The Boston Red Sox made a flurry of moves right before the trade deadline. One move that came as a bit of a surprise was the trading of John Lackey to the St. Louis Cardinals for Joe Kelly and Allen Craig. Kelly, for the most part, has pitched pretty well and should certainly have a spot somewhere in the rotation next year. Craig has been a different story.
Craig has really struggled during his time in Boston, batting just a little bit over .100. He also has spent time on the disabled list. He hasn’t showed any of the skills that made him such an offensive threat with the Cardinals over the last few seasons. It looks like he might be playing himself right out of Boston.
Seriously, where would he possibly play? I think it is safe to say that the outfield for next year is going to be Yoenis Cespedes, Rusney Castillo and if he keeps it up, Mookie Betts. That is quite the athletic outfield. Shane Victorino, if he is healthy, could be a solid backup because he can play center and right field. That still leaves players like Jackie Bradley Jr. and Daniel Nava without a position.
Craig is also blocked at first base because Mike Napoli certainly isn’t going anywhere. There is just no way a player like a Craig would have any interest in basically sitting on the bench.
I feel Craig is going to be one of those moving parts that Boston will trade to maybe get some pitching or a third baseman. It’s funny, Craig tripping over Will Middlebrooks during the World Series last year will probably be the only lasting memory we will ever have of him.
Carter Roane is a Boston Red Sox writer for www.Rantsports.com. Follow him on Twitter@CarterGRoane, “Like”him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
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