Results tagged ‘ j.d. drew ’
Josh Reddick, the Red Sox new starting right fielder
Entering the 2011 season the Boston Red Sox felt confident with their options at right field. J.D. Drew was slated in as the starter. With his age and health issues over the years, solid backups were needed. Mike Cameron was to become a utility outfielder for the first time in his career and Darnell McDonald was available to assist in the same role.
The idea of Josh Reddick joining the group wasn’t talked about. Reddick played just under 30 games at the Major League level for the Red Sox in each of the last two seasons. He was starting to be considered in many reports, including my recent Red Sox Prospect Ranking, as Boston’s top outfield prospect, but not expected to contribute too much to the big-league team in 2011.
Drew returned for the final year of his five-year deal with the Red Sox. At times Drew has carried the Boston offense, but 2010 was his worst year with the team. He needed to improve to garner another big contract. Drew seems to never feel pressure, but maybe that is what he needed to hold on to his starting job. Drew had mediocre months of April and June, which were both followed by dismal months in May and July. His current .219 average and .622 OPS are well below his career averages and he has only managed four home runs and 21 RBI.
Should David Ortiz play first base for the Red Sox?
Whether David Ortiz likes it or not, he is a designated hitter and that role is not part of the game in a National League ball park. Red Sox manager Terry Francona has the idea of playing Ortiz at first and moving Adrian Gonzalez to right field during interleague play at National League parks. It’s a good idea in preparation for the World Series, but there is no need for it during all nine games of the upcoming road trip.
Ortiz should play first base in the second game of the three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Righty Jeff Karstens is the probable starting pitcher. Ortiz is 2-for-3 with one home run off of Karstens during his career. Ortiz can be put on pinch-hit duty for the other two games of the series. One start and a couple pinch-hit at-bats should be enough in PNC, where he has struggled in the past. Gonzalez, who doesn’t have great numbers at PNC either, can take the second game off and give J.D. Drew or Mike Cameron some playing time.
After the Pittsburgh series, the Red Sox will take a day off and travel to Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia for a three-game series. Both Ortiz and Gonzalez have hit exceptionally well there. The Philadelphia Phillies are a potential World Series team and this series can give the Red Sox a glimpse on how this situation could play out in a World Series matchup.
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