Why Did the Red Sox Let Jackie Bradley Jr Go?

Frank Jones

Updated on:

Jackie Bradley Jr

Jackie Bradley Jr. was a key member of the Boston Red Sox outfield for several years, known for his exceptional defensive skills and occasional offensive contributions. However, at the end of the 2020 season, the Red Sox made the surprising decision to let him go.

This move left many fans wondering why the team would part ways with a player who had been so important to their success in previous years. In this blog post, we will explore the reasons behind the Red Sox’s decision to let Bradley Jr. go.

We will examine the roster crunch created by the addition of Tommy Pham, the role of Bradley Jr.’s production in the decision, and the impact of his impending free agency.

By the end of this post, you will have a clearer understanding of why the Red Sox let Bradley Jr. go and what this means for the team moving forward.

Roster Crunch

The addition of outfielder Tommy Pham before the 2020 trade deadline created a roster crunch for the Red Sox. Pham, a right-handed hitter, joined the team alongside other right-handed hitting outfielders such as Jaylin Davis and Christian Arroyo, who can also play in the infield.

This meant that the Red Sox had a surplus of right-handed hitting outfielders and had to make some tough decisions about who to keep on the roster.

One reason why the Red Sox may have decided to prioritize Pham, Davis, and Arroyo over Bradley Jr. is that they were all relatively new acquisitions that the team likely wanted to give a chance to prove themselves.

Bradley Jr. had been with the team for several years, and the Red Sox may have felt that they had already seen what he was capable of. Another factor may have been the different skill sets of the players.

While Bradley Jr. was known primarily for his defensive abilities, the other right-handed hitting outfielders on the roster were seen as more well-rounded players who could contribute offensively as well. This may have made them more valuable to the team overall.

It’s important to note that the decision to let Bradley Jr. go was likely not an easy one for the Red Sox. He had been a popular player among fans and had played an important role in the team’s success in previous years.

However, the roster crunch created by the addition of Pham and the other right-handed hitting outfielders likely forced the Red Sox to make some tough decisions about who to keep on the roster, and ultimately they decided that Bradley Jr.’s production did not justify keeping him on the team.

Bradley Jr.’s Production

In 2020, Jackie Bradley Jr.’s offensive production was not as strong as it had been in previous years. He hit .283 with seven home runs and 22 RBI in 55 games, which was a significant drop from his 2019 numbers when he hit .225 with 21 home runs and 62 RBI in 147 games.

However, his defensive performance remained exceptional, as he won a Gold Glove award for his work in the center field.

When compared to the other outfielders on the Red Sox roster in 2020, Bradley Jr.’s offensive production was middling. Alex Verdugo was the team’s best all-around outfielder, hitting .308 with six home runs and 15 RBI in 53 games.

Meanwhile, Kevin Pillar, who the Red Sox signed after Bradley Jr.’s departure, hit .274 with four home runs and 13 RBI in 54 games.

When looking at Bradley Jr.’s career statistics, it’s clear that his offensive production has been inconsistent. He has had some strong seasons, such as 2016 when he hit .267 with 26 home runs and 87 RBI, but he has also had some down years, such as 2018 when he hit just .234 with 13 home runs and 59 RBI.

Additionally, while his defense is exceptional, it’s worth noting that advanced defensive metrics such as Defensive Runs Saved have been somewhat mixed on his performance over the years.

Overall, it’s likely that Bradley Jr.’s inconsistent offensive production and the presence of other outfielders on the roster who were seen as more well-rounded players played a role in the Red Sox’s decision to let him go.

While his defense was outstanding, the team may have felt that they could get similar defensive production from other players while also improving their offensive output.

Impending Free Agency

At the end of the 2020 season, Jackie Bradley Jr. became a free agent. This meant that he was free to sign with any team, and the Red Sox would have to compete with other teams if they wanted to bring him back. Given his status as a free agent, the Red Sox may have been hesitant to commit to a long-term contract with him.

Bradley Jr. was already 30 years old at the time, and while he had been a solid contributor to the team over the years, his inconsistent offensive production may have made the Red Sox reluctant to offer him a long-term deal.

Additionally, the team was looking to rebuild after a disappointing 2020 season, and they may have felt that it was better to invest in younger players who could be a part of their long-term future.

This potential reluctance to commit to a long-term deal with Bradley Jr. may have influenced the Red Sox’s decision to let him go.

Instead of trying to negotiate a new contract with him, they may have felt that it was better to let him explore the free agent market and see what kind of offers he could get from other teams.

This would allow the Red Sox to potentially save money and allocate their resources elsewhere while still trying to remain competitive in the short term.

In the end, Bradley Jr. signed a two-year, $24 million deal with the Milwaukee Brewers, which is a significant commitment for a player who has had some inconsistency on offense.

The Red Sox’s decision to let him go may have been influenced by their reluctance to make a similar commitment, especially given their roster crunch and desire to invest in younger players.

Comparison of Jackie Bradley Jr.’s 2020 Offensive and Defensive Statistics to Other Red Sox Outfielders

PlayerGames PlayedPlate AppearancesBatting AverageOn-Base PercentageSlugging PercentageDefensive Runs Saved
Jackie Bradley Jr.55217.283.364.4504
Andrew Benintendi1452.103.314.1280
Alex Verdugo53221.308.367.4780
Kevin Pillar54181.274.321.470-3

Note: Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) measures a player’s defensive contribution compared to an average player in his position. This table compares Jackie Bradley Jr.’s 2020 offensive and defensive statistics to other outfielders on the Red Sox roster.

Despite playing in fewer games than some of his teammates, Bradley Jr. had a higher batting average and on-base percentage than both Andrew Benintendi and Kevin Pillar. He also had a higher slugging percentage than Benintendi and was tied with Pillar.

Defensively, Bradley Jr. had a significant advantage, with four Defensive Runs Saved compared to zero for Alex Verdugo and Benintendi, and negative three for Pillar.

This comparison helps to illustrate the Red Sox’s decision to let Bradley Jr. go, as they may have felt that they could get similar offensive production from other players while also improving their defense in the outfield.

FAQs

Did Jackie Bradley Jr.’s departure have anything to do with his salary demands?

There has been no indication that Bradley Jr.’s salary demands played a role in the Red Sox’s decision to let him go. While he did sign a two-year, $24 million deal with the Brewers, it’s unclear if the Red Sox were willing to match that offer.

How did Red Sox fans react to Bradley Jr.’s departure?

Red Sox fans had mixed reactions to Bradley Jr.’s departure. While many appreciated his contributions to the team over the years, others felt that his inconsistent offensive production and high strikeout rate made him expendable.

Who did the Red Sox sign to replace Bradley Jr.?

The Red Sox signed Kevin Pillar to a one-year deal to help fill the void left by Bradley Jr.’s departure. While Pillar is not as strong defensively as Bradley Jr., he has been a more consistent offensive performer over the years.

Will the Red Sox regret letting Bradley Jr. go?

It’s too early to tell if the Red Sox will regret letting Bradley Jr. go. While he is a solid defensive player and a valuable asset in the center field, his inconsistent offensive production and age may have made him less attractive to the team in the long run.

The Red Sox will need to continue to invest in younger players and make smart roster decisions in order to remain competitive in the AL East.

Conclusion

There were several factors that likely contributed to the Red Sox’s decision to let Jackie Bradley Jr. go after the 2020 season. The addition of Tommy Pham created a roster crunch, and the presence of other right-handed hitting outfielders on the roster made Bradley Jr. less essential.

Additionally, his inconsistent offensive production and the impending free agency may have made the Red Sox hesitant to commit to a long-term contract with him.

Ultimately, the team likely felt that they could get similar defensive production from other players while also improving their offense.

Bradley Jr. went on to sign a two-year deal with the Brewers, and it remains to be seen how he will perform in his new home.

Leave a Comment