Earlier in the offseason Shane Victorino said he should be the starting right fielder for the Boston Red Sox in 2015. It doesn't seem like his stance has changed as the team officially enters spring training in the next few days.
Victorino arrived at spring training early this season after playing only 30 games in 2014 because of a back injury that required surgery. The 34-year-old told Rob Bradford of WEEI.com that he has "absolutely no physical limitations" heading into spring training and said if he shows he's healthy he doesn't believe there's "any reason why they wouldn't pencil me in as the starting right fielder."
Despite Victorino's confidence, he appears to be the odd man out with the additions of Hanley Ramirez and Rusney Castillo as well as the emergence of prospect Mookie Betts. The Red Sox depth chart has Ramirez starting in left, Betts in center and Castillo in right, with Victorino backing up Castillo. That doesn't seem to be something the veteran is interested in doing.
"I have no intentions of being a bench player," Victorino told Ian Browne of MLB.com. "I say it with the utmost respect of the guys who are in the outfield and I'm going to compete against. If I'm healthy, I think that will take care of itself."
The Red Sox are in a tough spot because Victorino is owed $13 million for 2015, which is the final year of his current contract. Earlier in the offseason it was speculated Boston would look to trade him, but his salary and health issues likely had other teams wary of making a deal. The logjam extends further with Allen Craig, who the Red Sox had trouble trading this offseason also because of his health issues and salary (he's owed $25.5 million over the next three seasons).
But the team signed Ramirez to a four-year, $88 million deal and Castillo to a seven-year, $72.5 million deal and it's probable they both start, unless Castillo struggles in spring training and begins the year in the minors. The Sox are also high on Betts, who they've constantly refused to include in a package deal for Philadelphia Phillies' ace Cole Hamels. The 22-year-old played in 52 games with Boston in 2014 and slashed .291/.368/.444 with 34 runs scored, five home runs, 18 RBIs and seven stolen bases. It's likely they work to give him as much playing time as possible.
Adam Kaufman of Boston.com suggests the Red Sox trade Victorino before "he becomes a problem," so don't be surprised if the Red Sox explore their options once the Flyin' Hawaiian proves he's healthy in spring training. It's clear he wants to start, but there just may not be room for him in the outfield on a team that is focusing on the future.
UPDATE: Red Sox manager John Farrell said earlier today, "If Shane Victorino is fully capable and fully healthy, he's our right fielder. I mean, that's pretty simple. He was one of the best right fielders in the game two years ago," via Browne.
