Should Jackie Bradley Jr be traded?

[notin]

Bradley is struggling big time with the strike zone. His graphs of OPS vs O-Swing (percentage of pitches swung at out of the zone) show a severe correlation. While one would expect any player's OPS to drop precipitously if they swung at too many bad pitches, the point is - Bradley i actually proving that.

 

https://www.fangraphs.com/graphs.aspx?playerid=12984&statArr=39,102&legend=1,2&split=base&time=season&ymin=&ymax=&dStatArray=

[mvp 78]

Why is everyone so down on Bradley because of his hitting, but there is no equal time for Christian Vazquez, who is hitting much worse than Bradley?

 

There aren't many viable hitting catchers. JBJ has the ability to be better. Vaz doesn't.

[mvp 78]

He's at 100 at bats, next 100 important. Then a decision has to be made, if your out of Top spot, and chasing the Yanks. Your aim is win Division, not Wild Card, when you have the highest payroll in Baseball.

 

He's got the next 300 AB's to determine if he's on the team long term or just becomes a bench player. There's enough time for him to turn it around. The problem is that we have this discussion every year about him not hitting. He'll then get really hot for a month and his numbers will end up ok for the year.

[jacksonianmarch]

Wash, rinse, repeat, right? JBJ when he struggles is terrible, and when he is hot, can carry a team. If you are going to deal him, you do it when you wouldn't want to deal him

[mvp 78]

Just keep him. See if he's at a reasonable price when FA rolls around. If not, let him go.

 

I just don't see the trade value being there.

[notin]

There aren't many viable hitting catchers. JBJ has the ability to be better. Vaz doesn't.

 

That logic turns in to "Let's sell low on Bradley."

 

For a team with a few tradeable commodities as the Sox, that is a bad idea...

[mvp 78]

That logic turns in to "Let's sell low on Bradley."

 

For a team with a few tradeable commodities as the Sox, that is a bad idea...

 

Nope.

[dgalehouse]

Some folks are starting to stretch things a bit in order to justify JBJ 's spot in the lineup. No need to do that. No need for the exaggerations and hypothetical " what ifs " . He is what he is. He will certainly hit somewhat better as the season progresses. On the other hand , his defense is far from indispensable to the team's success. Bottom line : Without a better alternative , he deserves a spot in the lineup.

[moonslav59]

Some folks are starting to stretch things a bit in order to justify JBJ 's spot in the lineup. No need to do that. No need for the exaggerations and hypothetical " what ifs " . He is what he is. He will certainly hit somewhat better as the season progresses. On the other hand , his defense is far from indispensable to the team's success. Bottom line : Without a better alternative , he deserves a spot in the lineup.

 

Well said.

 

Let me as you this hypothetical question.

 

Assuming Pedey comes back to near top form and can play 6 of 7 games at 2B with plus defense.

 

Is playing Nunez in LF, Beni in CF and keeping JMart at DH a respectable option?

 

Nunez has decent OF defensive metrics. Pedey improves the IF defense which partially offsets the loss of defense in the OG.

 

I'm not saying I'm for the idea, right now, but if JBJ is hovering around .500 by June, I may be open to at least doing this at times.

 

[Jasonbay44]

Well said.

 

Let me as you this hypothetical question.

 

Assuming Pedey comes back to near top form and can play 6 of 7 games at 2B with plus defense.

 

Is playing Nunez in LF, Beni in CF and keeping JMart at DH a respectable option?

 

Nunez has decent OF defensive metrics. Pedey improves the IF defense which partially offsets the loss of defense in the OG.

 

I'm not saying I'm for the idea, right now, but if JBJ is hovering around .500 by June, I may be open to at least doing this at times.

 

 

Its not like Nunez is doing much better than JBJ, he's been awful on offense and on defense. Id rather have Moreland play every day at 1B, with JD in outfield, and Hanley at DH.

[Spudboy]

Its not like Nunez is doing much better than JBJ, he's been awful on offense and on defense. Id rather have Moreland play every day at 1B, with JD in outfield, and Hanley at DH.

 

I agree. I love JBJ but those three back to back to back are getting it done.

[Jasonbay44]

I agree. I love JBJ but those three back to back to back are getting it done.

 

Yup, I am one of the biggest JBJ supporters on this board, but if we have to bench him, whatever, but it better not be for Eduardo Nunez in the outfield

[Maxbialystock]

That logic turns in to "Let's sell low on Bradley."

 

For a team with a few tradeable commodities as the Sox, that is a bad idea...

 

Way too much fantasy baseball stuff. There is a real season being played out right now and with the Yankees hot on our tail. JBJ's bat is a liability, especially when Moreland has a very hot bat, which means JD goes to LF and Beni to CF like tonight.

 

To me it's a no-brainer to play Moreland more and JBJ less. We would not have a prayer of winning tonight if JBJ were in the lineup he is that bad against lefty pitchers as Moreland clearly is not.

[moonslav59]

Its not like Nunez is doing much better than JBJ, he's been awful on offense and on defense. Id rather have Moreland play every day at 1B, with JD in outfield, and Hanley at DH.

 

Of course, the way Moreland is playing, he deserves to stay playing.

 

I was looking at what might might be going on when Pedey returns.

 

Maybe Nunez is still sub .700 when that happens, and my scenario looks back burnerish.

[oldtimer]

Of course, the way Moreland is playing, he deserves to stay playing.

 

I was looking at what might might be going on when Pedey returns.

 

Maybe Nunez is still sub .700 when that happens, and my scenario looks back burnerish.

 

Holt will be back before Pedey and if he continues hitting at all like he was before the hamstring, he is a better all around answer at second than Nunez or Lin right now. I do think Nunez is a professional player and hitter and will improve as the season moves on if last season is any indication. To be the most competitive team we can be we need Moreland, Holt inserted and Bradley on the bench. Not much to do about catcher.

[Maxbialystock]

Just keep him. See if he's at a reasonable price when FA rolls around. If not, let him go.

 

I just don't see the trade value being there.

 

Finally, a sensible approach. I do understand that trades are a key aspect of MLB, but it bugs me to see a 75 page thread whose title is about trading JBJ. To me the key question about any player is whether to play him and, relatedly, at what position and where in the batting order. It may be early in the season, but the Sox are off to a great start and neck and neck with the Yankees, so it's kind of silly to worry about when and whether to trade JBJ. Of course, this is a discussion board, which means almost any Sox related topic is grist for the mill.

 

Right now the Sox are paying him $6M, which is a strong argument for playing him in CF, where he is very good defensively. This is why he has played in 31 games to date, 2d only to Devers with 32 games.

 

However, the Sox currently have an abysmal bottom third of the batting order with Nunez not hitting, JBJ worse, and Vazquez/Leon worser. This explain why JBJ was a defensive replacement late in three of the 31 games he played in--as was the case last night.

 

I also like the argument that JBJ could get his swing back. The hitting coach claims he is close. Meanwhile, however, I do like Cora occasionally benching him to help the hitting.

Edited May 6, 2018 by Maxbialystock

[Bellhorn04]

Cora might sit him against lefty starters in hopes that will help get him going.

 

I have the utmost confidence in Cora to handle the situation intelligently.

[Kimmi]

Way too much fantasy baseball stuff. There is a real season being played out right now and with the Yankees hot on our tail. JBJ's bat is a liability, especially when Moreland has a very hot bat, which means JD goes to LF and Beni to CF like tonight.

 

To me it's a no-brainer to play Moreland more and JBJ less. We would not have a prayer of winning tonight if JBJ were in the lineup he is that bad against lefty pitchers as Moreland clearly is not.

 

Ultimately, the decision on who plays should be based on what gives us the best alignment for the team as a whole, offensively and defensively. If Moreland's offense is enough of an upgrade over JBJ's offense to offset the downgrade in OF defense, then by all means, Moreland should be playing over JBJ. Not that I would be happy about it.

 

The OF defense of JD in left and Beni in center has not yet cost us a game through an 'obvious' flub, so people are okay with that alignment. The thing about defense is that the runs saved from great defenders often come in a lot more subtle form.

[S5Dewey]

Ultimately, the decision on who plays should be based on what gives us the best alignment for the team as a whole, offensively and defensively. If Moreland's offense is enough of an upgrade over JBJ's offense to offset the downgrade in OF defense, then by all means, Moreland should be playing over JBJ. Not that I would be happy about it.

 

The OF defense of JD in left and Beni in center has not yet cost us a game through an 'obvious' flub, so people are okay with that alignment. The thing about defense is that the runs saved from great defenders often come in a lot more subtle form.

 

And a more debatable form, depending on what one's bias is.

[notin]

Yup, I am one of the biggest JBJ supporters on this board, but if we have to bench him, whatever, but it better not be for Eduardo Nunez in the outfield

 

Right now, less ball Bradley means more Moreland. And right now, that is the right way to go. ...

[Sox75]

Not traded, but a good long rest.

 

He's killing us right now.

 

What's his SO rate in t he last 10 - 15 games? Ya gotta save the kid from himself!!! He needs a rest in the worst way.

 

He makes 0 adjustments per AB. Gets down in the count, then keeps swinging from his arss. & no! He is not keeping his head on the ball. Head & shoulders flying on every swing. Outside high. Slider inside. It doesn't matter! Same swing. Same balls out head flying.

[illinoisredsox]

Not traded, but a good long rest.

 

He's killing us right now.

 

What's his SO rate in t he last 10 - 15 games? Ya gotta save the kid from himself!!! He needs a rest in the worst way.

 

He makes 0 adjustments per AB. Gets down in the count, then keeps swinging from his arss. & no! He is not keeping his head on the ball. Head & shoulders flying on every swing. Outside high. Slider inside. It doesn't matter! Same swing. Same balls out head flying.

 

The thing is, it's gone on under two managers and 3 hitting coaches. I'm inclined to say it's not coaching. He either is just stubborn or just can't do anything else.

[jacksonianmarch]

Jackie has said in the past that he doesn't watch film, that he is a read and react kind of hitter. In today's game where velocities are insane, every player has a specialization and breaking stuff is measured in spin rates rather than old guys with the old eye test, you have to know the tendencies. There are very few people who can walk up blind to the plate and hit.

[a700hitter]

Jackie has said in the past that he doesn't watch film, that he is a read and react kind of hitter. In today's game where velocities are insane, every player has a specialization and breaking stuff is measured in spin rates rather than old guys with the old eye test, you have to know the tendencies. There are very few people who can walk up blind to the plate and hit.

Good hitters have been studying film since the late 60's. the hitting coach should take him into the video room.

[Spudboy]

Wow. I can not imagine having video and other info at my disposal and not utilizing it.

 

That's just dumb.

[mvp 78]

Wow. I can not imagine having video and other info at my disposal and not utilizing it.

 

That's just dumb.

 

Baseball players are generally considered the dumbest professional athletes. I'm not surprised that JBJ is this way.

[Bellhorn04]

Baseball players are generally considered the dumbest professional athletes.

 

LOL

 

I think baseball players would fare OK in IQ tests vs. football or basketball players. The average scores for any of these groups wouldn't be super high I don't think.

[moonslav59]

It's not always as easy as just telling yourself, I need to concentrate on this aspect of my swing in order to improve.

 

I was always a less than decent hitter, but whenever anyone tried to help me with some advice, and I tried to think about changing, I got even worse.

[Bellhorn04]

It's not always as easy as just telling yourself, I need to concentrate on this aspect of my swing in order to improve.

 

I was always a less than decent hitter, but whenever anyone tried to help me with some advice, and I tried to think about changing, I got even worse.

 

And just try to imagine what it would have been like if it was major league pitching you'd been trying to hit.

[mvp 78]

LOL

 

I think baseball players would fare OK in IQ tests vs. football or basketball players. The average scores for any of these groups wouldn't be super high I don't think.

 

You can LOL it all you want, but the more I read from sportswriters, the more I see that MLB players are dumb as rocks, NBA guys are average and NFL guys tend to be smarter than expected. Why do you think NFL and NBA players are dumber than MLB? Football players need to memorize a playbook. Basketball players need to analyze every play while on the court. Baseball players are just "see ball hit ball."