Boston Red Sox to invade Toronto on free agent hunt

The Red Sox search for a David Ortiz replacement is centered on Toronto, but the Blue Jays have a few other possible free agents worth a look.

The Red Sox will succeed where our Continental Army failed during the Revolutionary War – an invasion of Canada. That misstep of the beginning stages of our revolution ended in an unmitigated disaster as British forces in Quebec City repulsed the Continentals and they had to slink back to the colonies. Not so this time.

The target of the invasion will be Toronto and not Quebec or any other city in Canada. The invading force will not be military, but something more ominous to Blue Jay fans – money. But will money alone pry loose the two most tantalizing tidbits that Toronto has as free agents?

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That, of course, is the two targets in an area that is suddenly depleted with the retirement of David Ortiz – designated Hitter. Both Edwin Encarnacion and Jose Bautista are right-handed power hitters. Both have delightful numbers at Fenway Park and both have high price tags and warning labels.

Bautista is now 36-years-old and is quite questionable as a defensive player. Boston most certainly does not wish to have a significant downgrade by playing Bautista on even a semi-regular basis. At the advanced baseball age now attached Bautista certainly will not be getting any deals running into the next decade so color Bautista in as a DH.

Encarnacion is two years younger and can play first base with an acceptable level of competence. That could free up Hanley Ramirez to DH or simply share the duties with Encarnacion. Encarnacion managed 42 home runs and an American League RBI total of 127 to tie Ortiz in that most prestigious department. The Red Sox will make a move – a big one to sign Encarnacion. That is the expected modus operandi from Boston.

What else does Boston have to offer?

Start with a better team with a higher upside. The Red Sox have a nice blend of youth and experience. The team has the fifth highest rated farm system and will have Ortiz continuing his proselytizing in an attempt to have his legacy cemented by recruiting a noted replacement. Expect Encarnacion to be in a Red Sox uniform.

The Jays have a few other players that may be of interest if Dave Dombrowski is free agent window shopping. The first item could be dependent upon and moves Boston makes with their outfielders – especially Jackie Bradley.

Michael Saunders is coming off a career year and became an All-Star in 2016. Saunders hit .253, but added some respectable juice with 24 home runs and 57 RBI. The 29-year-old left-hand hitter is best suited for left field and depending upon trades could be a Boston target.

Brett Cecil has never really adapted that well to Fenway Park with a career ERA of 5.00, but in the world of sparse left-handed pitching you just never know. Jason Grilli was picked up from Atlanta for bullpen strength and the 39-year-old veteran right-hander did just that with a 6-4, 3.64 ERA ledger for the Jays. A vet that may be worth a gamble.

Toronto is in a situation where they have to make a serious decision regarding the heart of their lineup. Do they get into a money battle? Just think Vernon Wells and Alex Rios, who had the advantage of youth and still failed to meet expectations. Toronto had two seasons that had miserable conclusions and Boston can relate to that – unfortunately.

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The situation is at hand to pilfer from Toronto and to lessen the loss of Ortiz. Boston will take advantage of that, be it Toronto or even Mark Trumbo or another undefined possibility. The loss could seriously impact Toronto and what better outcome than to weaken a division foe. Boston has enough experience with New York in that regard.

The beauty is baseball is fluid. Toronto has a few years to reload and then return the favor to Boston.

Sources: Fangraphs

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