Position-by-position look at Red Sox roster: Center field

This is Part 7 in a series in which we'll examine the Red Sox roster by position. Each day, we'll focus on one spot around the diamond, examine the incumbent player(s), look at prospects in the system and comment on the state of the position within the organization in general.

TODAY: Center Field

INCUMBENT: Jackie Bradley Jr.
CONTRACT STATUS: Eligible for final year of salary arbitration with projected salary of $11 million
THE SKINNY: At this point, the book is pretty clear on Bradley: stellar defense, mixed with inconsistent offensive production. Bradley was again nominated for a Gold Glove last season, though he didn't win. The defensive metrics don't necessarily reflect his ability, but few would argue that he's among the game's best defenders at his position with uncanny instincts and a powerful — if sometimes erratic — throwing arm. It's Bradley's offensive game that holds him back. While he has sufficient pop — 21 homers last season —  he's prone to



long slumps at the plate and strikes out (27.3 percent, his highest since 2014) far too often for someone who hits in the bottom third of the lineup. Despite assurances that he had finally found a swing he was comfortable with, the 2019 season saw the same extended dips in performance from the outfielder, who too often expanded the strike zone. Bradley, a year away from free agency, is a strong candidate to be dealt this winter as the Red Sox attempt to lower their payroll and re-set their CBT (competitive balance tax) rate.

THE BACKUPS: Andrew Benintendi, Mookie Betts
The Red Sox didn't carry a traditional backup outfielder on their major league roster last year — unless you count Brock Holt or DH J.D. Martinez, neither of whom can play center. When Bradley sat (he started 133 games), the Sox usually simply shifted either one of their corner outfielders — Mookie Betts (16 starts) or Andrew Benintendi (six starts) — over to center.

THE PROSPECTS: Jarren Duran, Gilberto Jimenez
Duran struggled at Double-A after being promoted to Portland but performed better in the second half of the season. He has plus-plus speed which he uses to get good jumps in the outfield and to help him beat out ground balls in the infield. He has virtually no power — eight homers in 199 pro games to date — and is more of a throwback to a time when teams were content to his speed and defense from their center fielders. (Think: Brett Butler). Duran is capable of playing a major league center field right now, but offensively, needs more development time. It's doubtful the Sox would rush him to the big leagues if they deal Bradley this winter. Jimenez has immense potential and projects as a possible five-tool player, but at 19, has a long, long way still to go.

OVERALL: This position would seem to be in transition, with the strong likelihood that Bradley is moved in the next few weeks. With Duran in need of more time — he's yet to play above Double-A — the Red Sox would have to either find a short-term replacement in center, or move Benintendi there and find a new left fielder. Either way, the team would be hamstrung financially. In the event Bradley isn't dealt, it's tough to see the Red Sox extending him past 2020, with Duran almost a sure thing to take over by 2021.