Boston Red Sox News, Roster & MLB Free Agents: Do Pablo Sandoval, Hanley Ramirez Make Sox World Series Favorites?
The Boston Red Sox have elected to reload, not rebuild.
The team has agreed to terms with third baseman Pablo Sandoval for four years, $88 million. This contract has a fifth year player option in it. Sandoval was a free agent, but the San Francisco Giants couldn't convince him to stay. The San Diego Padres also offered a five-year deal worth up to $90 million.
Sandoval is one of the best young hitters in today's game. Sandoval has hit 106 home runs, and has an impressive .294 career batting average. In the postseason, Sandoval has been one of the best hitters in baseball history. Sandoval's career postseason batting average is an outstanding .344. In the 2012 World Series, Sandoval was fantastic against the Detroit Tigers, winning the World Series Most Valuable Player Award.
In the 2014 World Series, Sandoval was again terrific; this time against the Kansas City Royals. Sandoval helped guide the Giants to three World Series titles in a five-year span, and he made the final out in Game 7.
Sandoval is still just 28 years old.
The Red Sox have also agreed to terms with Hanley Ramirez, also a four-year, $88 million deal. Last season, the Red Sox ranked 18th overall in total runs scored and 22nd in home runs hit, so they knew they needed to add depth to their lineup.
The 30-year-old shortstop out of Samana, Dominican Republic actually began his career in Beantown. In 2005, Ramirez made his debut with the Red Sox. Ramirez played only two games for the Red Sox and was later traded to the Florida Marlins. Ramirez experienced a great first season, winning Rookie of the Year honors with an impressive 185 hits. For the last two seasons, Ramirez has played for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Ramirez has a career batting average of .300.
Ramirez and Sandoval will be joining fellow countryman David Ortiz with the Red Sox. Ortiz is one of the greatest Dominican-born baseball players of all-time, having won the 2013 World Series MVP Award. Ortiz, like Sandoval, has won three World Series titles. Ortiz has the fourth-most career home runs by a Dominican-born hitter in Major League Baseball history with 466. Only Sammy Sosa (609), Manny Ramirez (555) and Albert Pujols (520) have hit more.
Last season, even at the age of 38, Ortiz hit 35 home runs and had 104 runs batted in.
The New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays still have a lot of questions heading into next season. The Yankees will be playing without Derek Jeter for the first time since 1994, and Alex Rodriguez's contract still restricts the Yankees from making a lot of big moves that they so desire. Without David Price, the Rays will have to find a replacement pitcher. With the Toronto Blue Jays still trying to find missing pieces, it appears as if the Red Sox may give the Baltimore Orioles a run for the American League East next season.
The Red Sox know that time is limited, especially considering Ortiz is now 39 years old. With Giancarlo Stanton receiving a 13-year, $325 million contract from the Miami Marlins, the Red Sox appear to have made a great financial decision adding both Ramirez and Sandoval to the roster.
For up-to-date sports news, scores, and more, follow Latin Post Sports on Twitter