Who’s on first for the Red Sox?
By Rick McNair
May 5, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox left fielder Allen Craig (5) at bat during the fourth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
What do you do with an onerous contract and poor performance? You send the offender – in this case Allen Craig – to the minors. The Red Sox slash line is .130/.235/.192 with two home runs and four RBI and placed of waivers, no one wanted that contract.
Examining the fielding metrics show a player whose defense is average with no exceptional positives or negatives. Craig has also played no games at first base at Pawtucket this season where his main duty has been right field.
Pawtucket numbers give one an idea of why no one has chanced picking up Craig’s contract. A slash of .272/.377/.340 and a mere three home runs and 19 RBI in 302 plate appearances do not instill a return to Craig’s past glories.
With his contract expect Craig to be at spring training with a first baseman’s mitt and a hope at resurrecting an All-Star career.