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| Ben Cherington |
It now appears all three players that were made "Offers" will test the market.
So this is what we call "Speculation Weekend"!
The news is full of rumours and gossip as to who will accept offers and what teams will do if their players don't!
For the Red Sox GM Ben Cherington,Monday at 5 pm will give him a better idea of the finances he has to work with this offseason.
We have to assume the most recent news reports are correct,so here is the scenario as it stands this fine Sunday morning.
Jarrod Saltalamacchia - Catcher: It appears "Salty" is gone(he was not made a offer) and so are his 139 strikeouts.The Sox have veteran catcher David Ross safely signed thru next season.But at 36 he cannot be expected to catch 162 games.That leaves the big question of who will replace "Salty"?
Is Ryan Lavarnway ready for the Big Leagues ? He managed 25 games with the Sox last year hitting .299 in 77 at bats.
Christian Vazquez who played last season in Portland (AA) has thrown out 35% of runners trying to steal in his short career but his bat is far from the Major Leagues.
Outlook: The Sox will have to decide if Lavarnway is ready.If they think not,look for them to pursue the "Free Agent" market or possibly resign "Salty".
Mike Napoli - 1st Base: Daniel Nava or Mike Carp,take your pick.They are similar players having both played left field and first base last year.Carp who was brought in as a "Bench" player last year,is eligible for arbitration this year.He brings a .296 BA with 9 HR and 43 RBI's in 86 games.Many of his hits were game winners or clutch hits.
We all know the story of Nava.He has excelled at every level he has played at and filled in well when called upon to play first last year.
Outlook: Nava and Carp are solutions but the Red Sox will probably go after a "Free Agent" to make up for Napoli's 23 Home Runs.
Jacoby Ellsbury - Center Field:Scott Boras will ensure that Jacoby gets his big payday and he will not be in a Red Sox uniform next year.Although he is a spectacular player,he has spent large chunks of time on the disabled list.For Jackie Bradley Jr. center field becomes his job to lose.Bradley Jr.broke camp with the Red Sox last year and quickly proved he was not ready to hit in the Major Leagues.
If Jackie can't do the job there is the option of moving Shane Victorino back to center,a position he played very well in Philadelphia.Also a move to center would keep Shane away from the walls in right field at the Fens before he seriously hurts himself.
Victorino plays "all out" both in the field and at the plate.He was hit numerous times last year.
Outlook:The Red Sox appear to be in the position of "Who wins the outfield jobs"? With Quinten Berry in the mix to make the team the Red Sox also may go after a experienced "Free Agent" to fill the void.
Steven Drew - Shortstop:Steven was brought in last year to fill a one year void while Jose Inglesias matured.The Sox though gave Inglesias up to obtain Jake Peavy.
So now it's Xander Bogaerts job to lose.
Outlook: If the Red Sox don't have faith yet in Bogaerts look for them to go the "Free Agent" route for a infielder that can play both short and third.There is no guarantee that Middlebrooks can be a everyday third baseman and a "Free Agent" that can play both positions would be the preferable option.
So now we can all sit down and have a relaxing Sunday.
It will be a interesting week.
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