Allen Craig has been the subject of trade rumors since the offseason because the Boston Red Sox possess a surplus of outfielders, but recent injuries to Shane Victorino and Rusney Castillo have given him a chance to see the field more and perhaps work on proving his worth.
Heading into the 2015 season there was clearly no room for Craig since the Red Sox were prepared to move forward with Hanley Ramirez, Mookie Betts, Victorino and Castillo, as well as utility players Brock Holt and Daniel Nava. But now that room has opened up, it appears as if the Red Sox will jump on the opportunity to get Craig in the lineup more often.
"Scouts are still waiting for Craig to bust out and it appears the Red Sox are going to play him more to lift his trade value," writes Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe. "May is usually good for him - a .335 career hitter, just behind Ichiro Suzuki (.336) for highest average for the month among active players. Craig got off to a poor start, but not because he isn't working hard. Before the Yankees series started on Friday, Craig was out for early batting practice in an effort to bust out of his malaise. He then hit his first homer of the season."
Craig has yet to return to form following his successful 2012 and 2013 campaigns because he dealt with injuries last season and has struggled offensively and defensively since arriving in Boston via a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals. However, since Victorino hit the DL on Apr. 23 and Castillo continues to get back to full-time action following his right shoulder strain, Craig has seen more at-bats in the last eight games (20) than he did in his first 11 (17).
While he has continuously struggled, he did hit his first home run of the season on Friday and could continue to see ample playing time since Victorino "could be back" by May 11. If the Red Sox wish to eventually trade Craig and the remaining $20-plus million on his contract, they'll need to show him the field more often to help him dig out of his .130/.230/.198 stat line he's accumulated since arriving in Boston.
"We've stated many times, you trust every player on your roster," manager John Farrell told Sean McAdam of CSNNE.com after it was made known Craig would be starting on Friday night against Yankees' left-hander CC Sabathia. "This is clearly a matchup (and that's why) Allen is in there. If we don't use Allen today (with two righties going for the Yankees Saturday and Sunday) . . . this is the day to have him in the field.''
The Red Sox will likely face left-hander Drew Smyly of the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday night, so that'll probably be another opportunity for Craig to get in more at-bats.
