Should the team start looking for trade partners in an attempt to get another outfielder?
Red Sox outfielder Jeremy Hermida was sent to the 15-day disabled list Friday with five fractured ribs, becoming the latest Red Sox outfielder to miss a chunk of time due to injury.
Just one night earlier, doctors issued a statement stating that Jacoby Ellsbury would need at least two more weeks of rest and physical therapy to recover from a new rib injury. Ellsbury originally cracked four ribs in a collision in an April 11 game when he collided with third baseman Adrian Beltre.
Mike Cameron also has been hampered by injury all year. Friday night marked the first time since he returned from the disabled list on May 25 that the outfielder played back-to-back games.
With Boston's outfield struggling to stay healthy, do the Red Sox need to go out and find another outfielder?
All of the outfielders' injuries are nagging problems that could linger throughout the season, so maybe it’s time for the Red Sox to get an insurance option to roam the Fenway Park outfield.
Josh Reddick was called up to help fill in, and Darnell McDonald continues to find playing time, but perhaps the best option for the Red Sox would be to go outside of the organization.
On Friday night’s Red Sox GameDay Live, Peter Gammons mentioned that the Red Sox might be in the market for another center fielder, and preferably a left-handed hitter.
So where would the Red Sox turn? One place might be Cleveland. One option, although not necessarily for center field, may be a player like Russell Branyan, who is left-handed. MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince reports that Matt Laporta is tearing the cover off the ball in Triple-A for the Tribe, but either Branyan or fellow outfielder Austin Kearns would have to be moved first to get him ample playing time.
Perhaps a better fit might come from another cellar dweller in the AL Central, the Kansas City Royals. Rick Ankiel has a left-handed bat and plays center field.
Trade talks with the Rangers for Mike Lowell fell apart in the offseason, but the Red Sox could look into doing business with them again, with former Sox outfielder David Murphy being another potential option.
Given the nature and quantity of the Red Sox’ injuries in the outfield, is it time to start looking for another outfielder? And, if so, who should they go after? Or should they weather this injury storm, hope for the best and wait and see if things get better for the likes of Ellsbury, Hermida and Cameron?
Share your thoughts below. The best comments will be read on NESN's Red Sox GameDay Live or Red Sox Final.
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