Boston.- Red Sox Nearing Deals To Land Panda, Hanley
The Red Sox appear close to making a pair of impact free-agent signings that should bolster their offense in 2015 and beyond. A source has confirmed to MLB.com that veteran free agent Hanley Ramirez is working out the final details of a contract with Boston, and that Pablo Sandoval also appears to be leaning toward signing with the Red Sox.
Sandoval’s agent, Gustavo Vazquez, told MLB.com that his client has not made his final decision, but Sandoval will do so by the end of Monday.
FOXSports.com was the first to report late Sunday night that the Red Sox and Ramirez were in the final stages of a five-year, $90 million contract. CBSSports.com reported Monday morning that Sandoval has chosen the Red Sox over the Giants and Padres for a five-year contract worth close to $100 million.
The Red Sox have not commented on the reports, and club policy is that they don’t comment on negotiations with free agents until a deal is final, including the completion of a physical.
FOXSports.com reported that Ramirez was to fly to Boston today in hopes of completing the deal.
Assuming Sandoval completes his deal with the Red Sox, he is all but certain to become Boston’s new third baseman. But less clear is how Boston would utilize Ramirez.
Ramirez’s natural position is shortstop, but Xander Bogaerts is currently holding down that spot for Boston.
One option is that Ramirez — who turns 31 next month — could move to the outfield. Though Ramirez has never played the outfield in the Major Leagues, he certainly seems to have the athleticism that would be necessary to make that transition.
If a Sandoval-Ramirez tandem becomes a reality in Boston, look for the Red Sox to trade at least one outfielder. Yoenis Cespedes, Rusney Castillo,Mookie Betts, Jackie Bradley Jr., Allen Craig, Daniel Nava and Shane Victorino are all with Boston.
Though the Red Sox stated earlier this offseason that their preference is to keep Cespedes, the addition of Ramirez could change their line of thinking. Cespedes is entering the final year of his contract, and his free-swinging approach makes him less of a fit in Boston than Ramirez, who has a career on-base percentage of .373.
Monday marked the nine-year anniversary of when the Red Sox traded Ramirez — once billed as their shortstop of the future — to the Marlins in a deal that brought Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell to Boston.
That trade nine years ago was a classic example of a transaction that worked for all sides. Beckett and Lowell helped the Red Sox win a World Series in 2007, and Ramirez became an almost instant star with the Marlins.
Ramirez was traded from the Marlins to the Dodgers on July 25, 2012, and performed well in his two-plus seasons in Los Angeles.
The Red Sox met with Ramirez at the General Managers Meetings in Arizona earlier this month and have since stayed in contact. Ramirez originally signed with Boston as an amateur free agent in 2000.
Ramirez is a three-time All-Star and a career. 300 hitter with 191 homers, 654 RBIs and an .873 OPS.
In 2014, the Red Sox finished in last place in the American League, largely due to an anemic offense. They now appear willing to invest nearly $190 million in two established hitters in an effort to improve.
Add Ramirez and Sandoval to an offense that already includes David Ortiz,Dustin Pedroia and Mike Napoli, and Boston’s lineup could certainly become elite again.
Aside from the ongoing efforts to improve the offense, Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington is also on a mission to add to the starting rotation. An offer was made recently to Jon Lester in hopes that the lefty will return to Boston. Lester is still in the midst of talking to other teams.
If the Red Sox can’t bring back Lester, they now appear to be in position to package some of their outfield depth and perhaps some prospects for a potential trade for a pitcher, such as Cole Hamels.
Ian Browne is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Brownie Points, and follow him on Twitter @IanMBrowne. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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