The weakness that perhaps ultimately led to the demise of the 2008 Boston Red Sox was the lack of quality bats on the bench.  We had Alex Cora, Kevin Cash, and Mark Kotsay (I’m not considering Coco Crisp a bench player in 2008).  Those guys are decent defensive replacements, but being forced to watch the three of them try to produce runs was akin the treatment William Wallace received once the English got their filthy hands on him.  And then we have “The Mayor”.  Hey, I like Sean Casey.  He is, by all accounts, the nicest person ever to breathe oxygen.  In history.  If you were read any quote about Mr. Casey from a fellow player or coach, you’d think they were speaking about a cross between Martin Luther King and Lance Armstrong.  When Jesus Christ stubs his toe, he shouts out: “Sean Casey!”.  Etcetera.

It is therefore with great regret that I have to say this: Casey was a complete and total waste of a roster spot this year.  It never makes sense to carry a guy on the bench who can only play first base, especially if that guy has major health problems and cannot hit for power.  This all amounts to a very weak bench, one that the Red Sox cannot afford to have while playing close to $30,000,000 per year on Mike Lowell and J.D. Drew, two productive but injury prone players.

One clear solution is to acquire outfielder Rocco Baldelli, a situation which seemingly fits both sides.  Rocco is a local product, a Rhode Islander to be exact.  While he’s definitely not the 5-tool phenom he was in his early years, his recent health problems (which are hopefully in the rear view mirror) could cause the free-agent outfielder to be acquired at a discount.  He bats from the right side of the plate, which would made him the perfect counterpart to J.D. Drew, a player who will sometimes convalesce on the bench when the Sox face tough left-handed pitching.  Not to mention, unlike 4th outfielder Mark Kotsay, Rocco can actually…you know…hit.  Especially against lefties (an .841 career OPS vs LHP).

While Rocco seems like the perfect fit, let’s talk about his medical condition.  Actually, you know what?  Let’s not.  Because, I don’t know the first thing about mitochondrial disease.  According to things I’ve read, I’m not alone in that department.  It is the stuff of House, M.D., a mysterious affliction causing the type of bewilderment that was probably experienced by the New York Yankees’ doctors 75 years ago. Rocco could be a relatively cheap gamble, but he will be a risky one.

The Sox are performing their due diligence.  Rocco’s acquisition would mean that one of Coco Crisp or Jacoby Ellsbury is expendable, and the pieces of the 2009 puzzle would begin to come together.

Next Up:

Top 5 Boston Outfield Prospects.