Jackie Bradley Jr. Rumors: Red Sox FA Seeking Contract 'Perhaps Beyond 4 Years'

Less than two weeks from the scheduled start date for spring training, Jackie Bradley Jr. reportedly is seeking a significant contract in free agency.

Per Mike Puma of the New York Post, Bradley is believed to be seeking a deal "perhaps beyond four years."

Bradley hit free agency coming off arguably his best offensive season in 2020. The 30-year-old hit .283/.364/.450 with seven homers and 22 RBI in 55 games for the Boston Red Sox. 

ESPN's Buster Olney reported last week that the Red Sox are "unlikely" to re-sign Bradley because they are pushing up against the luxury-tax threshold. 

There are still several veteran outfielders available on the market, including Marcell Ozuna and Brett Gardner. Bradley is the safest bet in that group because of his defensive value in center field. He won a Gold Glove award in 2018 and ranks fifth among all center fielders with 33 defensive runs saved since 2015. 

Bradley has spent his entire career in the Red Sox organization after being selected in the first round of the 2011 MLB draft. He made his big-league debut in 2013, was named to the AL All-Star team in 2016 and won a World Series with the team in 2018.