UPDATE: Add the Seattle Mariners to the list as GM Jerry Dipoto is looking to upgrade the team's outfield.
#Mariners looking at a number of CF options and have interest in trading for Jackie Bradley Jr. @FOXSports
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 12, 2015
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The trade rumors surrounding the Boston Red Sox have been swirling ever since Dave Dombrowski took over as president of baseball operations. They're probably only going to grow as the offseason progresses.
Especially since the Chicago Cubs and Kansas City Royals might be in need of outfield help. The Red Sox have plenty to provide in such a scenario.
Boston is already receiving calls on their prospects and some players on their MLB roster. The most recent being outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr., who is believed to be on the trading block due to his second half surge with the Red Sox this past season.
"There is a growing sentiment that, despite Dombrowski's declarations, the Red Sox will break up the trio of Mookie Betts, Jackie Bradley Jr. and Rusney Castillo. The likely piece to part? If you go by teams expressing interest, it would be Bradley Jr.," writes Rob Bradford of WEEI.com.
"The Royals and Cubs were two teams surfaced as teams who were possibly ready to take a run at Bradley Jr. to fill their vacant starting outfield spots.
"It was interesting to hear one general manager classify the Red Sox as 'selling high' on Bradley Jr. considering how many questions the outfielder left lingering heading into the offseason."
After batting a paltry .196 in his first 164 MLB games, Bradley Jr. rebounded in 2015 and slashed .249/.335/.498 with 43 runs scored, 10 home runs and 43 RBI in 74 games. On top of that, he's regarded as one of the best defensive outfielders in the league after having just 238 games under his belt.
At 25 years old he's certainly a coveted player and the Red Sox might feel they can get a good return for him. Boston also has Mookie Betts and Rusney Castillo in the outfield, so perhaps Dombrowski thinks those two would provide relief in the event Bradley were to be traded.
Previous rumors suggested the Sox could look to sell high on Bradley and go after Alex Gordon in free agency to fill the void in left field.
Dombrowski previously said Betts figures to be one of the "backbones" of the organization, so he's probably not going anywhere, and the fact that Castillo is under contract for over $60 million through 2020 will make him hard to move.
Dombrowski is looking to bolster the starting rotation and bullpen, so it's unknown if the Royals or Cubs would be favorable trade partners. Kansas City has a stacked bullpen, but that's a big part of their identity, making it hard to believe they'd break up any part of that unit. As for Chicago, they are seriously lacking in both MLB and minor-league pitching talent, so it's unclear how they'd be of help to Boston.
Nonetheless, keep an eye on developing trade rumors surrounding Bradley Jr., as he could very well be in a different uniform come 2016.
