Left Field
Hideki Matsui vs.
Manny Ramirez
Hideki Matsui has been one of the most consistent and clutch hitters since he made his way over from Japan 3 years ago. During that time, he’s average .297 with 23 HR, 110 RBI, 40 doubles, and 99 runs scored. Matsui has also hit a lofty .314 with runners in scoring position. He’s done all this despite manager Joe Torre shifting him in the lineup between 2nd and 4th through 7th. Matsui’s defense took a step backwards last year, but he always gives 100% and often makes up for getting a bad initial jump on the ball with a good second step. He’s not an asset on defense, but not a liability either.
Manny Ramirez will never be confused with Ken Griffey Jr. when it comes to outfield defense. Don’t let all those assists fool you - that’s from playing so shallow in Fenway’s short left field. Manny will be confused with Hall of Famers though when it comes to the plate. Ramirez is a pure hitting machine who is one of the most intimidating bats in all of baseball. The soon-to-be 36-year old comes into this season with 435 career home runs and 1,414 RBI. His lifetime OPS is 1.008. There are no questions concerning Manny’s bat or glove. What you see is what you get. The problem here could be if Manny finally does force his way out of Boston this year. His comments last season, led the Red Sox front office to explore trade options at the deadline, and again in the off-season. Then and now, the Sox have realized it will be very difficult to get back proper value for this future Hall of Famer. After all it’s just Manny being Manny.
Advantage: Ramirez
Centerfield
Johnny Damon vs.
Coco Crisp
What a difference an off-season makes. After stints in Kansas City and Oakland, Johnny Damon became a folk-hero in Boston. He homered twice in the 7th game of the 2004 ALCS to bring the Sox back from a three games to none deficit to the Yankees and eventually the Sox first title in 86 years. Those hated Yankees, the Yankees Damon would never sign with. Well, that was before the Red Sox didn’t show enough love and the Yankees shoved a 4-year, $52 million deal under Damon’s nose. Now Johnny loves New York. And New York will probably respond the same in kind. Damon takes over a spot that hero Bernie Williams had occupied for the previous 15 years. Though his arm is probably weaker than Bernie’s, at 32, he has more range and still has great ball hawking ability. Most likely to bat leadoff, but possibly 2nd, he should easily score 100 runs and will probably run a little more again (he has a fantastic 78.9 stolen base success rate) than he has in recent years with Boston. 2006 should be a big success for the clean-shaven Damon.
Coco Crisp was acquired in a seven player deal with the Cleveland Indians on January 27. In replacing Damon, the Red Sox got a player that is 5 years younger who has improved in each of first three full seasons in the majors. Crisp only played 10 games in centerfield last year due to the emergence of Grady Sizemore, but had played 208 games in the middle prior to that. In his last 2 seasons in Cleveland Crisp averaged .299 with 15 HRs, 70 RBI, 82 runs scored, and 17 stolen bases. His power may suffer with the tougher right field in Fenway, but if he learns how to use the monster in left, his average could go up 10 to 20 points.
Advantage - Damon
Right Field
Gary Sheffield vs.
Trot Nixon
With Spring Training right around the corner, Gary Sheffield is probably warming up the quote machine. Deciding whether to talk about those injuries that he won’t talk about, or complaining about his contract, or bitching about inevitable trade rumors. Then all he’ll do is go out and rip one line drive after another. Sheff didn’t let a leg injury keep him out of the lineup last season even though he nearly had to walk to first base. Alex Rodriguez may be the “huge” guy in the lineup, but no one is more intimidating then Sheffield. Sheff’s numbers in his first 2 years with the Yankees have been remarkably similar
2004 .290 - 36 - 121
2005 .291 - 34 - 123
The one worry about Sheffield is his play in right field. Yankee and baseball announcers will still talk about his “gun”, but Sheffield rarely throws anyone out any more. Far more disconcerting his lack of mobility in the outfield. Even before he was injured, Sheffield looked like he was running half-speed to get to the ball (this in part was the reason Bubba Crosby and he played smashmouth baseball in the playoffs). The Yankees need to find a way to get some DH at-bats for Sheffield, even if it’s against his will. Better yet if it is against his will - it’ll guarantee him going on a tear.
Trot Nixon is a hardnosed ballplayer who has battled injuries the last 2 years. He averaged 26 home runs from 2001-2003, but was limited to just 48 games the following season, and then hit just 13 home runs in 400+ at-bats last year. He’s an aggressive defensive player and isn’t afraid to sacrifice his body to make a play. He had his knee scoped following this past post-season. The Red Sox are looking for a viable backup/platoon for Nixon and today signed Dustan Mohr to a minor league contract with those hopes in mind. Nixon is a subject of trade rumors nearly every year, but doesn’t let it affect his play.
Advantage - Sheffield
Next up - DH, Pitchers and Catchers
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