Texas Rangers: Five trade targets remaining this offseason

OF Jackie Bradley Jr. (Boston Red Sox)

Of the five names on this list, Jackie Bradley Jr. probably gets the juices of the Rangers fan base going the least. Which is why he’s also the most likely if the Rangers are to make a trade in the next few weeks. With one year remaining on his contract, he would be a low risk acquisition for a team and his current club is one looking to shed payroll, of which he accounts for $11 million.

The 29-year old would not be the star player many Texas fans wanted this offseason, but he could join Robinson Chirinos, Todd Frazier and Kyle Gibson in that tier of solid upgrades. Bradley Jr. has for five seasons now, been a fairly consistent outfielder for the Red Sox. His 2019 season was a down one by his standards hitting just .225 but his 21 homers would be a welcomed addition to a club needing some power.

Where JBJ would fit is as the everyday center fielder Texas currently lacks despite plans for Danny Santana to hold that role in 2020. Santana should be an everyday player, but there are question as to whether center field is the right fit. Bradley Jr. on the other hand, has been a plus-defender for most of his time in the league save some regression last season which was lacking all around. The knock though is that he would be another left-handed hitter, something Texas already has too many of and has tried to thin out with the trade of Nomar Mazara to the Chicago White Sox. He’s a natural fit defensively but in the lineup, he’d be tougher to work in.

With all this, he probably is also the cheapest to acquire in terms of prospect value. Boston could lose him at season’s end for nothing and they are desperate to get under the luxury tax threshold. While Mookie Betts being dealt is still an option, it’s far more likely that Boston pieces together the money to get rid of with Bradley Jr. a prime candidate. He wouldn’t require the Rangers parting with a premier prospect and could fill a hole for the 2020 season.