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| Swihart In 2012 (FN Photo) |
The vaunted "super-utility" role that
Alex Cora envisioned for
Blake Swihart has turned into more of a "super-
futulity" role. The 26-year-old C/IF/OF has seen almost no playing time in 2018 (29 ABs) and, as such, any trade value he had is plummeting daily. Now,
his agent is asking that he be traded. Said Swihart's agent
Brodie Scoffield To
NBC Boston Sports, "
Yes. We’ve had conversations with the team, and they’re aware of how we feel. Blake’s in a really difficult position. We’ve got a switch-hitter, offensive impact player, and his bat deserves a chance to be in the lineup. Blake’s not the type of player that’s going to ask or demand a trade [on his own]. He’s focused on what’s in front of him and happy having a positive impact on the team and the situation at hand. That being said, I don’t think we’re building any type of trade value, nor helping him progress as a ballplayer, nor is the team really being served by him in this role." Since being drafted in the first round in 2011 (the 26th pick overall), Swihart has never played more than 84 games in a season for Boston. In July of last year, after being plunked down in LF by the Red Sox, he suffered a serious ankle injury that sidelined him for the rest of the year. So, bad luck and bench-warming are turning what was a promising career into baseball oblivion. The Red Sox should do what they can to move Swihart and give him a chance to catch every day.
