Former Red Sox outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. has reportedly signed with the New York Mets on a minor league deal, giving the big league veteran an opportunity to achieve a career milestone that once seemed out of reach.

Bradley Jr., who was drafted by the Red Sox with the No. 40 overall pick in the 2011 MLB Draft, has played parts of 11 seasons with the Red Sox, Milwaukee Brewers, Toronto Blue Jays and Kansas City Royals. But Bradley Jr. has also accrued only nine years and 57 days of MLB service time, putting him less than a season shy of reaching the 10-year threshold.

That milestone is a big deal for players.

Fewer than 10% of big leaguers reach 10 years of service time, and those who do become fully vested in the league’s pension plan and are eligible for a slew of benefits. A full year of service is 172 days on the active roster or injured list, and right now Bradley Jr. needs another 115 days to reach 10 years.

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He won’t be able to hit that mark this season, but if Bradley Jr. performs well he might have an opportunity to continue playing in 2025 and reach the milestone then.

The fact he’s in this position at all is somewhat remarkable.

Bradley Jr. last played in the majors in 2023, when he appeared in 43 games for the Kansas City Royals before being designated for assignment. Though he remained an excellent defensive presence, Bradley Jr. was a non-factor at the plate and batted just .133 with a .397 OPS, one home run and six RBI over 113 plate appearances. He’s been a below-average offensive producer every year since 2021 and following the season reports began circulating that Bradley Jr. was considering retirement.

Instead Bradley Jr. signed with the Long Island Ducks of the independent Atlantic League and has been dominant. In 40 games with the Ducks he’s batted .400 (66-for-165) with 12 home runs and a 1.204 OPS, and according to Will Sammon of The Athletic he was in the middle of a 28-game hitting streak when he signed with the Mets.

Bradley Jr. will initially report to Triple-A, but if he can carry over his impressive indy ball production it’s not a stretch to imagine he could get another big league shot with the Mets by season’s end.

And if that happens, maybe a shot at 10 years of service next spring.