DALLAS –– The Red Sox' starting right field opening isn't solidified just yet. But if Ben Cherington had to fill the void internally, the Boston general manager could envision Josh Reddick in that role.
"Certainly with Reddick he did it this year and took another step in his career and we think he’s going to be a very good major league outfielder," Cherington said at the winter meetings in Dallas. "Right now, if Opening Day was tomorrow, he’d be in right field."
Through 87 games, the 24-year-old was a valuable, left-handed hitter for the Red Sox, clubbing seven homers and 28 RBIs to go with a .280 batting average. In 56 games at right field, Reddick also compiled a .964 fielding average.
Cherington noted that Ryan Kalish could benefit from more seasoning in the minors. After suffering a shoulder injury last April –– an injury that caused him to miss most of 2011 –– Kalish returned to play in 22 games and had nine RBIs.
"Kalish is making good progress and he’s on track to be hitting in spring training and getting into games," Cherington said. "He may DH first, but play outfield later … by the time he gets to January, he’ll be able to do a lot of stuff."
Cuban phenom Yoenis Cespedes could be an alternative as well. Cherington and Co. evaluated him recently in the Dominican Republic and could potentially compete against the Tigers and the Yankees for his services.
"He’s an accomplished player, certainly in Cuba, he accomplished a lot," Cherington said. "He's a talented kid."
