Friday’s Links – Narrative Boogaloo

Photo by Kelly O’Connor of sittingstill.smugmug.com

After an off day, the Red Sox head south to take on the scorching-hot Los Angeles Dodgers, so naturally, the Nick Punto Trade will be talked about. A lot.

• Since May, Jacoby Ellsbury has been really, really good. But even if his defense is the greatest part of his game, what he does at the plate is…curious. (Jacoby Ellsbury: League Leader)

• Switch-hitters are notorious for having strange splits at the plate. Shane Victorino has no such problem anymore. He just hits right-handed all the time. (Victorino has dropped switch-hitting without missing a beat)

• The Red Sox are relying on the platoon strength of four different positions to help them fight for the division. Managing it will be John Farrell’s biggest challenge yet. (Red Sox lineup rotations a complicated matter)

• While many fans cheered Ryan Dempster, David Ortiz wasn’t part of that group. He wasn’t a member of the Bean A-Rod Fan Club. (Ortiz disagrees with Dempster hitting A-Rod)

• Ben Cherington should stick to in-season trades. He’s got nothing to worry about, and nothing to regret, after offloading so much salary a year ago. (A year after megatrade, Ben Cherington has no second thoughts)

• Josh Beckett vividly remembers being traded. But he doesn’t resent the Red Sox for doing so, and even considers 2007 as one of his greatest memories. (Josh Beckett Reflects On Life With Red Sox, Dodgers)

• In stark contrast, Carl Crawford had some times to forget in Beantown. Now, he just wants to take down the Red Sox. (Carl Crawford wants to beat the Red Sox ‘bad’)

Didn’t he get the memo?