Last season when the Red Sox signed CF Mike Cameron to play center and move OF Jacoby Ellsbury to left in a corresponding move no one in Red Sox Nation complained. How could they? Cameron is one of the great center fielders of his generation and Ellsbury may have been better suited playing the less vigorous position at the young stage in his career. But then the injuries happened and Boston was forced to use a multitude of players at both positions. This season, they're not taking any chances in left field.
1. Carl Crawford: When the Red Sox signed Crawford to a seven-year deal their plans for the future became obvious. They had their left fielder and long-term replacement for Manny Ramirez. He wasn't cheap and he wasn't a prospect, but he was good. The seven years may be a bit much; Crawford will be an old man in baseball years by the time the contract expires. But as far as the right now is concerned the Red Sox aren't worrying. Crawford batted .307 with 47 stolen bases and 110 runs scored last season.
2. Ellsbury: Ellsbury is penciled in as the everyday center fielder again for 2011 but he still figures to get a lot of playing time in left when Crawford needs a day off. 2010 was a lost season for Ellsbury. He missed all but 18 games due to injury and only batted .192 when he was healthy (though he did manage to steal nine bases in that time). The Red Sox are hoping that Ellsbury's injury woes are behind him. And they better be, or Boston could be in trouble again in their outfield.
3. Ryan Kalish: Kalish was one of the many outfielders called up from the Minors to fill in for Ellsbury and Cameron last season. He performed well in his rookie campaign, batting .252 with 10 stolen bases in 53 games. Kalish can play all three outfield positions and has a pretty good shot to make the team as a fourth outfielder.
4. Darnell McDonald: McDonald was another one of the players pressed into service due to injury. Unlike Kalish, he more or less became an everyday player for Boston, hitting .270 in 319 at-bats and doing a pretty good job of filling in along the way. He can play all three outfield positions and has a good shot to make the team as a fourth outfielder or as a reserve outfielder/right handed compliment to DH David Ortiz.
5. Daniel Nava: Nava was yet another player called up to due to injuries in the Boston outfield. Unlike Kalish and McDonald, though, he was known more for his back story then his performance. A product of the independent leagues and Minor League veteran whose path to the Majors was long and winding, Nava blasted a grand slam in his first at-bat in the majors. After that, he gained more publicity for announcing his crush on famed ESPN reporter Erin Andrews. And guess what? Andrews reciprocated the attraction (sort of) via a tweet on Twitter. After a few weeks, though, Nava was forgotten, and for a good reason. He never connected again after the grand slam and only managed 22 RBIs while his batting average fell to .242. Nava can't play anywhere but left and is not considered to be in the mix as of right now but could put himself into the mix with a good camp. He probably won't make the team but will be one of the first players recalled if an injury befalls someone in Boston's left field mix.
Overall, left field appears to be a strength for Boston. Crawford is money and should perform that way all season. Ellsbury will see most of his time in center but will still play a bit in left, if he can stay healthy. Kalish and McDonald provide Major League-ready reserve options. Nava might not have a spot on the team but he's a good player to have in the mix.
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