With a logjam in the outfield, one Boston Red Sox outfielder believes he should be a starter. In St. Louis, the winner of the Cardinals' No. 5 starter spot could see an innings limit in 2015 because of his youth.
The Red Sox just signed Hanley Ramirez this week and it's suspected he'll start in left, joining an already crowded outfield. If that's the case, Boston will have Ramirez, Yoenis Cespedes, Rusney Castillo, Mookie Betts, Daniel Nava, Allen Craig, Jackie Bradley Jr., Brock Holt and Shane Victorino capable of playing an outfield position.
Victorino, an 11-year veteran, expressed how he felt about the situation in a conversation with Rob Bradford of WEEI on Thanksgiving. The Flyin' Hawaiian is expected to come back healthy for the 2015 season after undergoing back surgery in 2014, which limited him to only 30 games. Victorino slashed .294/.351/.451 with 15 home runs, 61 RBIs and 21 stolen bases in 122 games with the 2013 World Series champion Boston Red Sox team.
"If you think there's somebody better in right [field], be my guest," he told Bradford. "Obviously health will dictate that. But if I'm healthy, if there's a better outfielder in right field then show me and go out there and do it. I'm not saying that in a cocky or arrogant way. It's just how confident I am to know I should be the starting right fielder."
Boston has an obvious payroll problem with their outfielders: Victorino will be making $13 million in 2015; Cespedes will earn $10.5 million; Ramirez will make $19.75 million and; Castillo will collect $11.27 million. The Red Sox will need to trade one of these players (cough, Cespedes) if they want to avoid any issues on Opening Day. The designated hitter position would be a great solution to this problem, but David Ortiz currently occupies that post.
Boston's World Series opponent in 2013, the St. Louis Cardinals, will have some good old competition for the fifth starter slot in the rotation when spring training approaches. Two youngsters - Carlos Martinez and Marco Gonzales - will battle for that spot since Shelby Miller was traded to the Atlanta Braves this month. General manager John Mozeliak told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that Martinez will have a "soft cap" on his innings next season if he were to win the starter job.
The reason being is that Martinez is in the process of potentially being converted to a starter at the professional level. The right-hander logged 69 starts in five minor league seasons, but has only started eight games in 78 appearances for the Cardinals. He's tossed just 117 2/3 innings in the MLB, so Mozeliak likely wants to be cautious with his young talent.
However, the "soft cap" wasn't specified. It's suspected if Martinez wins the job and is shut down toward the end of the season, Gonzales will take over.
