No. Not like Lester, who was offered obviously less as one of the top free agents available. Like it or not, I doubt many teams view Bradley as a bargain at $12mill. And it’s hardly “grasping at straws.” Players who get non-tendered re-sign with their former team every year. Last year, Mike Fiers, Matt Bush, Caleb Joseph, Adrian Sampson, and a few others all re-signed with the team that declined to tender them a contract.
Legares sand Maybin are both free agents (assuming the Mets decline Legares option) and neither are going to command a lot of money. If offered a starting chance in Boston, there’s a good chance the Sox could get one or an equal. And there are others.
And while I can’t the two names I mentioned as examples, I can guarantee that DD won’t non-tender Bradley and then leave the position unmanned.
I think the Sox make every effort to keep Betts and there are a few contract casualties along the way, which is why it might be unwise...