The World Champion Boston Red Sox.
Might as well start at the top.
Free Agents
Boston bought from the bargain bin last year and then rode that from worse to first.
When you look at the above list. There is probably one guy they might look at as a keeper.
The problem is...
Other teams will view him as a guy they want and the second best player on the market after Cano.
Myself...
Depending on how your team is built, that ranking could change.
I think teams like the Angels, Rangers, Cubs, Cardinals to name a few would rate Ellsbury first.
There has been a few rumors out there that even a team like Seattle could be a player.
What might happen.
Boston goes all in to keep Ellsbury on the team.
For the most part they would return their 1 through 4 lineup in place.
They plug a platoon of Nava and Carp at first. Let Gomes go ahead and play left field on a regular basis.
The oh no plan...
Ellsbury books town.
It's no secret that the Angels are looking for pitching. It's also no secret that they are shopping Trumbo.
Boston probably has the bullets in their pitching holster to make a trade happen.
They send a closer and starter to the Angels. Now the Sox have the Napoli replacement in house.
Back to the bargain bin.
Get a 4th outfielder in case Bradley JR is not the guy.
Take the Ellsbury money and grab an impact bat and starting catcher at the same time in Brian McCann.
What will probably happen.
Winning the world series is a feel good moment for the team and their fans.
The first reaction is to keep the band together. The first problem is...
Teams might find your free agents worth more than you do.
At the end of the day you have to figure out who your willing to toss more dollars at.
That guy is going to be Ellsbury. Teams that have money and are not afraid to use it. Also they would have no problem fitting him into their lineup.
Teams such as the Yankees and Tigers come to mind.
Then you have a team like the Rangers who might want to go more speed than power...Since that approach netted zero world titles.
What I would do.
Go all in and sign Ellsbury.
The top 4 in that lineup is good at getting on base, making things happen, driving in runs and running up the pitch counts.
I like Nava and he needs a place to play on a regular basis.
Give him a shot to take over at first base. Napoli is what he is. A decent first baseman with pop and a backup DH.
The way the team is built now. He sits in NL parks in favor of Papi playing first and offers no other value.
Nava can play outfield so in the NL parks he could spell Victorino or whoever is in left.
Then in left field you have a guy like Gomes.
Nobody ever gives him a full time job. But the guy produces.
I would at least consider a platoon out there with him and possibly signing a Nate McClouth.
Red Sox also have Bradley jr they could give a look at and even consider a guy like Either from the Dodgers in a trade.
Hand shortstop over to Boegarts. Hope Middlebrooks is the 3rd baseman for years to come and bring back Salty to catch.
When you look at all the other teams in baseball. You see a lot of fits for a guy like Napoli.
Teams are going to set his price above what his market should be. So I would let him and the rest of the free agents walk.
Might as well start at the top.
Free Agents
Player | Pos | 2014 Age | Former Contract |
Mike Napoli | 1B | 32 | 1 yr/$13M (13) |
Stephen Drew | SS | 31 | 1 yr/$9.5M (13) |
Jacoby Ellsbury | OF | 30 | 1 yr/$9M (13) |
Joel Hanrahan | RHP | 32 | 1 yr/$7.04M (13) |
Jarrod Saltalamacchia | C | 29 | 1 yr/$4.5M (13) |
John McDonald | INF | 39 | 2 yrs/$3M (12-13) |
When you look at the above list. There is probably one guy they might look at as a keeper.
The problem is...
Other teams will view him as a guy they want and the second best player on the market after Cano.
Myself...
Depending on how your team is built, that ranking could change.
I think teams like the Angels, Rangers, Cubs, Cardinals to name a few would rate Ellsbury first.
There has been a few rumors out there that even a team like Seattle could be a player.
What might happen.
Boston goes all in to keep Ellsbury on the team.
For the most part they would return their 1 through 4 lineup in place.
They plug a platoon of Nava and Carp at first. Let Gomes go ahead and play left field on a regular basis.
The oh no plan...
Ellsbury books town.
It's no secret that the Angels are looking for pitching. It's also no secret that they are shopping Trumbo.
Boston probably has the bullets in their pitching holster to make a trade happen.
They send a closer and starter to the Angels. Now the Sox have the Napoli replacement in house.
Back to the bargain bin.
Get a 4th outfielder in case Bradley JR is not the guy.
Take the Ellsbury money and grab an impact bat and starting catcher at the same time in Brian McCann.
What will probably happen.
Winning the world series is a feel good moment for the team and their fans.
The first reaction is to keep the band together. The first problem is...
Teams might find your free agents worth more than you do.
At the end of the day you have to figure out who your willing to toss more dollars at.
That guy is going to be Ellsbury. Teams that have money and are not afraid to use it. Also they would have no problem fitting him into their lineup.
Teams such as the Yankees and Tigers come to mind.
Then you have a team like the Rangers who might want to go more speed than power...Since that approach netted zero world titles.
What I would do.
Go all in and sign Ellsbury.
The top 4 in that lineup is good at getting on base, making things happen, driving in runs and running up the pitch counts.
I like Nava and he needs a place to play on a regular basis.
Give him a shot to take over at first base. Napoli is what he is. A decent first baseman with pop and a backup DH.
The way the team is built now. He sits in NL parks in favor of Papi playing first and offers no other value.
Nava can play outfield so in the NL parks he could spell Victorino or whoever is in left.
Then in left field you have a guy like Gomes.
Nobody ever gives him a full time job. But the guy produces.
I would at least consider a platoon out there with him and possibly signing a Nate McClouth.
Red Sox also have Bradley jr they could give a look at and even consider a guy like Either from the Dodgers in a trade.
Hand shortstop over to Boegarts. Hope Middlebrooks is the 3rd baseman for years to come and bring back Salty to catch.
When you look at all the other teams in baseball. You see a lot of fits for a guy like Napoli.
Teams are going to set his price above what his market should be. So I would let him and the rest of the free agents walk.
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