Red Sox Preview - Left Field

Team: Boston Red Sox
Position: Leftfield
Primary player and backup(s): Manny Ramirez

Note: MLB.com lists no official backup at left field and only one backup in the entire outfield. As he is listed as the backup in centerfield.


HITTING - I'm not sure I even need to say much here. Manny is hands down one of the best hitters of his generation. Only once since 1995 has he failed to produce 30 HR and 100 RBI. Let me give you a quick rundown of his accomplishments: 1 World Series MVP, 8 Silver Slugger Awards, 5 times he was top 5 in BA (including leading the league in 2002), 4 times he's finished top 3 in OBP (twice leading the league), 3 times he's led the league in slugging percentage and OPS (finished 2nd in slugging once and OPS twice), and he has a HR crown and an RBI crown. The man has Triple Crown potential every year. I don't think I really have to say much more here. A+

FIELDING - One of the biggest things that people don't know about Manny is that he has one of the best outfield arms in the game. He really is one of those guys you do not try and strectch a single into a double on. It is a good thing he has that arm too, because he can be one of the laziest outfielders in the game too. There are very few times you really see Manny go all out for a ball, but when he does he usually makes a nice play. Every once in a while though, Manny's non-chalant attitude can cost Boston an extra run or an extra base. His career .977 FP isn't the greatest, but it's not the worst either. I will say that Manny has become very adept at playing balls off the Green Monster, and his bat and his arm usually make up for the rest of his mistakes. B+

BASE RUNNING - Much like in the outfield, Manny can occasionally be a lazy ass here to. Manny routinely doesn't run out ground balls and he sometimes gets himself in bad situations when it seems his mind is somewhere else. Also, Manny isn't exactly a big base stealing threat racking up a whopping 7 SB in the last 6 seasons. If there is a true weakness to Manny's game, this is it. D+, only because of the he-might-not-be-paying-attention factor.

DEPTH - This is a huge factor for the Red Sox if anybody out there goes down. They have only one listed backup outfielder (although I'm sure the athletic Youkilis could move out there if need be) and nobody listed behind Manny (although Coco could always move over, but then who would play center?). Luckily Manny has played in an average of 153 games over the last 3 years. Here's to hoping the treads don't fall off. D-, and look for the Sox to add a veteran backup in the outfield before the All-Star break.

INTANGIBLES - Manny is a game changer. He likes being up in the big spot (not as much as Pappi, but that's another article) and he tends to step up when it's needed. Manny is also one of the most consistent hitters which means he doesn't tend to get in big slumps and hurt the team over extended period of time. He also plays a role in the clubhouse atmosphere creating a relaxed and fun environment for his teammates. Where Manny may cause problems is in just being Manny. He tends to make stupid comments to the media and, oh about once a year now, he asks to be traded. I really think it'd be a trip to be inside Manny's head for one day. Instead of Being John Malkovich, it'd be Being Manny. Who wouldn't want to take that wild ride? I'm going with a B here, who knows what may happen this year.

OVERALL - Yes, Manny is a head case. Yes, Manny can be a distraction. Yes, Manny can be lazy. However, he is still one of the best pure hitters to ever play the game and will be a first ballot Hall of Famer. Despite all the things that come with Manny, no one out there could say in all honesty that they wouldn't want him on their team. He's like T.O. without all the excess baggage and mouthing off. In any case, I hope he breaks his leg (come on, he played for my two least favorite teams in his career, I have to get atleast one spiteful thing in here). A