Red Sox' Reacquisition Of Jonathan Van Every Is Baffling

Ian Browne tweets that the Red Sox have reacquired outfielder Jonathan Van Every from the Pittsburgh Pirates for a player to be named later.

According to MLB Trade Rumors, in order to open a spot for Van Every on the 40-man roster, the Red Sox have designated the only just-acquired righty Santo Luis for assignment.

Luis had only become a member of the Red Sox organization since April 14—10 days ago—when he was claimed off waivers from the Chicago White Sox and optioned to Double-A Portland.

Never enjoying a cup of coffee with the Red Sox, Luis didn’t even glimpse a shot of espresso with the Sea Dogs.

In just three innings at Portland, Luis allowed one earned run and recorded three punch-outs. Now the 26-year-old is off to less green pastures.

While Van Every has been activated in time for tonight’s Fenway contest with the Baltimore Orioles, outfielder Josh Reddick has been optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket in order to clear space on the 25-man roster.

Although the 23-year-old Reddick had been hitting an anemic-looking .167 for the 2010 Red Sox, he had been allowed only six plate appearances this year and had driven in two runs on his only base hit, a double.

Van Every may be a player the Red Sox already know—and would therefore more seamlessly slide into the big-league club than another utility outfielder—but that doesn’t necessarily make this an intelligible—or intelligent—move.

Van Every hit .364 in just 13 plate appearances with the 2009 Red Sox and owns a career .286 mark in Beantown.

His lifetime 819 OPS—in limited plate appearances—and elite right field UZR/150 probably contributed to general manager Theo Epstein’s decision to bring the 30-year-old Van Every back to Boston.

Looks great for the Boston bench, and the move will allow the young Reddick more time to mature at the plate.

However, bringing on Van Every also gives up on Reddick too quickly. Reddick hasn’t looked uncomfortable at the dish. His one double was off Texas’ Chris Ray, not exactly a weakling rookie pitcher.

Reddick deserved more time.

In the end, if you’re going to rely on these farm-system kids, you need to take a small chance on them.

If you’re going to release guy like Van Every—who swatted 26 homers during the 2008 Triple-A season—why are you going out and getting him again less than a year later?

It’s not Doug Mirabelli.

Baffling.