A quick breakdown of where the Good Guys’ plans to address the center field situation last winter stand after 42 games of first-place baseball:
Plan A: Currently batting .285 with a .339 on-base percentage, 5 homers and 22 RBI for the first-place Angels.
Plan B: Hitting .326 (10th in the National League) and on-base at a .394 clip, 5 HR and 20 RBI in the strongest-pitching division in baseball.
Plan C: .208/.339/.329. Four home runs but only 10 RBI, although that low RBI total is likely a function of his current employer’s hitting woes. And his .329 slugging percentage. Currently ranks 8th in the AL in strikeouts, but also 3rd in walks. Tied with teammate Jim Thome for 2nd in the AL for times grounded into a double play.
Plan D: .243/.325/.318, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 9 stolen bases in 27 games at AAA Charlotte.
Plan E: .244/.306/.356 off the bench for the Sox.
Plan F: .298/.361/.404 after being traded with two promising young pitchers to Oakland for Plan C.
Take it for what it’s worth. A lot of people may say plans A and B would’ve cost too much, and in a lot of ways they’re right. I mean, what can money buy anyway besides offensive firepower and a chance to actually see farm prospects become legitimate everyday players?
