Boston’s great debate

The art of balancing playing time between Crisp, Ellsbury

MLB. Terry Francona hardly ever looks at his team the way fans do. That’s one reason he has earned a reputation as one of the most accomplished and astute managers in Red Sox history.

How he is handling the playing time and roles of Coco Crisp and Jacoby Ellsbury is just the latest example.

In the days and weeks following the World Series, many fans assumed that the fact Ellsbury started the team’s last six games of the postseason indicated a changing of the guard and that Crisp would be dealt in the offseason.

But, as is often the case, no trade was made and Francona was left to figure a way of utilizing both without letting either get rusty.

Even though he would have preferred not going with a platoon in center, circumstances have dictated otherwise and Francona adjusted and did what every good manager does — spell it out to the parties involved.

“Both of them have been explained to that there needs to be some patience involved, especially early,” Francona said.

Crisp started in center in five of the first nine games while Ellsbury got the call in the other four, with Ellsbury also getting one start in right.

“It’s trying to balance, out of the chute, we’ve played eight games, and try to keep guys from not going backwards,” Francona explained yesterday. “It’s not perfect, but again every year at the beginning, there’s always something that isn’t.”

Francona also looked for perspective from the vast references at his disposal.

“I look back I remember noticing that David (Ortiz) didn’t play in ’03 at the beginning but that’s how things evolve,” Francona said. “You just have to give it time.”

Francona also has been using the probable pitcher to help guide him, with alternating left-and-right-handers the last several days.

“What’s quirky or whatever, come June or July, this will seem like a year ago,” Francona said. “It’s hard for them to live through it now, they want to get on a roll, both of them. We’ve got to give the season some time to play itself out.”