Per multiple reports, the New York Mets will sign outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. to a minor league deal. The veteran last appeared in the majors last season in 43 games with the Kansas City Royals.
Mets Sign Former Gold Glove Winner To Minor League Deal
🚨 CONTRACT PURCHASED! 🚨
Please join us in congratulating outfielder @JackieBradleyJr, whose contract has been purchased by the @Mets organization! He will join the Triple-A @SyracuseMets!
📰: https://t.co/YYmUAEZOXs pic.twitter.com/grleDDsyWY
— Long Island Ducks (@LIDucks) July 23, 2024
Bradley largely struggled in Kansas City and was designated for assignment in early June. He finished the season unsigned and hinted at retirement this past offseason. So, many were surprised when the former All-Star signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League in pursuit of a comeback.
Mets Sign Jackie Bradley Jr. To A Minor-League Deal
To his credit, the veteran has lit up the league this season. In 40 games, Bradley has hit .400 with 12 homers and 14 doubles with a 1.204 OPS.
Despite his offensive prowess with the Ducks, Bradley paved his way in the majors due to an elite glove. Throughout his 11-year career, he earned 61 Defensive Runs Saved and 54 Outs Above Average in almost 8,000 innings in center field. In just over 1,200 right field innings, he earned 14 DRS and 8 OAA.
He appeared in 127 or more games in a season seven times in his career. However, he produced a league-average or better OPS+ in only two full seasons. For his career, Bradley produced an 82 OSP+ in 4,192 plate appearances.
Jackie Bradley Jr. is back with an MLB organization and this remains the best regular season play I've ever seen in person.
Red Sox legend forever. 🙏
pic.twitter.com/xwugLsOj5C— Ahaan Rungta (@AhaanRungta) July 23, 2024
This shows that his teams, predominately the Boston Red Sox, kept him in the lineup because of how valuable his glove was.
Bradley’s Fit With The Mets
The Mets will sign Bradley as Triple-A outfield depth. New York has not received good production in right field in Starling Marte’s absence. With Marte out for the foreseeable future, right field has become a spot that the team could look to upgrade soon.
For now, the Mets will likely keep Jeff McNeil in right and Jose Iglesias at second base. Both are solid defenders at their respective positions and have hit well recently. Tyrone Taylor has also had some solid moments with the bat and represents the team’s best defender in right field.
Tyrone Taylor started on fire with the Mets and then? He’s hitting .224. D.J.Stewart hitting .183. Big hole in right field. Don’t know about Marte and his knee?
— The Supe (@BenTheSuperfan) July 21, 2024
New York’s active roster features left-handed outfielders DJ Stewart and Ben Gamel. Stewart has struggled mightily since losing paying time to J.D. Martinez, and Gamel has not played much since replacing Marte on the roster.
Bradley has more experience as a part-time player and significantly higher defensive ability. The Mets could receive more value from Bradley in the fourth or fifth outfielder role than they are currently getting from Stewart or Gamel.
That said, Bradley will sign with the Mets and head to Triple-A Syracuse. If he hits well, he could receive a promotion sometime in August.
Main Photo Credits: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
