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MLB Hot Stove: Best all-time signing for each team

By Joshua Sadlock

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 12: Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) pitches in relief during game five of the NLDS between the Washington Nationals and the Chicago Cubs on October 12, 2017, at Nationals Park, in Washington D.C. Chicago Cubs defeated the Washington Nationals 9-8.(Photo by Tony Quinn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 12: Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) pitches in relief during game five of the NLDS between the Washington Nationals and the Chicago Cubs on October 12, 2017, at Nationals Park, in Washington D.C. Chicago Cubs defeated the Washington Nationals 9-8.(Photo by Tony Quinn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Red Sox’s Manny Ramirez singles in a run a game between the Boston Red Sox and the Detroit Tigers, Monday, May 14, 2007 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/WireImage)
Red Sox’s Manny Ramirez singles in a run a game between the Boston Red Sox and the Detroit Tigers, Monday, May 14, 2007 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/WireImage) /

Boston Red Sox: Manny Ramirez, 2001

  • The Terms: eight years, $160 million, two additional options worth $40 million total

Hall of Fame pitcher Pedro Martinez is the first name that comes to mind when thinking back on the construction of the Boston Red Sox teams of the late 1990s and early 2000s that ended the 86-year World Series drought. Martinez, though, was not a free-agent signing for the Red Sox. He was acquired from the Montreal Expos the year before he hit the open market and then re-signed.

David Ortiz was a free-agent acquisition for the Red Sox, but under different circumstances as he was released by the Minnesota Twins. We’re thinking of big-ticket free agents for the purposes of this post, and the one player that stands out for Boston in that regard is Manny Ramirez. Though his time with the team ended awkwardly — though not nearly as awkwardly as his MLB career ended — the Red Sox do not leap over the Core Four Yankees without Ramirez leading the offense.

Ramirez was the best free agent to choose the Red Sox at a time where the Yankees were scooping up whoever they wanted. He quickly showed the money was worth it, hitting .408 in his first month with the Red Sox. Boston narrowly missed the playoffs in 2001 and 2002, but broke through in 2003.

Ortiz had officially ascended to superstar status alongside Ramirez by 2004, and the Red Sox were poised to end the Yankees run of dominance over the American League. Ramirez led the AL with 43 home runs and hit .308/.397/.613. After Ortiz and Curt Schilling (another fine free-agent signing) led the epic comeback in the ALCS, Ramirez was the MVP of the World Series after hitting .412/.500/.588 with a home run and four RBI.

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