Boston Red Sox: Five Free Agents to Target this Off Season

Sep 24, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski (left) introduces Mike Hazen (right) as the team’s new GM prior to a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

Currently sitting with a record of 78-80 with less than a week to play, it is fair to say that the Boston Red Sox had a disappointing 2015 season. Last off season, the Red Sox aggressively chased free agency, and came away with a talented stock led by Pablo Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez.

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Unfortunately, Sandoval and Ramirez both struggled this season, and were major reasons why the Red Sox were never truly competitive. The Red Sox have recently hired Dave Dombrowski as the team’s President of Baseball Operations, and he could be looking to make some major changes this off season.

While trades are undoubtedly in the Red Sox’s near future, Dombrowski has a long history of attacking free agency aggressively. Fans of Boston baseball are currently scared of free agency after the Ramirez and Sandoval debacles, but I fully expect Dombrowski to be aggressive on players in the open market.

It may not be the best way to attack, but expect the Red Sox to once again to make their mark in free agency.

Right now, it is a bit difficult to predict who the Red Sox will be chasing. Obviously, they will be targeting starting pitching, but I think Dombrowski will be looking to make his mark on this team with the offense as well. Most of all, I fully expect a handful of trades before we even reach free agency.

Dombrowski is not afraid to make anybody available in a deal, and I think he will aggressively be shopping some of his veteran assets. Does an American League team need a DH? Dombrowski should be on the horn with them about Hanley Ramirez. Does a team value Joe Kelly as a strong middle of the rotation option? Work out a deal. Is there a team that believes in a Sandoval resurgence? Let them deal with the Kung Fu Panda.

The Red Sox have some trade-able players who I believe they will be shopping. Dombrowski is likely to use free agency to replace them and supplement the needed areas on the roster.

With the season essentially over, it is time to look ahead to the off season. In this post, we are going to take an extended look at players who the Red Sox should be approaching in free agency.

Without further ado, here are five free agent targets who Dombrowski and the Red Sox need to have a close eye on.

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