To me, the unique configuration of Fenway's CF, and the need for a stronger-than-normal arm in CF (and RF) make moving Beni to CF very undesirable.
On platooning him. I was calling for that before his offensive decline.
Even his best season (2018) showed the need to think about a platoon:
vs RHP: .877
vs LHP: .694 (not God-awful, but still the best he ever had, other than what might be seen as a fluke in 2019)
2016: .984 v .429
2017: .813 v .622
2019: .764 v .796
Career: .821 v .691
Now, people have pointed out that Yaz had a career OPS vs LHPs of .692, but he was an amazing defender. He also hit lefties much better earlier in his career, so maybe the platoon idea might have made some sense later in his career, but with a HOF'er, it's a tough choice for a manager to make without making waves. (Also, it's not like the Sox had many better options vs LHPs back in the 60's and 70's.)
Last edited by moonslav59; 12-03-2020 at 12:12 PM.
Sox 4 Ever
Well, you always call for platoons early.
At this point, a platoon is more about cutting into his playing time more so than trying to cover up his weaknesses. Taking him out vs LHP is just an excuse to do so.
Now the Sox do have one guy on their team who can hit LHP pretty well and has no position. Maybe Chavis can handle LF part time? I know the only reason the Sox trotted him out here last year was because they were running out of outfielders, but Chavis isn't going anywhere (who would want him?) and can hit LHP and really has never established himself as owning any infield position defensively. A Benintedi-Chavis platoon in LF? Sign/trade for a CF (Still liking Inciarte here.) and Verdugo in RF.
Championships since purchase by John Henry group: Red Sox 4 Yankees 1
The Red Sox are 8-1 in their last 9 postseason games against the Yankees.
Agreed on all points.
I don't see LF as an area we need to prioritize, at this point, and if it is a problem during a playoff-contending run in 2021, then finding a LF'er or platoon LF'er mid season is usually not all that hard or expensive.
Pitching is clearly our #1 need. It's number 2 and 3 as well, but CF (or RF with Verdugo moving to CF) is, by far, our biggest non-pitching need area.
Sox 4 Ever
Beni can play center but isn't an optimum defender. He is better suited to left in Fenway but of course half the games are played in other parks. His bat is a significant question now as well. I know his trade value is low at this point but if we hold onto him and he lays an egg for$6.5Mil when we could have made a change, then we have made a bad gamble.
1. @jeff_wax
Red Sox are great at “checking in on” available players and not signing them. Nobody does it better.
2. @SPChrisHatfield
Another favorite, the "the Red Sox aren't one of the 6 or 7 teams to sign a free agent so far, and therefore the GM isn't doing his job" early offseason tweet.
Friend, 11 guys have signed, and like 5 or 6 of consequence. Be patient. There's another 3.5 months or so left.