Nick Green Doesn’t Expect to Return to Red Sox

Last year, utility infielder Nick Green did not figure into any of the Red Sox' offseason plans. He turned out to be a major contributor in 2009, filling the shortstop hole for a good part of the season and doing whatever the team needed him to do (including tossing a couple shutout innings).

For his efforts, Green doesn't expect to be rewarded — at least not by the Red Sox.

The Providence Journal reports that Green, 31, does not expect to be back with the Red Sox next season.

"I would’ve liked to stay with the Red Sox, but it’s a business and that’s how it goes," Green told the newspaper. "Just try to see what’s out there and see what the best fit might be. I don’t know when that fit will come, but I’d like to know sooner rather than later, because it’s always tough in the offseason not having a job."

Being jobless isn't necessarily new for Green. He's played for five major league teams since 2004 (Atlanta, Tampa Bay, New York Yankees, Seattle and Boston) and played 250 minor league games in that time.

After years of being a journeyman, it seems as though Green is looking for a destination.

"I would love to go where somebody is telling me I pretty much have the job on a big league roster," Green told the ProJo. "I don’t want to go spring training and basically be stuck in Triple-A. That’s what the goal is this offseason, to find me a place where I can be on a big league roster to start the year."

In all likelihood, he won't get that opportunity in Boston, but that doesn't mean he won't have the appreciative Red Sox fans from coast to coast wishing him the best.