Figuring Out the 2014 Red Sox Outfield

Undoubtedly when the Boston Red Sox offered Jacoby Ellsbury no more than $120 million they knew he would find more on the open-market. Ben Cherington, General Manager of the Red Sox, was comfortable making his decision on Ellsbury because he knew he had a top 50 prospect in center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. ready to take over. Like any good GM, Cherington aquired some depth through a low-risk, high-reward contract signed by Grady Sizemore. Not only did this provide depth for the Sox but it gave the rookie Bradley some competition. The one stationary piece in the Sox outfield is right-fielder Shane Victorino.  Victorino is a terrific fielder and had played center field exceptionally well during his days in Philadelphia. He has repeatedly stated that he will play wherever the team needs him to be. With Bradley Jr. and Sizemore on the roster, however, Victorino should hopefully be able to remain at his right field post. The left field job projects to be similar to last season in which Daniel Nava and Jonny Gomes will form a platoon at the position. This leaves the center field position up for grabs between Bradley and Sizemore.

Since 2009, Sizemore has had surgeries on both knees, his back, and elbow. In the first Spring Training game he had played in 2014, he did not play in the field. He played center field for a few innings on Saturday, though, but it remains to be seen if a player as fragile as Sizemore has been will be asked to play the physically demanding center field position on a regular basis. Regardless, Sizemore could still force his way in the starting lineup if he can even come close to the way he was playing between 2005 and 2008 (during which he played over 150 games each of those four seasons). Sizemore's 150 game, 20+ steal seasons may be behind him but if he can stay on the field there's no telling what his bat could do. David Ortiz was asked about Sizemore after their first Spring Training game, "He's a great player, man. … he looked good to me. It looked like everything is back to normal, so hopefully everything works out for him this year." Sizemore has gone 1 for 5 so far this spring.

Bradley Jr. has been a prized prospect of the Red Sox since his 2012 minor-league breakout season. After tearing up Spring Training last season, Bradley started the year with the Red Sox. It was a short-lived major league stint, as he batted a lackluster .189 over 95 at bats. Bradley certainly isn't a .189 hitter but he projects to be a single-digit homerun batter with average speed. He does, however, have a knack for getting on base and excellent plate discipline despite the 0.33 walk-to-strikeout ratio he posted during his brief major league experience. Bradley is especially prized by the Sox for his superb defense in center field, something that Ellsbury had provided Boston with for four seasons (not including 2010 and 2012 where he only played a combined 92 games). Many scouts regard Bradley as a plus defender with a plus arm. Very little would drop in the outfield with Bradley Jr. and Victorino out there - similar to last year with Ellsbury and Victorino.

Neither Sizemore nor Bradley can replace what Jacoby Ellsbury brought to the Red Sox. However, the Sox led all of baseball in runs last year (57 over the second most - Detroit Tigers) and were the only club to eclipse 800 runs on the season. With an improved bullpen, including the return of the injured Andrew Miller and the signing of All Star Edward Mujica, as well as a deep pitching staff, the Sox should still have more than enough offense to make up for the loss of Ellsbury. Whether it is Bradley Jr., Sizemore, or a most-likely combination of the two, remains to be seen.

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