Red Sox attempting to sign both Pablo Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez

The Red Sox’ interest in Pablo Sandoval has been one of the hottest topics around Boston sports lately, and for good reason, with the team reportedly having offered “Kung Fu Panda” a 5 year/$95M contract. Sandoval being a major free agent, though, it makes sense for the Red Sox to have backup plans and thus it’s no surprise that they have demonstrated interest in Hanley Ramirez. What is a surprise, however, is that the Red Sox appear to have legitimate interest in signing both Sandoval and Ramirez.

It sounds awfully strange to sign the two best third base options on the market. However, CBS Sports reporter Jon Heyman and WEEI writer Alex Speier speculate that the Red Sox have a plan of attack regarding this potential package deal.

If the Red Sox were to sign both Sandoval and Ramirez, the team would likely place Sandoval at third base while moving Ramirez, a shortstop who has shown a willingness to change positions, to left field. This would give the Red Sox a very dynamic offense with the additions of Sandoval, who slashed .279/.324/.415 with 16 home runs in a major pitchers’ park, and Ramirez, who slashed .283/.369/.448 in a similarly pitcher-friendly park this season. However, it would also appear to present more problems than it would solve.

Even without adding Ramirez, the Red Sox have a logjam of starting-caliber players in the outfield between Yoenis Cespedes, Rusney Castillo, Mookie Betts, and Shane Victorino. While this acquisition would facilitate a trade of Cespedes to an offense-starved team, which has been rumored throughout the offseason, it would still the Red Sox with one too many outfielders.

This is by far the strangest rumor to revolve around the Red Sox this offseason and it will be interesting to see if it holds any relevance. While it would likely give the Red Sox the best lineup in the league, bringing both players to Boston would also cost a pretty penny and, with the starting rotation a more glaring need right now, it might be wise to allocate the team’s budget room accordingly. However, if the Red Sox are somehow able to acquire Sandoval, Ramirez, and two frontline starters, whether through free agency or trade, then there’s no doubt that the BoSox will be serious contenders come 2015.