Sox in Search of Veteran Outfielder

by Randy Booth on Jan 14, 2007 6:39 PM EST in News

Nick Cafardo in today's Globe:

David Murphy appears to have a chance to stick, but the Sox are going to offer a veteran outfielder a minor league contract and spring training invite. There are a few free agent outfielders left on the market, but players such as Trot Nixon, Preston Wilson, Darin Erstad, Shannon Stewart, and Jeromy Burnitz probably will receive major league deals.

Does Alex Ochoa fit the mold? I'm not so confident in that but Ochoa could serve valuable if there are injuries in the outfield. Still, though, if Jacoby Ellsbury starts the year at Pawtucket and the injurys aren't too early in the season, Ellsbury would be the likely call up.

So who would the Sox grab? Looks like our favorite Dirt Dog Trot Nixon isn't in the equation, unfortunately. I think he'd be valuable off the bench against right-handed pitchers. He's a career .292 hitter against righties.

Preston Wilson would be a nice power bat off the bench, but we already have one of those named Wily. Wilson would be valuable against lefties if he started on the bench.

Other than that, who's available? I don't think the Sox will sign anyone because they may be satisfied with Ochoa. Ochoa was a strong player in Japan, batting .283/.350/.445 in four seasons.

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Re: Sox in Search of Veteran Outfielder

hey guys, first post, woohoo

anyway, i think the sox need to get an extra speed guy, if coco goes down (who i am not the biggest fan of, despite my screen name) and they think jacob isnt ready, they need someone else who can come in and play center field and be a threat on the basepaths, just my two cents

by cuckoo4cococrisp on Jan 14, 2007 7:16 PM EST reply actions

Re: Sox in Search of Veteran Outfielder

Welcome to the OTM community. If you don't mind me asking, how'd you find us?

I agree with you. Wily Mo nor Eric Hinske have any speed. Too bad with couldn't get a Dave Roberts clone to ride the pine.

OverTheMonster.com

by Randy Booth on Jan 14, 2007 8:31 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Sox in Search of Veteran Outfielder

hey, i dont really recall how i found the site, i've been coming for a few months but never registered until now

i believe i did a yahoo search for "boston red sox blog" and this one showed up, i read some stuff, liked it, and stayed

thanks for the welcome

by cuckoo4cococrisp on Jan 14, 2007 9:43 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Sox in Search of Veteran Outfielder

I'm not so sure Shannon Stewart, Jeromy Burnitz or Preston Wilson get ML deals. As far as the speed question, we could "pretend" that Shannon Stewart, Steve Finley, Eric Young, or Ricky Ledee have speed. Of course, depending on which one, they either used to or never did. This guy could fit the bill. We'd need to know about his defense first.

Either way, if Murphy doesn't get traded, it's probably a near certainty that our OFs will be Manny, Coco, Drew (assuming that ever gets done), Wily Mo and Murphy. Speed could be an issue, but let's remember that Alex Cora was the second-fastest runner on the team last season. Even without a 5th OF who can run more than Murphy, Lugo gives us more speed than we had last season.

"Sorry? Sorry doesn't cut it Melissa, I want an apology."-Jason Penopolis, Home Movies

by Allen Chace on Jan 14, 2007 9:07 PM EST reply actions

Re: Sox in Search of Veteran Outfielder

I like Murphy. He sounds like he's enthusiastic about the upcoming season, with his weight-training, etc. And he can play CF, which is good insurance in case Coco goes down again. I hope he wins the 5th spot. That said, it can't hurt to invite any of the above mentioned to spring training.

From a purely entertainment standpoint, my personal choice for an invite would be this guy. I think it would be downright hilarious to see The Rickey holding court with 20-30 members of the Japanese media.

Question, though - how many pitchers will we start with? Don't we usually start with 12 pitchers, leaving 4 guys on the bench? Wouldn't Wily Mo, Mirabelli, Hinske, and Cora fill out the roster?

by tommy.otm on Jan 14, 2007 11:00 PM EST reply actions

Re: Sox in Search of Veteran Outfielder

Last season, IIRC, we started the season with a bench of Bard, Pena, Snow, Cora, and Harris or Stern(due to Rule V obligations maybe). Not sure if I remember that correctly, but it's certainly 5 players rather than 4.

"Sorry? Sorry doesn't cut it Melissa, I want an apology."-Jason Penopolis, Home Movies

by Allen Chace on Jan 16, 2007 2:34 AM EST up reply actions