Andre Ethier to the Boston Red Sox Makes Sense for the AL East Contenders

The way right field has been for the Boston Red Sox thus far, it would be irresponsible to not look for some help, so why not an All-Star, full-time replacement?

Andre Ethier could possibly be that guy.

According to Sport's Illustrated's John Heyman, Ethier is fed up with the mess in Los Angeles and would be interested in a possible trade to the Red Sox.

J.D Drew seems to be on his way out the door, Darnell MacDonald is struggling and, although hot at the moment, Josh Reddick is still an unproven talent. It is apparent that right field is the gaping hole in the Red Sox's potent offensive attack, so why not fill that hole with a permanent All-Star like Ethier?

With the current financial situation in Los Angeles, although unlikely, the Red Sox could possibly get Ethier at a discounted price. If not, they certainly have the fire power in the farm system to make a trade for Ethier. 

Current right fielder-in-waiting, Ryan Kalish, would have to be the centerpiece of any deal for Ethier. Kalish seems destined to have a great future in the big leagues after his short, successful stint with the Red Sox late last summer, but he is still unproven. A large-market team like the Red Sox should be willing part ways with unproven talent for proven talent, even if it costs more money. 

A possible deal could include Kalish as well as top pitching prospect Anthony Ranaudo and a mid-level prospect such as outfielder Bryce Brentz, or infielder Yamaico Navarro.

A steep price? Maybe, but the opportunity to get a player like Ethier doesn't come that often. 

A career .294 hitter, Ethier is a clear offensive upgrade over the current right field platoon in Boston of Drew and MacDonald. He hit 31 home runs in 2009, so Ethier has the potential to be a middle-of-the-order power bat for years to come in Boston, as he is just 29 years old. 

Ethier could benefit from the Green Monster in Boston as he is a .341 career hitter to the opposite field, although his career batting average at Fenway Park is .000. But, he has played three games in his career in Boston's friendly confines.

From the financial side of the board, a deal for Ethier would raise the Red Sox payroll significantly, as he makes $15.2 million this season, but with Drew's $14 million coming off the books at the end of the season, Ethier's salary would take the place of Drew's.

Ethier is eligible to enter free agency after the 2012 season, so the Red Sox would have plenty of time to negotiate an extension to keep Ethier in Boston for the long haul. 

A long-time buddy of Dustin Pedroia, from their days at Arizona State University, Ethier would fit right into the Red Sox clubhouse. Ethier and Pedroia also work out with each other in the offseason. 

Protesters of a possible deal could make the argument that the lineup in Boston is already clogged up enough, as the Sox have struggled to find a permanent place for Carl Crawford in the order, but that is not a problem you worry about when you have the opportunity to acquire a talent like Ethier.

If Terry Francona's biggest problem is trying to find a spot in the order for Crawford and Ethier, he would be a happy, happy man. 

With all the recent injuries, the top Red Sox priority at the trade deadline should be starting pitching, but it appears as though that market is not a very deep one. Unless you can get a pitcher like Felix Hernandez, there is no real benefit to dipping into the minors for a mediocre pitcher. Therefore, right field becomes the next priority, and there appears to be no better option on the market than Ethier.