Rememberin' Red Sox: Four Forgettable Players Of The 21st Century

As a lifelong Red Sox fan, I’ve had the pleasure of watching some fantastic talent over the years. Being born in 2001, I can recollect the end of the Manny Ramirez era. I also saw plenty of memorable moments from David Ortiz and Dustin Pedroia. It was truly a joy to grow up watching these players; for every Kevin Youkilis or Jason Varitek, a handful of players may not be as easy to remember. Whether they were veterans past their prime or players who made a name elsewhere after leaving Boston, the last few decades were filled with notable names playing out somewhat forgettable stints in a Red Sox uniform. With that in mind, I thought it would be fun to highlight a handful of former Red Sox players who might have slipped through the cracks over the last two decades of baseball. 

Brandon Phillips (2018)
Widely known for his 11-year run with the Cincinnati Reds, the Red Sox would be the last stop of Phillips’ impressive big league career. The three-time All-Star signed a minor league deal with the Sox on June 27th, 2018, after playing in Atlanta for the 2017 season. He’d appear in 38 minor league games, batting .304 with five home runs. Once September rolled around, Phillips was added to the big league roster and debuted on September 5th against the Atlanta Braves. He’d get off to a nice start, belting a two-run home run to put the Red Sox ahead 9-8 in an eventual victory. Phillips started hot, but it wouldn’t last; he’d play in 9 games with the team and hit .130. The Red Sox opted not to use Brandon Phillips during their championship run, and his time in Boston would mark the end of a very good MLB career.

Yoenis Cespedes (2014)
I often forget that Yoenis Cespedes spent a brief chunk of his 8-year MLB career with the Red Sox. The Red Sox acquired Cespedes during the 2014 trade deadline in exchange for Jonny Gomes and long-time ace Jon Lester. Yoenis Cespedes was an incredibly hyped phenomenon out of Cuba when he came to the Oakland Athletics in 2012. Yoenis played well for the A’s, even making the All-Star team before being shipped to Boston in 2014. His tenure with the Sox was entirely forgettable. In 51 games to finish the season with the Red Sox, Cespedes batted .269 with five homers and 33 RBI. His OPS dropped to .719, and he posted a below-average 98 OPS+. With an abysmal walk rate and rumors of Cespedes being unhappy in Boston, the outfielder was traded to the Detroit Tigers in December 2014 in exchange for future Cy Young winner Rick Porcello. Cespedes would make an impact for the New York Mets later in his career, making his time in Boston seem even more distant. 

Allen Craig (2014-2015)
From 2011 to 2013, Allen Craig was one of the most clutch bats in the MLB. In 2013, Craig hit an astonishing .454 in 130 at-bats with runners in scoring position. Allen Craig was having a down when the Red Sox acquired him along with Joe Kelly in exchange for John Lackey in July of 2014. He had played in 97 games up to that point, batting .237 with an OPS of .638. Due to his track record as a skilled hitter, I remember being excited to see what he could do now that he had a change of scenery. Unfortunately, for everyone involved, the wheels fell off. In 29 games with Boston in 2014, Craig struggled. He batted .128 and struck out 36 times in 94 at-bats. Despite this slow start to his Red Sox tenure, Allen Craig began the 2015 season as the starting first baseman for the Red Sox. It was once again a struggle. The once-elite hitter once batted below the Mendoza Line during the season. This underwhelming performance prompted him to be eventually outrighted off the 40-man roster in May of 2015. Craig would play a handful of games for the Red Sox to finish the 2015 season in September and October but would again not produce. He’d never play in the MLB again—a disappointing end to a good hitter’s career. 

Aaron Cook (2012)
Lost in the shuffle of the disastrous 2012 season was the final year of Aaron Cook’s career. Cook had spent his entire career with the Colorado Rockies before joining the Red Sox on a minor league deal before the 2012 season. Cook had been dealing with shoulder and knee injuries during his final seasons in Colorado and looked to rebound with the Sox. The former All-Star started the season in Triple-A. In five Pawtucket starts, he dealt, going 3-0, including two complete games. Cook was promoted to the big league club on May 1st, just before he could trigger an opt-out clause in his minor league contract. While he found success in Triple-A, it was clear the once-talented pitcher didn’t have much left in the tank upon his return to the majors. Cook did have a few bright spots, pitching a complete game shutout on June 29th against the Seattle Mariners. The bad outweighed the good, though, and he finished the season with a 4-11 record and a 5.65 ERA. He’d sign minor league deals with the Phillies and the Rockies in 2013 but would never pitch in the MLB again. 

Throughout the years, plenty of talented players have called Fenway their home. It’s always interesting to look back at good players who joined the team for stints that weren’t exactly memorable. Many former stars have stopped by for one final taste of big-league action. It’s nice to take some time and look back on them every so often.