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Boston Red Sox: Offseason targets by position

By Matthew Lively

Sep 11, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox hat and gloves lay in the dugout at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox hat and gloves lay in the dugout at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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After an unimpressive sweep in the American League Divisional Series, the Boston Red Sox season is over. Before the players and coaches hit the golf course, we’ll look at their offseason targets.

Oct 10, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (34) salutes the fans after losing to the Cleveland Indians 3-4 in game three of the 2016 ALDS playoff baseball series at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (34) salutes the fans after losing to the Cleveland Indians 3-4 in game three of the 2016 ALDS playoff baseball series at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /

The Boston Red Sox are blessed with plenty of young talent. Ranging from the top of the hierarchy in Mookie Betts to the bottom in Christian Vazquez, they are blessed with a plethora of skill. The abundance of this talent will have to be taken into consideration as the winter rolls around and they make decisions on offseason targets.

The Red Sox truly don’t have many positional needs. Most of their infield is set or will be set when players come back, i.e. Pablo Sandoval. However, there are a few spots on the diamond the Red Sox must address.

Obviously, the glaring hole is going to be at the DH position. They’ve had just one over the 13 years since David Ortiz cemented himself there as the Opening Day starter in 2004. We’ll take a look at that position, and the numerous options that’ll intrigue them.

Next, comes that starting rotation. David Price was a good start, even though he disappointed in the ALDS (again), but they’ll need more. Same with the bullpen. There were injuries that killed the Red Sox when they needed it most.

They won’t have too many big splashes, but that doesn’t mean they won’t spend money. After all, they are the Boston Red Sox. In the 2014 offseason, they spent over $200 million on Pablo Sandoval, Hanley Ramirez and Rick Porcello. Last year, they spent that on just one player.

The Red Sox are in a rare position. They have four to five young stars who require no major contract responsibility at this given time. Basically, they have a boatload of good players, and they MUST capitalize before money takes them elsewhere.

We’ll rank the positions that need the most improvement and then list the top players available. Come March, these offseason targets could be in Ft. Myers gearing up for Red Sox Spring Training.

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