Forget Obama or Hillary, Jacoby or Coco?

Jacoby saving souls one taco at a time. (AP Photo)

Aside from Curt Schilling speaking out against management there's probably really only two or three stories that are really worth noting, and atop that list is who is going to be the every day starter for the Red Sox in center field. It's clear now that Jacoby Ellsbury has endeared himself to Red Sox fans, and he seems to be the favorite to leave Fort Myers with the starting job.

Although Coco's never truly come around with his bat in Boston, he's most certainly played some brilliant defense in center and his efforts there would surely be missed. Yes, Jacoby has all the tools to be just as good as Coco has been in the field, but I wouldn't say he's there yet. Also, Jacoby played some amazing ball for the Sox in a couple month span, but could he produce at a level like that consistently? I don't think so. We're looking at such a small sample set that we may be expecting too much, and Ellsbury may become a victim of his own success. Good problems for the kid to have tright now though.

If I had to bet, I'd say that we trade Coco for some bullpen help, and have Jacoby starting in center by Opening Day. I honeslty can't see the Sox leaving this one loose end hanging around while all other ships appear to be in order. Should be a fun plot line to watch develop though,  and I gurantee you that the Sox are hoping Crisp tears it up this spring so that his stock and trading value will rise.

• Boston Herald: No doubt, Ellsbury’s in CF
• Boston Globe: Central Casting

Comments

[Pat]

I wonder too if he will be a victim of his own success. He might set too high a standard for himself after last year, or have it get to his head. I think he was in Vogue recently, and I remember this offseason he was selling autographs for 150$ a pop. Doesn't seem like the actions of an unproven rookie. On the other hand, he showed he can handle the pressure so well, maybe that is all irrelevant.

I think he'll be better than Coco last year. But will Coco too?

[Derek Hixon]

I always seem to remember Coco's first spring training with the Red Sox. I'm too lazy to look up the exact numbers right now, but I know he was absolutely stroking the ball and was one of the hottest on the Sox.

Then he hurt his hand sliding into third in like the third game of the season and his hitting has never really shown the same pop since that injury. Make you wonder about how fragile ballplayers can be.

I love Jacoby, and am really hoping he is the next star on the Sox, I just sometimes wonder if the Sox will regret not being more aggressive on Santana. We already had a more then decent young CF in Crisp, and adding a STUD lefty would have put the Sox over the top for years to come.

To be determined I guess...