Red Sox add Outfield depth but can we expect more?
By Willy
David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
In what can be described as a surprise move the Boston Red Sox have signed left-handed hitting Grady Sizemore to a 1 year deal. He was once considered comparable to Jacoby Ellsbury with more “Pop”, before injuries completely derailed his career. Sizemore has not played in the Majors since 2011 and hasn’t had a complete season (150 games or more) since 2008.
Since the Sox have been looking for a right-handed compliment for Jackie Bradley Jr it seems odd that they would sign Sizemore.
From the stand point of trying to acquire talent or add players that are coming off of injuries and want to prove themselves again it makes perfect sense to add him but I can’t help but feel there is more to it. I believe we may see the Sox trade a player like Mike Carp or Daniel Nava while their value is at it’s highest and acquire what they feel is a need, perhaps even that right-handed hitting Center fielder.
They have had strong interest in San Diego Padres Outfielder Chris Denorfia but so far no deal has been made.
The Sox also have a plethora of Starting Pitchers who take up a significant chunk of their payroll. They have tons of depth behind these Starters that could replace one or more should they be dealt, IE- Doubront, Workman, Ranaudo, Webster and Wright.
John Lackey- $15.25M
Jake Peavy- $14.5M
Ryan Dempster- $13.25M
Jon Lester- $13M
Clay Buchholz- $7.7M
So if Ben Cherington wanted to trade a Starter or two what could we expect in return?
These names may not decrease payroll but any of them would help the Sox offensively to compete with the Yankees, Rangers and Tigers of the American League.
Players potentially available for trade:
Chase Headley–S.D. (3rd base), Aramis Ramirez– Mil. (3rd base), Jose Bautista– Tor. (OF) and Ryan Braun– Mil. (OF)
Over the past year or so the Sox have inquired about the availability of Headley, Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval…
I don’t think they would have done that if they were completely convinced Will Middlebrooks was the answer.
Headley is coming off an injury and is in a contract year, so he’s an interesting name to keep in mind. Braun is coming off of PED suspensions and has a lot to prove but also has a monstrous contract that I would be scared of. Bautista on the other hand is owned by a division rival but still someone you can’t ignore and Toronto is looking for pitching.
With a number of unproven players on the roster and what teams like N.Y. and Texas have done this winter it may behoove Ben Cherington to add some more pop to the lineup. Personally I would love to add both Headley and Bautista but I would be happy to add Headley and Denorfia while subtracting some of the excess pitching.
What would you do?