The Boston Red Sox have made waves so far in the offseason by signing Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval to big-money deals, but that has some current players lobbying for their roster spots.
Sandoval will take over at third and represents a huge upgrade, but the presence of promising youngster Xander Bogaerts at shortstop means Hanley Ramirez will be moving into an already-crowded outfield.
The Red Sox have an embarrassment of riches in the outfield after adding Ramirez to a group that already features a mix of solid veterans and promising up-and-comers including Yoenis Cespedes, Mookie Betts, Shane Victorino, Allen Craig, Jackie Bradley Jr., Rusney Castillo, Daniel Nava, and Brock Holt. That is a lot of competition for just three outfield spots.
Obviously the Red Sox will hang onto some of these guys for bench depth, but it seems to be a virtual certainty that some of them will be moved in trades. Regardless of who stays and who goes, the competition for a starting spot should be fierce, and Shane Victorino has already begun lobbying for his spot in right field.
Accoring to media reports, the Flyin' Hawaiian is recovering from back surgery after missing all but 30 games last year, and he expects to be fully healthy by spring training. If he makes a full recovery, he expects to start.
"If you think there's somebody better in right, be my guest," said Victorino. "Obviously health will dictate that. But if I'm healthy if there's a better outfielder in right field then show me and go out there and do it. I'm not saying that in a cocky or arrogant way. It's just how confident I am to know I should be the starting right fielder."
Victorino is entering the final year of a three-year $39 million deal that looked like a steal during the 2013 season, when Victorino was a key contributor to a Red Sox team that won the World Series. When fully healthy, Victorino helps in every area of the game, bringing a solid hitting approach, good speed, and elite outfield defense.
See one of Victorino's biggest hits of the 2013 season in the video below.
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