Allen Craig doesn’t have a clear role with the Red Sox going into the 2015 season, but they are going to try their hardest to find some way to fit him into their roster. Red Sox manager John Farrell told Sean McAdam of CSNNE.com today that he’s looking into testing Craig at multiple positions this spring, including third base.
“We’ve had that conversation,” said Farrell. “He’s open to it. The best thing about where Allen sits now is that he’s here, he’s open to the thought of third base and we’ll see how that plays out, to at least answer the question in spring training. Where it goes from there, remains to be seen.
But this is a very talented player who’s having a good offseason physically.”
Craig has only played four games at third base in the majors, but it was his primary position in the minors until about 2008. The Red Sox have a crowded outfield and are already set between first base and DH, so providing versatility off the bench is key.
Craig, who was acquired from the Cardinals last July in the John Lackey deal, batted just .215 with eight home runs and a .594 OPS across 126 games last season. The 30-year-old hasn’t been nearly the same since a left foot injury in September of 2013 and it’s unlikely anyone would bite on a trade until he proves his health and has better results at the plate. He’s owed $26.5 million over the next three seasons.
