Last December, Sox Director of Player Development Mike Hazen released a statement to announce that the ultra-versatile Casey Kelly will both pitch 100 innings and play shortstop in a way that provides both the team and himself greater flexibility for the long haul, and help increase the likelihood that his professional career will ultimately progress at the position at which he is most valuable. Recently and similarly, another announcement was made that top prospect Lars Anderson will get a cup of tea as an outfielder when he gets promoted to Pawtucket some time this year.
What shouldn’t be taken from this is that Lars isn’t capable of playing first base full time in the major leagues. If that were the case, then Hazen and Co. wouldn’t be waiting until he hit AAA to test and see if he can sink or swim in the outfield. Rather, he’s probably going to be the best talent available come September and the first base position is blocked at the major league level, so it’s important to make him as versatile as possible for when that time comes. Also factor in the health issues of Drew and Baldelli, the Sox outfield depth isn’t exactly a strong point.
This was a move that was long expected by minor league followers. It isn’t one that’s unprecedented, either. A number of players, including Jeff Corsaletti, Chris Carter, and Jeff Bailey have switched positions when they’ve reached the AAA level to make themselves more valuable to the major league team. Boston is a tough team to crack into for prospects, especially if you’re only a fringe one at that. Obviously, Lars is not. So for guys like Chris Carter, who need to expand their availability to the club in order to stick, there’s Lars, who is simply being asked to play some outfield so they can get his bat in the line-up. He should at least play a passable left field and who knows, if he proves he can play as an above-average outfielder, it could make the Jason Bay contract extension talk moot.
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Good news. This is a traditional way to cover all the bases for the future. If JD is unable to play, JB has a bad year, Mike Lowell or Papi don’t recover, in theory Lars is the answer, but only if he has experience in being versatile.
There is nothing moot about extending JB if, in 2009, he hits .285/ 30+/ 100/ 100/.900; or keeping JD if he hits .285/ 25/ 100/ 80/ .900 or keeping Mikey if he hits .280/ 20/ 100/ 70/ .800. As a rookie, Lars in 2010 would surely be a gamble vs. that kind of production.
Another consideration: if Rocco emerges from his new diagnosis and has a great year, he isn’t going anywhere either, and will at the very least remain the best 4th OF in MLB for years, hopefully as a Red Sox.
IMO, best case scenario for Sox fans is that J.Bay, J.Drew, Mike Lowell and Papi have healthy, fantastic years and we win the WS. If so, best case scenario for Lars is 9/1/09 and up and down in 2010, backing Baldelli, and Youk. There is no reason to rush him at this point.
If it turns out that they want Lars to replace bay, which means Youk probably stays at first. Then that would mean 3B would have to be solved from outside I assume (post-Lowell). Or of course another 1b could be brought in, allowing Youk to shift to third…
I hear Andy Marte may soon be available…I mean he’s a can’t miss 3B prospect right? (end of sarcasm now for those who are unsure)
Not surprised at this development. Lars told me (and I posted here, for those that recall) that he played the outfield for two years in high school… so I saw this coming.
I think it is just a way to live with the Lowell contract through 2010 and opens the possibility of getting his bat in the line-up in case of an injury (and Lars is having a monster year) or the ability to play there a little if Bay was not resigned since we have Lowell/Youk in 2010. If Reddick can learn to take a walk and has a big year in Portland it may make sense to see if you can live with a year of Lars in LF in 2010 and then have Reddick or a free agent take over for 2011 when Lowell’s contract is up…Youk to 3b and Lars to first.
I don’t think this necessarily means a move to LF for Lars. I just think they are introducing him to the value of versatility. The Red Sox have enjoyed some very versatile young players coming up through their system and if Lars can join that group it adds to his value exponentially. Making him familiar with mulitple positions makes things alot easier as we try and juggle all the players and positions over the next couple years. We’ll see how it goes. As long as it doesn’t distract him to the point of suffering at the plate I’m convinced it’s a solid smart move.
Excellent point SamR. Lugo can’t play 3b & 2b because he never had to. Van Every is a better fielder than Bailey and Carter, but can’t play 1st base. On the other hand, Lowrie might not win the SS job because he can play 3 positions. I usually push for the kids to get their shot, but only if there is an apparent opening or need, i.e. Lugo-Lowrie. With Jason Bay, this is not the case at all, and the Sox would be well served to give him a generous extension before the Season starts (3/2/35-40MM?).
Strange, but in many ways he often seems like a Red Sox rookie himself, more like Masterson and Lowrie, coming up to a contending team on a huge stage, replacing big names in turmoil (Schilling, Colon, Lugo, Manny), looking around in awe and wonder . . . and very, very quietly doing a remarkable job. At the same time he seems to have anchored LF for years. Jason Bay is a keeper. Lars is a first baseman who is gaining versatility.