The Boston Red Sox trudged through a disappointing 2015 campaign en route to a 78-84 record -- the worst mark in a very competitive AL East. There's plenty to be addressed for the Red Sox as we move towards the Hot Stove League this winter. Here's the 3 Biggest Offseason Needs For The Boston Red Sox.
3. Offload Hanley Ramirez
"Ramirez has to go for plenty of reasons, the first being he doesn’t have a position on this team because DH is taken," Boston Globe columnist Peter Abraham wrote recently. "First base would be a disaster because his lackadaisical play would affect the entire infield, the ability to hold runners, and cutoffs from the outfield. It’s a terrible idea and the Sox know it."
Ramirez is also a questionable clubhouse presence whose questionable effort and penchant for rocking the boat could negatively affect a young, budding roster. Boston will have to attach a prospect in any trade they look to pull off featuring Ramirez, but we're convinced they need to cut weight now.
2. First Baseman
The current plan is to move Ramirez to first and cross fingers that it'll work. That's the company line from Dave Dombrowski right now, but what if they take our advice and move Ramirez to a team in desperate need of an impact bat? If so, Boston will either have to look to the farm system (Sam Travis being a possible contender) or elsewhere for a first baseman. We'd rather the Red Sox save their big free-agent bucks for our #1 entry, but experimenting with Hanley at first is an accident waiting to happen.
1. #1 Starting Pitcher
The Red Sox put together a starting rotation last season which basically amounted to five #3-#4 starters without anyone resembling a discernable ace. While there's enough in-house to craft a good 3/5 or so of a starting rotation, Boston must hit the free agent market hard for a top-level arm. It's going to take a major financial investment to net one of these frontline free-agent pitchers this winter; David Price, Jordan Zimmermann and Johnny Cueto. However, Boston must front the cost no matter what to find themselves the right anchor for a currently rudderless rotation.
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