Should the Red Sox be Content with their Options in Right Field?

After the Red Sox traded for Athletics closer Andrew Bailey yesterday it solitified the back-end of the Red Sox bullpen and also showed that the team is confident in Daniel Bard being a starter in 2012. While the trade confirmed pieces of the pitching staff/bullpen, it left a question as to who will be playing right field.

The Red Sox gave up right fielder Josh Reddick and two prospects to get Bailey as well as A’s right fielder Ryan Sweeney. It was reported today by the Boston Globe, that right fielder Ryan Kalish will not be ready until May or June after having shoulder surgery early in November.

Also, last night general manger Ben Cherington said, “We think we have some internal solutions for right field and Sweeney is a big part of that.” Those players within the organization that could play right field are Darnell McDonald and Mike Aviles. So, on opening day, as of now, the Red Sox have McDonald, Aviles and Sweeney as options to play right field. How can anyone be content with that?

First of all, Aviles has had very little experience in the outfield. He is an utility infielder, not an outfielder. He played four games in the outfield last season, but did not look very comfortable. I wouldn’t count on him being part of the discussion come opening day.

McDonald has been with the Red Sox for two seasons and has played mostly left and right field with the team and defensively is below average at best. McDonald has also struggled at the plate as well, playing mostly against left-handed pitchers. Last year he hit .236 with six home runs and 24 RBIs. Against lefties he hit .260 and was only .189 against right-handers. While McDonald is a decent utility outfielder, he too I cannot see as a possible opening day starter.

This leaves the newest member to the outfield in Sweeney. He is known for his defense, which is important playing a tough right field at Fenway. Offensively last year, the left-handed hitter hit .265 with one home run and 25 RBIs. Clearly, he is not a super star, just an average right fielder.

The Red Sox could be perfectly satisfied with saving money and have Sweeney and McDonald platoon in right field with Sweeney playing against right-handed pitchers and McDonald against left-handers. This until Kalish is ready to return and the club could reevaluate things. Or the club could go out and find a right fielder that can play everyday.

The biggest name on the market was Carlos Beltran, but the Cardinals snagged him. Even so I could not have seen the Red Sox spending the money on him. Some available players on the market that the Red Sox could be targeting are Jason Kubel, who is now a free agent after the Twins didn’t resign him, and free agent Ryan Spilborghs, who the Red Sox showed interest in at the trading deadline last July.

While Kubel and Spilborghs are not super stars, they are good enough to be every day outfielders. The Red Sox are left with two options, they can have McDonald and Sweeney platoon or they can go out and sign players like Kubel or Spilborghs and have an everyday right fielder, although this would require spending a little more money.

The decision will also reveal how the Red Sox are with their money. The Red Sox a few years ago would go out and sign the best player available (Ie. Beltran), now they are being a little more money cautious. Whatever decision they make with the right field position will give everyone an idea of exactly where they are in terms of spending money and how important they value the right field position.

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