Ben Cherington is trying hard to construct another deep squad for 2014.
The Boston Red Sox are looking to add to their outfield depth and are exploring non-roster options, according to MassLive.com’s Jason Mastrodonato.
Boston’s outfield mix already includes Shane Victorino, Jackie Bradley Jr., Daniel Nava, Jonny Gomes and Mike Carp, but the Red Sox lost Jacoby Ellsbury to the New York Yankees this offseason. A lot of pressure will be placed on Bradley to fill Ellsbury’s shoes, especially if the Red Sox don’t add another outfielder. The 23-year-old hit .189 (18-for-95) with three homers and 10 RBIs in four separate major league stints with the Red Sox last season.
Mastrodonato reports that the Red Sox haven’t narrowed their outfield search, although he points to Scott Podsednik as one potential veteran option. Podsednik, who appeared in 63 games for the Red Sox in 2012, didn’t play in the majors in 2013, but the 37-year-old’s agent recently said that his client is in good shape and open to returning to Boston under the right circumstances.
Bryce Brentz and Alex Hassan are two other outfielders already on the Red Sox’ 40-man roster. Neither has major league experience, though, so inviting a veteran outfielder or two to spring training makes sense.
The Red Sox invited 19 non-roster players to spring training last season, including Bradley, Xander Bogaerts, Pedro Beato, Jose De La Torre and Ryan Sweeney.
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