One former member of the Boston Red Sox may end up hanging up his cleats this offseason.
Former Red Sox outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. only appeared in 43 games with the Kansas City Royals in 2023 and now reportedly is expected to retire this offseason, according to the New York Post's Jon Heyman.
"Jackie Bradley Jr., one of the better defensive center fielders of the era, is expected to retire," Heyman said.
Bradley is just 33 years old but has struggled since leaving the Red Sox for the second time during the 2022 season. The outfielder was selected by the Red Sox in the first round of the 2011 Major League Baseball June Amateur Draft and eventually made his big league debut in 2013. Bradley spent the first eight seasons of his career in Boston and helped lead the club to two World Series titles, earned his lone All-Star nod, and won the American League Gold Glove Award in center field in 2018.
The veteran outfielder joined the Milwaukee Brewers ahead of the 2021 campaign but was sent back to Boston ahead of the 2022 season. He eventually was released and joined the Toronto Blue Jays. He signed with the Royals ahead of the 2023 season and in 43 games clubbed one home run, drove in six runs, and slashed .133/.188/.210.
If this really is the end of Bradley's career, it certainly was a successful one. He developed into one of the best defensive players in baseball and helped lead Boston to plenty of success.
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