Daniel Nava didn’t make his big league debut until he was 27, and he has since spent plenty of time bouncing back and forth between Boston and Triple-A Pawtucket. So when it comes to carving out a role with the Red Sox this season, the outfielder is willing to do anything it takes to stay in The Show.
The Red Sox apparently haven’t approached Nava about playing first base, though. Nava hasn’t played first base since junior college, but with the team still needing someone to back up the recently signed Mike Napoli, a number of internal names are starting to get tossed around amongst writers and fans.
Nava, who figures to be the Red Sox’ fourth outfielder, especially now that Ryan Kalish will miss spring training, noted that he’ll bust out the first baseman’s mitt if necessary.
“If they want me to play first base, I’ll play first base, but no one has approached me about it,” Nava recently told reporters. “I’ll do whatever. I’ll be a water boy. I’ll wash uniforms.”
Chances are the Red Sox will have their H2O and laundry situation squared away, so playing first base is probably the most likely of those scenarios. Given Nava’s lack of infield experience, though, general manager Ben Cherington will probably exhaust all options to make sure the Sox have a legitimate backup first baseman on the Opening Day roster.
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