Who’s on first for the Red Sox?

Aug 7, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (34) hits a two run home run in the third inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

You play 2129 innings at first base with some reasonable defense that will get attention as a possible option and that player is David Ortiz.

Can Papi grind out another 30+ home run season? Appears Ortiz may do just that. At this point Ortiz is leading the power outage Red Sox in that capacity with 22. And first is traditionally a place for power guys with limited defensive skills and Ortiz is far from another Dick Stuart.

The Ortiz I have seen has some good instincts – just don’t expect any great range – but do expect the ability to pick up errant tosses and to make smart decisions. To me Ortiz is a fairly decent defender.

You would not expect Ortiz to be on first on a daily basis and I suspect it would be duty that would be in the five games a week range if the notoriously temperamental Ortiz was amicable to the move. Such a move would also free-up the DH slot on those very five days. That segues into the next option.