The Boston Globe reports that the Red Sox could add to their bench by the end of the week:
Quote:
The Red Sox are mulling their options and could add a lefthanded bat off the bench by the end of the week.
The Sox would love to sign Brad Wilkerson, the former Expo and Ranger, but he might have options for more money and security elsewhere. The Sox prefer someone who can play a corner infield spot and protect either Kevin Youkilis and/or Mike Lowell. In the past the Sox have rested Lowell by moving Youkilis to third. That could still happen if the Sox obtain a backup first baseman.
There are still interesting ones out there such as Sean Casey, Tony Clark, Doug Mientkiewicz, Mark Sweeney, and Eric Hinske.
Casey, 33, is an intriguing possibility. He's lost his first base job to Carlos Guillen in Detroit. He's limited defensively, but he hit .296 last season with four homers and 54 RBIs. He also hit .455 as a pinch hitter (5 for 11) with three RBIs. He had a .353 on-base percentage and has a .366 OBP over his 11-year career. Casey loves Boston and at this stage of his career has indicated his main objective is to play for a team that can win the World Series. He would accept a limited role.
There are also lefthanded-hitting outfielders such as Trot Nixon, Shawn Green, Luis Gonzalez, and Ryan Klesko (who can play first), but the need is more for a true first baseman or third baseman from the left side.
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Extra Bases - Red Sox blog
I agree with Nick Cafardo that Sean Casey would be a good pickup for the Red Sox. He's a solid hitter, a gritty veteran, and a positive clubhouse presence according to his former managers and teammates. If he's willing to be a reserve player, you could do a lot worse than Sean Casey. I love the fact that he's been an excellent pinch-hitter throughout his career and could capably step in as a starter in the event of a Youkilis injury.
I'm not interested in Hinske, who while defensively versatile and more nimble on his feet than his body-type would otherwise indicate, simply cannot hit. I'd bring him back for short money on a non-guaranteed deal, or if no one better is available, but he shouldn't be at the top of the list.
Sweeney gets injured too often and can't play a lick of defense. I also think he could find a platoon job somewhere. I wouldn't be surprised to see him remain with the Kansas City Royals or go to a non-contending NL team.
Tony Clark is too old and had the worst season of his career in Boston. Some guys simply can't handle big baseball markets and Clark might be one of them.
Brad Wilkerson would be a great acquisition who could play 1B and the OF, but I'd be surprised if he can't find another team willing to play him a lot more than the Red Sox would play him. It's not realistic to expect him to accept a bench role as he enters the prime years of his career. I'd also be worried about a repeat of the Jay Payton situation where you have a player accustomed to starting who doesn't want to sit on the bench and starts up all kinds of trouble. (That's also why I think it's time to trade Coco Crisp before he becomes the bad apple backing up Jacoby Ellsbury.)
I'd target Sean Casey and Reggie Sanders (who still doesn't get mentioned in connection to the Red Sox for whatever reason.) If not Sanders, I'd bring back Kielty who worked out well (and not just because of the World Series-clinching homerun.) A bench of Mirabelli, Casey, Cora, Sanders/Kielty and Moss would be an improvement over what the Red Sox had last year.