Should Jackie Bradley Jr be traded?

[Nick]

I don't want to trade him. That said, I also am aware that he's a BorASS client. That's a reason enough to be concerned about JBJ and Xander.

 

I'd also like to think that had JBJ been in the lineup, Beni would have made two plays in OF that Young didn't. The line drive right at Young and the fould ball that Young couldn't quite get to.

 

Young obviously had to be in because we need offensive lift right now.

Edited May 7, 2017 by Nick

[Wade Boggs]

They said on the Comcast Boston Baseball Show, Bradley is still injured. Not a 100%

[jad]

You don't remember his ridiculous hot streak in August 2015?

 

Guess not. Must have been indisposed!

[devildavid]

They said on the Comcast Boston Baseball Show, Bradley is still injured. Not a 100%

 

I was thinking that might be the case. When a player is hurt you have to temper performance expectations. Let's let JBJ get 100% healthy and see how he does then. His defense is outstanding which is great to have for a CF.

[oldtimer]

I was thinking that might be the case. When a player is hurt you have to temper performance expectations. Let's let JBJ get 100% healthy and see how he does then. His defense is outstanding which is great to have for a CF.

 

Sounds like an excuse for poor performance to me. JBJ has to get his head together and needs help from Chili Davis to get back to be an acceptable offensive threat. It's getting to a point where his career is on the line. He has shown the capability in the past so it is a matter of him finding himself.

[devildavid]

Sounds like an excuse for poor performance to me. JBJ has to get his head together and needs help from Chili Davis to get back to be an acceptable offensive threat. It's getting to a point where his career is on the line. He has shown the capability in the past so it is a matter of him finding himself.

 

Not an excuse, but a legitimate reason for performance issues. Back in 2008, many were ready to write off Big Papi, who was fighting through a wrist injury. Injuries are not excuses, they are legitimate reasons that performance can be hampered. Let him heal before passing judgement.

[Slasher9]

he can get 1 single in 10 AB's everytime and i still have him as my starting CFer.

[bosoxmal]

5 seasons, 412 games, BA .234, 137 BB, 379 K. He is flashy in the field, but his erratic throws are as common as his smooth catches. I can not see him back in this lineup---ever.

 

It's s situation made worse because his trade value is at a rock bottom level. Almost embarrassing.

[bosoxmal]

No question Bradley in center and Benintendi in left is better defensively than Benintendi in center and Young in left. But how much offense is it worth giving up to get a somewhat improved defense? That is the issue. Anyway , the problem goes away if Jackie starts hitting. I feel confident that he will. My point is that you can't keep putting him out there for his glove alone. You need some production at the plate too. An OPS of .800 would be more than enough for sure.

 

Been here since 2013. 416 games, .234 BA, K to BB ration 3:1. Answer: get what you can for him and move on.

[mvp 78]

If you're moving on from JBJ, who are your starting OFers? Young can mash LHP, but who hits against RHP?

[Station 13]

It's not like we're littered with OF on the roster or minors. What if Betts or Benintendi suddenly can't play? The OF would dwindled to 1 starting OF.

[mvp 78]

Selsky is the only OF on the 40 man roster not currently playing in Boston.

 

The other two starters at Pawtucket are Castillo (not being promoted in a 1,000,000 years) and Aneury Tavarez. Tavarez was the guy the O's picked in the Rule V draft but had to return. He was mashing AA pitching as a 25 year old. He has decent speed, but the Sox basically refuse to play him in CF. He's only had 4 starts in Pawtucket. He went 5 for 8 in his first 2 games with 2 HRs. He's been 0 for 10 ever since. In order for him to be called up, he'd have to really start mashing. He'd be an interesting call up, but if they aren't interested in playing him in CF, his value is diminished.

[S5Dewey]

he can get 1 single in 10 AB's everytime and i still have him as my starting CFer.

 

I agree.

 

I'm always fascinated by the number of people who undervalue defense. The Red Sox outfield is arguably the best defensive outfield in baseball and that will save runs. Apparently there are some who would concentrate on the fact that JBJ's strong throws are sometimes off target and use that as fodder for a "trade him' argument while ignoring that he gets to balls that most other CF's don't get to. The fact is that he'll get to more balls than he'll make errant throws on. He's a defensive plus.

 

Of course a team couldn't survive with a batting order comprised exclusively of GG playes who had a collective BA of .225 but when a team has one outstanding defensive player in an 'up the middle' position, especially one who has a history of going on hot streaks good enough to carry a team, that's not a player a team should be looking to get rid of.

[devildavid]

Been here since 2013. 416 games, .234 BA, K to BB ration 3:1. Answer: get what you can for him and move on.

 

Here are some numbers from 2016: 30 2B, 26 HR, 97 R 87 RBI .267 BA .349 OBP.

[Kimmi]

I agree.

 

I'm always fascinated by the number of people who undervalue defense. The Red Sox outfield is arguably the best defensive outfield in baseball and that will save runs. Apparently there are some who would concentrate on the fact that JBJ's strong throws are sometimes off target and use that as fodder for a "trade him' argument while ignoring that he gets to balls that most other CF's don't get to. The fact is that he'll get to more balls than he'll make errant throws on. He's a defensive plus.

 

Of course a team couldn't survive with a batting order comprised exclusively of GG playes who had a collective BA of .225 but when a team has one outstanding defensive player in an 'up the middle' position, especially one who has a history of going on hot streaks good enough to carry a team, that's not a player a team should be looking to get rid of.

 

I agree as well. I expect JBJ's offense to get back on track, but even if he doesn't hit that well, the rest of our offense can carry him.

 

To quote some of your favorite stats, so far this year, JBJ has a DRS of +4 in only 142 innings, and a UZR/150 of 18.8. What Jackie lacks in offense, he makes up for in defense, errant throws and all.

[Kimmi]

It's not like we're littered with OF on the roster or minors. What if Betts or Benintendi suddenly can't play? The OF would dwindled to 1 starting OF.

 

Exactly. We need the depth, if nothing else.

[notin]

Been here since 2013. 416 games, .234 BA, K to BB ration 3:1. Answer: get what you can for him and move on.

 

Move on to what? Chris Young?

 

The Sox minors right now are pretty much empty of outfielders...

[notin]

Sounds like an excuse for poor performance to me. JBJ has to get his head together and needs help from Chili Davis to get back to be an acceptable offensive threat. It's getting to a point where his career is on the line. He has shown the capability in the past so it is a matter of him finding himself.

 

Sounds like an opinion that was already formed to me...

[tombirner]

Move on to what? Chris Young?

 

The Sox minors right now are pretty much empty of outfielders...

 

Why not? I'm pretty big on Chris Young, he's been very good in his role since joining our squad. Nice well-rounded player with some pop and some speed, solid hitter and fielder, etc. I know that doesn't always translate into a better-than-average position player, but I think he could be at least average, and think over the course of the season he'd put together some pretty solid numbers. Can't have an All-Star at every position. Splurge for a stud outfielder in one of the next few off-seasons if our offense remains in the shitter.

[oldtimer]

Sounds like an opinion that was already formed to me...

 

There has been a long time to form that opinion. JBJ has not lived up to his own expectations offensively. I do grant, as was said on BB Tonight, there are many proven ML players that are off to very slow starts offensively this year. They didn't have an explanation for it but noted a number of unexpected last place teams had guys who had good careers now hitting 220 or less. Could it be the pitching is that much better? The Cubs also have several that are way off. Still, there are guys like Beni, who have hit very well so go figure.

[Slasher9]

if only we had spent $21MM x 7 years for Ellsbury we wouldnt have to bother with this JBj person.....

[Kingface]

I was for trading JBJ awhile ago when his stock was quite high but at this point and time I think he's more valuable to us than another team. We don't have the depth at the position and his defense is pretty much the best in the league. I just wish he wasn't such a firkin streaky hitter! Drives me nuts.

[mvp 78]

if only we had spent $21MM x 7 years for Ellsbury we wouldnt have to bother with this JBj person.....

 

Then we'd get lovely Wacko Jacko posts like "Ellsbury is made of glass. He'll be having season ending surgery tomorrow." Now we just get "don't worry, he'll turn it around soon. His arm stinks and he's an overrated fielder, but he can still hit and kinda run! Not terrible if you ask me!"

[jacksonianmarch]

Ellsbury is rapidly looking like the odd man out in NY, even if he is playing well. That being said, you kinda have to roll with JBJ. He can be absolutely terrible for 2 months and then go on a 45 game tear where he's the best player in baseball. His defense makes it easy to put his name in the lineup as well. Dealing him after a slow start is a good way to get 50 cents on the dollar. Your best bet was to deal him before the season, but now you need to wait to see if he gets hot

[mvp 78]

JBJ is good for one great month.

 

2015:

5/10 - 8/8 146 BABIP and 426 OPS

8/9 - 9/7 577 BABIP and 1441 OPS

9/8 - 10/4 173 BABIP and 510 OPS

 

2016:

4/5 - 5/4 348 BABIP and 792 OPS

5/5 - 5/30 400 BABIP and 1232 OPS

6/1 - 9/30 289 BABIP and 765 OPS

 

Right now he's hitting like the bad parts of 2015. If he was back to hitting like the cooler months from 2016, we wouldn't be complaining right now.

[Slasher9]

if only we had spent $21MM x 7 years for Ellsbury we wouldnt have to bother with this JBj person.....

 

btw - for those that dont know. this post was sarcasm. i love JBj. Ellsbury's contract will go down as one of the worst ever.

[bkzwhitestrican]

btw - for those that dont know. this post was sarcasm. i love JBj. Ellsbury's contract will go down as one of the worst ever.

 

True. It's not even that Ellsbury has been that bad, but to live up to a contract that massive he would have needed to repeat his MVP season like 3 times.

[mvp 78]

@PeteAbe

 

Bradley was hitting .222/.271/.315 after 16 games in ‘16 and made the All-Star team. He has played 16 games this season. Yet out again.

[oldtimer]

@PeteAbe

 

Bradley was hitting .222/.271/.315 after 16 games in ‘16 and made the All-Star team. He has played 16 games this season. Yet out again.

 

In August, if he is still hitting under .200 guys will still be postulating that one good month for September. What he needs is to go down and work on his hitting for a week or two. I still think he can be a hitter again but he needs to change his approach. We do need his defense and he is a great young guy so coaches, please help him get his mojo back.

[illinoisredsox]

In August, if he is still hitting under .200 guys will still be postulating that one good month for September. What he needs is to go down and work on his hitting for a week or two. I still think he can be a hitter again but he needs to change his approach. We do need his defense and he is a great young guy so coaches, please help him get his mojo back.

 

They can't send him down. A player gets 3 option years, after which he cannot be optioned to the minors without exposing him to waivers (which I really doubt he would clear). JBJ was first placed on the 40 man roster in 2013, but was optioned to Pawtucket in each 2013, 2014 and 2015. He is out of options.