. Guy saved a lot of runs vs the Yanks and others.
That’s better than Hamilton who has been on a streak where looks lost at the plate for about 4 years now.
……And that’s why they call it Post Season
“That’s better than Hamilton who has been on a streak where looks lost at the plate for about 4 years now.”
Nice.
How often do Bradley’s hot streaks coincidentally show up when the Tigers do?
Or in the ALCS
Except Jackie can’t hit lol
But yo… when he hits, he HITS, son
Too streaky to say he can hit. His second half was amazing last year to finish where he did statistically. Cora said he had high expectations for jbj in 2019. Pumping up the value…look at Cora sell it
I don’t believe the Astros would agree with the can’t hit assessment. The guy was clutch when it mattered most
Can he?
Decent time to sell high on JBJ. He was a monster in the playoffs and is a gold glove CF.
Bradley’s Arm*
There’s nothing similar between Hamilton and JBJ’s production. JBJ hit double digit homers in the last 4 years. 26 of them, in 2016, with .835 OPS, which is production most teams are happy to get out of their DH, let alone their plus plus defensive center fielder.
Hamilton’s high is 6 homers, I think, and his high in OPS is what, .700?
Oh yeah, and JBJ is the better defender, too.
Well everyone arguing Bradley can hit or can’t hit is irrelevant to The bluefish’s point here. Jackie Bradley Jr posted a 90 WRC+ last year. Billy Hamilton has never topped a 79 WRC+ in his best season. Bradley hits significantly better at his floor than Hamilton does at his ceiling.
Que the ‘Bradley is overrated’ comments.
Well he kinda is.. The guy is a great defender but sucks with the bat..
JBJ has the 14th Highest fWaR
Among OFers Since 2016
(Better than Conforto, Hicks, etc)
Just to be petty since you decided to mention Hicks, in the last two years Hicks has ranked 6th and JB 14th in WAR.
That being said, JB’s value is in his glove and it’s amazingly great. For the Sox, a team I’m sure that wants to return to the WS I can’t see them trading him to save $8 mil.
Better than Conforto who is 3 years younger only played 109 games in both 2016 & 2017, not to mention on a much worse team…you don’t say!
Quality of team has nothing to do with WAR.
Sucks with a bat! Maybe during the regular season but not the playoffs where it counts!
That’s funny because I actually think it’s the other way around..
Thats because you look at stats instead of watching games. He had 2 clutch homers in ALCS, while only batting .200. He was voted ALCS MVP for his bat more than his glove.
Read it again.
2.0 OWar from a #9 hitter, with a gold glove. No one’s overrating him. He is what he is. Stop hatin.
I bet Kenley Jansen and the Stros disagree
He most certainly does not suck with the bat. Last four years, he has a .772 OPS. (yes, it’s Fenway, but it still adds up to 103 OPS+, so he’s above league average with the bat).
He sucked for his first two years. Red Sox hung in there, kept their faith in him, and got rewarded with brilliant defense and above average hitting, ever since.
And, guess what: they’re not trading him. Diamondbacks might as well be wishing for a unicorn.
You have not gotten above league average hitting ever since. Absolutely not true at all. If you want to aggregate stats it’s goig to be carried by the year and a half his WRC+ was around 120. His last 1000+ abs he’s been a 90 WRC+ hitter. I couldn’t pull any number of other statistics but he has been a below average hitter the last 2 seasons. In the aggregate he’s been a league average hitter but we haven’t seen that guy in 2 years.
ALCS MVP
He is
He is the best defensive CF in baseball.. even the ones he can’t catch he gets to so fast and you combine that with a cannon for an arm and you have a defender that saves you games.
IT is amazing the love that JBJ gets. He is an amazing fielder but that is it..
Lol! I thought judge and Stanton were supposed to bring the yanks to the promised land!
yanks02026 please tell that to Hou fans — He was the MVP of the ALCS with 9 RBI to win 3 games. I’m sure you missed it because you were busy watching those KNICKS.
“He was good in one series so a rebuilding team should send real value for him even though he’s 28”
He’s only 28 inches tall? Oh, forget it then.
Also, “good in one series” meaning: Red Sox would be Division Champs instead of World Series Champs. Because without him they lose that series.
What does series inches mean
I chuckled
And David Eckstein won a World Series MVP – what’s your point?
Cherry pick alert.
Derek Jeter and Randy Johnson won WS MVP too. Whats your point?
You just cherry picked while accusing someone else of cherry picking LMAO.
@dennyd – your example proves nothing, his does.
The argument you were making was that his ALCS MVP automatically makes him a valuable player. Cam gave you an example of where an MVP went to a generally unvaluable career player.
You naming off two other great players who once won an MVP does nothing for your argument.
Please just stop.
You’ve completely missed the point there Skip.
Nope. He’s an above average hitter too.
Who would we get?
First
You sure bud?
Robbie Ray back in deal.
Delusional
Wow. Never thought the day
Jason Heyward clone?
Close. I’d love if JBJ could get to 260-270, JHey range. He has too many 4-30 and 2-27 streaks over the course of the year.
JBJ would hit 30 hrs at Chase
Goldy hit 33 last year 36 in 2017, 24 in 2016, so but that gauge, I’ll give JBJ 15 in a good year
Not liking this. He’s perfect for this kind of team. Stellar defense, cheap and he hits just enough. They hide him in the 8-9 spot and anything he provides is just icing. Not getting this.
I’m fine w listening on Porcello, but geez…best CF in baseball!!
Best CF in baseball? Now I know you’re trolling. But I agree with your foremost statement, he would be a perfect fit on the snakes.
Yeah best is a dumb word, but you’d be hard pressed to find anyone who wouldn’t name him in their top 3.
I dont troll. I like making jokes mostly.
JBJ was 14th out of 22 qualified CF’ers in fWAR last year..
You’ll find plenty who disagree with you.
I’m one of the 3 –
Trout, Cain, Blackmon, Hicks, Inciarte, Pollock…..
I will say that things go in cycles. Currently MLB is light in quality CF’s. Hence, Bradley looks decent.
Teams have gone crazy drafting SS’s, on the theory that SS’s are athletic so if the lose out to other SS’s they can still play. I look for a number to be moved to CF shortly.
Blackmon shouldn’t be in CF.
Trout, Cain, ehhhh Blackmon really shouldn’t play there and I’m not sure pollock should Be a CF long term either. If Bradley hit like he did in 15 and 16 he’d be a top 3 CF. At his current form I’d still throw him in the top 10 with ease. It gets tricky because you have guys like bellinger and Chris Taylor playing CF for the dodgers and you have Bryce Harper as the cf for the nats. Pham, conforto and Nimmo are also listed on that Fangraphs list. You can’t count all those guys as CF. Doesn’t work.
Just listening to offers.
No!!! Not JBJesus!
This guy is the best bunter in the league. Young kids nowadays with their OPS and WHIP. I don’t care what anybody else says. If you can drop down a clutch bunt, then you are an amazing asset for a ball club.
He’s the beez kneez, 23 skiddo and all those other old-timey slang phrases from the 1920’s where they valued mlb players for their ability to drop down a bunt.
what an exciting winter meetings we’re having….. /s
Lovable tho he is, 8M a year for JBJ is a LOT. And they have ready made replacements. I can see one of the D-Backs relievers (they have a couple of interesting ones) and maybe a middle tier prospect.
The Diamondbacks are proving to be such a poorly run team. What world are they in that they miss the playoffs by not re-signing JD (and missing the playoffs as a direct result as indicated by WAR), enter a rebuild getting a very mediocre return for their franchise player in his prime, then are rumored to be going after a 28 year old non-factor, literally the Red Sox garbage (which by the way they would replace with another big Dbacks player they won’t re-sign). Tired of giving the Dbacks my money, won’t be attending spring training or regular season this year.
Yeah man you’ll show them!
The return was good. For several cheap years of Archer the Rays got Meadows and Glanow who were similar to the Goldschmidt return in that they were former top prospects whose shine had dimmed to casual fans. For ttwo/three more years of a pitcher we got one more blue Chip prospect far away from the majors. If they hadn’t been trying to go to the playoffs they could have cashed him in a year earlier but not sure they’d have got much more. The bad part though is they could have moved Martinez to 1st and traded him also. Now Peralta should be traded, to the Cardinals was my thought but obviously the ask must be too high. For a little bit more Cardinals could have had Arrenando.
2.7 FWar last season. Whats the going rate for per WAR in Free Agency? 7 or 8 mil?
How is 8Mil (actually 7.9) a “LOT”?
8 mil is not a lot for what Jackie provides. He gives you gold glove caliber defense and excellent base running. His offense is slightly below average but I think the rest of his profile makes up for it. Granted the Sox have 2 CF capable guys playing in their corners and could probably sign a true corner OF and be fine but is that going to come cheaper than 8 per? I’m not giving up my GG outfield to watch Pearce play leftfield.
For what reason? Do they think that they can contend even after the loss of Corbin and Goldschmidt if they simply get JBJ? They couldnt even make it to the playoffs last year. The D-Backs had JDM at one point with Corbin and Goldschmidt and couldnt make it past the Dodgers in 2017.
Some teams need to wake up and smell the roses and start embracing the rebuild. They are only going to delve deep into mediocrity by suddenly becoming buyers.
It’s such a puzzling rumor. The Dbacks are so poorly run though, I’m done feeling surprised by this kind of crap from them
The 2017 Dodgers were one of the best teams to not win WS. It’s hard to fault the snakes for getting cut down by that buzz saw, even though that Goldy led core was probably their best shot at winning a title. That being said, any team with a decent or middling lineup still has a good shot at the playoffs because there are so many dumpster fire “rebuilding” teams out there helping pad records. I still like the projected 19 snake team, even without Corbin, Goldy, and Pollock.
Not that it’s gospel, but Fangraphs has them as a .506 team, and that’s before any further selling (Greinke for example). I think they are high even without further selling.
The 2017 wasnt a bad team to lose to, but the point is even at the D-Backs best they werent good enough. Going 82-80 and then losing 2 and maybe 4 of your best players is a sign that maybe 19 isnt the year. JBJ isnt a Harper or Trout anyway, so why spend player capital for a player that isnt gonna change the outlook of your season by a smidgen?
Is Jackie Bradley an heir of the Milton Bradley game company?
I honestly hope Boston makes this deal and throws in Rusney in to the deal, would like to see him get another shot at the majors.
Would be a steal for D-Backs if they got Castillo too. I think he’s a very legit ML OF and it sucks that his contract situation wound up costing him the chance to play in the bigs.
You tell them!
Agreed
One problem, Rusney doesn’t want another shot…$$$
All it would take is putting Rusney back on the 40-man roster.
Does’t Castillo’s deal expire after this season anyway?
No, 2 years left.
Why doesn’t Rusney want another shot? He surely does. What are you suggesting he do? Give up the money the Red Sox guaranteed to him? I’d be playing in Pawtucket too for 80 million bucks.
I’d trade Bradley for a Double-A prospect and a bullpen arm.
Bradley sure bailed your asses out of deep doo doo in the World Series no?
Beetle juice you sound like a frustrated NYY fan. Get your facts straight before making a fool out of yourself.
Kind of a shock, I didn’t think the Dom would break up the band, but I guess selling high on Bradley is smart business, or is it..?
He’s splitting up the best defensive outfield in baseball. and per Cora a player who has finally figured it out at the plate
After raising ticket prices they should at least give the fanbase a chance to enjoy a repeat… Selling off Porcello and Bradley roughly $29M
For a good reliever weapon, and a starter to plug the Porcello hole, you’re eating up a large portion of that savings if guys like Britton, Robertson, Ottavino, Kelly, Herrera if he’s healthy, and Kimbrel if his market comes down some are in their plans
Charlie Morton would be a cheaper alternative to Porcello.. It’s a long way to 1460 innings, best of luck to the Cousins
Rich as they are (and probably among the most profitable in all sports), the Sox revenue streams aren’t a bottomless pit. HARD decisions have to be made. Sure, keep Bradley. Sure, keep Kimbrell. Then watch Betts walk away and complain about high salaries. Balancing payroll vs. performance is tough work, but, as they say, that’s why you sit in the BIG CHAIR and make the BIG Money.
It’s pretty rough out there in the real world……
JBJ at $8M isnt the problem. Let Kimbrel go, thats a smart move. Paid a lot for Eovaldi, could have passed there. Pomeranz is gone and Ramirez is officially done so those contracts were making up arb raises this year. Ne t year is when they make decisions and can go a multitude of ways with Sale and Porcello done, JD likely opting out, Moreland done and Panda money gone. This wont help much long term, it hurts 2019 and wont save much money they cant save next winter. Only way this makes sense is if it clears money to add bigger contracts which would really handcuff them for the future.
David Peralta for JBJ
JNJ is NOT expendable, he’s a top player, n I as a Redsox fan I really hate that term used on him. DD will need to bring back tons for the ALCS MVP.
JBJ
David Peralta
Not sure why all the hate. He do well in arizona. No pressure. Friendly hitting ball park. Easily can see him batting 270 with 22 hr and playing amazing defense.
Archie Bradley!
Peter Gammons (after a discussion with Ian Browne) just disputed Nightingale’s story. He pointed out that the Sox will try Barnes/Brazier first. Also they are high on Durbin Feltman & Darwinzon Hernandez. Finally, they can trade for bullpen help in June or July. No way will the Sox risk a shot at a WS title in 2019 for some unknown chance in 2020.
I would believe two of the most connected Red Sox insiders rather than Nightingale.
Wouldn’t trade JBJ, fits perfectly in Sox OF, unless they Backs would give up a couple top prospects who would be ready after 2019. Otherwise, his glove seriously offsets his slumps as when he is hot he is as good at the plate as anyone
Or here comes Rusney!
Or more likely…. Harper.
That would be incredibly foolish to sign Harper. Not happening.
Really? Getting rid of Bradley and Porcello’s 30M makes it that much easier
Why anyone would overpay for him is beyond me. No way. Bad attitude, declining numbers, etc. Rather have Machado than Harper, but would prefer neither one of them.
Red Sox fans need to calm down. It would be irresponsible for the team to not listen to offers on these guys. Who is untouchable? Betts and Sale would be definitely, probably Benny too, but nothing wrong with listening.
Do you think this means the Red Sox are considering giving Rusney Castillo a shot? Always thought his defense was serviceable and he did well in AAA this year. Got the sense he was kept in the minors for payroll reasons (or maybe for personality reasons?) Trading Bradley would be a chance to restock the farm and the payroll you shed with Jackie makes the promotion of Rusney less harsh.
30M owed to Porcello and Bradley. That practically pays for Harper in right and Mookie in center
Actually it would be Harper in left, 10d in center, and Mookie in right.
In one word, No. the Boston Red Sox will never promote rusney castillo. It’s too costly for them to do that.
This makes zero sense. Why trade JBJ? What purpose does it serve? To save 7.9M? Because there are better options? Because the replacement is in the system already? Because the Sox can get better without him? None of those make sense, but let’s look at those options…
1. Save 7.9M just doesn’t seem to make work? Who plays center then? Benentendi? Move JDM to left? Then who DH’s? Pearce? Holt? Nunez? Moreland? Pedroia? Rotating of the 5? I don’t think so. Seems like a loss in production and defense.
2. Better options? Who would you rather see in center? Trout? I don’t think the Sox can swing that trade OR pick up that salary. Move Mollie to center and sign Harper for RF/LF. See “money issues”.
3. Replacement is in the system? Rusney? He would cost the team more money than Bradley if the put him on the 25 man. Chavis? Dalbec? Not moving them to the OF. Best case, one of them moves to 3rd, Denver’s moves to DH, JDM moves to LF, Benny to CF? Lots of moving parts there. A lot that can go wrong.
All possibilities point to Bradley makes this team better period. Trading him makes zero sense unless someone will trade the next Mike Trout to get him (which they won’t). Saving 8M will not make this team any better. Trying to defend the title in ‘19 should be at the top of list followed by this list:
Extend Betts.
Extend Bogaerts.
Extend Sale (maybe see how arm is first).
Extend (yes extend) JBJ if any way reasonable.
After contracts…
Bye Porcello
Bye Kimbrel (current)
See what happens with JDM (maybe guarantee his option years plus 1?)
JDM must be pressing Dunkin Dumbrowski for more OF playing time.
Really nothing to see here highly doubt the Red Sox trade JBJ or any of their guys. It makes sense to listen on anyone but it makes more sense to add one more reliever probably Herrera and roll the dice with what they have. If it looks like could repeat then you are buyers at the deadline if not then you start the soft rebuild. I also believe that Durbin Feltman is big in the Sox plans and would not at all be surprised if he makes the Sox out of spring training and becomes a key part of the pen, if not the closer, by the end of the season.
No! Don’t trade Jackie!
JBJ and others for Peralta.
Peralta LF, Benny in CF, Betts RF.
1.Benintendi CF
2.Betts RF
3.Peralta LF
4.Matinez DH
5.Devers 3B
6. Bogaerts SS
7.Moreland 1B
8.Vasquez C
9.Pedroia 2B.
Bradley and Porcello for Greinke, Yoan Lopez, Marcus Wilson and Andy Yerzy.
Why would the Diamondbacks be interested in Bradley? They are in full rebuild and he only has two years of control left. They already have Dyson under contract for 3.5M so adding Bradley would make him an expensive bench piece.
They would be better off waiting a year since Boston will be much more motivated to cut salary next off-season.
If the Dbacks aren’t going to target him then can the Giants please take a flyer? Or maybe Pillar it Kevin can’t spell his last name from the Rays
Hirano and Archie for JBJ and a low level pitcher
Dont know why they dont make a trade with the Brewers for Santana, Thames, and Broxton with Robbie Ray involved it fixes so much
The Dodgers offered Puig for him last offseason but the Red Sox turned it down. I wonder if they will make the same offer again?
I think with Bellinger now a CF on more days than not the dodgers wouldn’t really want that. Dont think the Sox want to deal with Puig’s antics but they did have a guy in LF for quite a few years who was a bit of an enigma himself. Obviously if someone could get Puig’s head right he has all the physical tools to be a star but I don’t think he has it between the ears to ever see that happen.
The Cafardo report was ridiculous. Why would a team starting to rebuild trade for a guy with only 2 years left until free agency? All these “it makes sense…” guy knows guy or is a native of X place reports should be taken with a gigantic grain of salt