The Boston Red Sox have a projected starting outfield that consists of Hanley Ramirez, Mookie Betts and Shane Victorino, with others such as Allen Craig, Rusney Castillo and Jackie Bradley Jr. behind them. One of these backups could be heading out the door soon.
Jackie Bradley Jr. is a candidate for the starting center field job, but the true battle will take place between Betts and Castillo during spring training. Although Castillo has been sitting out since being diagnosed with an oblique strain earlier in the month, the team signed him to a seven-year, $72.5 million deal in August and are optimistic he will perform.
On the other hand, Betts endured an unprecedented rise as a 21-year-old last season in 52 games with the team and he's currently the leading candidate because of his all-around skills. While Bradley remains perhaps the best defensive option, his bat has plagued him in 164 games over the past two seasons, during which he slashed .196/.268/.280 with 63 runs scored, four home runs and 40 RBIs. Because of his age (24) and potential to improve his offense, the Red Sox may be open to moving him.
"Scouts are beginning to at least discuss what the Red Sox may need to receive in order to part with Bradley in a trade," writes Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe. "Right now, the Sox don't appear to be in that mode, but there are teams who feel Bradley will come out of his hitting doldrums because he's hit at every level except the majors."
Bradley was performing well at the plate as recently as 2013, when he batted .275/.374/.469 with 57 runs scored, 10 home runs, 35 RBIs and 16 stolen in 80 games with Triple-A Pawtucket. He was also impressive in 2012 during stints with High Class-A Salem and Double-A Portland, where he logged a .315/.430/.482 stat line to go along with 90 runs scored, nine home runs, 63 RBIs and 24 stolen bases in 128 games.
He has even started to improve during spring training this year (.273/.360/.364 with four runs scored, two doubles and an RBI in seven games). Despite his past offensive struggles, Red Sox manager John Farrell praised Bradley just as spring training was set to start.
"He's working to establish himself more as an offensive player," Farrell said. "In my mind, he's the best center fielder in baseball. And I'm not afraid of saying that. He's an extremely talented guy. There has been some offensive challenges, but we don't deny what he can do, and he can play center field as good as anybody."
Depending on how Bradley improves his offense under new hitting coach Chili Davis, the Red Sox and general manager Ben Cherington could have a good trade piece on their hands.
