Red Sox, OF Trade Seems Inevitable

Sep 17, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Boston Red Sox right fielder

(5) at PNC Park. The Pirates won 9-1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

With pitchers and catchers officially reporting and position players coming early to spring training, last week, the Boston Red Sox have a ton of depth in multiple spots, especially in the outfield. It seems inevitable that a trade will happen at some point, whether in the early spring or within the start of the regular season.

By signing Hanley Ramirez to his big price tag and calling him a left-fielder, that spot is taken. As reported yesterday by many media platforms, including this one, manager John Farrell has assured that Shane Victorino will be the starting right-fielder. Of course, any decision or injury can change all of that, but, until then, center field is the only spot left for the players to fight over.

Who should be the starting center-fielder? Who should be traded? Who should ride the bench, preparing themselves for some playing time?

Here is the depth chart of remaining outfielders and how they stack up against each other, excluding any potential trades to bringing any other outfielders into the log jam:

Sep 21, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Boston Red Sox center fielder

(38) at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports

Rusney Castillo

The 27-year-old native of Ciego de Avila, Cuba is the man at the top of the official Boston Red Sox depth chart for center field. That is, for the moment, anyways.

Castillo signed last season as an amateur free agent, and will be making another $71.6 million until 2020. It is hard to see the Red Sox not wanting an immediate return on their investment, especially since he could opt out of the contract in 2019, giving them only a four-year window of guaranteed service.

In the 10 games Castillo played for the Red Sox, the righty recorded two home runs and six RBIs, in 36 at-bats. His batting average was .333, with an on-base percentage of .400 and a .528 slugging percentage. Castillo even had three stolen bases. Granted, these totals come from a very small sample-size, but the power and speed that he possesses makes Castillo potentially one of the best players in the game at the position, offensively.

Defensively, there also is not much to report, while potential abounds. Castillo was given a perfect 1.000 rating in the short amount of time he played center field, while the league fielding average was .989. His range was calculated per game at 3.20, while, again, leading over the league average at 2.69.

Castillo definitely impressed quickly before and after he was signed by Boston, but he could also be impressing another potential phenom. The Red Sox are one of a couple big-money teams linked to Yoan Moncada, the 19-year-old from Abreus, Cuba, whom hits from both sides of the plate with power. He plays the infield so well, Moncada made these MLB teams blush when they brought him in for workouts:

Boston’s ace up their sleeve to beat out the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers is Castillo. He has lots of baseball experience, even as an amateur, who can speak Moncada’s language and knows what the young man will be going through. The transition from living in Cuba to thriving in the United States can be a difficult one for young Cuban men, as seen recently from players like Yasiel Puig. Castillo is three years older than Puig and has not found himself in uncomfortable situations with his team or the American media.

Castillo can help Moncada through the tough times, being away from family and friends, while mentoring him through the process from the minors to the major leagues. If he can be the lure that lands the potential phenom, Boston would have two top Cuban players for at least the next four years. If Castillo is happy with his situation in Boston, by starting in center field, the process would be much smoother for everyone.

Sep 24, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox center fielder

(50) at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Mookie Betts

The 22-year-old, right-hander from Nashville, Tennessee made a big splash for himself with Boston, last season. Betts filled in for multiple veterans whom were injured throughout the year. He did the jobs so well, the Red Sox would need a huge offer to tear their grip off of him.

Offensively, Betts showed that he can hang with the big boys, hitting .291, with a .368 OBP and .444 SLG, in 189 at-bats. He showed his quickness by earning 15 doubles, a triple, and seven stolen bases, while crossing home plate 34 times in 52 games. His power and speed made him a man who was hard to take out of the lineup.

The same could be said for his defensive skills. Betts played center field, right field, and second base for the Red Sox. His sample-size was greater than Castillo’s 10 games, but he would still need at least 100 games to give his fielding numbers more weight. Betts’ fielding percentage was perfect in center field, where he made some incredible diving catches, while scoring .955 for both right field and second base. His range, however, was less than Castillo and the league average for center-fielders, scoring only 2.36. However, range factors in putouts and assists, so the situations that called for Betts to deliver may not have had as many opportunities as the rest of the league, including Castillo.

Both Betts and Castillo seem prime candidates for taking the starting center field position, and should be a great battle to see during spring training. Do the Red Sox pick Cuban potential, with his big contract, or do they pick youth, which is locked up with a small, rookie contract until 2018? The time and money suggest that it will be Castillo, but you never know.

Sep 4, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; Boston Red Sox third baseman

(26) at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Brock Holt

The 5’10”, 185-pound lightning bolt of energy sparked the Red Sox, last season. Holt’s abilities as a utility player cut through the dark clouds and made him noticed by Red Sox Nation and the club managers.

Just don’t expect him to start in April, in the outfield or otherwise.

In 449 at-bats, Holt hit .281, with a .331 OBP and a .381 SLG, demonstrating power and speed, much like Betts and Castillo. He bashed 4 home runs, 29 RBIs, and 12 stolen bases; however, it took him 44 more games than Castillo and Betts combined. Holt also struck out 98 times, while only earning 33 walks. At times, it seemed that the pressure was on Holt to succeed, as veterans were out with injuries, to turn the season around for the Red Sox. It can be tough trying to fill the shoes for players, like second baseman Dustin Pedroia. You are worrying about proving yourself as a young player in the majors, and then you are asked to produce just as much as an American League MVP award winner. It can be frustrating, which sometimes leads to unnecessary swings at the plate.

In Holt’s case, being 26 and versatile, defensively, makes him more likely to be kept around, unlike Craig. Holt can fill many different holes and he also has proven that he can summon energy to hit the ball and run the base paths, aggressively. If he were to be traded, it would be for a top-notch player, likely as a package for an ace starting pitcher. If those aces are not on the table, expect Holt to be clubbing balls for the Red Sox when an injury or other scenarios play out.

Sep 24, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox right fielder

(29) at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Daniel Nava

Today is Nava’s birthday. Congratulate the switch-hitting lefty. Unfortunately, the 32-year-old will need to be told that he will not be starting any time soon, at least not for the Red Sox.

Nava hit .270, with a .346 OBP and a .361, in 363 at-bats. He struck out less than Holt, with 81 whiffs to 33 walks, but Nava also had 74 less plate appearances. That with the fact that Nava only received money for one more year with the Red Sox, at $1.85 million, does not bode well for him being in Boston’s long term plans. Especially not with younger players like Betts, Castillo, and Holt filling starting positions and the depth chart.

However, the money also suggests that the Red Sox brass like Nava’s skills and felt he was worth another look. That could spell either Nava lasting on the active roster for the entire season or, eventually, being traded. With the younger stars still having options to be sent down to the minors, Nava could be the man doing the utility role, depending on if he proves to be the hot hand in spring training.

Sep 12, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Boston Red Sox center fielder

Jr. (25) at Kauffman Stadium. Boston won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Jackie Bradley Jr.

Poor Jackie! Often the forgotten man in this discussion, he ended up being last in this one, as well.

Does anyone in Red Sox Nation still remember the catch seen above, against the Kansas City Royals? If not, it’s likely due to a number of factors, including Betts’ diving catches and solid play at the plate. While having Bradley as a lefty bat in the lineup would normally help on paper, he only hit .198 in 384 at-bats, last season.

His power was not nearly as effective as Betts, or even the other Red Sox outfielders, for that matter. Bradley earned a .265 OBP and a .266 SLG, making him a slugger opposing pitchers have no trouble challenging.

Why fear a bat that cannot drive the ball deep? Why cower over a player who struck out 121 times? He only walked 31 times in 423 plate appearances. Combine that with his low batting average, Bradley proved more to be a guaranteed out than anything else.

It was an amazing catch, but don’t expect Jackie Bradley Jr. to be starting or even appearing for the Red Sox in any capacity, unless he has an unbelievable March. Six weeks to prove that he can hit more than three thousandths of a percent higher than his weight (195 lbs). Likely, if not used in a trade package, Bradley will be sent to the minors to regain the form that led the Boston brass to call him up in 2013.