How the Red Sox can be even Better in 2017
?Well, that was a disappointing end to a good season. As many of you know, the Red Sox were eliminated by the Indians Monday night to end their season and Big Papi's career. It was a series, considering Salazar and Carrasco were missing from the rotation, that I felt the Sox should have won. However, the booming bats didn't show up, especially the Killer B's, and the top two of Porcello and Price got smacked around at Progressive Field. With that said, this should be a learning experience for a young and talented team, and they should report to Spring Training in March ready to take another crack at a championship. The core should remain relatively intact, except for the Big Papi sized hole at DH; he was as clutch as they come and he could always fire up the team when they needed it. Ortiz will no doubt be missed, but here are some suggestions of moves the Red Sox can make to find themselves still playing ball this time next year.
1. Try to replace the aforementioned Ortiz
With Ortiz's and presumably Buchholz's money coming off the books, they should be able to nab at least one big name free agent this off-season. The pitching market is thin and Kenley Jansen and Chapman the only elite relievers on the market; this leaves only hitters. The argument can be made that the Sox have enough institutional depth to role with the lineup they have, but it'll be awful tough to replace 38 home runs and 127 RBIs. This is where the Toronto Blue Jays come in. Joey Bats and Edwin Encarnacion are both up at the end of the season, and it is unlikely that Toronto can keep both. Encarnacion is the guy the Sox should target; his 42 homers and 127 RBIs seem would make him a welcome addition to any team. Another key fact is his versatility: his splits are almost even between DH and 1B. This is great, because, while I love Hanley at first, I have a feeling he was promised some DH time once Big Papi retired. This would work out perfectly, as the two can split time between first and DH, while combining to form a lethal middle of the order.
Edwin Encarnacion rounds the bases after a home run
2. Make a trade
I also mentioned institutional depth; despite unloading for Kimbrel and Pomeranz, the Sox still have one of the deepest farm systems in baseball. This should make a guy like Rafael Devers available. Sure he could be elite some day, but there is no room for him in the infield in the foreseeable future. Pedroia will be at second for at least 5 more years, Xander ain't going anywhere, and Panda's got three more years at the hot corner. Even if they did manage to get rid of Sandoval, the next man up would be Moncada, baseball's top prospect. Making Devers the centerpiece of a trade, the Sox should call the other Sox and ask for Jose Quintana (credit to Bleacher Report for the idea). The White Sox may demand a mini ransom for this consistent, front-of-the-rotation starter, but the Red Sox should pay because he's signed through 2020 at a reasonable price. Maybe a package of Devers, one of the catchers, Henry Owens, Travis Shaw, and another piece or two could get a deal done.
Jose Quintana at Fenway Park
3. Sign a reliever
The relievers stepped it up in September and October to the point where, as long as they bring back Kelly and Koji, they should be all set for next year. However, I'd suggest signing a guy like Joe Smith, just because Carson Smith probably won't be 100% until summertime.
4. Fill out the last infield spot with a speedster
The Red Sox had no Quentin Berry or Dave Roberts this season. They should look at a utility infielder with plus speed to fill out the roster.
This leaves us with the tentative 25 man roster for 2017
Catcher
Leon
Swihart
Vazquez
(2 of the 3)
Infield
Ramirez
Encarnacion
Pedroia
Xander
Pablo
Holt
Speedster
Outfield
Benintendi
Bradley
Mookie
Young
Starters
Porcello
Price
Quintana
Wright
EROD
Bullpen
Kimbrel
Koji
Kelly
Barnes
Ross
Pomeranz
Joe Smith
(Send one down when Carson Smith returns)
If the Sox do something like this, I think they'll be set up for success in 2017
