Former Red Sox gold glover, World Series champion, and fan favorite Jackie Bradley Jr. has landed with the Kansas City Royals, making the team out of spring training, per reports.
The 33-year-old Bradley was signed this winter as a non-roster invitee to spring training and will have to be added to the 40-man roster for the Royals.
He started out the 2022 season in Boston but was designated for assignment after 91 games. He hit just .210 for Boston and ended up in Toronto for the end of the year, playing 40 games for the Blue Jays as they made the playoffs. JBJ hit just .178 for Toronto during those 40 games and became a free agent this offseason.
In Kansas City, he'll have a chance to provide some veteran leadership to a young team, some valuable outfield defense to a relatively unknown pitching staff, and re-establish some value. He figures to be in the mix for playing time in CF alongside Kyle Isbel.
The Royals are undergoing a transition in the outfield, having traded Michael A. Taylor to the Twins this offseason. Drew Waters is expected to begin the season on the injured list. Franmil Reyes was also signed this offseason and could see some time in the OF when not DH'ing.
As for Bradley, he's about to enter his 10th season in the Majors (BOS, MIL, TOR, KC). He's a career .227 hitter but won the Gold Glove in 2018, the same year that the Red Sox beat the Dodgers in the World Series.
Kansas City opens up the season Thursday at home against the AL Central rival Twins. First pitch is slated for 4:10.
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