Jackie Bradley Jr. returned to Fenway Park on Tuesday for the primary time for the reason that Red Sox launched him earlier this month.
The Gold Glove heart fielder was rapidly snatched up by the rival Blue Jays, who wanted Bradley to fill the spot of the injured George Springer.
Springer is again in motion and the Jays are nonetheless utilizing Bradley, who was within the lineup batting ninth and enjoying heart discipline on Tuesday towards the Red Sox. Springer was batting leadoff because the designated hitter.
“It’s good, feels like it was just yesterday,” Bradley mentioned of his return to Fenway. “It’s been a few weeks but I’m excited to be here.”
After posting an .814 OPS throughout a robust 2020 season in Boston, Bradley hit free company and was signed by the Brewers to a two-year, $26-million deal. But he turned within the worst season of his profession in Milwaukee, the place he hit simply .163 with a .497 OPS in 134 video games.
Because the Red Sox have been determined to improve their outfield protection and thought Bradley could possibly be nearer to the participant he was, they acquired him again from the Brewers in trade for Hunter Renfroe and two prospects earlier than the 2022 season.
The prospects, Alex Binelas and David Hamilton, each have an OPS beneath .700 in Double-A Portland this yr. Renfroe is hitting .241 with a .798 OPS and 22 house runs in Milwaukee. Bradley hit .210 with a .578 OPS earlier than the Sox launched him.
With the Blue Jays, he’s 2-for-12 with three RBI in 9 video games.
“I had to have help getting to the locker room, I didn’t know where to go,” Bradley mentioned about returning to Fenway. “The gamers laughed at me as I requested the place the batting cage was. It’s an adjustment nevertheless it’s cool. Obviously I parked in the identical parking zone that I all the time parked in over right here with my guys. It was nice.
“I’m glad to be back here. I’ve got a lot of memories here and my family has a lot of memories here so I’m glad they’ll be here as well to support me.”
Bradley mentioned his whole household was in Boston for the collection.
Being let go after the 2020 season, then re-acquired earlier than 2022, then launched throughout the season was loads for Bradley to endure, however he mentioned he has no exhausting emotions.
“They had a job to do,” he mentioned. “I by no means actually get emotional about enterprise selections. …
“Obviously I have a lot of ties here. People I’ve developed a lot of relationships with over the years. I know for certain that those relationships will still stay strong and be there. But you know me, I’m not typically an emotional guy. I’m excited to be here and excited to be able to perform.”
It’s simple to level to the Bradley commerce as an enormous a part of why the 2022 Red Sox roster wasn’t correctly put collectively.
It’s additionally simple to see the way it may’ve.
Kiké Hernandez was nice in heart discipline final yr, however the Sox have been under common in each nook spots and too usually made pricey errors. Renfroe had a cannon for an arm, but additionally made 12 errors.
Upgrading within the outfield protection was a precedence, and if Bradley might’ve pushed his OPS nearer to his profession .695 mark, it wouldn’t have been a lot of a downgrade from Renfroe’s profession .788 OPS.
Bradley merely couldn’t get it entering into Boston. The 32-year-old continued to play elite protection, however appeared underutilized in proper discipline and didn’t do sufficient with the bat to make up for it.
“It’s terrible by my standards,” he mentioned. “I was never really happy with the way I performed. But I came to work every day, put the work in. Sometimes the results don’t always align. And that’s the way I felt but you’ve gotta continue to come in, put the work in, and help the team any way you possibly can that day.”
Where the Sox went unsuitable was not having an offensive platoon associate with Bradley or a extra offensive first baseman. With horrible manufacturing from proper discipline and first base, the Sox offense has been simply common this yr.
Still, it wouldn’t be a shock to see Bradley make an affect with the Blue Jays, who’re poised to make the playoffs as a wild card staff.
“Everything happens for a reason,” he mentioned. “I’m very grateful for the chance that I’ve right here. Obviously we’ve aspirations to attempt to make it deep into the playoffs and in the end need to win a World Series. …
“It’s awesome. It’s exciting. You always want to play meaningful baseball. I think that’s what makes things fun, exciting, and brings out the best in a lot of ballplayers.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com