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Boston Red Sox in search of solution to their third base problem

By Jason Haskins

May 23, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox right fielder Mookie Betts (50) is congratulated by shortstop Xander Bogaerts (2) and third baseman Deven Marrero (17) after scoring a run during the sixth inning against the Texas Rangers at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
May 23, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox right fielder Mookie Betts (50) is congratulated by shortstop Xander Bogaerts (2) and third baseman Deven Marrero (17) after scoring a run during the sixth inning against the Texas Rangers at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
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Winners of four straight, the Boston Red Sox have shown signs of life on offense as of late. Third base, though, continues to be an issue through the season’s first quarter.

In the offseason, Boston Red Sox team president Dave Dombrowski put all of his third base eggs in the Pablo Sandoval basket.

Trading Travis Shaw for Tyler Thornburg made it clear the team would be riding the fortunes of a slimmed down and focused Sandoval.

A plan that has so far backfired.

Shaw is acclimating to the National League and Milwaukee Brewers quite well. He has nine home runs, 34 runs batted in and an OPS of .858. In 40 games, Shaw has a .963 fielding percentage with four errors.

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Thornburg, meanwhile, is currently sitting on the 60-day DL and has yet to pitch for the Red Sox.

Sandoval, too, is also on the DL after only playing in 17 games this season. While he was showing some signs of power–with three home runs–Sandoval committed four errors and had a .889 fielding percentage.

Unfortunately, this has been the norm with whomever is playing third base in 2017.

Turning to the youth

Josh Rutledge has had the best offensive numbers, hitting .300. He has no extra base hits and he’s committed three errors.

Before getting injured, Marco Hernandez didn’t fare any better, committing six errors with a .897 fielding percentage.

And Deven Marrero has appeared in 17 games without an error. Defense has always been his strong suit and his .178 batting average is making the Mendoza line look like a faraway dream.

Where does that leave the Red Sox?

Whoever occupies the spot is simply keeping it warm for Rafael Devers. Currently tearing it up at Double-A Portland, Devers might still be a year away.

That’s why it might be time to put Hanley Ramirez in at third, if only for his bat.

Go big or go home

Okay. Ramirez may not be having the most outstanding year at the plate (6 HR, 20 RBI) but he’s still producing more than other third basemen on Boston.

And yes, Ramirez hasn’t played third base regularly since 2012. His last appearance at the hot corner was in one game in 2015.

In 99 games at third, Ramirez has a .952 fielding percentage.

Now, this would not be a full-time solution, especially with Sandoval’s return on the horizon. But if Ramirez could field near his career percentage there while still hitting, his presence would be an upgrade.

Now, this is not the “end-all, be-all” solution. It would be a pretty bold maneuver, but with the arrival of Sam Travis, a solution that could easily be imagined.

Travis at first. Mitch Moreland as the designated hitter. Ramirez at third base. Put a healthy Sandoval in the mix and not only is the team easing Travis into the bigs, but keeping the old legs of Ramirez and Sandoval fresh.

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A pipe dream? Yes. Unless Dombrowski swings a trade or Sandoval comes back hot, a bold change for the Red Sox will be needed to improve the hot corner.

If needed, Ramirez could very well be that change.

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