The Red Sox should be announcing today if Jackie Bradley Jr. will make the Opening Day roster. I agree 100% with Fred Lynn that Bradley should be the starting left fielder come April 1st.
I'm not saying that Jackie Bradley Jr. is the next Mike Trout or Fred Lynn but think of it this way - if Bradley posts just 75% the numbers that Lynn or Trout did in their rookie years - he'd be one of the most productive hitters in Boston's line-up. Not to mention that his glove gives Boston one of the best defensive outfields in all of baseball. And hey if he's not productive - then send him down to Pawtucket once David Ortiz comes back.
It seems to be a no-brainer to me. The team could use his bat and defense and the fans are more excited to see Bradley play than any other aspect of this 2013 Red Sox team. So let it be written - so let it be done.
I agree he should be in the line up. He has earned it and shown he can compete at the highest level. Does he still have things to work on? Sure, but those things can be worked on and taught the majors. However, if he is held at AAA for service time I can understand the team's motivation and players can't complain since they created the system that gives teams an incentive to hold a player down.
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