Boston Red Sox Rumors: Eric Hosmer the logical target for BoSox

The Boston Red Sox are still in search for a big bat veteran to replace the leadership and production lacking since David Ortiz retired in 2016.

Veteran leadership, production at the plate and club house presence.  In every way, Kansas City Royals first basement Eric Hosmer is the logical answer for the Boston Red Sox.

The only question is whether Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski will spend the money.  Past history says yes, current history suggests the team wants to stay below the luxury tax threshold.  That does not stop the rumors from swirling however, especially now that the MLB offseason is upon us.

According to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports, every expectation is that the Red Sox will indeed target Hosmer.  With Dombrowski recently mentioning that the team will look to upgrade at first base and offensively, this is a possible marriage that seems like a no-brainer.

The 28-year-old Hosmer is coming off a career year offensively.  He posted a .318 batting average with 25 home runs and 94 RBI.  This came while playing the majority of his games at Kauffman Stadium, a park not known to be a hitter’s ballpark.  So, just imagine the damage he could do at Fenway Park.

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Of course, the Boston Red Sox will have other options at first base in J.D. Martinez, possible cheaper options like Jay Bruce or they could potentially settle with one of their own, in first base prospect Sam Travis.  Neither of those players, however, have the combination of age, durability, production, leadership and postseason experience Hosmer has.

What will it cost?

Last season, Eric Hosmer made $12.25 million, so Dombrowski will have to go above that luxury tax barrier and shell out some dough.  With the recent contractual mistakes the team has made with players such as Pablo Sandoval, Rusney Castillo and for the most part Hanley Ramirez, spending the case on a player with the ingredients Hosmer has is worth it in my opinion.

With a new manager in Alex Cora, a mix of young stars and veterans, mixing in a player like Hosmer could pull it all together.  Other team’s interest and the amount of money they are willing to play will factor in, but if the Red Sox truly want this player, they should go out and get him.

They have to do something to address some of the offensive issue they had in 2017.  Actually, they must do something.

Next: All Boston Red Sox 2018 free agents and the likelihood they’ll return

Eric Hosmer is one of the possible solutions and he appears custom made for Fenway Park.