It's been a month since we had a thread with reports that Carp would be traded away before Opening Day, and that there was "no chance" he'd sign any extension with Boston.
Today we get a nice article from ProJo's Tim Britton, who tells us Carp's working to enhance his versatility -- and that it was his idea, prompted by Daniel Nava's success at first base:
So... How's he doing?
An infield with Nava at 1B, WMB at 2B and Carp at 3B would be mighty entertaining this spring -- and downright terrifying anytime after April 1 except in games where they're leading by 10+ runs. But I'm loving the "Let's all become supersubs!" era of this club.
Today we get a nice article from ProJo's Tim Britton, who tells us Carp's working to enhance his versatility -- and that it was his idea, prompted by Daniel Nava's success at first base:
Nava ended up starting eight games at first and playing 86 innings there overall on the year.
Carp saw how much learning a new position helped Nava, and so he approached Brian Butterfield with an idea the first day of workouts. How about a few ground balls at third base?
“It’s something that I’m familiar with but not completely familiar with,” said Carp, who played a dozen games at third in the Gulf Coast League and Single-A South Atlantic League while in the Mets system nearly a decade ago. “The way our coaching staff prepares us, if I can get with them and shadow Will [Middlebrooks] and watch those guys do their business, who’s to say I can’t get a few at-bats at third this year?”
It’s a no-risk move for Carp, who’s not quite a natural defender in left field or at first base. Third base is a spot where the Red Sox are lacking in depth — even utilityman Jonathan Herrera is shallow in experience at the hot corner — and Carp is itching for a chance to see more playing time. Remember, Brock Holt and Xander Bogaerts each played third base last season for Boston, and neither had any experience at the position before spring training.
So... How's he doing?
Butterfield and Carp had their first session of extra work at third on Saturday.
“He caught the ball well,” said Butterfield. “He’s at a point where he’s comfortable with the environment, he’s played well for us. We’re more than willing to see what he looks like over at third base.”
Carp is particularly happy that his shoulder — which he injured on Opening Day in 2012 while with the Mariners — feels healthy enough for him to even consider making the throw across the diamond.
“It speaks a lot about how our coaching staff thinks and prepares themselves,” Carp said. “Nava came in camp and learned first base on the fly and really helped us out when we needed it. I’m going to do the same thing and see what happens.”
An infield with Nava at 1B, WMB at 2B and Carp at 3B would be mighty entertaining this spring -- and downright terrifying anytime after April 1 except in games where they're leading by 10+ runs. But I'm loving the "Let's all become supersubs!" era of this club.