When Dave Dombrowski was first hired by the Boston Red Sox as president of baseball operations last week, we knew significant changes were going to be made in the near future. 

The first of those changes went public Tuesday afternoon, as current Boston left fielder Hanley Ramirez announced that he will be playing first base in 2016, a move that he previously shrugged off in an interview in June and one that former general manager Ben Cherington was reluctant to make. 

Ramirez told the Boston Globe Tuesday, "I’m not scared [of making the switch to playing first base]. I’m going for this and I can play. I’m really happy, man, [Dombrowski] is doing the best he can to put a good team on the field. He’s trying to win. He’s trying to fix the pieces...I’m happy with that. I came here to win. Nothing else. Nothing else. I just want to win. I can’t wait for that, being in first place.”

The Ramirez move symbolizes the idea the Red Sox executive brass had in mind when they sought out Dombrowski to join their front office. While Cherington was hesitant, too stubborn even, to move Ramirez around and make room for the budding trio of Mookie Betts, Jackie Bradley Jr., and Rusney Castillo, Dombrowski jumped at the change, instantly examining the situation and coming to the conclusion that this was the best move for the team. 

The only issue pertaining to this situation is the work ethic of Ramirez. After spring training, the 31-year-old veteran hardly showed any resemblance of a player hell-bent on improving in left field, making a mockery of the position throughout the season and turning himself into a walking blooper real. 

Many defensive metrics state Ramirez's defense having cost the Red Sox anywhere from 14-19 runs so far in 2015, his lack of initiative to improve at the position causing this detrimental play. Ironically, we even witnessed it in Boston's 5-4 loss to the Chicago White Sox hours after the announcement on the impending switch was made, as Ramirez allowed the go-ahead run to score on a two-run double by White Sox left fielder Trayce Thompson as what should have been an easily cut-off line drive trickled past him. 

The situation is elementary. If Ramirez can put in the work at first base, learning how to hold runners on base, pick up wayward throws from different positions in the infield, and field grounders, the switch could work wonders for the team. The two-time All-Star spent the entirety of his career prior to joining the Red Sox playing shortstop and third base, so he does have an infield background. 

If Ramirez fails to improve, however, his defensive metrics could slide even further in 2016. He must showcase the work ethic necessary, or this is simply an exercise in futility by the ballclub. 

With Ramirez slotted in at first next season, Boston must now decide what they wish to do with current first baseman Travis Shaw. The rookie has been absolutely mashing the ball over the course of August, improving his season average to .315 with six home runs, 11 extra-base hits, and 14 RBIs. 

However, Ramirez's switch to first leaves Shaw without the chance to become an everyday starter with the Red Sox in 2016. Despite his background at third base, current starter Pablo Sandoval remains under contract through 2019, with his sights set on improving his batting totals from this season. 

With no options remaining in the outfield either, Boston must either hold on to Shaw as a potential spot starter or backup for next season, or attempt to move him in a trade this offseason. As Dombrowski has garnered the reputation of someone not opposed to dangling prospects for big-name prizes, expect Shaw to be shopped around once the season concludes.