Boston Red Sox Still Have 2 Puzzle Pieces to Fill for 2012

New General Manager:  Check.

New Manager:  Check.

New Coaching Staff:  Check.

New Closer:  Check.

New Set-Up Man:  Check.

If you were to look at the Boston Red Sox team website today, specifically their depth chart, a casual fan might be tricked into thinking this team is prepared to take the field in 2012.

As it stands, they're three players deep in right field and have a six-man rotation ready to roll.

False.

Their three deep in right is completely suspect while two of the starting six are injured for a total of a season-and-a-half.

While there are many options that can be explored via trade, I think that the Sox may still look to free agency to fill these slots.

Sure, while Darnell McDonald is slated to be the opening day right fielder, I can't sleep well knowing that. Ryan Sweeney might also be the Mike Lowell of this trade for Andrew Bailey, a throw-in guy that blows our socks off.  I just can't hope for that either.  

With Kalish sidelined for a bit coming off of shoulder surgery, I don't want to continue worrying about both platooning right field and using a cut and paste rotation waiting for players to come back from injury.  The franchise can't do that.  Not this season.  Not after September.  So let's take a look at some free-agent possibilities that the Sox could acquire to take the field in 2012.

Right Field Option 1: Cody Ross

I wrote a piece a few days ago calling for Ross to be signed by the Red Sox.  

Ross, to me, is exactly what the team needs.  He is a right-handed batter that offers some pop in his bat with a good OBP.  His defense won't kill you in the field and he gives the team a little more veteran presence.  

As I said in my other piece, the Red Sox would like to get 20 home runs and 80 RBI out of Ross, but if he only offers 14 and 52, it would pretty much be the 2007 version of J.D. Drew at about a quarter of the cost.

If you expect Kalish to be your long-term right fielder, I feel that Ross is your best option this year for value on the dollar.

Right Field Option 2: Magglio Ordóñez

Another right-handed bat, the Red Sox were high on Ordóñez... in 2003.  I know what you may be thinking, he's old and washed up, right?

I do realize that Ordóñez was injury plagued in both 2011 and 2010 .  However, during those two seasons for the Tigers he did manage a .279/.341/.403/.743 batting line with 45 R, 91 H and 46 RBI in an average of 88 games.  Is it ideal?  

Not at all. 

However, you could make this move if you believe Kalish is going to come back strong as your every day right fielder.

Oh... one more thing... Ordóñez is a Boras client.

Right Field Option 3: Ryan Ludwick

While his name is being tied to the Oakland A's in rumors this week, Ryan Ludwick could make for a nice fit in Fenway.

What I like about him: he bats right.  What I don't like about him: he throws left.

I've never been fond of left-handed right-fielders in Fenway Park.  I find it a tricky position to play and being left-handed creates the need to often times spin to make a throw and see that throw tail away from home plate.  A right-handed fielder can set and throw with the ball tailing towards home more often than not.

Just a personal observation from watching a few thousand Red Sox games.

Ludwick's splits show that he is a much better hitter in the National League than the American League, and benefits from being in a hitters park... but who doesn't?  In theory, he's affordable and can hold the seat for Kalish, but I'm not incredibly high on him.

Right Field Option 4: Ryan Spilborghs

While I haven't heard his name much in any rumors pertaining to the Red Sox, I did like Spilborghs quite a bit (while with the Rockies).

Spilborghs is a decent hitter in a very hitter-friendly park, Coors Field.  His career batting stats look like this: .272/.345/.423/.768 and on average he will give you 10 home runs and 50 RBI. Nice player, not great.

Do the Red Sox need great?  Not necessarily, but this move would be something akin to just signing another Darnell McDonald in my mind.  

This would be a move to add more depth, nothing more in my opinion.  Oh, he is also a Boras client, for what it's worth.

Right Field Option 5: Yoenis Céspedes

Back at the beginning of December,  I wrote a piece on Yoenis Céspedes and referred to him as the next great Cuban-born major league player.

If you haven't seen the video I posted, take the 20 minutes.  Céspedes is an absolute beast. There is no other way to describe him.  Rather than be redundant, I encourage you to read my earlier piece on him and check out the video above.

The Red Sox have been quiet on the right field front, perhaps they're just waiting until they can go after Céspedes and make Kalish expendable.  If that's the case... bring it on beast man. Bring it on.

Pitching Option 1: Hiroki Kuroda

Though Hiroki Kuroda has maintained that he wants to remain on the west coast, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reports that the Red Sox retain interest in him.

The problem is Kuroda's asking price.

If you're scaring away both the Yankees and the Red Sox with a price tag, it has to be pretty ridiculous, right?

I don't see this move happening, but the name keeps getting floated.

Pitching Option 2: Edwin Jackson

Okay, let's just put this out there:  Edwin Jackson is a Scott Boras client.  Scott Boras wants to get Jackson a five-year deal and compares him to the likes of C.J. Wilson, Mark Buehrle and John Lackey.  Boras believes Jackson deserves a contract that carries an average annual salary of $17-18 million.

Five years, $85 million for a pitcher who, while in the AL East with the Rays, posted a 19-26 record and an ERA over 5.00.  

In fact, in his career he is 60-60, with a losing (43-44) record in the AL and a winning (17-16) record in the NL.

Sox fans... do you want Ben Cherington to spend Lackey money and years on... another John Lackey?  I don't.

Pitching Option 3: Rich Harden

The Red Sox wanted him at the trade deadline in 2011 and now Rich Harden is a free agent.

Harden is affordable and has proven he can pitch in the American League as well as in a big city, playing a season-and-a-half with the Cubs and posting a winning record.

Does he have injury concerns?  Sure.  Is there value to be had there?  Sure.

If the Red Sox really believe that Daisuke Matsuzaka will be back by July/August and able to contribute on the major league level, this might be the best move they could make for a short-term solution.  He fits into the team's "budget" earning only $1.5 million in 2011.

Now, there are still several names available on the market.  A couple of weeks back I wrote a piece examining some of the top of the line pitchers that may be affordable right now.  Feel free to check out that list as well and add it on to this piece.

Whatever the Red Sox choose to do, they have got to find two more puzzle pieces.  The only real question is, how big are those pieces going to be?