Bobby Valentine to Manage Red Sox: 10 Free Agents Who Fit His Approach Perfectly

The announcement came yesterday that the Red Sox will hire Bobby Valentine as their next manager, and with that hiring should come a culture change in the dugout and locker room in Boston.

He has managed both the Texas Rangers and New York Mets, as well as the Chiba Lotte Mariners, and along the way, he established himself as a respected baseball mind while also rubbing many the wrong way with outspoken personality.

He expects professionalism from his players and respects hard-working individuals, as he came to respect the work ethic of the players in Japan while he managed there. However, he has also knocked the present day reliance on sabermetrics, a staple of the Red Sox organization, and it will be interesting to see if he embraces their use.

This could be exactly what the Red Sox needed, or it could throw the team into further chaos, but adding some free agents in the Bobby Valentine mold could be a step in the right direction. So, here is a look at 10 free agents who fill a need in Boston and fit Valentine's managerial approach perfectly.

RP Arthur Rhodes

Rhodes is coming off an odd postseason in which regardless of who won the World Series, he would receive a ring after spending most of the season with the Rangers before being picked up on waivers by the Cardinals.

The 42-year-old left-hander has 900 career appearances and is as solid as it comes in the late innings. He has indicated that he would like to pitch one more season and retire, and he could have a chance to win it all again in Boston. A no-nonsense guy, he would have no problem with Valentine's managerial style.

RF Ryan Ludwick

A veteran outfielder who fought hard to reach the major leagues after not becoming a big-league regular until the age of 28, Ludwick is a proven run producer and someone who plays hard every time he takes the field.

He is a right-handed hitter and could form a solid platoon with Reddick in right field, as well serving as the primary DH if the team does not decide to bring back David Ortiz. He shouldn't be an overly expensive signing, either, as he will be 33 years old and made just under $7 million last year.

RF/UT Michael Cuddyer

With the departure of J.D. Drew in free agency, the Red Sox will likely look to add a veteran outfielder rather than relying solely on Josh Reddick to man the position.

Signing someone like Cuddyer would be a positive on the field and in the clubhouse. He has done everything the Twins asked of him the past several seasons, playing a multitude of positions despite being an All-Star caliber player and consistently producing. He is the type of player who would go about his business, play hard and put up numbers.

CF Norichika Aoki

Aoki is a natural centerfielder, but he could slide over the right field and give the Red Sox one of the fastest outfields in baseball if signed by the Red Sox. He would essentially give the Red Sox a second leadoff hitter and could provide a .300 average while hitting in the ninth spot in the lineup.

Valentine's ties to Japan are no secret, and he truly enjoyed his time there, so not only would he like to have someone like Aoki on his team, but he could help make the transition to life in America much easier for him.

RP Darren Oliver

With the decline of Hideki Okajima, the Red Sox had no legitimate left-handed reliever last season, and finding one will likely be a top priority this offseason. Felix Doubront could step into a bigger role, but adding a veteran like Oliver could go a long way towards shoring up the late inning relief.

A consummate professional, the 41-year-old Oliver was a member of the Rangers organization when Valentine was managing the team, so there is at least some familiarity there. Regardless, who would not want a veteran of 19 seasons who is among the best setup men in the game to be added to his roster?

SP Mark Buehrle

A 12-year MLB veteran who has spent his entire career with the White Sox, Buehrle is one of the most durable and productive left-handers in all of baseball. He originally balked at playing anywhere other than Chicago or his hometown of St. Louis, but he now appears ready to move on to whoever is interested.

He has endeared himself to fans and teammates alike in Chicago, and he should have no problem adapting and thriving in another locker room. His durability no doubt impresses Valentine, and after the injuries that the Red Sox staff suffered last season, he would be a welcome addition.

RF Carlos Beltran

The premier outfielder on the market, Beltran is coming off of a seven-year, $119 million deal with the Mets, and after battling though a number of injury-riddled campaigns, he enjoyed a bounce back season in 2011 and will be sought after by a number of teams.

Never a big personality, Beltran has always been a quietly effective player, and he would add a powerful bat to the lineup and a calming presence to the locker room. He has endured tough times with the Mets and fought back to be an impact player, and that is no doubt the type of player that Valentine respects.

SP Roy Oswalt

When the Phillies declined their $16 million option on Roy Oswalt, he immediately became one of the top starting pitchers on the market. His back problems are a bit of a red flag, but if he can prove to be healthy and pass a physical, he would be a terrific addition to the Red Sox rotation.

Like Valentine, Oswalt is a fiery competitor and someone who puts the success of the team above everything else. That is something that Valentine would welcome and that the other Red Sox pitchers could learn from.

CP Heath Bell

With the departure of Jonathan Papelbon to Philadelphia, the Red Sox are in need of a closer, and while they could try turning things over to setup man Daniel Bard, for a team looking to win it all, signing a proven commodity to close may be the best course of action.

Bell has been one of the best, if not the very best, closer in baseball since taking over for Trevor Hoffman, and he has an outgoing personality to match his lights-out stuff. His humor would be an asset in the locker room and may help offset any negative intensity that Valentine may bring.

SP Yu Darvish

The wild card of this year's free agent class, and perhaps the most talented arm to be made available in year, Darvish has been absolutely dominant throughout his career in Japan, and at just 25 years old, has as much upside as any pitcher his age.

Valentine enjoyed coaching the hard-working Japanese players, and Darvish has a legendary work ethic even at such a young age. The Red Sox may be leery about going after him following the expensive flop that was Daisuke Matsuzaka, but he could be exactly what the rotation needs following a disappointing season from the starters.