Red Sox chairman Tom Werner said today in an appearance on WEEI’s Dennis & Callahan (via WEEI.com’s Jerry Spar) that his club is prepared to spend a significant amount of money on the upcoming free agent market. “[W]e are determined to get back to being in first next year,” said Werner.
Citing the “extreme flexibility” that the club was able to achieve in the famous 2012 August blockbuster with the Dodgers, Werner said that the organization is prepared to open the pocketbook this winter. “I wouldn’t say that we have limitless money, but we’ve got a lot of money to spend and we’re determined to go into the free agent market and improve the team.”
Indeed, after entering this year with about $156MM in MLB payroll, about $20MM off of the team’s 2012 high water mark, Boston has just under $106MM committed for 2015 and does not have any high-dollar arbitration cases to account for. But the team’s true flexibility is all the more evident looking further into the future: it has annual guarantees of no more than about $37MM on the books past next year.
So how will the team look to allocate its future resources? In part, it seems, the organization may have added motivation to invest in established players to ensure a quality product. (Werner called this season “a nightmare,” and noted that late-season games are “just not a good experience for the fans.”) Boston went into this season hoping to make another World Series run on the back of repeat performances from veterans and steps forward for younger players. “I know it’s always difficult to break a few rookies into your lineup,” acknowledged Werner. “… But I think we probably put too much stock in the replacements that we expected to come out and perform.” Nevertheless, Werner said that he and the rest of the organization remains confident that youthful contributors like Xander Bogaerts and Mookie Betts will play an important role in the immediate future.
Immediate priorities will, of course, be dictated in part by the team’s recent actions. Dealing away free agent-to-be Jon Lester, rather than extending him, created space at the top of the rotation but also brought in Yoenis Cespedes for at least one full season at Fenway. Likewise, Allen Craig provides a veteran bounceback candidate in the outfield. And the recent signing of Cuban free agent Rusney Castillo also adds to the crowded mix of outfield options.
That leaves the obvious area of immediate focus on pitching. “We know we have to add some front-line talent,” said Werner. “We spent some time over the last few weeks talking about exactly what we can do to improve. I think that our trades at the end of July attacked the fact that we had a lack of offense. … But we know we need some front-line pitching talent.” It is worth noting that, in addition to parting with veteran starters Lester and John Lackey, the club will also need to replace (or bring back) key relievers such as Koji Uehara and Andrew Miller (among others).
Paragraph three, should that read about $20 million FROM the team’s 2012 high water mark?
Yeah, I think I was going for “off of.”
I could definitely see them nabbing 2 top SP, probably Lester and Shields, though I wouldn’t rule out Scherzer at all. Admittedly, I don’t know much about Holt, so Hanley or Sandoval could be upgrades there, at least offensively.
Holt is playing way better than his peripherals suggest and has pretty much been a mediocre player post all star break. He’ll most likely be used in a utility role next season. We could use a left handed or switch hitting ss/3b type. I can’t see Hanley, but I could see Sandoval, although the Giants will probably resign him. I think it’s more a Lester, Scherzer or Shields situation with the team leaning Shield for the shorter contract length. I really, really hope I’m wrong on that one though.
I think they will want a younger starter than Shields. Scherzer is 30, as old as Lester, but his first full season was somewhat late at age 25. Lester has thrown 350 more innings in his career than Scherzer has. Lester was in the decline stage of his career until a bounce-back this season that is unlikely to continue, while Scherzer is in the midst of his prime right now. I think the Red Sox are most likely to go for Scherzer out of those three.
Scherzer is going to get a 7 year or possibly even 8 year contract. The Red Sox are not comfortable with that. The most likely course of action is they trade for Hamels and sign Shields. Those would both be four year contracts which they are more comfortable with. Just because they have money to spend, does not mean they are going to completely throw out their contract philosophy.
And no Lester was not on the way down. He is having a career year this year and had his worst year in 2012, but 2013 (era mid 3’s,4 fWar, 200+ ip) is about what teams can expect from him in the upcoming season. He’s still a top 20 pitcher in MLB any way you slice it.
Good point about the 7/8 year contract. Lester’s bWAR for full seasons from 2008 on: 5.8, 5.9, 4.9, 4.1, 0.4, 3.0, 3.9. That definitely shows a decline. I agree that a 2013-like season can be expected for next year. About 3.0 WAR.
He’s presently sporting the best Era, Fip and xFip of his career. As well as posting the lowest walk rate of his career coupled with the lowest WHIP of his career. None of that indicates a decline. He doesn’t strike out as many as he used to, but other than that he’s pretty much at the top of his game. Granted I don’t expect him to do all of that next season, but falling bWAR numbers don’t really prove your point about a decline.
Well, explaining the last couple of semi-down-years for Lester is not so tough. He has had to make the transition from a power- to a command-pitcher.
His fb-velocity has steadily gone down over the years and that’s why his cutter hasn’t been as effective. But he adjusted and tweaked something to get the cutter to be more deceptive.
As a Red Sox fan having seen Lester pitch each and every year since 2006, I’d say that he successfully turned into a sound pitcher. The one’s who are able to carry decent numbers well into their 30’s. I am thinking of pitchers like Tim Hudson.
Not saying it’s free of risk to hand him a 6-7 year contract, but he’s got a better shot at living up to such a deal than his main competition in free agency — Max Scherzer.
That is one possible answer sure. But he’s lost less than 2 mph over his fastball over the course of his career. And it hasn’t exactly been a quick decline. Every pitcher needs to have control or great movement or players will eventually time their fastball. To say he’s changed his approach is a bit simplistic. The old adage he’s become a pitcher instead of a thrower is a bit worn out. Pitchers have to constantly refine what they are doing or hitters will figure them out.
And there is no reason to suspect Scherzer wouldn’t live up to a big contract. If anything he has a better chance because he has less mileage on his arm than Lester. He’s a good pitcher having a good season. I can understand preferring Lester to Scherzer, but there’s nothing to suggest Lester would live up to a seven year deal and Scherzer would not. In fact there’s more to suggest a 7 year deal for a 30 year old pitcher is unlikely to work out no matter who the pitcher in question is. Both of these pitchers giving four good years out of 7 is probably the most a team can hope for. And that may not work for the Red Sox.
I think this season is a “flash in the pan” season for Lester. I would be shocked to see him ever put up these numbers again. I like him as a #1 or #2 but he’s never been one of the 5 best SP’s in the AL.
No one ever said he was one of the five best pitchers in the majors. But there is no reason to disregard this season. Other than a feeling, which isn’t based on any concrete evidence. There is no evidence in either direction. It’s just as likely he goes out next year and has a season comparable to this one as he has one comparable to 2013. Both of which would be very good seasons to have from a number one guy.
My point was that this season is a bounce back year for him, breaking the trend of a few years of decline.
Actually your point was his good performance was unlikely to continue. There is no evidence really to suggest either. WAR fluctuates. It is just as likely he continues pitching this well as he does not. No one takes into account the likelihood of players actually being able to learn and improve the way they do things when looking at decline. I believe Lester has learned how to pitch better, with better location and a better employed cutter. There is no stat you can use to measure learning and pitchers adapting. You merely have to observe and see if the trend continues.
I think they have money to spend but probably won’t be signing any massive contracts. If that was their plan why not extend Lester before with a real market offer? Probably a lot of what they did 2 years ago lots of 2-3 year deals.
Lester, Shields, Miller, Koji (1yr), Ross (1yr), either extend Cespedes during OS or sign Tomas, Jung Ho Kang to play 3B
Other than Shields, I wouldn’t really call that major spending.
Lester is not a major spending and Shields is? Tomas will cost more than Castillo and that’s major. Cespedes will require major spending if extended.
Sorry, I’m looking at Lester as a re-sign. I still feel like he’s on the team lol. Tomas and jung Ho Kang aren’t the type of signings that make you World Series contenders
Not saying its a total comparison but people said the same thing with the Victorino, Napoli, Drew signings
They shouldn’t resign Koji. He’s been imploding. They should’ve traded him and run off laughing maniacally in July.
whatever money they would give Koji, I say give to Miller and let him compete for the closer role
But I love Koji 🙁 I think he can work it out. If anything this might be good for the Sox because he may have to take less money.
Jon Lester, James Shields, Aramis Ramirez, Russell Martin…all to the Red Sox.
Why do we need Martin exactly?
Because he is one of the best catchers in the game. Why wouldn’t you need him?
Sox didn’t go high on McCann because of Vaz and Swihart. Martin??????
Brian McCann isn’t anywhere close to the level of Russell Martin. Martin is a top 3 catcher in baseball behind Salvador Perez and Yadier Molina. If you disagree, you’ve never seen him play.
Posey?
Or Lucroy?
Yadier Molina, Buster Posey, Jonathan Lucroy, Salvador Perez, then maybe Russel Martin, I may even be undervaluing Yan Gomes and Devin Mesoraco on that list because each has a case for a top 5 catcher
You people think Russell Martin is better than Brian McCann? Give me a break.
Martin has 4.9 fWar this year and McCann has 4.7 in the last two years combined. It’s safe to say Martin is the better player.
From an offensive standpoint over the past 2 seasons, he has been and he is definitely no slouch defensively
2013 wOBA
Martin – .315, McCann – .341
2014
Martin – .371, McCann – .306
McCann was arguably better offensively in 2013 and Martin certainly has been better in 2014.
Yes, Russell Martin is a much better catcher than McCann.
Not so fast, McCann works well with the pitching staff, solid arm and has to make plenty of adjustments since coming over to New York. Give him a break, hes also tough as nails. McCann is doing exactly what hes suppose to do at YS and thats smack homeruns into the short porch.
hope you are enjoying McCann..
yes. No doubt Martin is better
No, you give THEM a break. They just started watching baseball in 2014. They don’t know any better. Their naïveté is actually pretty cute and endearing.
Buster Posey isn’t in the conversation either, unless you wanna go by offensive numbers only. Posey will probably playing 3rdbase in a year or 2 anyway.
You should have told this to the Yanks.
If there’s one move the Yankees regret these past few seasons, it has to be letting Martin go.
He is a better catcher than McCann. I would rather have him.
With all that being said, the market doesn’t value defense & game calling as much as it does hitting. That is why Martin won’t get as much as McCann got. Plus, it’s the Yankees, and they were willing to overpay after realizing they should have kept Martin.
I’m guessing a 4/52 deal for Martin gets it done where ever he goes.
Sung Woo Chung, please read.
Ron. I never said Martin is not a good catcher. McCann was brought into discussion to relate the reason why Sox won’t go after Martin. Sox weren’t even willing to give Salty a 3 yr deal.
Salty is a bad catcher. Martin is top 5
So you think Sox will offer Martin something like 6/95? McCann got 5/85 + options.
Martin’s will probably get a 4yr/$40-50mil deal. Which makes him an even better value.
If he’s one of the best C in the league, how can we get him at 4/40-50 while McCann received 5/85?? especially when he’s in the market like this?
Like I said, you must not have watched him play. Honestly I hope he stays in Pittsburgh, but he’s probably playing himself out of their price range. Martin does all of the things as a catcher that you don’t find in his slash line. Game-calling, pitch framing, his throwing arm, his ability to control a pitching staff, and the determination to win is unlike any catcher I’ve seen play other than Yadier.
You didn’t answer my question. Or were you not able to? Again, if he’s that good, he will have high demand and this yr’s FA market is one of the weakest which will only help Martin. According to your theory, Martin will get A LOT more than that. And yes I don’t follow him cause he’s not a Red Sock but I know enough baseball that Sox won’t go after him.
You wanna give a 32 yr old catcher 6/$95? Are you Ruben Amaro Jr?
that’s according to YOUR theory. McCann received 5/85 + options.
And the Yankees vastly overpaid for him.
EDIT – McCann is younger, and a proven LH power bat that fits perfectly in Yankee Stadium. The Yankees overpaid to get their guy. That doesn’t mean he’s a better player than Russell Martin.
I agree.. Probably Salvador Perez, Yadi and Lucroy are the only catchers I would consider better than Martin
Yankees overpaid for an aging player. Same old story every year
No thanks on a six year deal for a 33 year old catcher.
That’s according to Ron Loreski who’s saying Martin is much better than McCann. I bet my entire wealth Martin will not get such contract.
Of course he won’t he’s much too old. That’s my point. 3 or 4 years tops.
Sox will only consider if Martin is up for 1 yr deal which is not happening. Sox future is already bright with Vaz and Swihart.
Just because Martin is better than McCann doesn’t mean he’ll get a bigger contract. Mike Trout is the best player in baseball, did he get the biggest contract ever? No.
trout has no leg to stand on in negotiations at this time since he isnt eligible for free agency. moot point.
Trout didn’t get a big contract because he’s not eligible for free agency, therefore that argument is moot.
Asdrubal Cabrera, Melky Cabrera, Brandon McCarthy, and Max Scherzer to the Red Sox
If they offered Lester 4/70 I’d like to see what they consider big. The Red Sox seem very cheap now.
Lester, Shields, and a trade for Stanton
The lester saga could have been a huge scam, maybe Shields and they are not trading for Stanton so get over that…. Only Red Sox fans think this is actually going to happen.
All the Stanton/Red Sox speculation I’ve seen on this site have come from non Sox fans.
Not happening. No team is going to sign both Shields and Lester. There’s too much desperation for aces; they’re both going to command massive overpays. Too bad the Red Sox didn’t offer Lester a market-value contract when they had the chance, when he seemed prepared to take a reasonable offer. There’s no way he’s going back to Boston. I see them going for Shields, though.
Thing is, that offer was a fair offer if you put less weight on this 1 great season.
With the free agent market thin, and so many teams with payroll flexibility (Redsox, ChiSox, Cubs, ext), there is going to be a ton of competition for the free agents of the 2014-2015 offseason.
I dont understand. If they have so much money, how come they lowballed Lester so severely?
Because they’re more interested in being seen as smart.
Compare Lester’s pre-2014 numbers to the top 10 highest paid SP’s in the game and then tell be that was a low ball offer.
Looking at the Red Sox’s major depth in the OF, do you Red Sox fans believe that any of them will be traded? If so, who? Betts, Bradley Jr, Castillo, Cespedes, Victorino, Craig….
Victorino, but he’ll have to reestablish value first. Betts and Bradley will likely start the year in AAA if that’s the case. Hard to see them moving either Cespedes or Castillo. They won’t move Craig because he has no value and they’re hoping he can regain his swing and be the first baseman in 2016. Nava is the only left handed bat in the bunch so I don’t see him going anywhere.
Agreed.
Nava is entering arbitration for the first time this offseason, so he’ll be around, probably as the 4th outfielder/occasional 1B behind Craig, Cespedes, and Castillo.
Sox are stuck with Craig for 3 years, so they have to see what he’s worth.
Bradley is going nowhere (in many ways) right now. Hope he gets it all figured out.
Likewise on Bradley. I’ve never seen a better defensive center fielder in a Red Sox uniform. I’ve also never seen a player more over matched at the plate. An interesting disparity for a player who is obviously gifted.
overmatched – besides Middlebrooks
Ah, the old ‘free agency will fix our problems’ strategy. That works when free agency actually has good players that no one else but you can afford. Unfortunately, this year’s crop of free agents are led by starting pitchers that half the league can easily sign, which means it’s a good bet that your favorite team won’t sign them. There is also very little in the way of answers on the offensive front. The Sox can’t spend their way out of this one. It’ll take some very shrewd (and risky) trades to get this current disaster of a team even within striking distance of a wild card spot. Remember – they didn’t really have too many injuries this year, their players just stunk.
They should have resigned Lester and kept Lackey around. If Oakland didn’t want to keep Cespedes around after next year, Boston certainly had the minor league pieces to trade for him after the season if they’re really all that enamored with him.
The lineup doesnt look bad at all for next year. Sure there are some questions but if the players perform to their potential this is the best lineup in baseball, The pitching staff is a mess. But I think with Shields and another top of the line starter, the pitching staff would be pretty good. Plus with Johnson and Owens likely to be called up some point next year
its gonna probably be the same..but how is that any better
Castillo in center
A healthy and productive Craig in left (a guy can dream)
A full season of cespedes in right
Healthy Napoli
Healthy Pedroia
More seasoned Bogaerts
3rd base nobody knows
Vazquez should be better offensively but his defense would withstand any negative offensive numbers
And Ortiz’s average should be better with some protection behind him.
Im not saying all of this will happen but if they play to their “potential” it will be better
I think your last sentence is true of any team.
I have no issues with Ortiz’s average if he can hit again like this next year.
You can have Scherzer.
If they wanted to lock up Jon Lester, they would have already made a deal. He’s not going back to Boston.
Unless he does go back, then he will.
TheoHoyer They have the money to sign Lester, Scherzer, Ramirez/Panda, Miller, Uehara+ if they want to commit. 100m+ coming off for next season.
Maybe they realized that by waiting until the offseason to give Lester a competitive offer, they could get a year of Cespedes for nothing.
I think Sox definitely sign Shields. He has experience in the AL East, and will require a shorter/cheaper deal. He is older, but hasn’t shown signs of regress.
It would be pretty sweet to see a Sox and Hanley reunion. They may prefer Panda though.
That’s why I’m actually hoping the Yankees get Shields. He’d likely to be more worth his money than Lester or Scherzer who probably will get 2x the years and 2x the money.
Lester is heading to the Cubs, you can take that to the bank
Trying to figure out what the offense is going to look like next year is confusing.
Napoli, Pedroia, Bogaerts, Ortiz, Cespedes, Castillo, and Victorino would all seem to have guaranteed spots based on health. No clue who plays third base, maybe Holt, or perhaps Betts could learn it. That leaves Craig, Nava, Holt/Betts pretty much orphaned, and Betts certainly should not be a bench player.
Theres still some question marks there, Holt has been awful since the all star break, can Castillo adjust to major league pitching? Is Craig declining? I mean, he was a throw in for the Lackey deal. Cards must have saw something, Nava is a platoon and Shane is done, stick a fork in him. Napoli, Ortiz and Dustin are all another year older. I think Betts will be fine though
I wouldn’t call Craig a throw in, but the concern is definitely there.
Yep, his mechanics are all outta whack now because of the foot
Meanwhile, at Citi Field……………..
It’s convenient for Werner to blame this past season on rookies who didn’t “pan out” like we hoped, but that is just not the case at all. We had plenty of seasoned vets who failed to meet expectations and they are the cause of this difficult season. Pedey had his worst season as a pro. AJ was a poor hitter and mediocre behind the plate. Sizemore, Drew, Nava and Gomes all underperformed on offense. If those six had hit adequately, we could have carried the developing youngsters and stayed competitive.
and noted that late-season games are “just not a good experience for the fans.” Welcome to the last 4 years of being a Twins fan.
Would Marlins say no to Owens/Betts/Swihart/WMB/Workman for Stanton?
Would Phillies say no to Owens/Swihart/Ranaudo/WMB for Hamels?
Probably.
Regardless, assuming Lester signs elsewhere…the Sox need to sign Shields or Scherzer AND trade a big prospect package for a legit Ace. Hamels, Sale, someone like that. We have the pieces and will never be in a better position than this off season to cash them in. It’s time to let go of some of our prized prospects…we simply have too many not to.
I wouldn’t want to do business with Amaro and Sale is probably not available.
Let’s assume for argument’s sake that we don’t sign Lester or Scherzer but do sign Shields. What do you suggest next if not Hamels? Who are some other 1’s or 2’s who could be had for some major prospects? My point is, I just don’t think the rotation can be addressed through FA alone. Shields/Buchholz/Masterson/Kelly + one of Ranaudo/RDLR/Barnes/etc would be an OK starting 5..but far from ideal.
The Reds will be looking to deal a starter. That might be the Sox’ best bet.
Latos perhaps?
Or Leake. The Sox have the pieces to get Cueto, but the Reds will likely want to extend him. I doubt he’ll get moved.
Think getting Cueto to the Sox is a possibility. It would free up money that the Reds could use on Leake, Simon, and Latos. Johnny would only cost money and the resulting prospect loss would be far less than a Chris Sale. Sale is tied up to possibly 2019 while Cueto is a free agent after next year.
Cueto will only be available if a team drastically overpays. The Reds aren’t going to trade him for less than 2 top prospects.
Assets given up for Cueto will still be less than a trade for Sale due to their differing opportunity costs.
Seriously? of course the Marlins say no. WMB and Workman are awful
I know Workman is awful, but why point it out? He wasn’t even listed as part of this trade proposal. Webster and JBJ are awful too, but you didn’t pick on them.
WMB & Workman’s value is currently very low, but that doesn’t make them awful. Perhaps you didn’t notice that the deal is centered around the Sox’ TOP 3 prospects. But, sure, who would the 4th and 5th pieces need to be on top of our top 3?
And it still wont get it done, hes not going anywhere
Miami is a definite no. And I don’t really know about the Phillies deal. But either way, I don’t see the Red Sox trading away Owens. When was the last time they traded away a pitcher that has the potential that scouts and analysts are saying about Owens. So pretty much a left handed number 2 starter. And being a lefty is a big point.
It obviously didn’t pan out, but Casey Kelly was a pretty hyped up potential-future-ace at the time of the Gonzo trade…
I said left handed pitcher. I can’t think of one at all. And Kelly is a RHP
Well, you just said “When was the last time they traded away a pitcher that has the potential that scouts and analysts are saying about Owens”…Kelly was certainly earlier in his development at the time but that would probably be the most recent example.
Oops I thought I said lefty. my bad. That’s what I was thinking but I have had a long day so I can’t process everything right now. but you are right it was Kelly.
No chance Red Sox include Owens or Swihart in anything, let alone both.
For Stanton? They’d include both.
The great thing about free agency is that all large market/contending teams fans think their team is going to sign 2 of the top 3 pitchers available and at least one of the top 3 position players.
So I guess Shields goes to Boston……or the Yankees or the Dodgers or the White Sox or the Cubs or the Tigers if then lose Max or the Giants or the Mariners so they can trade one of their starters for a big bat or the Rangers who need to do a quick rebuild or the Orioles that have the hitting but needs more starting pitching or the Angles…..or or or
I guess I would ask why the Red Sox sold on Lackey. I’m not a huge fan, but given his extraordinary cheapness for 2015, you could have extended him, or just kept him, and if he was solid, made him a QO late next year. Unless the FO decided that the extra value in the trade was worth it, and there were sufficient young arms available.
I’m just speculating, but I don’t think Lackey liked Boston. The media and the fans rode him pretty hard when he didn’t play well. I don’t think he was willing to play in Boston for the minimum next year without the extension, and I don’t think the Red Sox wanted to extend a guy going into his age 36 season. That and they probably thought there would be descent options on the free agent market.
Because Lackey is too old to extend. He may still be good next year, but it’s too risky after that.
These are all of the potential Free Agent Starting Pitchers this off-season. Many of these guys have attachments such as options and are expected to return to their current teams. But, if they were all to hit Free Agency this winter, this is the order I can see the RedSox attempting to sign them in.
Grade Name Age
A+ Jon Lester (31)
A+ Johnny Cueto (29)
A+ Max Scherzer (30)
A James Shields (33)
A- Wei-Yin Chen (29)
A- Justin Masterson (30)
A- Hisashi Iwakuma (34)
B- Misael Siverio (24)
B+ Yovani Gallardo (29)
B+ Hiroki Kuroda (40)
B Ervin Santana (32)
B Francisco Liriano (31)
B Jason Hammel (32)
B- Dan Haren (34)
B- Brandon McCarthy (31)
C Ryan Vogelsong (37)
C Ryan Dempster (38)
C+ Gavin Floyd (32)
C+ Aaron Harang (37)
C J.A. Happ (32)
C Chris Capuano (36)
C A.J. Burnett (38)
C Chris Young (36)
C Paul Maholm (33)
C Edinson Volquez (30)
C Brandon Morrow (30)
C- Wandy Rodriguez (36)
C – Brett Anderson (27)
B Josh Beckett (35)
C Roberto Hernandez (34)
B- Chad Billingsley (30)
C- Kyle Kendrick (30)
B- Josh Johnson (31)
C Carlos Villanueva (31)
D+ Bruce Chen (38)
D+ Colby Lewis (35)
D+ Jerome Williams (33)
D Franklin Morales (29)
D Joe Saunders (34)
D+ Daisuke Matsuzaka (34)
D Kevin Slowey (31)
D Randy Wolf (38)
D- Scott Baker (33)
F Kevin Correia (34)
D- Felipe Paulino (31)
F Jake Peavy (34)
What if the Red Sox reunited with Jed Lowrie? That would make me feel warm and fuzzy on the inside
Let em spend. We all know how that has typically worked out.
You can put Shields in Sox uniform now. That will happen. No Lester. No Scherzer. Probably bring in Masterson on a 2 year deal. And some bullpen arms. I think their first priority is trying to pull Stanton from Miami. Not sure that would happen though.
Why is this disturbing? I realize I’m in a minority, but it’s like a rich man deciding to buy his sons cars for the pinewood derby rather than making them with his sons. I suppose this is what baseball is for the richest teams.
i like hanley ramirez to play 3b