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Royals Release Jackie Bradley Jr.

By Steve Adams | June 17, 2023 at 8:02am CDT

TODAY: The Royals announced that Bradley has been released.

JUNE 12: The Royals announced Monday that they’ve designated veteran outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. for assignment. His spot on the roster will go to outfielder Dairon Blanco, whose selection to the big league roster is now official.

Bradley, the longtime Red Sox center fielder, signed a minor league deal with the Royals in the offseason and joined Matt Duffy and the since-released Franmil Reyes as veteran non-roster invitees who made the club out of spring training. Bradley wasn’t able to correct the offensive nosedive that began in 2021, however, hitting just .133/.188/.210 in 113 trips to the plate with Kansas City.

Even when he was hitting for a low average with the Red Sox late last decade, Bradley walked enough to maintain respectable on-base percentages and hit for some power to help prop up his overall production. That’s all evaporated in recent years, however. Bradley had a strong .283/.364/.450 showing with the Red Sox during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, but he’s since turned in 911 plate appearances with a dreadful .176/.238/.275 batting line, a below-average 6.2% walk rate and minimal extra-base pop (42 doubles, four triples, 11 homers, .099 ISO).

The Royals’ outfield has been the least-productive unit in MLB this year. Kansas City’s outfielders have combined for a disastrous .200/.268/.328 batting line, with Bradley’s struggles factoring into the group’s MLB-worst wRC+ (62). Bradley alone is hardly to blame, as the Royals have received below-average production from MJ Melendez, Kyle Isbel, Drew Waters and Nate Eaton. The previously mentioned Reyes and fellow veteran Hunter Dozier also had brief, unproductive appearances in the outfield prior to being released. Edward Olivares is the only player on Kansas City’s roster who’s delivered even average offense while playing the outfield.

Kansas City will have a week to trade Bradley, pass him through outright waivers or release him. He has the service time to reject an outright assignment even if he clears waivers, and it’s hard to imagine a team trading for him. One way or another, a return to the free-agent market seems likely in the near future.

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Kansas City Royals Newsstand Transactions Dairon Blanco Jackie Bradley Jr.

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Post a Comment

74 Comments

  1. DickDollars

    2 years ago

    OPS since 2020:

    2021 .497 (297 ABs)
    2022 .566 (344 ABs)
    2023 .397 (105 ABs)

    5
    Reply
    • Hemlock

      2 years ago

      Ouch.

      Wait, JBJ won the 2018 World Series…

      “Jackie, Steve Cohen on line 3.”
      “Who?”

      3
      Reply
      • Al Hirschen

        2 years ago

        Is he the next future rental NY Met?

        Reply
    • DakotaJoe

      2 years ago

      the only surprising think about JBJ is that anyone picked him up this year.

      10
      Reply
      • RoyalsFanAmongWolves

        2 years ago

        At the time of the signing, the Royals had a need for OF depth, because of an injury to a centerfielder during spring training.

        1
        Reply
    • Boxscore

      2 years ago

      And Chaim Bloom current Red Sox president of baseball ops traded Hunter Renfroe for Bradley. What a joke. Hopefully Bloom is looking for work soon too.

      9
      Reply
      • Hemlock

        2 years ago

        Well, they got this guy, too. Don’t forget him. The man runs like the wind and around these parts, it’s mighty windy.

        David Hamilton
        Positions: Shortstop, Second Baseman and Centerfielder

        5
        Reply
        • Boxscore

          2 years ago

          We’ll see. Renfroe is a proven MLB power hitter otoh Hamilton is only a prospect. As of today that trade is a major fail.

          1
          Reply
        • all in the suit that you wear

          2 years ago

          Why does no team ever keep Renfroe for more than one year?

          6
          Reply
      • Poolhalljunkies

        2 years ago

        Dont sleep on hamilton… 1 year of renfrow for hamilton will end up being a coup for bloom…

        2
        Reply
  2. Goose

    2 years ago

    Too bad. I really thought Bradley was going to be a good defender who would be an annual .260 to .280 hitter with double digit homers and steals. His bat just never lived up to it’s minor league track.

    4
    Reply
    • Hemlock

      2 years ago

      He was, in 2016 and in that throw-away season, 2020. He just turned into a pumpkin every other year.

      4
      Reply
      • User 3595123227

        2 years ago

        He’s been in the majors since like 2013. There is absolutely no point in pointing out one and a half good production years. Don’t spin it.

        2
        Reply
        • Hemlock

          2 years ago

          Sorry, Dad. I didn’t mean to. Here, take the keyboard away again.

          8
          Reply
        • User 3595123227

          2 years ago

          You will learn one day young person.

          1
          Reply
        • agentx

          2 years ago

          “Damn You, Daddy Sir!”

          1
          Reply
      • DCartrow

        2 years ago

        He turned into squash overall.
        Never could hit.

        1
        Reply
        • elmedius

          2 years ago

          The 2018 ALCS hot streak and subsequent MVP award was well timed and much appreciated though.

          3
          Reply
        • Hemlock

          2 years ago

          Steve Cohen says: “ There is some positive equity in that JBJ sandwich. ALCS MVP sounds fantastic. But there is no value add for the NY Mets as you cannot win an ALCS MVP in the NL. We cannot use that man.”

          2
          Reply
        • rct

          2 years ago

          Second time you mentioned Steve Cohen on an article about Jackie Bradley, Jr., who has nothing to do with the Mets whatsoever. Obsessed?

          2
          Reply
        • Hemlock

          2 years ago

          > Second time you blah blah blah

          Dad, you and your burner accounts! Hilarious!

          2
          Reply
        • rct

          2 years ago

          No idea what you’re talking about, but keep on being obsessed with Steve Cohen, I guess.

          1
          Reply
  3. Mookie Mantle

    2 years ago

    He’ll be starting CF in boston by Wednesday

    7
    Reply
    • Franklin Souze

      2 years ago

      LMAO- At this point there is nothing Chaime can do which would surprise me – Blooms illogical & obtuse view of talent and roster construction is beyond coherent discussion explanation.
      I will say Bloom has been consistently bad from the very beginning.

      PS- Maybe he nuked Tapia last week to make room for JBJ?????

      4
      Reply
    • solaris602

      2 years ago

      Sox would genuinely be better off leaving CF vacant than to run Bradley out there, but I won’t put anything past Bloom

      2
      Reply
    • stymeedone

      2 years ago

      Maybe Harris will have Hinch platoon him with Marisnick in Detroit. Keeps Parker Meadows in the minors and allows Nick Solak to go thru waivers one more time.

      Reply
  4. HBan22

    2 years ago

    I still think Chaim Bloom trading Hunter Renfroe for Jackie Bradley Jr and two mediocre prospects was one of his worst moves. And that’s saying a lot.

    6
    Reply
    • Fever Pitch Guy

      2 years ago

      Ban – You could end up being right. Hunter wouldn’t have gotten the Sox in the playoffs, but he would have helped them stay below the LTT.

      2
      Reply
      • deweybelongsinthehall

        2 years ago

        You also have to remember the prospects. So far little return at the MLB level but wait. I like Renfroe but why did Milwaukee trade him? His bat plays and his arm is amazing but obviously he’s not a star…

        1
        Reply
    • kellin

      2 years ago

      And Angel fans thank him for that, although maybe he would have taken the same junk trade we gave to the Brewers..

      1
      Reply
    • Rsox

      2 years ago

      In 166 games in the Red Sox system David Hamilton has hit 23 HR’s and stolen 96 bases between AA/AAA, thats hardly mediocre for a middle Infielder.

      Alex Binelas is a one trick pony; HR’s or strikeouts and unfortunately may never be better than a AAAA player if even that.

      There is a reason Renfroe has played for 5 different teams in each of the last 5 seasons, not sure what it is but it is unusual for a player with his power and defensive skill set

      1
      Reply
      • kellin

        2 years ago

        @RSox

        Uhm. I’m referring to the players the ANGELS gave up to get Renfroe. Which would be Janson Junk, Elvis Peguero (who looks like he may have turned out to be a good relief pitcher), and some other minor leaguer. While Renfroe might be having a slightly down year offensively, he’s still been a rather productive, and at times clutch hitter for the Angels.

        Reply
        • Rsox

          2 years ago

          My post appears after yours but it was in reference to the original poster’s comment about Bloom trading Renfroe for JBJ and “two mediocre prospects”. Sorry for the confusion

          1
          Reply
        • HBan22

          2 years ago

          Hamilton has looked pretty good this year and may end up being something, I agree. Regardless, I still don’t like that trade for the Sox.

          Reply
        • This one belongs to the Reds

          2 years ago

          He is still a suspect until he does something at the major league level.

          Reply
  5. Edp007

    2 years ago

    Yankees need a replacement for Aaron Hicks.

    Reply
    • JoeBrady

      2 years ago

      Hicks is killing it with BA. The Yankees should trade for him.

      10
      Reply
      • Edp007

        2 years ago

        Yes it’s the ole’ “ change of scenery from the Bronx zoo” trick. Works every time

        2
        Reply
  6. Doug

    2 years ago

    I remember JBJ’s first game up (against the Yankees), and the ESPN announcers were treating it like we were seeing the second coming of Willie Mays.

    3
    Reply
    • Spaced-Cowboy

      2 years ago

      Clearly some hometown bias/koolaid

      2
      Reply
    • JoeBrady

      2 years ago

      I was at one of his really early games at Yankee Stadium. I had heard about his arm, but seeing live was a special event. He nailed someone at the plate by so much that the runner didn’t even slide.

      He was a special player for a short while. Absolutely beautiful swing, but simply tried to pull too many outside pitches.

      Best wishes wherever you wind up.

      1
      Reply
    • Bosox Boonie

      2 years ago

      As someone who saw him (in person and up close) play with the Gamecocks, as well as dozens of games in person with the Sox, the hype about JBJ was justified.

      It is a complete mystery to me what happened to him at the plate.

      4
      Reply
  7. User 3595123227

    2 years ago

    He was batting .133 lol.

    4
    Reply
    • Ham Fighter

      2 years ago

      With 131 at bats god awful

      3
      Reply
  8. Ham Fighter

    2 years ago

    Finally literally the worst hitter in baseball for the last 3 years

    6
    Reply
  9. Motown is My Town

    2 years ago

    He’s a perfect fit for the Tigers to sign as with his sub .200 average he fits right into their dreadful lineup!

    4
    Reply
    • User 3595123227

      2 years ago

      Get him to bat second followed by Baez……what a combo that could be!

      Reply
    • Ham Fighter

      2 years ago

      Correct he would fit in with that awful triple a lineup

      Reply
  10. markgravity

    2 years ago

    Red Sox fell in love with the player and ignored the numbers.

    2
    Reply
  11. ghost of andy sonnanstine's future

    2 years ago

    The stink of dayton moore still permeates this franchise. Valuing bible study over plate discipline has had long-term consequences.

    1
    Reply
  12. MitchellBLV

    2 years ago

    At this point in his career I doubt Jackie Bradely Jr. could even play for the Savannah Bananas!

    2
    Reply
  13. MLB-1971

    2 years ago

    People forget in 2016 JBJ had 30 doubles, 26 HRs, and an OPS .835.

    1
    Reply
    • avenger65

      2 years ago

      JC#1: Yeah, but in this world, it’s what have you done lately?

      1
      Reply
      • MLB-1971

        2 years ago

        JBJ has always been excellent defensively, and his bat was passable to good 2015 to 2020 with an OPS of .700 to .835.

        Since 2021 he has been unplayable. Bloom did the correct thing in originally letting him leave for Milwaukee. Why he ever traded for him was at the least a head scratcher. JBJ has been one of the absolute worst hitters in the MLB 2021, 2022, and 2023.

        Got a phone call during my original message and it posted before I could get back to it. Lol

        Reply
    • douglasb

      2 years ago

      OK, but in 2016 Robinson Cano hit .298 with 39 HR. You see anyone interested in putting Robinson Cano on the field at this point?

      Reply
  14. mikedickinson

    2 years ago

    If he could have hit .250, he’d have been a star.

    Reply
  15. O’s dude

    2 years ago

    Don’t worry JBJ won’t be a FA for long. Baltimore will sign him and he’ll go 14 for 20. Lol. I gare-Ron-tee-it

    Reply
    • miltpappas

      2 years ago

      O’s wouldn’t want him. Maybe Detroit or the Mets.

      1
      Reply
      • rct

        2 years ago

        Mets have no need for outfielders.

        1
        Reply
  16. miltpappas

    2 years ago

    His defense was always good enough so that, even if he hit .230, a team could bury him in their lineup. But he can’t even do that now. Or anything close to it. Sox fans must still be smarting over the deal for him that got Hunter Renfroe out of town.

    1
    Reply
    • DCartrow

      2 years ago

      Sort of like what the Braves have in Michael Harris, unfortunately.

      Reply
    • UWPSUPERFAN77

      2 years ago

      Dear Milt: BINGO!

      Reply
  17. sacrifice

    2 years ago

    I mean c’mon
    The guy cannot hit. Period

    2
    Reply
  18. pharmorlover

    2 years ago

    Word on the street is that Bradley is heading to Chicago and will be playing on the south side . Apparently Andrew is requesting that a deal be worked out so there can be a Boston reunion in the outfield. My sources are telling me that Zavala is going to Kansas City in exchange for Bradley

    1
    Reply
    • YEP

      2 years ago

      Sounds about right.

      Reply
  19. YEP

    2 years ago

    Next stop, southside Chicago.

    Reply
  20. Datashark

    2 years ago

    KC has been so bad this year that I thought JBJ already retired – they held him far too long.

    Reply
  21. nottinghamforest13

    2 years ago

    Lack of work ethic finally did him in. Showed very little interest in taking advice and improving himself as a hitter rather than collecting a paycheque.

    3
    Reply
  22. UWPSUPERFAN77

    2 years ago

    Nice Guy! Great Defense! No Offense! DFA!

    Reply
  23. User 233578298

    2 years ago

    You know you’re bad when the Royals release you.

    Jordan Lyles is on pace to go 0-25 and he’s still with the team.

    Reply
  24. acoss13

    2 years ago

    Dude is done, I say walk away with the 55 million dollars in earnings.

    Reply
  25. The Saber-toothed Superfife

    2 years ago

    Sad. HE.IS.A GREAT BASEBALL PLAYER

    Reply
    • douglasb

      2 years ago

      Is implies present tense.

      Reply
  26. douglasb

    2 years ago

    “Kansas City will have a week to trade Bradley” <- I spit my coffee on this one. I don't think there is a used car salesman in America that could accomplish that.

    Reply

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