The Red Sox have repeatedly said they will be touching base with Jackie Bradley Jr. until his free agency comes to an end. Now we might have an idea of what they have been hearing when reaching out.
According to Mike Puma of the New York Post, Bradley Jr. is seemingly looking for long-term commitment from whatever team signs him.
The Mets have clearly been one of the main suitors for Bradley Jr., who resides at the best centerfielder left in the open market after George Springer's six-year deal with Toronto. Also reportedly in the mix are the Giants.
The ask of something potentially beyond four years may have come as a surprise to some, with MLB Trade Rumors' usually strikingly accurate free agent projection slotting Bradley Jr. in at two years, $16 million.
But Bradley Jr. -- who is represented by Scott Boras -- certainly has a case to be made thanks to his defensive acumen and offense flurry in the final month of 2020.
As for the Red Sox, Bradley Jr. could still be a fit. Their outfield situation currently includes Andrew Benintendi, Hunter Renfroe and Alex Verdugo, with recently-acquired Kiké Hernandez likely to see some time in right, center or left. (Hernandez, however, may be relied upon at second base more that any other time in his career, limiting outfield opportunities.)
