MLB Trade Rumors: 10 Moves That Could Improve the Boston Red Sox Offense
Going into the 2011 season, the Boston Red Sox need to add a power bat. That's stating the obvious, but how will they do it?
Victor Martinez has since left to sign a four-year, $50 million contract with Detroit. That leaves Jarrod Saltalamacchia, a catcher who has never had a full season in the big leagues, to run the team.
Although Boston has said they feel comfortable giving him the job to start off in 2011, there's something about me that doubts this.
Thus, I have a couple catchers on here for Boston to go after.
I also feel they are weak in center field with Mike Cameron as the starter. Thus, I have some outfielders to go after.
This is collectively a mixture of signings and trades Boston could make to help fill in its weak spots in the offseason.
Here are 10 Moves That Could Improve the Boston Red Sox Offense.
10. Sign Rod Barajas
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The Red Sox have reportedly been interested in taking Rod Barajas off of the Dodgers' hands. The Dodgers declined to offer Barajas arbitration this offseason, so he's up for grabs.
Although Barajas has never hit for a very high average, he is a steady player defensively and gives the Red Sox a veteran presence. There's no telling what Saltalamacchia will do in his first full season.
Barajas also gives the Red Sox some power, with 17 dingers last season.
9. Put Jacoby Ellsbury in Center Field
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If the Red Sox move Jacoby Ellsbury to center next season, it would increase the number of power bats to go after exponentially.
Let's face it, Mike Cameron is not the answer out there anymore, and the Red Sox need to replace him.
So if Ellsbury moves to center, right field and left field sluggers could become available to put in left instead of just going after center fielders.
This move in itself could open up a lot of possibilities for the Red Sox.
The next four slides are devoted to these possibilities.
8. Sign Marcus Thames
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Outfielder Marcus Thames hit for the highest average of his career last year with the Yankees at .288, albeit in limited at-bats.
His power will always be above average.
Thames or Mike Cameron? I'll take Thames.
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7. Sign Pat Burrell
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Sure, Pat Burrell is below average defensively and he's getting older, but he still has plenty of pop, which was evidenced by his 18 home runs in 289 at-bats with San Francisco.
And honestly, he played a lot better left field in San Francisco than I thought he would have. Hey, better than Barry Bonds at least.
6. Trade for Jack Cust
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Like Thames, left fielder Jack Cust hit for the highest average of his career last season, batting .272.
Also, like Thames, he's entering the final year of his contract.
He is also always a home run threat, hitting 13 dingers in just 349 at-bats.
Face it, you throw a couple minor leaguers A's general manager Billy Beane's way, and he's going to be excited about the prospect of not having to pay much money.
5. Trade for Josh Willingham
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Josh Willingham, like Cust, is still fairly young.
He's also entering the final year of his contract on a team that went 69-93 last season.
I can't help but think the Washington Nationals wouldn't mind some rebuilding blocks (aka minor league players).
Willingham has been a fairly steady producer for the Nationals, hitting .268 with 16 homers in 370 at-bats in 2010.
4. Trade for Ryan Doumit
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As mentioned before, I don't believe the Red Sox want to just sit pat with Saltalamacchia as their catcher.
Pittsburgh's Ryan Doumit is probably the best catcher they are going to find available in the next two years. He's entering the final year of his contract.
Although his numbers weren't great last season (.251 with 13 homers), he was a steady presence for a team that needed it ever so badly.
If he can get back to around his 2008 levels (.318, 15 home runs), he could be a bargain from a team that desperately needs a lot of talent (the Pirates were 57-105 last year).
3. Sign Carl Crawford
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Tampa Bay free agent Carl Crawford is going to cost a boat-load this offseason for any interested parties. He is indeed one of the premier outfielders in the game.
Any team would be upgraded immediately upon his signing.
The problem is, what will it cost?
He's not exactly a power hitter, which is what the Red Sox really need, but it would definitely make them look good on paper.
2. Trade for Prince Fielder
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It's no secret the Red Sox are hoping to get a left-handed power bat that could play first base.
Prince Fielder is entering his last year with the Milwaukee Brewers, which finished a disappointing 77-85 in 2010.
What are the chances?
You want power, you got power with Fielder. His last five full seasons he's hit 28, 50, 34, 46 and 32 home runs, respectively.
It's just a matter of what the Brewers would want for him. Or if they want to trade him at all.
It would be costly, but probably not as costly as Carl Crawford.
1. Trade for Adrian Gonzalez
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I don't care what you do, find a way to get Adrian Gonzalez. There's no way the San Diego Padres are going to be able to afford him after this next season, and they know it.
He's hit 30-plus home runs four years in a row now, and he's never had an average under .277. Last season he hit .298 with 31 homers.
He's left-handed. He can play a solid first base.
He would immediately make the Red Sox championship contenders.
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