Center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. Plans to signal a two-year, $24 million agreement with all the Milwaukee Brewers that comprises an opt-out after the initial year, a source familiar with the contract told ESPN.
Bradley spent all eight of the previous seasons using all the Boston Red Sox, joining the organization in 2011, when he was drafted 40th overall.
Bradley batted .283 with seven home runs, 22 RBIs, five stolen bases, an .814 OPS plus a career-low K rate (22.1percent ) in 55 games in 2020.
The 30-year-old is a elite center fielder. He also won a Gold Glove at 2018, along with his acrobatic grabs in Fenway are a staple of highlight films.
He’s some power in his bat — in the 2018 American League Championship Series from Houston, Bradley had a two-run homer and a grand slam, helping him earn MVP honors for that collection. But his inclination to pull a lot of has resulted in mediocre batting averages. He was an All-Star at 2016.
Bradley, who’s represented by agent Scott Boras, was on a $11 million, one-year deal with the Red Sox at 2020, but that number was prorated due to the shortened season.
This move continues the Brewers’ offseason emphasis on defense.
The Brewers already added former St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Kolten Wong, a Gold Glove winner all the past two seasons. Wong signed a two-year, $18 million contract with a 2022 team choice after the Cardinals dropped to pick up their 12.5 million option .
Bradley’s addition apparently gives the Brewers four possible starters for three outfield spots.
The Brewers already have 2019 Gold Glove center fielder Lorenzo Cain, who picked out after playing five games last season but is back in spring training camp now.
Milwaukee also brings Avisail Garcia, that usually has played right area but took over in center last year after Cain’s exit. Garcia batted .238 using a .659 OPS in 53 games last season but had a .796 OPS with 20 homers two years back with Tampa Bay.
Since the NL is expected to go with no designated hitter this season, the Brewers would appear to have a surplus of outfielders used to starting, unless they make yet another move within the next few weeks.
Bradley has played centre for 781 of his 873 career titles, however he’s made infrequent appearances at the other corner-outfield spots. Cain has played center in about 90 percent of his career matches, though he has made 157 looks in appropriate area.
Bradley and Yelich are left-handed hitters, while Cain and Garcia bat from the right side.
This move leaves the Red Sox without any of the starting outfielders from their 2018 group that won the World Series. They traded right fielder Mookie Betts into the Dodgers last season and delivered left fielder Andrew Benintendi to the Kansas City Royals final month.
Bradley had been with the Red Sox since their 2013 World Series championship year, though he did not seem in a postseason game that year.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora called Bradley that a”solid player, better individual” on Thursday.
“He’s a fan from afar,” Cora said. “I will be paying attention and, of course, off the area, we’re going to keep having a relationship.”
The Brewers are pursuing their fourth consecutive playoff berth this season. They made the playoffs last year with a 29-31 album despite never being above .500 annually, though they lost to the eventual World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers in the opening round.
Bradley’s deal with the Brewers was first reported by the Boston Globe.
