It Ain't Millar Time Anymore

What are the Boston Red Sox going to do about what has become a huge problem at first base? I realize Kevin Millar is one of the core “idiots” and his presence is important in the clubhouse, but how much longer can the Sox keep that bat in the five hole, or the lineup for that matter? Listen, this guy only has six extra base hits this year and a couple of those have come since Sunday morning. That translates to about 30-35 over a full season which pales in comparison to the 56 and 54 he hit the past two seasons. With his extra base hits down, Millar is slugging just .336 which puts in the same neighborhood as Jason Giambi (.325) and Scott Hatteberg (.360). That isn’t a bad neighborhood – it is a damn slum. This production is simply not acceptable, especially from a guy who is tasked with protecting David Ortiz. That pretty much covers Millar’s offense and there is no sense getting into his glove and footwork which are both sub-standard. So what can be done about this problem? Well, John Olerud is on the way, but is he much of an improvement? Hardhat has a great glove, but his bat is not close to what it once was. Further, he doesn’t present a great platoon option as Millar is really struggling against lefties this year. So if Millar can only hit against right-handers, what role will Olerud have other then being a defensive replacement? So what other options are there? Well, internally, there doesn’t seem to be much help on the way. I guess Kevin Youkalis could be a spot replacement but Kevin is certainly not an everyday player. So that leaves the Sox looking elsewhere.

With the Reds falling apart, speculation has turned to possibly bringing in Sean Casey or Adam Dunn. Casey is a nice lefthander who is probably expendable, but he doesn’t exactly excite you with his power. On the other hand, he is a good contact hitter who can put the ball in play. Dunn, on the other hand, has plenty of power, but having him in the same lineup as Belhorn and Varitek is a lot of strikeouts. Further, Dunn may cost a lot since he is young, fairly cheap and sports a huge slugging number. He also isn’t a natural first baseman so there is a liability there. I think a better option, albeit an expensive one, is up in Milwaukee where the Brewers may be interested in moving Lyle Overbay to make room for Prince Fielder. Cecil’s kid isn’t exactly killing the ball down at Nashville right now but the Brewers are extremely high on this kid, or at least they were coming into the season. If the Brewers fall out of this thing by July 1, could Lyle be had for perhaps Hanley Ramirez? That would take care of the problem.

The other possibilities in the NL – which is where a solution most likely would originate - don’t seem too appetizing. I guess J.T. Snow could become available if the Giants summer of discontent continues, but he is a west coast guy and I am not sure he would be thrilled coming East. He is basically a clone of Olerud anyways. Todd Helton? No shot – that contract is massive. Jeff Bagwell could be made available later this year, but he is broken down at this point in his career. In fact, he just went on the DL today with a busted shoulder. That is not an option. Nick Johnson is young and cheap and therefore not going anywhere while Jim Thome is old and much too expensive. That basically takes care of the NL and the prospects in the AL are not too hot. Mike Sweeney is a possibility, but his commitment is always in question and there is no telling how he would play in a media circus like Boston. Don’t count on that. And that basically concludes the menu. The options aren’t great other then one of the Reds or Mr. Overbay and rest assured, Overbay will be costly. So what is the moral to the story? Well, perhaps Olerud comes in and hits. Conversely, perhaps his presence gets Millar going. I wouldn’t bank on either. Well, if things don’t get better, why not put stone glove at first and go out and find a DH. That may be easier then finding a guy who has to be plugged into first. Having Papi out there is a pretty scary thought but desperate times require desperate measures. We aren’t there yet, but if Kevin Millar is still slugging under .350 on July 1, it will be time for a change.