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Jackie Bradley Jr. apparently left quite the impression on the Houston Astros during the 2018 American League Championship Series.
The Astros have made signing the free-agent outfielder a "priority" this offseason, The Athletic's Peter Gammons reported Friday, noting Houston is high on Bradley's character and defensive prowess.
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The Red Sox reportedly have approached Bradley recently about signing a multi-year deal in Boston. He and the team didn't discuss a contract extension during the season, though, and the Red Sox' efforts might be too little too late if the Astros are serious about signing the 30-year-old.
Houston may have a need at Bradley's position, too: Center fielder George Springer rejected the Astros' $18.9 million qualifying offer Wednesday and officially is a free agent.
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Bradley certainly doesn't possess Springer's bat and is a lifetime .239 hitter prone to long cold streaks at the plate. He batted a career-high .283 during the shortened 2020 season, though, and the Astros are aware of his ceiling after he won 2018 ALCS MVP by driving in nine runs over five games.
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So, might the Red Sox and Astros swap center fielders? Gammons recently floated the idea of Boston signing Springer, a Conn. native who grew up a Sox fan. He'd cost much more than Bradley, however, and turned 31 in September.