In a move to bolster their organizational outfield depth, the Mets agreed to terms on a Minor League deal with former All-Star Jackie Bradley Jr. on Tuesday. Although the Mets have not officially confirmed the deal, manager Carlos Mendoza acknowledged it and stated that Bradley will report to Triple-A Syracuse.
Bradley, 34, began the summer playing for the independent Long Island Ducks, where he posted an impressive .400/.476/.727 slash line in 40 games. Known for his elite defensive skills, Bradley has played all three outfield positions during his 11-year Major League career, consistently producing positive Outs Above Average totals since the metric was introduced. He won a Gold Glove in center field in 2018.
A left-handed hitter and former first-round Draft pick, Bradley recorded a .767 OPS for the Red Sox from 2015-20, earning an AL All-Star selection in ’15 and playing a key role in Boston’s 2018 championship run. However, he has struggled offensively in recent seasons, managing only a .513 OPS over the past three years. This decline led him to sign with the Ducks in April to reestablish his value.
Bradley joins a list of players who transitioned from the Ducks to affiliated ball, including former Mets relievers Scott Rice, Rob Zastryzny, and Michael Tonkin.
“Another depth piece,” Mendoza said. “I’ve seen this guy play really well at this level. Credit to him that he went and played independent ball, stayed in the game, and made some adjustments.”
For now, Bradley will play at Syracuse, where the roster has limited outfield depth. The Mets’ Major League outfield includes Brandon Nimmo, Harrison Bader, Jeff McNeil, Tyrone Taylor, DJ Stewart, and Ben Gamel, but several of these players have not solidified their positions. Additionally, starting right fielder Starling Marte has been sidelined since June with a bone bruise in his right knee, with no clear timeline for his return.
Given these circumstances, speculation has arisen about the potential addition of another outfielder to the Mets’ roster. If Bradley performs well at Triple-A, he could eventually vie for a spot on the Major League team.
