Tuesday Links: Red Sox have already guided Daniel Nava to the left side

Photo credit: Kelly O’Connor

Yesterday, Rob Bradford of WEEI reported that Daniel Nava is thinking about abandoning switch hitting this season, and focusing exclusively on batting from the left-hand side.

This isn’t a bad for Nava, who holds a career .209 batting average from the right-hand side and a .293 average from the left, but it’s not exactly a decision he’s making for himself. As a platoon player in Boston for the last three seasons, Nava has seen most of his at-bats against right-handed pitching, during which the career switch hitter has dug-in on the left-handed side of the batters box. In 2012, Nava received 95 plate appearances as a right-handed hitter, in 2013 Nava collected a career high 119 at-bats from the right side, and last season the 31-year faced a left-handed pitcher just 67 times.

Sure the Red Sox haven’t been morally opposed to letting the former Independent League all-star bat right-handed thus far, but they’ve understandably shown little faith in his ability to hit from both sides. Of course any decision to ditch switch-hitting all together would be a collaborative consensus between the coaching staff and Nava, but the Red Sox have already hinted at their vision on Nava as a hitter.

• The Red Sox were one of a handful of teams in attendance for right-hander Alexi Ogando’s showcase over the weekend. After sustaining an elbow sprain, the 31-year old swing man missed most of the 2014 season as a member of the Texas Rangers. Subsequently, Ogando was granted free agency earlier this winter. When healthy, the Dominican Republic native features a solid four pitch arsenal, including a mid-90’s fastball. Along with the Red Sox, the Los Angeles Dodgers are also seriously considering adding Ogando. (Boston Red Sox rumors: Bullish on Alexi Ogando, Los Angeles Dodgers providing competition)

• It’s usually hard to find a switch-hitter that approaches the idea of abandoning their versatility with an open mind, but Red Sox outfielder Daniel Nava isn’t afraid to discuss the possibility. A career switch-hitter, the 31-year old’s numbers as a lefty greatly outshine his statistics while batting right handed. Prior to last season, Nava admitted that he hadn’t thought about exclusively batting left-handed, but now knows that it’s something that he should take into consideration. (Daniel Nava contemplating switch from switch-hitting)

• Of all the things that went wrong with the Red Sox last season, perhaps their greatest embarrassment came in the outfield. For most of the 2014 campaign, Boston employed an outfield that featured rookie Jackie Bradley Jr., two platoon players in Jonny Gomes and Daniel Nava, and a reclamation project in Grady Sizemore. Subsequently, the team’s outfield core posted league-worst numbers in almost every offensive category. But since the trade deadline, Boston has used their resources on the farm system and on the free agent market, to improve their shortcomings in 2015. (Red Sox hope they’ve addressed deficiencies in the outfield)

• With a few adjustments, Wade Miley could soon make Red Sox’ fans forget about the loss of Jon Lester. According to the 28-year old’s former pitching coach Mike Harkey, Miley’s fastball command is the key to unlocking his true potential. When the left-hander figures out how to pinpoint hit fastball and pair it with his hard-biting slider, Harkey predicts that Miley will be among the leagues best starters. (Rough 2014 season notwithstanding, Wade Miley has plenty of potential)

• Tweet of the day: Bard was just…*sigh*