By STEVE MEGARGEE
The Associated Press
MILWAUKEE – Former South Carolina outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. is joining the Milwaukee Brewers, agreeing to the parameters of a $ 24 million two-year contract, said a person familiar with the negotiations to the Associated Press.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity on Thursday because the details of the deal were still being negotiated and the deal is subject to a successful physical examination.
Bradley would have the right to choose to leave after a year and $ 13 million, allowing him to become a free agent after this season.
Bradley will join the Brewers for spring training, which began in mid-February. The opening day is April 1st.
Bradley turns 31 on April 19 and is considered the best defensive player. He spent his entire career in Boston and hit 0.283 with seven homers and 22 RBIs during the shortened 2020 season for the pandemic. He had a percentage of 0.364 at the base and a 0.814 OPS in 55 games last season.
His career numbers include a batting average of 0.239 and a percentage of 0.321 at the base. 732 OPS, 98 homers and 376 RBIs. He won a golden glove in 2018 and led the American League in assists from a central defender in 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2019.
This move continues the Brewers’ emphasis on defense, off-season.
The Brewers have already added former St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Kolten Wong, winner of the Gold Glove for the past two seasons. Wong signed a two-year contract, $ 18 million, with a 2022 team option after the Cardinals refused to choose their $ 12.5 million option.
The addition of Bradley apparently gives Brewers four potential entries for three outside slots.
The Brewers already have Lorenzo Cain, central gardener Gold Glove 2019, who dropped out after playing five games last season, but is back on the spring training ground.
“We are trying to get your legs under it and it is going a little bit slower than we would like,” said businessman Craig Counsell.
Christian Yelich, the 2018 NL MVP, is set in the left field.
Milwaukee also brings back Avisaíl García, who normally played well but took over the center last year after Cain left. García countered 0.238 with a 0.659 OPS in 53 games last season, but had a 0.796 OPS with 20 homers two years ago with Tampa Bay.
Without commenting specifically on Bradley’s potential addition, Counsell noted how depth could boost Milwaukee’s outer field.
“By adding players that we can launch every day, a combination of players that will face all the appearances of the plate, I think it can create a really good safe floor,” said Counsell. “And that would allow us to go a little bit slower (with) Cain at the start of the season, if necessary. I am not predicting this will happen.”
Since the NL is expected to be without a designated hitter this season, the Brewers appear to have a surplus of outfielders accustomed to starting, unless they make another move in the coming weeks.
“We don’t have four outfielders,” said Counsell. “We will have a lot of outfielders starting and we will have to find out how it works. It is more or less as I see it. But there is playing time, for sure.”
Bradley played as a pivot in 781 of his 873 career games, although he made rare appearances in other corners of the field. Cain played a pivot in about 90% of his career games, although he also made 157 appearances on the right field.
Asked whether Cain could progress to the right field, Counsell replied, “Lorenzo is our central defender.”
Bradley and Yelich are left-handed hitters, while Cain and García hit on the right.
This move leaves the Red Sox without any of the first outfielders of its 2018 team that won the World Series. They traded right fielder Mookie Betts with the Dodgers last year and sent left fielder Andrew Benintendi to the Kansas City Royals last month.
Bradley has been with the Red Sox since the 2013 World Series championship season, although he did not appear in a postseason game that year.
Red Sox coach Alex Cora called Bradley “a solid player, a better person” on Thursday.
“He has a fan from far away,” said Cora. “I will be paying attention and, obviously, off the pitch, we will continue to have a relationship.”
The Brewers are looking for their fourth consecutive playoff spot this season. They made it to the playoffs last year with a 29-31 record, although they never stayed above 0.500 all year long, although they lost to the eventual World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers in the opening round.
NOTE: The Brewers announced on Thursday that Milwaukee health officials approved a plan to allow spectators at home games to occupy 25% of American Family Field’s capacity for the start of the season. Unauthorized use before the game will not be allowed at the beginning of the season. The Brewers open the season by introducing the Minnesota Twins on April 1.