Can The Sox Get to First Base?

Over the past few days BSI writers Conor Duffy and Earl Nash took you through Boston’s top prospects and free agents respectively. After all the analysis and all the words it boils down to this; this spot is a huge and important hole, one in which the Red Sox have no easy answers and can’t afford to get wrong.

Adam LaRoche. Fully qualified, too much money and too many years for a gun shy Red Sox organization. Credit: Brad Mills-US PRESSWIRE

James Loney has never been a classic power hitting first baseman and this year tanked his average further after being traded from the Dodgers to the Sox. He’s a free agent who Boston has willingly and justifiably allowed to explore the market. Loney’s not the answer, leaving a cornucopia of prospects too young or inexperienced to step into the limelight – Travis Shaw, Mauro Gomez and Michael Almanzar and a cast of either underwhelming or overpriced free agents – Adam LaRoche, Carlos Pena and Casey Kotchman to name a few.

"Nash’s wildcard opening day lineup featuring a still physically maturing Bogaert’s, who is projected to outgrow his current shortstop position, is a “hey, this might just happen” proposition."

The 6′ 3″, 175 pound 20 year-old started 2012 in A+ Salem, batted .302 and only got better when he was promoted to triple A Portland where he batted .326 and slugged with more swagger.

No matter who ends up in the number one spot, Boston will need to have depth at first base. This prompted Bosox Injection fan, John Fahrer, to comment on a Mauro Gomez first base backup possibility. “Gomez is a decent backup. Wish he would show a little more power at the big league level, a little more patience at the plate, and some improvement on defense…” said Fahrer.

The first cut is the deepest, Baby I know
The first cut is the deepest
– The First Cut is the Deepest, Cat Stevens