3 free agent outfielders to consider on a minor league deal

3) NY Mets free agent target on a minor league deal: Jackie Bradley Jr.

The name Jackie Bradley Jr. isn’t nearly as exciting in free agency as it would have been a few years ago. Once a budding star, he never quite stayed as productive as he was meant to become. An amazing fielder for much of his career, Bradley’s bat has seen much better days.

He hit .163/.236/.261 in 2021 with the Milwaukee Brewers. Last season, spending time with the Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays, Bradley gave a .203/.255/.311 performance. Ouch!

A minor league deal is what Bradley is set for this year. Still a capable defensive player, he’s a guy teams will think about as someone to stash in Triple-A and use purely for defensive purposes.

The Mets do already have a guy kind of like that with Tim Locastro. It couldn’t hurt to have Bradley, too. He is more proven at the MLB level even if his decline is so sharp you’d swear it mimicked last year’s stock market.

As closed off as it is for players like these guys to get playing time with the Mets in 2023 may seem, not many other ball clubs will offer them anything better. They’re each one pulled groin away from getting a promotion. The Mets have done a fine job of loading up on pitchers this offseason. Another position player, particularly an outfielder, could be one of those final finishing touches.