Red Sox DFA Former All-Star Outfielder

He's a former All-Star and Gold Glover for the Boston Red Sox, but his production has waned considerably over the years, and now, bumped from the starting outfield with the acquisition of Tommy Pham, Jackie Bradley Jr. has been designated for assignment by the BoSox.

Bradley has spent 9 of his 10 major league seasons in Boston, returning this year after a one-season stint in Wisconsin. The offseason trade to reacquire Bradley, that sent power bat Hunter Renfroe to the Milwaukee Brewers, ended up being a disaster, as Renfroe has continued to mash this season. 

In 91 games back in Boston, JBJ has hit just .210 with a .578 OPS, along with three homers, and two stolen bases in five attempts. 

He was an All-Star in 2016, and has been one of the best center fielders in baseball over the course of his career. But his offensive woes were just too much overcome at this point. 

Can't argue with move to DFA Jackie Bradley Jr. based on his numbers, but Red Sox did him no favors by constructing a roster that forced him to start. He should've been a fourth outfielder who played some vs. RHPs, not the everyday right fielder.

— John Tomase (@jtomase) August 4, 2022

The main purpose of the move is to clear the path for Jarren Duran to officially take over as the CF of the future, while giving newly-acquired OF Pham a full-time role as well.  

If Bradley Jr. isn't claimed and accepts an assignment to the minors, it'll be his first appearance in Triple-A since 2015 (outside of a quick 2-game rehab assignment in 2017). 

Photo: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports