Red Sox Trade Rumors: Jackie Bradley Jr. Interests Indians, Giants at Deadline

Boston Red Sox outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. is reportedly seeing interest from multiple teams as the August 31 MLB trade deadline nears. It's just unclear if the Red Sox have any interest in moving him.

According to MLB Network's Jon Heyman, both the Cleveland Indians and San Francisco Giants are "believed" to be in on Bradley, though his availability is questionable at best.

The Red Sox (11-22) are certainly in sell mode as they sit 11.5 games back in the American League East and 8.5 games back of the wild card. Bradley is slated to become a free agent this offseason and could help a contender immensely, yet he's spent his entire pro career with the Red Sox, becoming a fan favorite in the process.

The 30-year-old is currently slashing .245/.308/.351 with 11 RBI and two home runs. It doesn't help that the Red Sox have very little strength in the lineup around the outfielder. For all but seven games this season, Bradley has batted eighth on a team with a batting average of .253.

Even if his offense is subpar, the defensive value Bradley brings would significantly help a team like the Indians, who are currently rotating through Delino DeShields, Greg Allen and Jordan Luplow at center. San Francisco is another team lacking depth in the outfield, yet the rebuilding Giants may not want to part with any assets that could help them in the next few years.

That could make negotiations with the Red Sox extremely tough given Boston has the No. 25 farm system in baseball, according to MLB Pipeline, and needs to replenish its prospect pool.

The Red Sox have already been involved in one near-deadline deal by sending relievers Brandon Workman and Heath Hembree to the Philadelphia Phillies for Nick Pivetta and Connor Seabold.

If a full teardown is coming—and Boston's season indicates it might be time for one—moving Bradley would be the correct decision.