Red Sox Off-Season: Rings Again or Gas For Another Fire Sale?

Image Credit: boston.cbslocal.com

By: Kai Jones

Edited by: Dana P. (E.I.C.) 

They say if you love it, then you should let it go. If it comes back then it’s meant to be. When the Boston Red Sox traded away their top 10 prospect in 2005, we're not sure if they thought he would ever play for them again. However, the Red Sox got Hanley Ramirez back on Tuesday. Maybe Ramirez's love for the organization came back easily, considering the 4-year-$88 million dollar contract. The Sox also added champion and former World Series MVP Pablo Sandoval for a 5 year deal worth $95 million, with the fifth year being a club option. The Sox are also fishing for a solid pitcher, as they are offering their former ace Jon Lester a nice sized contract as well. 

Is this like the 2011 debacle where the Sox acquired a lot of big names and had a fire sell the next year? Are the Red Sox a wolf or a mere overhyped sheep?

We really can’t say right now because we still don’t know their rotation or lineup. The Red Sox right now have a lot of talent, and adding Sandoval adds more championship experience to a team that just won a World Series title in 2013, under their current manager John Farrell. For all the fans that may be worried about another fire sale, they must look at the facts. While Terry Francona was also a World Series winning manager, he needed a fresh start away from the organization, which is why the 2011 team did not work. Bobby Valentine was also a great manager in his own respect, but the chemistry was off with that team. John Farrell is a player’s manager and is close to his team. So while this team did not play well last season, the team definitely has plenty of talent. With these additions why wouldn’t they be a big favorite to win it all? The Red Sox have former World Series MVP David Ortiz still, 2-time and reigning Home Run Derby winner Yoenis Céspedes, and former MVP Dustin Pedroia. Adding Lester can only help their rotation, which is key to winning a World Series.

It’s way too early to make a World Series prediction, but on paper you have to agree that the Red Sox have made the biggest splash this off-season.

The MLB Offseason: The Second Most Exciting Part of the Baseball Year.

By: Kai Jones

Edited by: Dana P. (E.I.C.)

It’s an exciting time in Major League Baseball, as we are in the heart of free agency. Some of the biggest baseball clubs are looking for players to fill their opening day roster, and maybe even be a leader in the push for a World Series.

One of the major prizes, Giancarlo Stanton, in this free agent market has been resigned. Stanton inked a huge 13 years, $325 million dollar deal from the ever criticized Miami Marlins. The deal comes with an opt out after 6 years and $107 million dollars of the deal; but not many players are walking away from 7 years and $218 million dollars, so Stanton is probably a Marlin until they don’t want him to be. Some speculate that it'll be soon, as the Marlins are known to do this, example; (Jose Reyes, Heath Bell, Mark Buehrle, Miguel Cabrera, and the embarrassing list goes on.) However, Stanton wasn’t the only major transaction in the NL East.

The Braves moved big name Jason Heyward to the Cardinals. Heyward’s contract was due to expire, and with the Upton Brothers massive deals, Atlanta wasn’t sure how they were going to pay Heyward. In exchange, the Braves got two promising prospects that could be front-end starters one day in Shelby Miller and Tyrell Jenkins. While these two young stars have been moved, there is and was good talent out there.

Russell Martin inked a $82 million dollar deal with the Toronto Blue Jays. Billy Butler has departed to the team he (and the Kansas City Royals) beat in the Wild Card round, the Oakland Athletics. Speaking off championship, the former World Series MVP Pablo Sandoval is available. He is amongst the massive amount of talent that is available along with Jon Lester, David Robertson, & Nelson Cruz.

Besides the Detroit Tigers who signed DH Victor Martinez to a 4-year/ 68 million dollar deal, the bigger clubs seem to be  quiet on lately. The Red Sox have been active as they offered Lester and Sandoval contracts, but no word on either signing. The New York Yankees and Mets have been pretty quiet other than a few minor signings, similar to the LA and Chicago teams. The Yankees most surprisingly as they have let David Robertson test the market.

Will New York and Chicago be left out of the playoffs again? Thus far the off season has been interesting, but we will see once more names sign and then it really gets crazy as players are like dominoes. Once one falls, they all fall. Who will be the one to start the domino effect? Sandoval, Lester, or Robertson? It will be interesting to watch going forward.