“The way we’re constituted, with [Cameron’s] long strides and Jacoby’s first-step quickness, it seems that we’re set up better that way,’’ Francona said yesterday.
Francona could hear in Ellsbury’s voice that he would probably rather remain in center field. But with the Sox working to put together the best defense they’ve had in the tenure of the current management, he’ll instead be in left.
“I think he was a little disappointed, a little concerned that it was like a demotion,’’ Francona said. “We explained that it’s not. Again, we’ve got a guy with longer strides. Jacoby can be a force in left, kind of like a Carl Crawford in Tampa. We’re going to have an outfield where not a lot of balls hit too much ground.’’
Cameron had offered to play center or left when he signed, despite having played only three games in left in his career. But Cameron, who turns 37 Friday, also has three Gold Gloves, and is regarded as an outstanding center fielder. Cameron’s “ultimate zone ratings’’ in 2008 (11.3) and 2009 (10.0) were excellent, while Ellsbury had a shockingly low -18.6 UZR in center in 2009, far lower than his 3.0 in 2008, according to fangraphs.com. Ellsbury is regarded as a good (and improving) fielder, albeit with a weak arm.
“It came down to the fact that Cameron’s experience is almost exclusively in center and Jacoby demonstrated in 2007 and 2008 that he can be an impact corner outfielder defensively,’’ Epstein wrote in an e-mail. “We are more than comfortable with Jacoby in center. We just feel that - for now - this alignment puts us in the best position to win games.
“Both Mike and Jacoby were great about it and said they would do whatever was best for the team. Jacoby knows he’ll still be a center fielder in the long run, and Mike looks forward to helping Jacoby any way he can.’’
Ellsbury has started 51 games in left field in his career, including 36 in 2008.
