Who should the Boston Red Sox choose for their regular outfielder? Jacoby Ellsbury or Coco Crisp?

I believe that Jacoby Ellsbury should replace Coco Crisp in center field.

I do like Coco Crisp, and while he may be more experienced on the field than Jacoby Ellsbury, his hitting wasn't too good this past season. Ellsbury came through with flying colors during the World Series. He made some great plays and definitely proved himself. I think as an everyday player, he'll do very well. Though he's only been playing for a short amount of time, his average is .353. When he plays a full season this year, I predict his average will be .310 or around there with 15 HR and 40 SB. (Of course, those are just predictions!)

I guess one thing we can all agree upon is that Ellsbury has potential. As a Red Sox fan I hope he uses his talent and potential and plays phenomenally this season!

Jacoby Ellsbury should be the regular outfielder because of his potential this year. However, I believe that the Red Sox should keep Crisp and have him start 20-30 games. Crisp would be the perfect bench player. Also, in those 20-30 games, we don't necessarily have to rest Ellsbury...he could play right or left field. The main reason why Crisp should get some starts is to keep him happy and have good chemistry because he will be a great bench player if he is happy with his playing time.

Jacoby Ellsbury Prediction - .300 BA, 14 HR, 40 SB

Coco Crisp Prediction - .270 BA, 6 HR, 22 SB

By the way...this is a very good site if you want to look into this debate more.

Jacoby Ellsbury

Going to be the lone wolf here.

Ellsbury has 1 month of part time regular season service and 3 weeks of regular playoff time.

As much as you may like what you saw, if I were the GM or the manager, I would keep an open mind. (argg, open minded means liberal, nasty word to some, lol)

I would suggest to Jacoby that the position is there for the taking, but is not going to be handed to him. He has to earn it.

While his upside may be greater, Crisp has done fair for a few years.

Giving the job, ahead of any performance in spring training may demotivate Crisp and cause Ellsbury to have a swelled head.

If you open it up, it shows Crisp that he could work his tail off to get the starting job and shows confidence in Ellsbury's abililty, not the hype.

Best of both worlds.

It is going to be a competition for the position and I am thinking that Ellsbury should be about ready to start his career as an every day player. He is a guy with some talent and the Red Sox are going to want to know just how much.

Jacoby Ellsbury!!!!! He is a great player and he has a lot of potential. The way he played last season, he's earned to be the regular outfielder.

Considering they passed up Johan to hold onto Ellsbury I would say Ellsbury should be the starter. Let Coco be a pinch hitter/runner.

They should have the spot open going into spring training and make the decision off of who wins the job in spring training. Ellsbury is the future but he has to beat out othe past to be the present. I would still be surprised if Coco was the starter, they have put a lot of stock in Ellsbury being the man for them but they should make them battle it out for the job....competition brings out the best...and worst in every player.

Jacoby 10 times out of 10.

Whoever plays better in spring training...both players are good for the job and while I would love to see Ellsbury in there if Coco is playing better all through spring training you would have to go with him...so I wouldn't just give the position to anyone I would let them play for it.