The Boston Red Sox have reportedly agreed to a five-year, $100 million deal with three-time World Series champion Pablo Sandoval to become their new third baseman. On top of that, rumors are swirling that the Red Sox are close to a five-year, $90 million deal for shortstop Hanley Ramirez.
These two moves are major lineup additions for a team that struggled at the plate last season, but they muddy the future for current shortstop Xander Bogaerts. Sandoval will instantly slot into a role at the hot corner, while Ramirez will be expected to man shortstop. It's unlikely that Bogaerts can slide to second base-the Sox already have a former MVP there in Dustin Pedroia.
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They also will not be able to use Bogaerts at shortstop and place Ramirez in the designated hitter spot, because that's soaked up by "Big Papi" David Ortiz. Bogaerts was one of the premier prospects in baseball a short while ago, and at times in 2014 showed his immense talent at the MLB level. He finished with an underwhelming stat line--.240, 12 home runs, 46 RBI-but had months in which he hit over .300 with power.
That promise may be valuable to Boston on the trade market. It's not often that high-ceiling, MLB-ready shortstop prospects hit the market, but that may be what's happening here. The Red Sox traded away ace left-hander Jon Lester during the season, and currently list Clay Buchholz as their No. 1 starter heading into 2015.
The Red Sox may decide to include Bogaerts in a trade for a starting pitcher, a la the Yankees' Jesus Montero for Michael Pineda swap in 2012. If the Sox do sign Ramirez, and don't deal Bogaerts, they will have an over-qualified, and likely unhappy talent riding their pine.
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