Red Sox Outfield 2016

[Thunder]

I like Betts in RF, especially for Sunday home games. I like JBJ in center, as long as he continues to hit like he did to close last season. The biggest thing is making sure all the pieces fit perfectly. Mookie especially needs to get accustomed to right in ST, because this OF unit will be so important to this team. We have the potential to have one of the best all around OFs in the league, but JBJ needs to play to his offensive potential, and Mookie needs to make sure he doesn't lose his touch over in right.

[Kimmi]

I like Betts in RF, especially for Sunday home games. I like JBJ in center, as long as he continues to hit like he did to close last season. The biggest thing is making sure all the pieces fit perfectly. Mookie especially needs to get accustomed to right in ST, because this OF unit will be so important to this team. We have the potential to have one of the best all around OFs in the league, but JBJ needs to play to his offensive potential, and Mookie needs to make sure he doesn't lose his touch over in right.

 

I understand that your best defender is supposed to be in center field, but I like JBJ in right field better because of his arm, and because right field in Fenway is tough to play. Also, Mookie looked like he felt pretty comfortable playing center. That said, I think we are in good shape defensively either way.

[mvp 78]

RF at JetBlue isn't the same as RF at Fenway.

[Spudboy]

Farrell said a while ago they're switching JBJ over to center, with Betts moving to right.

 

Wow. I missed that announcement.

 

Max benefit of having JBJ is using him in center but I did not expect that they would move Betts so soon.

[Spudboy]

I like Betts in RF, especially for Sunday home games. I like JBJ in center, as long as he continues to hit like he did to close last season. The biggest thing is making sure all the pieces fit perfectly. Mookie especially needs to get accustomed to right in ST, because this OF unit will be so important to this team. We have the potential to have one of the best all around OFs in the league, but JBJ needs to play to his offensive potential, and Mookie needs to make sure he doesn't lose his touch over in right.

 

Of course the fly in the ointment could be Castillo. He has not blossomed. He needs work in all phases of the game and needs to stay healthy.

[sk7326]

JBJ is in center? When was this announced? I thought that Betts was penciled in there.

 

Also, I believe it is unrealistic at this point to expect JBJ to have an OBP near .350. I'd expect .320-.330 at best.

 

Who knows?

 

.320 or .330 with that glove is a true starter, and a possible All-Star if that comes with a little pop

[sk7326]

Castillo-Bradley-Betts left to right against righties should be what you expect

 

Against lefties, the lion's share you expect Castillo-Betts-Young. Although you also cannot dismiss Young spelling Castillo too, or that Young will give Papi the occasional rest. Like Damon Buford years ago - a fourth outfielder who was put on this earth to hammer lefthanded pitching.

[mvp 78]

Wow. I missed that announcement.

 

Max benefit of having JBJ is using him in center but I did not expect that they would move Betts so soon.

 

You didn't hear it, because it didn't happen. He said they were leaning towards moving Betts to RF but that it would be decided in ST. He said they'll both spend time in CF in ST.

[Thunder]

Of course the fly in the ointment could be Castillo. He has not blossomed. He needs work in all phases of the game and needs to stay healthy.

 

Oh yes. I managed to overlook Castillo in this scenario. To be frank, I don't really like him. If we played in any other ballpark, I would suggest just sticking him out there in left, but we saw how that worked with Hanley last year.

[User Name]

You didn't hear it, because it didn't happen. He said they were leaning towards moving Betts to RF but that it would be decided in ST. He said they'll both spend time in CF in ST.

 

What Farrell actually said, is that if JBJ makes the team as an everyday player in ST, he'll play center.

 

http://www.masslive.com/redsox/index.ssf/2015/11/jackie_bradley_jr_will_play_ce.html

 

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/red_sox/clubhouse_insider/2015/11/john_farrell_red_sox_leaning_toward_mookie_betts_in_right

 

I am (like the rest of us) assuming he does. Don't shoot the messenger.

Edited February 16, 2016 by User Name?

[mvp 78]

What Farrell actually said, is that if JBJ makes the team as an everyday player in ST, he'll play center.

 

http://www.masslive.com/redsox/index.ssf/2015/11/jackie_bradley_jr_will_play_ce.html

 

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/red_sox/clubhouse_insider/2015/11/john_farrell_red_sox_leaning_toward_mookie_betts_in_right

 

I am (like the rest of us) assuming he does. Don't shoot the messenger.

 

So yoi're agreeing with me then? Great.

[User Name]

So yoi're agreeing with me then? Great.

 

What are the possibilities JBJ leaves ST as a backup, or off the 25-man altogether? Slim to none you say, because Young is not a regular and they don't have a potential everyday OFer, besides the potential for Castillo/Panda/Hanley suck? Ok then.

[Kimmi]

What are the possibilities JBJ leaves ST as a backup, or off the 25-man altogether? Slim to none you say, because Young is not a regular and they don't have a potential everyday OFer, besides the potential for Castillo/Panda/Hanley suck? Ok then.

 

Unless he is injured, JBJ is our starting CFer when the team breaks camp.

[mvp 78]

Not if he can't hit in ST.

[jacksonianmarch]

JBJ is gonna break camp as a starter. ST is useless for him. The guy is a ST monster or at least has been in the past.

[Dojji]

Not if he can't hit in ST.

 

Spring Training numbers mean nothing. If he's showing poise at the plate and his approach looks good, he could be 1 for the entire Spring cycle and still break camp with the team

[Thunder]

JBJ is gonna break camp as a starter. ST is useless for him. The guy is a ST monster or at least has been in the past.

 

Correct. And that is the biggest underlying issue. I would have liked to see some sort of insurance option. Even if he does struggle in April and May, his defense is still much too valuable to send to Pawtucket.

[Dojji]

The guy I wanted this offseason was Ben Zobrist. The guy is a strong hitting mittle infielder, switch hits and plays nearly every position, you can put him wherever you have a hole. That kind of versatility is worth its weight in gold since it adds a very good bat without sacrificing any roster flexibility at all -- an incredibly rare asset. We can get by without him, but he would have made the team better. Theo got a really good deal on him too considering everything he brings to the table.

[Thunder]

The guy I wanted this offseason was Ben Zobrist. The guy is a strong hitting mittle infielder, switch hits and plays nearly every position, you can put him wherever you have a hole. That kind of versatility is worth its weight in gold since it adds a very good bat without sacrificing any roster flexibility at all -- an incredibly rare asset. We can get by without him, but he would have made the team better. Theo got a really good deal on him too considering everything he brings to the table.

 

Agreed. He's a bigger, stronger Brock Holt, obviously with more power. His specialty is OF as well, contrary to Holt. The role of a utility player is much more vital now than it has been at any point since the steroids era.

[mvp 78]

JBJ is a terrific 4th outfielder at the moment. I hope he develops into an everyday player. He hasn't reached that potential yet.

 

If he doesn't get there this year, he probably won't ever.

[User Name]

Agreed. He's a bigger, stronger Brock Holt, obviously with more power. His specialty is OF as well, contrary to Holt. The role of a utility player is much more vital now than it has been at any point since the steroids era.

 

Ben Zobrist is a 2B by trade. He has never been an everyday OF.

[User Name]

The guy I wanted this offseason was Ben Zobrist. The guy is a strong hitting mittle infielder, switch hits and plays nearly every position, you can put him wherever you have a hole. That kind of versatility is worth its weight in gold since it adds a very good bat without sacrificing any roster flexibility at all -- an incredibly rare asset. We can get by without him, but he would have made the team better. Theo got a really good deal on him too considering everything he brings to the table.

 

He's also 34, meaning he brings with him significant risk.

[sk7326]

Zobrist came with risk - and he had a major drop off defensively last season, which was a very significant part of his value.

[mvp 78]

He's also 34, meaning he brings with him significant risk.

 

Nearing the tipping point of becoming an old fool.

[a700hitter]

Zobrist came with risk - and he had a major drop off defensively last season, which was a very significant part of his value.

Holt is a much less expensive version of Zobrist. He's not as good yet. Zobrist's break out year was when he was 28. Holt is only 27.

[Kimmi]

Not if he can't hit in ST.

 

If he can't hit he might not stay with the club for very long, but he will be our starting CF to open the season.

 

Who else is there?

[Kimmi]

Nearing the tipping point of becoming an old fool.

 

LOL

 

Old fool or not, you still crack me up.

[mvp 78]

If he can't hit he might not stay with the club for very long, but he will be our starting CF to open the season.

 

Who else is there?

 

Mookie.

[a700hitter]

Last year's CFer.

[Dojji]

But that doesn't really answer the question, since Mookie's gonna be in the lineup anyway. The real question is who replaces the outfield slot in the lineup. Right now it's either Young or Holt.