Boston Red Sox Rumors: Hanley Ramirez Preferred Option At Third Base?

Oct 3, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Hanley Ramirez (13) hits an RBI single in the third inning against the St. Louis Cardinals in game one of the 2014 NLDS playoff baseball game at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Hanley Ramirez (13) hits an RBI single in the third inning against the St. Louis Cardinals in game one of the 2014 NLDS playoff baseball game at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

The Boston Red Sox could be in the market for free agent Hanley Ramirez to play third base if the team can’t sign Pablo Sandoval

Hanley Ramirez could be returning to the organization where he was once a key member of their farm system if the Boston Red Sox are unable to sign Pablo Sandoval to fill their needs at third base.

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According to Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal, the Red Sox could be in the market for the former Red Sox farmhand who was the key piece the team traded to acquire Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell from the Marlins in 2005 if they strike out in their pursuit of the San Francisco Giants third baseman who rejected the team’s qualifying offer shortly after winning his third World Series with the team.

Sandoval would command more money and more years than Ramirez would at this point in their respective careers and as Rosenthal points out, the team could try him in left field, although that could be a short-lived experiment rather than a long term solution.

However, the right-handed hitting Ramirez, 30, has rejuvenated his career since the trade from the Marlins to the Dodgers in 2012, even finishing eighth in MVP voting in 2013 when he hit. 345, albeit in only 83 games.

Ramirez hit .283 with an .817 OPS while hitting 13 HR, 71 RBI, and scoring 64 runs.

He has been a shortstop for the majority of his career with only 98 starts coming at third base in his career, all of them coming in 2012, but with his range limited as he ages, his future could be at the hot corner, but will it be in Boston?

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