If there’s a low-cost guy who can play right and hits righthanded, he too may be part of the Sox outfield mix.
Here are some answers to a few of your questions in this week’s edition of the mailbag:
Q: How much effect will Carl Crawford’s contract have on signing Jacoby Ellsbury? It makes one think that the asking price will be very high. With that in mind, what about a trade for Ellsbury?
Barry, Saco, Maine
A: I think it does have an impact. Matt Kemp’s 8-year, $160 million deal is probably the other comparison. As for trading Ellsbury, I think if the Red Sox don’t want to dish out that kind of money, they will try to move him. Not now, but later. They will have an idea early into this season if Ellsbury will continue to be the player he was last season. If he is, they’ll probably try to sign him. It may also be that Ellsbury wants to test the market and see what his value is and also dictate where he wants to play.
Q: There are a few players on the 40 man roster, like Michael Bowden, Scott Atchison, Darnell McDonald, Franklin Morales and Andrew Miller, without options. What will happen to any of them if they don’t make the team?
Martin, Fort Myers
A: Well, if you’re out of options and you don’t make it, you’re either traded or you have to be exposed to waivers before you can be outrighted.
Q: With most of the positions in 2012 locked down, please tell me who the strongest candidates are for right field for the Sox. It seems to me to be the weakest area in the lineup right now.
John, Concord, N.C.
A: Looks like Ryan Sweeney, Darnell McDonald, and Mike Aviles for now. Looks as if Ryan Kalish could be in the mix later in the year after the All-Star break. They will likely add a righthanded hitting outfielder to platoon.
Q: Concerning the never-ending story of compensation for Theo, instead of the Cubs sending a player to Boston, why can’t the Sox unload one of their overpaid stiffs to the Cubs? The name Jenks comes to mind. Theo did give him 12 million, after all. How could he cry foul?
Fred, Hope, R.I.
