Good article in the Boston Herald about the state of the Red Sox bench for the upcoming season. As we all know, Doug Mirabelli was re-signed by the Sox this week as Jason Varitek’s backup. Also on the bench is either Coco Crisp or Jacoby Ellsbury for the backup outfielder position. Alex Cora is the backup middle infielder. So what is needed?
Well for starters the Red Sox will need a backup first baseman and/or a left-handed bat off the bench.
“There is a good chance that we’ll acquire one or two more complementary players to round out our bench,†general manager Theo Epstein acknowledged by e-mail late last week, shortly after the club reached an agreement with backup catcher Doug Mirabelli. “With our depth in center field, we should be in a position to have speed and outfield defense available off the bench. (Alex) Cora is dependable protecting our middle infield and adds a lot to the club.
“We may sign a left-handed bat to give us depth in the corner infield, but with (Brandon) Moss learning to play first and (Kevin) Youkilis able to slide to third base, we do have some protection. By the time all is said and done, we should have a bench comparable to what we’ve had here in the past.â€
Taking a look at the remaining left-handed free agents at first base, the crop isn’t that deep. Sean Casey, Eric Hinske, Ryan Klesko and Brad Wilkerson is all that remains. Very slim pickings.
If Moss isn’t ready to play first at the start of the season, it is conceivable that he could start the year in Pawtucket to learn the craft a little more and be an insurance policy down the road should an injury happen.
I am not worried though as Theo said, the bench will be similar to ones in the past and we all know they were pretty decent. I know some don’t like Mirabelli as Tek’s backup but considering the alternatives, it’s really not that bad having Mirabelli back there.
