Red Sox LF platoon options to pair with Chris Young

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The Boston Red Sox need a platoon piece to pair with Chris Young. These options are found both in the farm system as well as the trade market.

The Boston Red Sox have disposed of Rusney Castillo, leaving Chris Young the only viable option on the major league squad. With Blake Swihart out 6-8 weeks and Brock Holt‘s lingering concussion symptoms, the Red Sox need to look to the farm system and beyond to find a viable platoon piece to pair with Young.

The Red Sox have enjoyed a great season so far, but improvements still need to be made. Young has performed well up to this point, owning a .283/.347/.540 slash. The 32-year old thrives against LHP, hitting .400 with a 1.217 OPS and inversely struggles against RHP, hitting only .219 with a .703 OPS.

Young’s overall performance can be seen as a success, but he has cooled down over the past few games. Brought in to be a platoon player, his everyday stating job may not be normal or comfortable for the veteran, especially against righties. So there a few options within the organization and a few I believe are worth trading for. It’s clear there needs to be a left fielder who hits righties on the roster, so let’s review the options.

Next: Andrew Benintendi

Andrew Benintendi

The Boston Red Sox should first look for a platoon piece against RHP in their own farm system. Andrew Benintendi was drafted 7th overall in the 2015 draft out of the University of Arkansas. Coming in at the No. 3 spot on MLB.com’s prospect list for Boston, Benintendi has thrived at every level of the minor leagues on the Boston farm. The 21-year old OF has made his way from low-A ball to Double-A Portland in just two seasons.

Benintendi has been seen as more of a long-term prospect rather than a short-term fix at the major league level. I think a brief call-up may give manager John Farrell a short assessment of the prospect’s ability at the major league level. The Red Sox front office and fans alike may be worried about calling up a young player who isn’t ready. However, a pairing with Young’s success against LHP may bode well for the Red Sox, as Benintendi has hit RHP at a .299 AVG with 7 triples this season.

Defensively, he has exclusively played CF this season in the minors, which I hope may change in the near future. Benintendi is the most promising outfielder on the farm and should be considered as a plug in piece as we await the return of Holt and Swihart.

Next: Henry Ramos

May 5, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Baseball glove on turf before an MLB game between the Toronto Blue Jays and Texas Rangers at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports /

Henry Ramos

The name may not be as familiar to Red Sox Nation as the recently drafted Benintendi, but the remaining path to the majors is actually shorter for Henry Ramos. Drafted as raw talent out of Puerto Rico in 2010, Ramos struggled through the early stages of the minor leagues. Just two seasons ago, Ramos started in Low-A ball. Now, the 24-year old Puerto Rican spends his days in Triple-A Pawtucket after a recent call up.

Seth Smith

The Red Sox don’t need to break the bank on a platoon piece, so a player like Seth Smith may appeal to the Red Sox organization. Traded just a year and a half ago, Smith is strictly an option against RHP. He’s switched between the corner outfield positions as well as DH this year, hitting .273 against righties with 6 home runs and more walks than strikeouts.

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Where Smith excels at hitting RHP, he lacks in versatility. His defensive range is spotty at best and he struggles mightily against LHP (.188 AVG).

The Seattle Mariners have hit a rough patch in the season, and their playoff hopes may be running away with the Texas Rangers owning the best record in the AL West. If the trend continues, Seattle may be looking to gain prospects for a postseason run in the years to come. It’s my belief that the veteran outfielder would enjoy a more competitive division where the Red Sox will continue to battle the Blue Jays and Orioles down the stretch.

33-year old Seth Smith’s veteran leadership may be a boost to the club, and would only cost a few prospects plus his $6.75 million contract for this year, with an club option for next season. Smith can be seen as an affordable option from a team that is quickly fading in the AL West.

Next: Jon Jay

Jon Jay

31-year old Jon Jay may not hit righties (.275 AVG) as well as he hits lefties (.346 AVG), but he could fill any outfield position if need be.

Jay recently suffered a right arm contusion, which won’t be a long term injury. He’s spent the entire 2016 season in CF, but has played LF in the past and would need to play in front of the Green Monster if the two sides were to strike a deal.

Unlike Seth Smith, Jon Jay is has much more range in the outfield as well as versatility to play multiple positions. He also excels against lefties which means he can be an everyday option if need be.

Next: Red Sox put Castillo on waivers

The San Diego Padres are certainly struggling in the NL West cellar, and may be looking to dump off veteran players. Like Smith, Jay may be intrigued at the prospect of playing for a playoff contender. In his time with the Cardinals, Jay reached multiple postseasons, even winning a World Series in 2011. Boston may be intrigued as well by a veteran outfielder with years of postseason experience along with a World Series under his belt.

The Red Sox obviously have the prospects to spend on a versatile outfielder like Jay, the only question is if Boston is seriously interested in improving the outfield.

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