Boston Red Sox: Offseason targets by position
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.
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.
Current Free Agents
The Red Sox won’t be losing too many players. David Ortiz will retire, so there’s one guy, but other than that, not too many.
Koji Uehara– Koji is a bit of a puzzle. He was the most dominant closer in 2013, especially during the playoffs. It seemed like he needed seven pitches to get through three batters. He had a great 2015 but then regressed a bit in 2016. A shoulder injury didn’t help his status, but he is 41 and that comes into consideration. The Red sox could try to wrap him up for another year, but it seems like his time in Boston may be over. Verdict: Make a tribute video and say goodbye
Brad Ziegler– Ziegler was a really solid addition for the Red Sox in July. He gave the Red Sox 29.2 innings over 33 games and had a low 1.52 ERA. He left 82 percent of all runners on base when he joined the Sox, something they had an issue with earlier in the year. He’s 37 but really resonated with Red Sox Nation. Verdict: Give him a one-year deal
Aaron Hill – At one time, it looked like Hill was going to trump Travis Shaw at third base. It never happened, and Hill wildly underperformed in Boston. He hit .218 with just five extra-base hits in 137 plate appearances. He had a negative win probability and just didn’t help the team enough. Verdict: Let him walk
Junichi Tazawa – Tazawa has very quietly been one of the better relief pitchers in the game over the last five years. 2015 and 2016 weren’t his best years, but he’s shown signs of an All-Star at times. He was instrumental in the 2013 World Series run, and it would be nice to have another returning arm in Boston. Verdict: Try to get him cheap after an off-year
#5 Outfield Depth
The Red Sox had a major issue with their depth players this season. When Brock Holt didn’t perform in left field, it was given to Blake Swihart. He got hurt, followed by a Chris Young injury and then the Sox were out of options.
They dumped Rusney Castillo, and then had a revolving door of players. I don’t know about you, but Ryan LaMarre and Bryce Brentz don’t sound like Red Sox outfielders.
Options
My favorite guy is Jon Jay. He’s a seven-year vet who has played over 105 games in four seasons. He’s a career .287 hitter, can steal bases, and can start if you need him to. The thing Red Sox fans should like most about him? He can play all three positions, and that’s huge.
If they can’t land him, I would look at Danny Valencia. The A’s need a first baseman and the Red Sox need depth. Travis Shaw can fill the need. Shaw can really only play third or first, with spotty defense a below average offense. However, it’s an upgrade for the A’s. Valencia could be a utility man and had a career-best year in 2016.
Put one more outfielder with Chris Young, and the Red Sox shouldn’t have issues in the outfield. Jon Jay will provide an outfielder who can play any position and hit, while Valencia can be a man of many talents. Depth is underrated, but players should be seen as important offseason targets.
#4 Infield Depth
Brock Holt has been an odd god-send to the Red Sox since 2014. He received votes for Rookie of the Year in 2014, and he was an All-Star in 2015. This past season, however, the “Brock Star” struggled. He hit just .255 and lost a starting job. He is still valuable, though, as he has played every position besides catcher and pitcher in the last two seasons.
Nonetheless, the Red Sox need more infield depth. Travis Shaw probably won’t be on the roster as he can only play third or first. Marco Hernandez is a designated pinch-runner, and Deven Marrero has failed to impress in every stint with the big league club.
Aaron Hill probably won’t be back, and Boston won’t waste Yoan Moncada’s development, so they have decisions to make. They need a player who can play up the middle, while also taking reps at the hot corner. They have to allow Xander Bogaerts, Dustin Pedroia and Pablo Sandoval days off.
Options
The first name that comes to mind is a former AL East guy, Sean Rodriguez. He is a former Ray who has been in Pittsburg for two seasons. This past year, he hit .270 with 18 home runs and 56 RBI’s. He can start if needed, play anywhere in the field, and is a fiery personality.
The only other name that I really like out of free agency is Daniel Descalso. He’s been in MLB with both St. Louis and most recently Colorado. He’s coming off a year where he hit .264 with eight home runs off the bench. He’s played every position but catcher.
The thing I look for in who the Red Sox sign is versatility. Most bench players should be like Brock Holt, where they can play anywhere and not skip a beat.
#3 Bullpen
If you didn’t know, the Red Sox bullpen is quietly nicknamed the “Fenway Fire Department.” Now that you know, it needs some firefighters. Craig Kimbrel did a nice job this year, even through his struggles, and will be better in year two. The Red Sox will get back Carson Smith, who was sidelined all year after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
So to take a look, they’ll have: Craig Kimbrel, Matt Barnes, Carson Smith, Robbie Ross Jr. and Fernando Abad (possibly). In addition, they could re-sign Junichi Tazawa and Koji Uehara, leaving one open spot. Dave Dombrowski knows this is a major priority, so expect them to make upgrades.
If there’s one player I could see the Red Sox replacing on that list, it’s Fernando Abad. He was downright terrible since he was traded. If he’s gone, the Red Sox need a left-handed pitcher.
Options
Boston should look at Jerry Blevins. The Mets’ lefty gave them 42 innings and had a low 2.79 ERA. He strikes out a lot of batters and doesn’t allow many home runs. He leaves a lot of men on base and struck out 35 left-handed batters.
Other lefties to look at are Marc Rzepczynski and Travis Wood. Rzepczynski had a 2.64 ERA between Washington and Oakland this season. He’s been around for eight years and has good veteran experience. Wood is known for his bat (that’s a joke). He was kind of an odd signing for Chicago but has paid off. He can be used in one inning or go four or five if the starter is knocked out early.
If they do look at a righty, look at names such as: Brandon Morrow, Drew Storen or Trevor Cahill.
#2 Rotation
For the second straight year, the Red Sox struggled with their starting pitching for a majority of the year. Before you attack me, yes I realize they were very good the last month of the season, but for the majority, they weren’t. Not to mention, they kind of crapped the bed in October.
Rick Porcello has emerged as the clear “Ace” of the rotation, and I am not worried about David Price–he will bounce back with a stellar season in year two. After that, there are lots of questions. Will Clay Buchholz be back? Is Drew Pomeranz a starter? Is Steven Wright ever going to be healthy? Can the Sox trust Eduardo Rodriguez?
Let me answer. Out of those four names, I think only one will definitely be back. That’s Eduardo Rodriguez, since he is young and has tons of upside. I truly don’t believe Buchholz is brought back and I think Steven Wright was a one-year wonder. Pomeranz has a good chance to start, given Boston traded their top prospect for him.
Options
The free agency market is weak. So weak, Rich Hill is the best pitcher available. Basically, Boston won’t be acquiring another “Ace”, but they need a good three man. If Rodriguez and Pomeranz are in the rotation, the Red Sox will have three lefty starters., so the Red Sox need to target a right-hander.
My favorite name to choose from is Jeremy Hellickson. He is coming off the best year of his career. He is just 30 and pitched five years in the AL East, winning the Rookie of the Year in 2011. He was the Phillies leader last year and being reunited with David Price could help tremendously.
If Boston decides to go for a more top-tier pitcher, it’ll be through trades. Don’t be surprised when Sonny Gray’s name is talked about for two months straight. They could also target Anthony DeSclafani of the Reds. He would be my pick for a trade. He’s 26, coming off a good year, and produces ground balls.
#1 Designated Hitter
Let’s be clear, no one can “replace” David Ortiz. He is one of the best hitters in baseball history, and can’t just be replaced. However, the Red Sox will need to try and make up for a loss of 30-plus home runs and 100-plus RBI’s. They had the best offense in the league, and Ortiz was a big part of it.
Red Sox coaches and front office staff have acknowledged that the Red Sox may not have a full-time DH. Most teams don’t actually; it’s more of a revolving door or spot for your best bench player. I don’t like that idea. A full-time DH is more productive to me, and the Red Sox should continue that trend.
First, they have to make a big decision: “Do we keep Travis Shaw?” That’s the question they have to ask. If so, Hanley Ramirez becomes the DH full-time, Shaw moves to first, and all the problems are solved.
If not, the Red Sox should turn to free agency. Luckily for them, there are two names that pop off the paper.
Options
First is Edwin Encarnacion. The obvious fit is Encarnacion. This season Ortiz was accused of tampering this season to “persuade” him to sign with Boston. He would fill the same role as Ortiz as he’s aging and could use more rest. In 2016, he split time at first and DH, and the Red Sox could do that in 2017, rotating him and Ramirez. He’s had at least 34 home runs every year since 2012 and hit 42 this season. He is a postseason performer (see Wild Card game home run) and is clutch (watch it again).
The second is Mark Trumbo. He lead the league in home runs in 2016. The O’s slugger hit 47 blasts, he can play first, DH and roam the outfield. Before I bore you with more numbers, let me offer a critique. Trumbo has never produced a year like this, and one must ask if it’s a fluke. The Red Sox should be weary of a guy who has struggled with injuries so many years in the past.
Next: Rockies offseason To-Do list
My pick is Encarnacion. He would be the best option to fill the gaping hole Ortiz has left in the lineup and in our hearts. He would bring a great personality to Boston, something they just lost, and can produce at nearly the same level as Ortiz. He should be one of their top offseason targets.