Boston Red Sox News & Roster: Team Reloading With Latin American Talent; Ready to Make 2015 World Series Run? [VOTE]
While the 2015 Major League Baseball regular season doesn't begin until April 5 when the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals face off at Wrigley Field, each and every team is preparing for the season with offseason signings.
The Boston Red Sox have been one of the most energetic teams this offseason, especially when it comes to adding Latin American talent.
Recently, the Red Sox came to an agreement with Cuban infield Yoan Moncada. Despite numerous teams around the league showing extremely high interest in the 19-year-old infielder, Boston eventually won out. Moncada will receive a $31.5 million signing bonus, but the Red Sox will have to invest more than $60 million because they have exceeded their international signing level.
The Red Sox have been one of the weirdest teams in recent memory. In 2012, the team finished last in the American League East with a 69-93 record, but followed that up by winning the World Series in 2013 thanks to a 97-win season. Last year, the Red Sox finished last in the AL East behind the New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays, Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays. So if that trend continues, does 2015 mean another World Series title in Beantown?
Outside of Moncada, the Red Sox were also able to add quality veteran Latino players, such as Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval.
Sandoval is without a doubt one of the most clutch players in the game today, having guided the San Francisco Giants to three World Series championships in the last five years. He also won the 2012 World Series Most Valuable Player Award. The Venezuelan slugger has a .344 career batting average in the postseason and 53 hits in his 39 playoff games. Some people criticize Sandoval about his weight, but it has never once affected his performance on the field.
Sandoval has a similar playing style to new teammate David Ortiz, who hails from the Dominican Republic.
In November 2014, the Red Sox signed free agent Hanley Ramirez, who actually began his Major League career with the Red Sox in 2005 but only had two brief at bats with the club. Since then, the Dominican infielder has made a great name for himself with the Miami Marlins and Los Angeles Dodgers. Since 2006, Ramirez has won the National League Rookie of the Year award, been selected to three All-Star games, won a batting title, and in 2008, he led the league in runs scored.
Manager John Farrell has already decided to use Ramirez as an outfielder instead of at third base or shortstop. Contrary to his usual position, this may actually be a wise decision because of past injuries.
Alexi Ogando was an interesting signing by the Red Sox this offseason. As the "Boston Globe" explains, right-handers have just a .220 batting average against Ogando. Ogando has a 3.35 earned runs against average, but he has battled some injuries lately. The Red Sox are hoping he can become a reliable closer.
Boston had a terrific offseason, bringing in loads of talent and outbidding the Yankees and other AL East teams in the process. With the additions of Sandoval and Ramirez to a club that just won the World Series a little over a year ago, the Red Sox have to be taken seriously.
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