The Boston Red Sox continue to have a lot of good problems with their roster in terms of depth and competition. However, some of their expensive players might be starting off the 2016 MLB season on the bench, and one of them is outfielder Rusney Castillo.
Manager John Farrell said on Tuesday that Brock Holt and Chris Young will platoon in left field, with Holt getting a majority of the reps as he's expected to be in the lineup against right-handed pitching. Holt and Young are established players while Castillo has been looking to prove he's worth the $72.5-million deal he signed in 2014.
However, the 28-year-old has batted just .262/.302/.379 with 41 runs scored, seven home runs and 35 RBI in his first 90 MLB games. This spring he's hitting just .204/.278/.224 with three runs scored, one home run and five RBI in 49 at-bats.
"The area that he continues to work at is just the offensive side of the game. That's got to gain some consistency," Farrell said of Castillo, via ESPN's Scott Lauber. "And that's part of his own knowledge of who he is and what his swing is capable of and how that matches up with certain types of pitches."
With Young taking over in left when the Red Sox face left-handed pitchers, it's fairly evident Castillo will not have a major role with the team. Farrell said he'll "fill-in" in left and center, but Jackie Bradley Jr. is slated to start in center field and it's really unknown how much playing time Castillo will get with a platoon system in left.
Aside from his offensive struggles, there's been some concern about his defense as well, which probably made the decision much easier for Farrell. Holt hit .270 with a .727 OPS in 2015, accumulated a 2.6 WAR and appeared in his first All-Star Game in 2015. Young hit 14 home runs and had a .773 OPS in 318 at-bats with the New York Yankees last season.
Castillo still has $60 million remaining on his contract (he signed through 2020), but it's clear Farrell doesn't care how much a player is making. A high salary will not be indicative of more playing time, which is also a glaring case with the third base battle between Pablo Sandoval and Travis Shaw.
Farrell's job could be on the line if the Red Sox don't get off to a fast start in 2016 and he's not going to let underperforming players be responsible for a potential slide.
Between Castillo and Sandoval, the Red Sox may have over $130 million riding the pine on Opening Day.
