« Braves Sign Scott Spiezio |
Main
| Giants May Draft A Pitcher With Fifth Pick »
By Tim Dierkes [March 31, 2008 at 10:50pm CST]
Outfielder Bobby Kielty will not opt for free agency; he'll head to Triple A for the Red Sox.
Kielty, a 31 year-old switch-hitter, batted .218/.287/.287 in 87 ABs for the A's and Red Sox last year. In his defense, he battled back and calf issues. Kielty can handle all three outfield positions and typically handles lefties well. He'll await a Coco Crisp trade to create an opportunity for him in Boston.
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.typepad.com/t/trackback/447826/27644834
Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Kielty Stays With Red Sox:
Ronnie Mac is a great guy to have on your team, and he absolutely rakes against lefties. Something about him staying with Boston just seems right.
Posted by: 1quik6 | April 01, 2008 at 01:46 AM
Like I said before, he can't handle all 3 outfield positions. He can handle the corners, but he can not play Centerfield.
I've watched him play for several years now, and he ain't even that great in the corners to be honest.
Posted by: Zonis | April 01, 2008 at 07:56 AM
he has played 49 games in center so i really dont understand your comment, merriam-websters definition of cannot is "to be unable to do otherwise than". nobody said he had to do it well, were just saying that when we are in a pinch he has too, we dont need a gold glove utility fielder, we need a cheaper alternative.
Red Sox still must be actively trying to shop Crisp if they were able to keep Kielty from leaving, there had to be some assurance he would be able to be with the Sox by July atleast. But I wonder if Crisp is starting to sweat now that Pierre is a bench player and both men are fairly equal
Posted by: 04Forever | April 01, 2008 at 08:24 AM
He's played 2 innings in center the last 4 years.
Posted by: Zonis | April 01, 2008 at 09:02 AM
Kielty has played as many games in Center Field the last 4 years as Jermaine Dye has played Shortstop, Randy Winn has played Third Base, Noah Lowry has played Right Field, and Pedro Feliz has played Catcher.
So I guess they are all viable players for those positions as well.
Posted by: Zonis | April 01, 2008 at 09:04 AM
Relax Zonis. Nobody is saying he's a stud in Centerfield and contrary to your thoughts he seems to do an adequate job in Left and Right. Boston wants him to platoon with Drew once they move Crisp and it's a role he's perfect for as he truly does rake against lefties. If they move Crisp and Kielty steps into the fourth outfielder role, he'll probably sniff centerfield a half dozen times, if that.
Posted by: Whitey14 | April 01, 2008 at 11:40 AM
hes not the everyday center though, hes a utility guy, he doesnt have to have that much experience in one position, thats what made him a backup in the first place.
the only person he will really be relieving for rest will be manny or a spot change for drew so he can hit the lefties since drew really cant hit lefties. if one of the two men are hurt, its safe to say moss will be called up to play until the injured man comes back, keilty will not be the everyday guy at all.
I do understand your point that his skill in center is not outstanding, but he can play the corners, where we are weaker, and center in an emergency, and he provides good back end rotation pop against lefties, something you ALWAYS want to have no matter what
Posted by: 04Forever | April 01, 2008 at 01:35 PM