by Richard Rowell, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff
Pablo Sandoval (Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons)
By now, you have all heard the news. The Boston Red Sox have gone on a spending spree, signing third baseman Pablo “Panda” Sandoval to a 5-year $100 million deal and former shortstop Hanley Ramirez to a 4-year $88 million deal to play left field at Fenway Park.
Of course, the Red Sox have the money to sign both Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval. Plus, since Ramirez – who is a lousy defensive shortstop – is being moved to the outfield, young shortstop Xander Bogaerts never has to worry about the bench. Plus, he now has a plus defensive third baseman playing beside him. What this does do is make an already major logjam in the outfield that much worse. Now, either right-fielder Shane Victorino or now former left-fielder Yoenis Cespedes is almost definitely destined to be included a trade for pitching. Center fielder Rusney Castillo, the young Cuban who signed a major deal last season, is going nowhere.
The current scenario for the Red Sox makes sense. Since Ramirez and Sandoval are free agents now, you have to sign them now. The Red Sox are at a juncture where they don't exactly have much offense coming through the system outside of Mookie Betts and perhaps the raw, but powerful Bryce Brentz. They can't trade Betts, really - too valuable in his versatility. They can't trade much from their pitching depth in the minors (Henry Owens and Brian Johnson) and they can't trade Christian Vazquez (slated to be their starting catcher). Their top prospect, catcher Blake Swihart, is a stud who could be starting by 2016 in the Major Leagues.
Of course, the Red Sox have the money to sign both Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval. Plus, since Ramirez – who is a lousy defensive shortstop – is being moved to the outfield, young shortstop Xander Bogaerts never has to worry about the bench. Plus, he now has a plus defensive third baseman playing beside him. What this does do is make an already major logjam in the outfield that much worse. Now, either right-fielder Shane Victorino or now former left-fielder Yoenis Cespedes is almost definitely destined to be included a trade for pitching. Center fielder Rusney Castillo, the young Cuban who signed a major deal last season, is going nowhere.
The current scenario for the Red Sox makes sense. Since Ramirez and Sandoval are free agents now, you have to sign them now. The Red Sox are at a juncture where they don't exactly have much offense coming through the system outside of Mookie Betts and perhaps the raw, but powerful Bryce Brentz. They can't trade Betts, really - too valuable in his versatility. They can't trade much from their pitching depth in the minors (Henry Owens and Brian Johnson) and they can't trade Christian Vazquez (slated to be their starting catcher). Their top prospect, catcher Blake Swihart, is a stud who could be starting by 2016 in the Major Leagues.
Hanley Ramirez (Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons)
Basically, this means that you have to sign the guys that are still young enough to be useful for the majority of those 5 years. And “Panda” definitely should be, at only age 28. Hanley will be turning 31 before Opening Day, but he is taking a discount in years to play in Boston - where his career first began. I’m a big fan of both players. Also, although Hanley does have those character issues from his past, I think the clubhouse in Boston will keep him in line. David Ortiz and Hanley are already buddies so I don’t see any issue there. Plus, Sandoval is a great clubhouse guy. Panda has nothing left to prove in San Francisco after winning three World Series by the Bay and Hanley just has to stay healthy for the better part of a season.
I like these moves for the Red Sox. The question now is what to do with Allen Craig, Daniel Nava, and Jackie Bradley, as well as having to move Yoenis Cespedes (1 year left, $10 million) or Shane Victorino (1 year left, $13 million) or both – as the Sox have made it clear that Betts will play. But that could be a very good problem to have as there are pitchers on the trading block and the Sox are loading up to make another worst-to-first run in 2015.
I like these moves for the Red Sox. The question now is what to do with Allen Craig, Daniel Nava, and Jackie Bradley, as well as having to move Yoenis Cespedes (1 year left, $10 million) or Shane Victorino (1 year left, $13 million) or both – as the Sox have made it clear that Betts will play. But that could be a very good problem to have as there are pitchers on the trading block and the Sox are loading up to make another worst-to-first run in 2015.
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