Red Sox First Basemen

The Red Sox are trying to stave off another collapse this season.  First base was thought to be both a strength and an upgrade for Boston last season, and it worked out that way famously.  It should be a strong position again for them this season.

1.  Adrian Gonzalez:  Gonzalez was acquired by Boston last off-season from the Padres in a deal which had been part of the off-again-on-again rumor mill for years.  Gonzalez, who had been a beast in spacious PETCO Park, was expected to put up huge numbers in tiny Fenway.  That didn't come to fruition, but he still had a strong season in 2011.  He batted .338 with 213 hits, 108 runs scored, 45 doubles, 27 home runs, and 117 runs batted in.  In addition, Gonzalez is a Gold Glove-calibre fielder at first base.

2.  Lars Anderson:  Anderson is a prospect who Boston is looking at in Spring Training.  One of the biggest prospects in all of baseball, Anderson may be ready to make the next step to the big leagues.  However, Boston won't be able to get him regular at-bats and his best bet at winning a job in the Majors is to find a spot on Boston's bench.  Manager Bobby Valentine may not want to waste Anderson on his bench and may send him to Pawtucket to guarantee him regular playing time, though.  And regular at-bats may be necessary for Anderson.  He went hitless in five at-bats in the Majors last season.

3.  David Ortiz:  Ortiz will once again serve as Boston's starting designated hitter this season.  He had another good season last year, batting .309 with 29 home runs.  Boston is hoping for another solid season out of Big Papi, or at least one in which he provides 25 homers or more.  He shouldn't get much time at first base, and depending on how Valentine uses Anderson, he might not get any, aside from a token appearance here or there in Interleague Play or in September.

Boston looks strong at first base.  They can count on another monster season from Gonzalez, even if he doesn't provide the 50 homers and 160 runs batted in some might have hoped for.  Anderson is a good prospect waiting in the wings, whether he waits at Pawtucket or on the Boston bench.  And Ortiz is still an option at first base and a good force of fairly consistent, left-handed power in the middle of Boston's lineup.