July 3, 2020; Boston, Massachusetts, United States; Boston Red Sox center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. (center) speaks to interim manager Ron Roenicke (left) and outfielder Kevin Pillar during summer training at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Jackie Bradley Jr., 30, is the best remaining position in the MLB free agent market.

The Boston Red Sox lifelong outfielder is one of the sport’s elite defenders as he has been sixth among the MLB center outfielders in the DRS since he started full-time in 2014 (49). In the meantime he comes from one encouraging season on the plate where he posted an OPS of 0.814 and 22 RBIs. The problem with Bradley is that other than his 2020 and 2016 campaigns, he struggled to produce on a consistent basis. He’s got pop in his bat. It’s about making him less noticeable.

Here are the top five MLB free agent destinations for Jackie Bradley Jr.

5. Colorado Rockies

July 7, 2020; Boston, Massachusetts, United States; Jackie Bradley Jr. (19), Boston Red Sox midfielder, during practice at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

The Rocky Mountains are on the move after fleeing the St. Louis Cardinals for Nolan Arenado. That said, there has been no signal for rebuilding, especially as the front office is said to be keeping Trevor Story in a wandering year. You could aim to be competitive for a year, an effort that would help Bradley.

He could be her opening outfield player, playing between rising star Raimel Tapia and airy Charlie Blackmon. Bradley’s talent for standing behind flyballs near the warning trail and general field awareness would come to fruition in the daunting Coors Field venue.

With Ian Desmond Deregistration from the MLB season 2021The Rockies could use another racket, especially one that plays the outfield. Bradley features a power threat from the left and a player to take Desmond’s place.

Continue reading: Top 20 MLB free agents still available

4. Atlanta Braves

Yes, the Braves could start rolling with Marcell Ozuna, Ender Inciarte and Ronald Acuna Jr. as the starting field, with Austin Riley getting an occasional outing on the grass next season. On the other hand, they could sign Bradley to start in the middle and improve their position depth map

As a veteran, Inciarte has struggled to get on the base in recent years and would be better off being fourth outfielder in the short term. Bradley would fill the void in the outfield rotation created by Brian Snitker Adam Duvall leaves for rival Miami Marlins and add a defensive addition to Ozuna on the left.

This is a ball club that prides itself on its diamond depth. Having a player swinging at the fences, running at considerable speed, and having a vacuum in place can’t hurt a team following a World Series.

3. Pittsburgh Pirates

The pirates are in the early stages of a full rebuilding. This can be seen in their swapping Josh Bell, Jameson Taillon, and Joe Musgrove this off-season. However, that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t try to put together a respectable team: Bradley would be their midfielder on opening day.

Bradley would be the field commander for a unit that turned out to be commodity in the corners (Bryan Reynolds and Gregory Polanco). From a talent standpoint, the pirate’s offense is a unit of productive veterans capable of forming a reliable attack. Bradley would expand that ability, and maybe a new coaching staff will bring him consistency on the plate?

At this stage of the off-season, Bradley shouldn’t need a long-term deal. The Pirates can sign up for him for a couple of seasons in the middle and / or flip him over for potential clients if the team camps out at the end of National League Central for the foreseeable future.

Connected: MLB Power Rankings – Outlook 2021 for every team that takes part in the spring training.

2. Houston Astros

July 25, 2020; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox midfielder Jackie Bradley Jr., 19, caught a line drive in the seventh inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports

The Astros made their intentions to compete in the American League clear by re-signing Michael Brantley A two-year contract for $ 32 million. Continuing such an effort by signing Bradley makes a lot of sense.

George Springer is gone and Josh Reddick stays in the open market: The Astros need an outfielder. Bradley’s defense bodes well for an Astros team that has recently been one of the top field teams in MLB. Plus, the American League West is a division to have.

Sure, the Oakland Athletics are the team to beat and the best all-round team in the division. Even so, the Astros beat the A’s in the first round of last season’s playoffs, and the A’s lost some notable players to free hand (Marcus Semien, Liam Hendriks and Robbie Grossman). Bradley adds another respectable bat to the equation to keep Houston in the playoff chase.

Continue reading: 2021 MLB Predictions: From the MLB Playoffs to the 2021 World Series Winner

1. Boston Red Sox

The grass, on the other hand, isn’t always greener: the best place for Jackie Bradley Jr. is where he’s spent his entire eight-year MLB career.

The main reason for seeing Bradley again is in the best interests of Boston You recently traded the left fielder Andrew Benintendi to the Kansas City Royals and of course Mookie Betts to the Los Angeles Dodgers last off-season. By keeping Bradley, at least one starting outfielder from the 2020 roster will remain in the fold and the Red Sox will keep a player familiar with the unique dimensions of Fenway Park.

Jackie Bradley Jr. is helping Boston’s chances to stay afloat in the now stiff American League East. Bradley also played for manager Alex Cora, who returned to the dugout for the Red Sox from 2018-19.