FanPost

An Optimistic View Of What Could Be

I am new to SB Nation and Over the Monster but I have always had a need to talk about the Red Sox and what I personally thought their moves should be offseason after offseason. This year’s offseason has been particularly interesting, as many of you know, and in terms of the Red Sox there are a million different ideas floating around the internet and on TV. I have a few ideas highlighted below that may be considered unconventional to some. Here are my biggest needs if I am the Red Sox:

⁃ Power Surge

⁃ SP depth

⁃ RP Depth

⁃ Positional upgrades and depth

Power:

Signing 1: JD Martinez (5 years $130 million)

Trade 1: Kyle Schwarber and cash for JBJ, Drew Pomeranz, Travis Lakins, and Brian Johnson

The power outage was real last year, yet winning the always tough AL East was impressive. With the Yankees recent 6’ 6" 250 pound addition to their lineup, Red Sox need to upgrade their offense. We all know the obvious slugger the Sox have had their eye on this whole offseason is JD Martinez. I think after that the Red Sox could be OKAY. I don’t know if they’re a playoff team with the Yankees, Angels, and Mariners taking big steps towards 2018 playoff runs. I think there needs to be another big bat in the middle of the lineup like a Kyle Schwarber. Not many people are a fan of this because of the uncertainty that could come from him but his upside is there and his bat plays an an American League DH. Jackie Bradley and Drew Pomeranz are the two center pieces to get the young power bat they need. Right now the Cubs don’t have a true CF and Jackie’s elite defense fits perfect at Wrigley. Drew adds quality depth in the back of their rotation at a reasonable price. Adding in $5-$10 million will complete the trade for the Red Sox. I personally believe that JBJ for Kyle Schwarber would be a solid trade but this one makes sense for the needs of both teams.

SP Depth:

Trade 2: Garret Richards and a PTBNL for Rick Porcello

Trade 3: Danny Duffy and Whit Merrifield for Hanley Ramirez, Rusney Castillo, Tanner Houck, Marrero, Blake Swinhart, and a mid level pitching prospect.

Signing 2: Lance Lynn (4 years $60 million) per mlbtraderumors.com

Signing 3: Tim Lincecum (1 year $2 million with incentives up to $5 million)

The Red Sox have a very solid rotation, but they can be heavily inconsistent from time to time. What comes next could be crazy to some of you out there. Trade Pretty Ricky to the LA Angels for Garrett Richards... its crazy and ballsy, but it is time to dump the contract. This would rid of about $22 million left for the next few years. Given Richard’s health issues over the last few seasons it might be a risk but one that could be well worth it if we can sign him cheap and long term. He has top to the rotation stuff when healthy and is still young enough to be a big part of the Red Sox future core. Along with this move it is important to understand that the Angels have the cap space to make this swap for the money and with Richard’s risky nature it would be best for them to take on the money and include a PTBNL of some sort. This addresses the Angels need for a SP while also allowing the Sox to shed payroll.

In the spirit of trading off money for value I would want to move Hanley Ramirez and his contract to a team that could use his bat. By all means this contract can still be made worth it over the next few years but it think that the direction the Red Sox need to go it is time to part with him. The Kansas City Royals have the money and the at bats to take on Hanley for one maybe two years, at the same time the Sox would also need to send quality young players to replenish their minor league system while also keeping the team relevant. Danny Duffy and Whit Merrifield are two players that the Royals have known to be shopping this offseason. This makes sense for the Sox because Duffy can easily fill into a quality bottom of the rotation arm. Rusney Castillo still has the ability to make a difference in the league and could get his chance in KC. Marrero and Swinhart allows KC the ability to have a quality players that have yet to get their chance at many different positions. This trade could remove almost $30 million in dead money for Boston. Again another young quality arm at a reasonable price.

Signing pitchers like Lance Lynn and Tim Lincecum could add veteran pitchers, one with middle of the rotation consistency over the years and the other just wanting another shot at a ring. Lincecum looks better than ever in the leaked picture during a recent bullpen session. Being in great shape could help the 33 year old get back to Cy Young quality and help the Sox with a veteran mindset. They are both cheaper options on the market this year and as it gets later in the offseason Lynn’s price might drop a little more.

RP Depth:

Signing 4: Trevor Rosenthal (2 years + 1 year team option $10 million / option $2 million)

Signing 5: Tony Watson (3 years $15 million)

I think that one of the minor needs that the Sox need to make is in their bullpen. However, with the monster bullpens that have been developed the last few years it would be smart to strengthen an already strong area of the team. With Kimbrel being a free agent after this season and the likelihood he will command a Wade Davis type of deal could be bad news for the Boston bullpen. As of right now adding a LHP is definitely a great small piece to the bullpen and as of right now Watson is a solid southpaw that does have some closing experience on the Pirates last year. With the recent history of adding pitchers with injuries that usually need a full season’s recovery, Trevor Rosenthal has the ability to come back from the injury with something to prove in the back end of the bullpen.

Positional Upgrades and depth:

Trade 3: Danny Duffy and Whit Merrifield for Hanley Ramirez, Rusney Castillo, Tanner Houck, Marrero, Blake Swinhart, and a mid level pitching prospect.

Trade 4: JT Realmuto for E-Rod, Sam Chavis, Cole Brannen, Christian Vasquez

Lastly are the positional upgrades that i think would be key to the Red Sox success. JT Realmuto and Whit Merrifield are both young controllable players that can make a huge difference on the field and at the plate. Whit Merrifield had a coming out party last year with the Royals and was a very versatile defender. He has the ability to most of the positions on the field and would be a great fill in for Peddy to start the year and would be next in line if someone else went down. JT Realmuto is highly touted catcher that has all the makings to be one of the few all around great backstops. All the catchers that the Sox have at the moment are great and have their offensive moments, however this would be a major upgrade at the plate while also being young and cheap. People are going to hate me for giving up Chavis but at the moment there is nowhere for him to play for the next few years and he is only going to lose ML at-bats as they make the decision to have him on the bench or just continue to waste talent in AAA. As for E-Rod he is still young and has the upside to be a great pitcher but I believe it is time for a change of scenery.

End Game:

This plan is to finish the 2018 offseason with the the current payroll or even a little less. As of right now with the trades and projected signings I have the Red Sox giving up less players than taking in while also saving $5 million or breaking even at about $77 million in exchanged money. In the process this opens up enough space to be conservative and stay under the luxury tax for next year. With the additions of Schwarber, Merrifield, and Realmuto the team gets much younger and gives them about 3-5 years of team control. Right now the window for the Sox is 3 years this extends their window by 2-3 more years if all goes as expected. Below is the projected lineup and rotation:

Lineup

1. (R) Betts - RF

2. (L) Benny - CF

3. (R) JD - LF

4. (L) Kyle - DH

5. (L) Devers- 3B

6. (R) Xander - SS

7. (L) Moreland - 1B

8. (R) JT Realmtuo - C

9. (R) Whit Merrifield - 2B

Rotation

1. Sale

2. Price

3. Lynn

4. Duffy

5. Richards/Lincecum