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The Red Sox have a glut of outfielders. So does Pawtucket. And the Sea Dogs ... and so on.

By KEVIN THOMAS, Staff Writer March 13, 2009

Minor league games have yet to begin in spring training, but Portland Sea Dogs Manager Arnie Beyeler can make one observation.

"We've got a lot of outfielders," he said this week. "I don't know how that will shake out."

As with every spot in the minors, the decisions begin with "what happens with the big-league club," Beyeler said.

As players move out of major league camp, they bump those below them.

Outfielders like Jeff Corsaletti, Sean Danielson and Zach Daeges appear to be prime Triple-A material. Danielson played most of last year in Pawtucket, Corsaletti was promoted there in July, and Daeges hit .307 in Portland.

But the major league and Triple-A rosters are packed with outfielders.

The only opening may be Mark Kotsay's backup outfield/first base job. Kotsay is recovering from minor back surgery and isn't expected until May.

Kotsay is one of the four outfielders returning for the Red Sox, with Jason Bay, Jacoby Ellsbury and J.D. Drew. Rocco Baldelli replaced Coco Crisp.

Back on the 40-man roster are outfielders Jon Van Every and Chris Carter. Jeff Bailey was recently removed, then signed a minor league deal with Boston.

Boston also signed three free agents to minor league contracts – Brad Wilkerson, Chip Ambres and Paul McAnulty. All have major league experience.

Wilkerson, Carter and Bailey are competing for the temporary vacancy left by Kotsay.

Once Kotsay returns, Pawtucket could have six outfielders, which might work, since one could play first base and another could be the designated hitter.

But what about Corsaletti, Danielson and Daeges? Hard to imagine them back in Portland. But it could happen.

Here is a look at eight potential outfielders for the Sea Dogs.

Daeges, 25, has proven himself in Double-A and still carries the prospect label, taking part in the exclusive rookie camp in January, then getting an invitation to the big-league camp. He's still with the major leaguers, batting .400 (4 for 10) with two homers.

Corsaletti, 26, had played 1 1/2 seasons in Portland when he was promoted to Pawtucket. He hit .232 in 44 games in Triple-A.

Danielson, 26, began last year in Portland but was soon in Pawtucket and batted .246.

Josh Reddick, 22, may be Boston's top outfield prospect at the upper levels. Like Daeges, he was in the rookie camp and was invited to major league spring training. He's still there, going 3 for 4 on Thursday and batting .500 (9 for 18). Boston likely will send him back to Portland, where he hit .214 last year.

Bubba Bell, 26, is fighting to retain his prospect status. He looked certain to be promoted last year (.285 with 49 RBI in Portland), but suffered a stress fracture in his femur. He came to Portland in the middle of 2007 and likely will be back.

Bryan Pritz, 26, was the forgotten man last year. After hitting .292 in Portland in 2007, he was stalled with injuries last year. He batted .264 in 28 games in Pawtucket, and finished in Portland.

Jay Johnson, 26, was last seen at Hadlock being carried off the field with a ruptured Achilles' tendon in April. He has batted .264 for the Sea Dogs since coming to Portland in early 2007.

Daniel Nava, 26, batted .341 with a .429 on-base percentage in advanced Class A last season. Signed out of the independent leagues before last year, Nava will have to continue putting up numbers. He may go back to Class A (which has moved from hitter-friendly Lancaster, Calif., to Salem, Va.).

And there are more outfielders bound for Portland, maybe by early summer – Jason Place (first-round pick, 2006), Ryan Kalish (20-year-old prospect) and/or Che-Hsuan Lin (a smooth fielder from Taiwan).

Staff Writer Kevin Thomas can be contacted at 791-6411 or at:

kthomas@pressherald.com