A Red Sox better off with or without him look
By Rick McNair
Jul 23, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury (22) hits a sacrifice fly allowing a runner to score during the fifth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Center field
Red Sox – Mookie Betts
.266/.316/.437 10 HR 50 RBI
Former Red Sox – Jacoby Ellsbury
.264/.334/.353 5 HR 23 RBI
The Red Sox diligently attempted to work around the departure of Johnny Damon with mixed results until Ellsbury showed up in late 2007 and took command of CF.
Ellsbury was a force in Boston despite the numerous injuries. A slash of .297/.350/.439 with a Gold Glove, Silver Slugger and three stolen base titles tossed in. The Red Sox had no need to retain Ellsbury since they had a potential star in Jackie Bradley. An eerie similarity to the Damon departure.
What stands out this season for Betts has been his adaptability to center field. Betts has a UZR/150 of 5.1 to Ellsbury’s -15.5.
Enter Betts and a future star that just may pass Ellsbury, and, to me, Betts already has.
EDGE – Betts