Tim Britton of the Providence Journal is reporting that Mike Carp offered to learn third base to be more versatile for the Red Sox. Carp approached third base coach Brian Butterfield on the first day of workouts, asking to take a few ground balls at the position.
Carp has only played in the outfield and at first base during his five-year Major League career. He played 12 games at third base in the minors, 11 of those occurring in 2004 as an 18-year-old in the Gulf Coast League with the Mets.
Carp’s bat can hold up at third base. The American League average weighted on-base average at the position last season was .317. Carp’s career average is .342, including .382 last season, seeing right-handed pitching a majority of the time.
