Position Previews: The Bench

Today will mark our last installment of the player previews for the Boston Red Sox. We will examine the team's bench.

The Sox will keep four bench players as usual, with three spots already claimed.

C Jason Varitek - Varitek will enter the season as the team's back up catcher for the first time in over a decade after he exercised his $3 million player option. The Captain hasn't batted over .255 since 2005, and with Victor Martinez on board his role is much more defined. Despite his .209 average last year, still look for Tek to start 40-60 games, so the team can keep V-Mart fresh on days they slide him to first base.

UTL Bill Hall - Hall is no longer the player who bopped 35 homers in 2006. Like Tek, he has not batted for a good average in years. However, his value with the team lies in his versatility as he can play 3B, LF, RF, and has been refining his SS and 2B skills.

OF Jeremy Hermida - Still only 26-years old and a former first round pick, Theo Epstein went out and traded for the youngster this winter. Despite a .265 career average in parts of five major league seasons, he has shown the flashes of excellence. He is tearing the cover off of the ball with a .447 average in 38 spring at bats.

The fourth spot is a bit questionable. If Mike Lowell is still here then it's his by default and he will back up 3B, DH, and some 1B.

Some thought Jed Lowrie would be on the roster backing up a few of the infield spots, but his mononucleosis made that a moot point.

Other back up infield options for the Sox include Kevin Frandsen whom the team acquired last week. He batted .295 in 427 Triple-A at bats last year and could slide in if needed, but the team assigned him to Triple-A

Tug Hulett has a very similar resume to Frandsen, with the majority of his professional games being at second base. He also posted a .291 average in 374 Triple-A at bats last season. Tug has really helped his case with a stellar spring with a home run, six doubles, and 15 RBIs in 44 at bats. There is a good chance Hulett could be on the roster if Lowell is traded or sent to the DL.

Previous Previews:

Jacoby Ellsbury
Dusin Pedroia
Victor Martinez
Kevin Youkilis
David Ortiz
J.D. Drew
Mike Cameron
Adrian Beltre
Marco Scutaro

Josh Beckett
Jon Lester
John Lackey
Clay Buchholz
Daisuke Matsuzaka
Tim Wakefield

Jonathan Papelbon
The Bullpen

This will conclude of position and pitching previews. We hope you enjoyed the consistent and concise previews over the past several weeks in anticipation of the season. Keep your eye out for a season preview in the coming days.