Geeked out during Thanksgiving down time and did some lineup analysis of the Red Sox. Conclusions: 1) Cespedes and Craig are obvious trade candidates with established value. Neither should start for Boston but both are starter quality for other teams. 2) Victorino is a fantastic 4th/platoon outfielder and Boston could start him in April/May in the hopes of pushing up his midseason trade value. 3) Daniel Nava should be in the starting lineup most games vs. RHP... Boston needs LH bats and he is a proven solid hitter at low cost... he could split time with Victorino and occasionally spell Castillo, Betts, or Ramirez. 4) Betts and Castillo are similar players with lots of value/upside and Boston doesnt need both. Either one could be cornerstone of a big trade. 5) Middlebrooks and Jackie Bradley need to reestablish their value at AAA. 6) an Outfield of Ramirez, Nava, Victorino, and Betts or Castillo is about right. With Ramirez and Victorino injury prone, lots of at bats for everyone. 7) Brock Holt is a great utility guy and could occasionally start in place of Bogaerts at SS against a tough RHP or Sandoval at 3B against a tough LHP. 9) I was initially skeptical about the Hanley Ramirez acquisition, but looking at his numbers his offensive potential is MVP quality. He can hit anywhere from 1st to 4th in the lineup. He just needs to stay healthy. He should get some time at 3B vs. LHPs. So the question for Ben Cherington is whether he can find two aces for some reasonable combination of dollars and Cespedes, Craig, Betts/Castillo, plus prospects. One strategy might be to move prospects for Hamels or Cueto then move Cespedes and Craig for replacement prospects. Id love to see the Sox resign Jon Lester but dont be surprised if the Sox end up as a late entry in the Scherzer sweepstakes.
Posted on: Fri, 28 Nov 2014 15:41:31 +0000
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