You know you live in Somerville, Massachussets, when: it’s 60 degrees outside, you walk past a public field where a pick-up football game is underway, and at least 3 players are wearing Kangol derby hats.  Yes, that’s a true-life observation from yesterday afternoon.  The players had standard athletic wear, shorts, long sleeve Ts, sneakers…and derby hats.  And the most amazing thing about this scene was the firmness of the hats; these guys were scrambling, getting tackled, diving for passes, and those caps stayed attached to their skulls like Jeremy Piven’s wig.  I suppose the hats do add a little something to the intimidation factor.  Nothing says “I have something to prove, so don’t look at me the wrong way” like a derby hat.

Now that I’ve started this week in auspicious fashion by dusting off Jeff Foxworthy’s comedic template, let’s take a look at another position battle taking place in Fort Myers.

The Battle:

As I mentioned yesterday, the Red Sox will need at least 1 (maybe 2, depending on whether or nor Rocco Baldelli opens the year on the DL) backup OF/1B to make the team in the place of Mark Kotsay.  Now, I haven’t been shy about my feelings on Kotsay; I honestly think there are 2 or 3 players in camp who are better suited for his role.  Nonetheless, when he recovers from his injury he’ll a near lock to return to the major league roster.  Here are the candidates to serve as his placeholder for the first month of the season.

The Contestants:

Brad Wilkerson
Marcel Projection: .230/.313/.397
Notes: Has experience on his side.  Lauded for his clubhouse presence.  Can play CF in a pinch.  Has a resume similar to Kotsay’s.  Probably the favorite to win the job.

Chris Carter
Marcel Projection: .278/.349/.422
Notes: Could be the best hitter of the group, but is definitely the worst fielder.  Cannot play CF or RF in Fenway Park.  Passable at LF and 1B.

Jon Van Every
Marcel Projection: .262/.332/.412
Maybe the best all-around player in the group.  Decent in CF, but has not played any 1B.  Decent hitter.

Jeff Bailey:
Marcel Projection: .266/.345/.438
Very good hitter, probably good for a .800 OPS at the MLB level.  Can play both corner OF positions as well as 1B.   He’d be my pick to take this spot, but he’s not on the 40-man roster and is thus a long shot.

Next – the bullpen.

Comments are closed