Red Sox spare part outfield options
By Rick McNair
The Land of The Longshots
Aug 11, 2015; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants left fielder Justin Maxwell (43) scores a run after a Houston Astros throwing error during the sixth inning at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Players that certainly fit the mold of regular and not a spare part or fourth or fifth outfielder – yet.
Austin Jackson: 136 G, 491 AB, .267/.311/.387, 9 HR, 48 RBI, UZR/150 8.9, WAR 2.3.
An excellent defender whose career seems to have perpetually stalled. Jackson twice led the American League in triples (2011-12) and managed to also lead in strikeouts (170) in his rookie year. Strikeouts are what is most noted in his career and 2015 saw a 23.9 K% and a BB% of 5.5.
The 28-year-old right-hander (both ways) will sign somewhere with the expectations of being a regular. Don’t expect Boston to be the landing spot despite a .313 career Fenway Park average.
David Murphy: 132 G, 361 AB, .283/.318/.421, 10 HR, 50 RBI, UZR/150 -8.1, WAR 0.3.
One of the original three young outfielders with Boston back ten years ago. Brandon Moss and Jacoby Ellsbury, like Murphy, have moved on. The 34-year-old Murphy is left-handed (both ways) and may be at the point in his career where he is no longer a regular. Coming to Boston is not likely.
Colby Rasmus: 137 G, 432 AB, .238/.314/.475, 25 HR, 61 RBI, UZR/150/0.5, WAR 2.8
Rasmus was part of the Astros wrecking crew and can usually be counted on for 20+ home runs a season. The left-hander hitter and thrower say duty in all three outfield spots in 2015 and at age 29 is looking to cash in with a long-term deal. A 26.1 K% for his career.
Justin Maxwell: 100 G, 249 AB, .209/.275/.341, 7 HR, 26 RBI, UZR/150 18.3, WAR 0.5.
Maxwell has mastered the strikeout. An affectionado of the whiff. A career K% of 31.1. If you liked Wily Mo Pena you will love Justin Maxwell. Saw Maxwell once hit a gigantic home run so I popped him in. Maxwell with the Sox in 2016 would mean a long and frustrating season.
Sources: Baseball-reference/fangraphs