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As trade deadline acquisitions report to their new teams, there are teams busy making room for them on their respective rosters. That can mean some notable departures, and that’s what happened Thursday in Philadelphia and Boston. Specifically, the Phillies released shortstop Didi Gregorius and the Red Sox parted ways with outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr.
Gregorius, 32, was in his third season with Philly. He enjoyed a productive shortened 2020 season after signing with the Phillies as a free agent, but has managed to hit just .210/.267/.345 in 166 games since the start of the 2021 season. This season, he was even worse OPS+ dropped to 60. The Phillies’ recent trade acquisitions of Noah Syndergaard and Brandon Marsh plus the activation of Kyle Gibson (bereavement list) and Jean Segura (injured list) created the critical roster that Gregorius fell victim to. Moving forward, Segura should be the Phils second baseman while rookie Bryson Stott figures to step up to shortstop. Gregorius is owed the remainder of his $15.25 million salary for 2022.
Gregorius has hit 134 home runs in parts of 11 major league seasons. nearly 9,000 defensive innings at shortstop. and WAR 17.8.
In Boston, Bradley Jr. sees his time coming to an end thanks to a second straight season of extreme offensive struggles. The 32-year-old Bradley still qualifies as a plus defensive outfielder, but his cratering production at the plate — a 44 OPS+ since the start of last season — has swamped any other consideration. He is owed the remainder of his $11 million salary for this season. The deadline to add Tommy Pham from the Red Sox may have prompted the decision to cut ties with Bradley, who not long ago ceded the center field job to Jarren Duran.
Bradley boasts an All-Star appearance, a Gold Glove and a 17.3 WAR over his career.
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