This does put some interesting pieces into the puzzle for the Red Sox, if both guys do come to terms and pass their physicals. Both Hanley and Pablo pose interesting lineup options for Boston, with them now in the mix. Lets look at Hanley for a second. He was originally a Boston prospect, when the Red Sox signed him in 2000 as a teenager. He was then shipped out to the Marlins, in the huge deal that brought Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell to Boston. Then in 2012, Hanley moved on to the Dodgers and has been there ever since. Ramirez rejected an orignal offer from the Dodgers earlier this month, which was worth $15.3 million, thus opting to become a free agent. Once he hit the market, Hanley was viewed as a backup plan for Boston in case they couldn't land Pablo Sanodval. Besides Boston, Hanley also heard offers from the Giants and Padres.
Ramirez won the 2009 batting title and led the NL with a 1.040 OPS in 2013 (among hitters with at least 300 plate appearances). He's also a lifetime .300 hitter, who batted .283 with 13 homers and 71 RBIs in 128 games last season. Hanley still has pop in his bat, which is going to make him an asset in the Red Sox lineup. Ramirez's defense at shortstop has suffered in recent years, which makes it highly implausible the Red Sox would give up on 22-year-old shortstop Xander Bogaerts, who is regarded as highly as Ramirez was after he signed. In all liekleyhood, the best option for Hanely would be left field.
If that's the case, it gives Boston plenty of options in the outfield. They already have Mookie Betts. Yoenis Cespedes. Rusney Castillo. Shane Vicotorino. Allen Craig and Daniel Nava floating around along with Hanley. Chances are a few of those guys could become expendable to go out and acquire depth for the starting rotation.
As far as Sandoval is concerned, this is a change of pace for the 28 year old slugger. The switch hitting 3rd baseman has played his entire seven year career in San Francisco, quickly becoming a favorite amongst the Giants fans out West. The Kung Fu Panda has pop in his bat, as he is a career .294 hitter with an .811 OPS and 106 home runs. He has been even better in the postseason, hitting .344 in 39 games and driving in 20 runs.
Some may consider the $100 million contract a bit high for a two-time All-Star who has yet to drive in 100 runs. But Sandoval has consistently been an above-average hitter with a knack for putting balls in play. That's a big plus in a park like Fenway. Sandoval also brings some much-needed lefthanded power to the Sox. He is a career .304 hitter from the left side, including .317 last season. His righthanded hitting has declined in the last few seasons, but the Red Sox lineup will help offset that.
With signing a guy like Pablo, there are going to be some risks. Sandoval weighs in the vicinity of 250 pounds and the Giants were often frustrated with his failed attempts to get in better shape. But Sandoval plays an adept third base even at his size and is not a detriment on the bases. As he ages, Sandoval could shift to DH for the post-Ortiz Red Sox. While his production is unlikely to match that of Ortiz, Sandoval would represent at least an acceptable option.
This now means that last years opening day 3rd baseman, Will Middlebrooks, is in a tough spot. He will either be back in the minors, waiting for his time to start again, or he could get a fresh start with a new team.
Both signings are solid for the Red Sox. With panda it means that they have a good 3rd baseman and a backup plan for David Ortiz at DH when Big Papi calls it a career, because who knows how much Papi has left in the tank. And Boston has been known to do things like this in the past. The Sox built their last World Series champion by signing a large group of free agents to short-term, manageable contracts. Now, after finishing in last place, these additions represent an adjustment in philosophy.
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