Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Last week, we posed the question: “when Shane Victorino returns from the disabled list, who goes?” Victorino, in a piece of good news for the Red Sox offense, played his final rehab game Tuesday night at Pawtucket and could return Wednesday. The fans have spoken. Our poll, conducted over Patriots’ Day weekend, concluded Mike Carp should be the odd man out.
There, Ben Cherington and John Farrell. It’s that easy.
Carp received 37% of the vote, indicating the fans would like to trade or release the outfielder/first baseman, who does not have minor league options. Daniel Nava, who does have a minor league option, polled second with 22% of the vote, likely tied to fan dissatisfaction with his sluggish early line: .149/.240/.269.
John Farrell’s starting lineup Tuesday echoed the fans’ sentiment, as Nava sat in favor of Hacksaw Jonny Gomes, who is also scuffling at .213/.309/.404 but has a cool beard and magical powers. On a serious note, Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe reported this morning that Nava was summoned to Farrell’s office after last night’s 9-3 loss to the Yankees, indicating he may be headed on the I-95 shuttle to Pawtucket.
The entire Red Sox outfield has been underwhelming this season.
Grady at .228. Question no longer who in the outfield should be sent down but instead does anyone deserve to stay? #BoSoxFanTake
— Joe M (@joe_meehan11) April 22, 2014
Grady Sizemore received the fewest number of votes in the poll. However, Sizemore has plummeted to .213/.269/.344 and his defense has been uneven. It seems the Red Sox are committed to giving Sizemore the benefit of the doubt given his pedigree, but continued struggles with the bat and in the field would make it difficult to stay with an outfield alignment that includes the former Cleveland Indian.
Jackie Bradley, the youngest of the Boston outfielders, was also spared by BSI voters. He’s not lighting the world on fire with his bat, either, at .228/.333/.298 but has provided spectacular defense.