Boston Red Sox: Three Reasons they must trade for Giancarlo Stanton
The Boston Red Sox are reportedly interested in Giancarlo Stanton this offseason. Here are three reasons they must trade for him.
The Boston Red Sox are looking to get back to baseball glory, after falling to the Houston Astros in the ALDS in 2017. After firing their manager, Boston must find a new leader who can right this ship fast, even though it’s not one that’s too off-course. Even though a veteran manager will help this team moving forward, no one will help the Red Sox in 2018 more than the Miami Marlins right-fielder, Giancarlo Stanton.
Needless to say, it should please every Boston baseball fan that the team is reportedly getting into trade talks with the Marlins. Take a look at this quote from Clark Spencer from the Miami-Herald:
According to a Major League source, talks between the Red Sox and Marlins involving a trade for the slugger “may be heating up.” “They’re definitely in play,” the source said of the Red Sox, who are at least exploring the possibility of acquiring the Majors’ reigning home run king.
As we all know, getting into trade talks doesn’t mean that anything is a done deal. Actually, we see this type of thing happen a lot throughout the MLB offseason, but I believe it’s definitely something Boston must continue pursuing.
With that said, take a look at three reasons why the Red Sox must trade for Giancarlo Stanton before the 2018 season begins.
3. Stanton would give Red Sox more flexibility with starting nine
With Mitch Moreland, more than likely, on his way out of Boston this offseason, the Red Sox will be looking for a solid replacement at first-base. Even though Hanley Ramirez has been the team’s preferred designated hitter over the last two seasons, I believe Giancarlo Stanton would fit well into that role moving forward, thus moving Ramirez to first-base for good.
I understand that most Boston fans cringe at the idea of Ramirez playing in the field everyday, but remember, this guy came into the big-leagues as a shortstop. No, he’s not necessarily a natural first-baseman, but this move is more about Stanton than anyone else.
Can you imagine what this Red Sox lineup could do with both Stanton and Ramirez in the same lineup? Not to mention, this would allow Mookie Betts, Jackie Bradley Jr and Andrew Benintendi to stay in their respective spots in Boston’s outfield.
With a new manager coming into the mix and the front-office knowing the Red Sox were beaten in the postseason by the eventual World Champions; there’s no doubt that Boston is looking for every way possible to get this ball-club back to glory.
2. Keep pace with the other teams in the American League
Even though the Red Sox were able to win another AL East title in 2017, it was clear that their lineup wasn’t built to compete in the postseason against the World Series Champion, Houston Astros. Not only that, but their arch-rival New York Yankees have two, young studs in Gary Sanchez and Aaron Judge that can hit the cover off the baseball.
Needless to say, due to the other American League teams finding incredible power-hitters through their minor-league systems, the Red Sox must break open the checkbook and bring in Stanton this offseason.
According to MLB Stats, Boston finished the season ranking 11th in total runs-batted-in. While that isn’t necessarily something to be mad about, it should frustrate fans that there were five American League teams that finished higher than the Sox in that category. That said, it’s even harder to compete for a pennant whenever the top two teams in 2017 in runs-batted-in were the Astros and Yankees.
Again, by bringing in Stanton, Boston would add a proven hitter that just came off his best season as a big-leaguer. With the “Green Monster” in left field, Stanton could top his home-run total in 2017 if the Red Sox find a way to bring him north.
1. Stanton would bring much-needed power to Red Sox lineup
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Yet again, we find the Red Sox looking up towards the Yankees and Astros, wondering how to get their lineup to hit with power. According to MLB Stats, Boston finished 27th in all of baseball last year in total home-runs with 168. Needless to say, that was 73 less homers than the MLB-leading “Bronx Bombers” in 2017.
While Stanton wouldn’t necessarily get the Red Sox to the top of the league in home-runs, he would provide a significant boost to this Boston line-up.
In a year that we will all remember, Stanton hit 59 home-runs for the Miami Marlins this past year. Just to put a perspective on the power difference between Stanton and Boston; the Red Sox home-run leader in 2017 was Mookie Betts with 24.
In case you don’t have a calculator on hand, that means the former second-round pick hit nearly 2.5 times as many home-runs than Betts. Simply put, that’s just ridiculous.
Next: Jackie Bradley Trade Destinations
If the Red Sox want to get back to playing deep into October, they must take a chance on getting Giancarlo Stanton. Not only would he bring a huge power boost to their line-up, but he would make every pitcher in the AL East a little more cautious in choosing who they pitch against Boston.