Sep 4, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA;Chicago Cubs left fielder Chris Denorfia (15) misses a fly ball hit by an Arizona Diamondbacks at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
Chris Denorfia: 103 G, 212 AB, .269/.319/.373, 3 HR, 18 RBI, UZR/150 18.6, WAR 0.8
A ten-year player who has seen service time with five major league teams, so that certainly places the designation of journeyman outfielder as part of his employment package. Denorfia has never been classified as a regular with any team, but certainly fits into the category of complementary piece. The only exception being a career year he had as a member of the Padres in 2013 when he played 144 games
Now 35-years old the right-handed (both ways) Denorfia spent 2015 with the Chicago Cubs seeing outfield duty at all three positions and even getting in 0.1 innings of pitching. Defensively Denorfia can cover ground and has the arm strength to play right and center in Boston and elsewhere. The Red Sox need bullpen help so you never know when a clean 0.1 will impress.
Denorfia will not provide power off the bench or in games in which he starts. His career average is .272, so the hits will come as will the strikeouts. In 2015 the K% was 24.2%, but the career average is significantly lower at 17.1%.
Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts is near where I live and I remember seeing Denorfia playing in a few games at that Division III School, so he does have some strong Massachusetts roots – always a plus if you play in Boston.
Denorfia also was the recipient of the San Diego Padres “Heart and Hustle Award” in 2013, so that is always an attention getter for Bostonians who appreciate effort expended.