The left fielder of the Boston Red Sox has been hitting very well recently, with three home runs over the last six games. You would think those would be stats of regular left fielder Hanley Ramirez, but I am talking about his replacement Alejandro De Aza.

De Aza was traded to the Red Sox after being designated for assignment by the Baltimore Orioles. Last year, he was a catalyst for the Orioles and played a big part of getting Baltimore into the postseason. This season, Boston has to be grateful that they picked him up.

The Red Sox got him at the right time because he definitely gives them a dimension that they don’t have with Ramirez. Not only has De Aza hit extremely well, but he also plays some fantastic defense and has saved them more than a few runs. Furthermore, he has some speed and can steal a base or two.

He won’t supplant Ramirez, although I would not be surprised to see him in a platoon role. Boston has been playing a lot better with De Aza in the lineup, and they need all the solid performances that they can get. I don’t see Boston keeping Daniel Nava over De Aza at this point. De Aza has hit better, is a better fielder and can run, so Nava’s days in Boston might be coming to an end.

De Aza gives Boston some badly-needed depth, and you don’t have to close your eyes when he catches a ball like you do with Ramirez.

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.