I would include 1996 and 1997 as not the greatest of times. They were competitive in 96, but the atmosphere was garbage as Duquette was getting ready to tear down the roster.
You'll have to sneak downstairs to watch the game after your parents go to bed tonight. Just make sure to put it on closed captioning so they don't catch you.
http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=1005006&position=OF
He was a slower guy. After the 96 season, he went to Japan and hated being there. He decided that driving cars was more fun.
https://miscbaseball.wordpress.com/2009/06/10/mike-greenwell-leaving-the-red-sox/
The great Dan Duquette decided to move on from Roger and Gator. He replaced Gator with Wil Cordero, the domestic abuser. He didn't replace Roger the following season.
Woof.
I heard he had bad reads and angles, but was able to make up for it with his athleticism. Also, SMALL SAMPLE SIZE ALERT. He could be perfectly fine out there. Honestly, we won't know until we see it over the course of a month or so.
'A couple of years ago, I had 60 at-bats, I was hitting .170, and everyone was ready to kill me, too. And what happened? Laser show. So, relax.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Sox still need a 3b, 1b and DH. Devers and Moncada can be in the mix there. Also, who's to say that Devers couldn't be a good bench player and be called up if someone gets hurt. It's not like you get 10 position guys and close up shop.
The one thing he could do is provide stability to a position that has been in flux all year. If he can go out there and get reps every day, it's more than we can say about everyone else that has been thrown out there.
He does need to learn the position. He will have an adjustment period at the plate. He's apparently a hard worker, so we should just give him a little leeway while he gets acclimated.
Big difference is that Ellsbury started the season in AA and played considerable time in AAA. If Benintendi really followed Ells' path, he'd be brought up in 2017.
I don't expect him to crush the ball right out of the gate. I hope people don't get their hopes up too high.
http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=17678&position=3B