After finishing in the basement of the AL East for the second time in three years, with a World Series title in between, it was questionable if the Boston Red Sox and GM Ben Cherington would be willing to make any big costless agent moves this offseason. Everybody knew that Boston would try and swoon Jon Lester back after trading him to the Oakland A's in July and that they would try and replace Middlebrooks at third base with Sandoval, but it was unsure if they would make any other moves outside of that. That uncertainty was put to rest late Sunday night as reports began to show that Boston had signed Hanley Ramirez to five year deal in the range of $90 million. As time passed on Monday it was confirmed that in fact Ramirez had signed with Boston and the deal was to be four years, $88 million with a fifth-year vesting option at $22 million. Word first broke about this story around noon (EST) as Christopher Meola, same guy who broke the Giancarlo Stanton contract story, reported that Ramirez was heading to Boston. Twelve hours later Ken Rosenthal reported that Hanley was indeed heading to Boston on Monday to finalize a deal with the Boston Red Sox.
As everybody was still trying to process this shocking signing, news broke this morning from MLB reporter Jon Heyman that Pablo Sandoval had agreed to a deal with the Boston Red Sox as well for five years around $100 million. This report has still not been confirmed yet by the Red Sox organization but all signs are pointing to both Sandoval and Ramirez heading to Beantown.
It was obvious to many that the Red Sox had their eyes on Sandoval from the beginning and were viciously trying to lure him to Boston, but the signing of Ramirez was certainly a curveball.
Boston has seemed confident in sticking with their young shortstop Xander Bogaerts and it looks like Hanley Ramirez could be moved to left field in Boston's lineup for next year. Ramirez has played some outfield in winter ball but this puts into question what the Red Sox will do with Yoenis Cespedes. He is coming into the final year of his contract in 2015 and has already reportedly said that he doesn't think he will resign with the Red Sox. Boston is now flooded with outfielders on their roster with Allen Craig, Shane Victorino, Mookie Betts, Rusney Castillo, and Daniel Nava. This depth could become extremely important as Ramirez has been known to be injury prone throughout his career.
If Ramirez is to be moved to left field this would make Cespedes excellent trade bait to try and fill the holes they have in their starting rotation. Cole Hamels trade possibly? The Phillies do need some outfield help and if they lose out on the battle for Yasmani Tomás then Cespedes will become extra intriguing for Philadelphia.
This move bringing in both Sandoval and Ramirez will look even more appealing to Jon Lester, who has seemed to be the number one target for Boston since costless agency started. Lester wants to come to a winning team and this lineup the Red Sox have reportedly now put together will make Boston a contender in 2015.
Cherington has now done what everybody in Red Sox Nation was hoping he would do at the start of costless agency. He has swayed away from his usual self of being hesitant to spend money and has put together a winning lineup that includes power and depth. Still many holes in the pitching rotation but this won't be the last move Boston makes this offseason. Their eyes are still on Lester and it also won't be a surprise if they spend the money to bring back reliever Andrew Miller. Boston has given themselves an ample opportunity to be competing in October once again.
Things are only heating up for the Red Sox.