2008 Preview: First Basemen Recount

Name: Brandon Douglas Moss
Bats: Left
Throws: Right
Age: 24
2008 salary: $390,000
Fun Fact: Moss wore number 44 last season; this season he wears 55. If he continues at this pace Moss will be wearing number 253 when his career concludes in 2026.

Brandon Moss has been working out at first base. I post this nugget in lieu of giving the first base preview a re-write. If Moss can hack it at first he would be a better bench option than Sean Casey. Yes, I know that the boys can hardly contain their excitement about having someone as nice as Casey in the clubhouse. I don't discount the importance of "clubhouse harmony" but let's talk about baseball. Moss's ability to play the outfield would give the bench a great deal more versatility than Casey could offer. Furthermore, his presence would make Bobby Kielty expendable and would allow the Sox to avoid filling a roster spot with a fifth outfielder, thus enabling them to keep a additional arm in the bullpen. Essentially, Moss would be the '08 version of Eric Hinske, only he'd be better. Moss has sported a nice OBP throughout his minor league career and plays an above average outfield. The strikeouts are a bit of a problem (148 for Moss at Pawtucket last season) but so too is Casey's diminishing potency. Of course, this is all moot because the job is clearly Casey's. I remain intrigued.