Jackie Bradley Jr. is not walking through that door. We now know that.
So who will be the one manning center field on a regular basis now that the everyday guy from the last six seasons is gone? According to Alex Cora, it might look a little different.
"I'm not settled with any alignment," the Red Sox manager said Thursday. "I'm settled with talent. We're going to be versatile and move people around. Alex is a great outfielder. You saw it last year. In Fenway, I don't know how much value you give center field. I give right field a lot of value. There's not too much you can do going to your right as a center fielder. All you can do is either see it going over the Monster or play it off the wall, catch it, and throw to second base. We think the real value is right field. We know it and Alex (Verdugo) and do that, Alex can play center field. Hunter Renfroe can play right field, Enrique Hernandez can play center, he can play right field. You guys know the versatility. You guys see the roster. So one thing for sure, on a daily basis we're going to match up with the opposition and have the best lineup possible, and we will play defense. We will play defense. It doesn't look that way right now, but we will play defense."
In terms of experience, Hernandez undoubtedly has the most in center, playing 168 games in the spot (although just three times in 2020).
The former Dodger is, however, earmarked for significant time at second base, potentially limiting his availability in the outfield.
"He'll play," said Cora of Hernandez. " I can't tell you how much. If you see Kiké playing a lot of second base, that means we're doing a good job on a nightly basis. If he doesn't start at second and he starts in center field, and he ends up playing second the last two innings, that's a good sign for the Red Sox. He's used to that. He's a good defender in the outfield, strong arm. He doesn't need too many repetitions. We'll use him depending on matchups."
Verdugo is another logical candidate, having played in center 76 times, although just once as a member of the Red Sox.
As for Bradley Jr., Cora predictably had high praise for the newest Brewer.
“A solid player, better person, very consistent in everything he did," the manager said. "It was a pleasure to have him in the clubhouse, to know him off the field, and to know his family. He’s an outstanding kid. He did some great things while he was here. He was amazing in ’18, I think with four swings, he changed the complexion of the playoffs, right? He had four hits, I think it was. It seems like every hit was a big one. Actually I texted him this morning and said he has a fan from afar. I’ll be paying attention. Obviously off the field, we’re going to keep having a relationship."
Cora added, "It’s the nature of the business. We have our plans for this year and we have our plans for the upcoming years. Like I've been saying all along, we have a good team. Guys come and go. They contribute and go somewhere else. That’s been happening in baseball forever. So yeah we’re going to miss them. I think from my end, you miss the player on the field but I think you miss the person, which is the most important thing. With all that aside, I'm very excited with the talent that we have, the things that we gonna be able to do with what we have and we’re gonna have a good team. We're gonna have a good team. I'm very excited about this group.”
- First base prospect Triston Casas has returned to Boston for tests after being diagnosed with a non-baseball ailment.
- The MRI on Bryan Mata's triceps will take place Thursday night.
- Xander Bogaerts is easing his way back from a sore right shoulder.
