MLB Hot Stove: Even with a Closer, Boston Red Sox Still Have Gaps To Fill

The Red Sox general manager, Ben Cherington, still has a lot of work to do this offseason.  While we've sat back and watched our star closer Jonathan Papelbon walk, the LA Angels and Miami Marlins dominated the winter meetings and the Boston Red Sox brought back David Ortiz and if the breaking news is correct, have just acquired Astros closer Mark Melancon.

Melancon is just 26 years of age and went 8-4 with a 2.78 ERA and 20 saves for the Houston Astros in 2011. He had 66 strikeouts in 74.1 innings while posting a WHIP of 1.224.

Okay, I admit, this move is going to help the team, but there are still several holes in this roster that need to be filled and a huge fanbase that needs to be satiated immediately.  That's just how things are in Boston—got to have it now.  So now, Ben, what moves can be done to take care of the gaps in this lineup?

What we know is that the right field position has yet to be established.  The starting rotation is yet to be completed as well.

Bringing in a closer on the cheap as they did with Melancon is a step towards rounding out the roster.  I like this move; I think the kid has a lot of upside to him and he will fit in with what the Sox are trying to do.

Having said that, what other moves can the Sox make now?

The Starting Rotation Option 1: Gio Gonzalez

It is no secret that I think Gio Gonzalez would be an excellent pitcher for the Red Sox.  In a recent article by the Boston Herald's Michael Silverman, he noted that the Red Sox are still interested in Gonzalez, but I fear that the asking price may be too high for him to be a viable option now.

According to CBS Sports' Danny Knobler, the Sox, Tigers, Blue Jays and Rangers are interested in Gonzalez.  The Marlins are out, as the A's asked for Mike Stanton in return...which is a high asking price.  Odds are the A's would want the farm from Boston to make this deal happen.

The Starting Rotation Option 2: John Danks

Well, the Chicago White Sox lost Mark Buehrle already; why not tack on John Danks?  Danks is only 26 years old and is under contract through 2013; in other words, he is quite desirable in age and team control.

The White Sox asked for two prospects from the New York Yankees in a deal for Danks, according to SI's John Heyman.  The three names the White Sox wanted two of were Jesus Montero, Manny Banuelos and Dellin Betances.  All three are considered top-five prospects for the Yankees.

That tells me that the Red Sox would likely have to part with at least one of the following: Middlebrooks, Iglesias, Ranaudo, Kalish or Bogaerts.

The Starting Rotation Option 3: Gavin Floyd

Twenty-eight-year-old Gavin Floyd has never really impressed me.  He is a decent pitcher in the AL Central, but I think that he would not last long in Boston.  

Floyd has a career ERA of 4.50 and WHIP of 1.326.

His ERA against the other teams in the AL East is 4.84, which I suppose would be okay as a fifth starter, but to me, he just doesn't pass the eyeball test.

According to a tweet by the New York Post's Joel Sherman, the asking price is high on Floyd as well, but nothing has been outlined yet in his case.

The Starting Rotation Option 4: Wandy Rodriguez

The 32-year-old Wandy Rodriguez could be had and it appears it would be a matter of money to make this deal work.

Surely the Houston Astros would want something of value in return, but in a report on MLB Trade Rumors, the Astros have no desire to eat any of the $36 million that is owed to Rodriguez over the next two years.  The Sox are looking to acquire a fourth or fifth starter, and going by the market trend of paying essentially $1 million per win for a pitcher, this may be a high asking price.

However, having a pitcher like Rodriguez on the staff could prove beneficial, while going over the luxury tax to make it happen.  Rodriguez has not had a solid team around him essentially the entire time he has been in Houston.  Boston could be the place where he showcases his true talent and actually racks up some wins.  

In Houston he's averaged 10 wins per season...I think the Sox would take that type of production, especially if they could get Rodriguez to restructure his deal for a third year perhaps and bring the annual salary hit down some.

The Starting Rotation Option 5: Roy Oswalt

It feels like the Red Sox are always mentioned when the name Roy Oswalt comes up.  Maybe it is time to just pull the trigger and sign the man.

This move would not cost you any of your prospects; it would be a matter of money.  He is said to be looking for a three-year contract.

Oswalt just completed a five-year, $71 million contract that held an average annual salary of $14.2 million.  Now that Buehrle has signed with the Marlins (four years, $58.4 million for an average of $14.5 million) and Wilson with the Angels (five years, $75 million for an average of $15 million) I don't think it is unreasonable to see Oswalt look for a deal in the $40 million range for three years, carrying an average annual salary of $13.3 million.

Right Field Option 1: Jason Kubel

With the Red Sox apparently out of the Michael Cuddyer talks, that leaves another option in Minnesota: Jason Kubel.

The Twins were high on keeping Kubel, but they just agreed to a deal with former Athletic Josh Willingham, therefore bringing their need for Kubel down.

Kubel could likely be signed for $6 million or so per season.  Bringing him in would allow the Sox to use Ryan Kalish as trade bait and retain Josh Reddick as a fourth outfielder.

Kubel would be able to offer the Red Sox a .270 hitter with roughly 20 home runs and 70 to 80 RBI per season.  However, this would be another left-handed batter in the lineup.

Right Field Option 2: Carlos Beltran

Beltran turns 35 in April and as of late, the Red Sox are not a name that has been tied to any rumors surrounding him.  I am okay with that.

While Beltran gives you another right-handed bat in the lineup, the cost would be too steep.  I'm sure that he would be looking to get close to what he earned in 2011, which was upwards of $19 million.  While I doubt he'll receive that much, another J.D. Drew-esque $14 million could be close to what he receives.

The Red Sox are wise to not go after this particular player.

Right Field Option 3: Ryan Kalish

Go with what you know.  The Red Sox have been high on Kalish for years.  It was thought that Kalish would be heir to the right field throne once J.D. Drew was gone and that time is finally, finally, upon us.

While he faced some setbacks from injury in 2011, there is no reason to believe that entering the season with both Kalish and Reddick on your roster would be a bad thing.

While appearing in only 53 games for the Red Sox in 2010, he showed flashes of brilliance, posting a .253 average and an OBP of .305.  His SLG was .405 giving him an OPS of .710—not bad for a rookie, especially in Boston.  True, he is another left-handed batter, but he is an affordable player that the team has viewed positively for the past several seasons.

This may pan out to be the best bet in right.