3 Red Sox starters who could be replaced by major free agent signings
By Tim Boyle
These three Boston Red Sox starters could be replaced by a major free agent signing this offseason.
It seems cliché to call the season the Boston Red Sox are finishing off as a rollercoaster. If it was a rollercoaster, it would be a ride nobody would want to wait in line for. The year started low, had a huge raise, and then plummeted with a few short hills along the way.
Things won’t end well for the Red Sox in the end as they are bound to have the worst record in the division. They are an average team at best. Unfortunately, for many weeks this year, they have been below that level.
The team has some major holes in the starting lineup and we should expect some huge changes for next year. Although we shouldn’t prepare for all of these players to be replaced and the team could turn their focus elsewhere, there are three notable starters who could easily be replaced at their position by a major free agent signing.
1) Red Sox should let J.D. Martinez leave and replace him with a younger DH candidate
A big reason why the Red Sox were unable to trade J.D. Martinez this year was due to his back injury. Seen as a viewable trade deadline target, they ended up holding onto the power-hitting DH. Well, former power-hitting DH. He is looking more like one of those ex-sluggers who can still rake but the home runs just aren’t there anymore.
It’s a no-brainer to let Martinez leave this offseason. They should look for a little more out of the DH spot. That’s why Trey Mancini might be a player to consider.
Mancini isn’t perfect but he could make for a strong part-time DH, occasional first baseman, and even lesser right fielder. The Red Sox are very familiar with Mancini from his years with the Baltimore Orioles. He’s a “locker room guy” and someone they can use in a variety of ways.
With the DH spot, the Red Sox need to move on from the types of players who can’t do much else than hit. Martinez worked out well and so did David Ortiz before him. The next plan should include a bat that comes with at least a little glove.