Red Sox Keeping Xander Bogaerts, Pablo Sandoval, Or Both?

Jun 30, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Boston Red Sox third baseman

(48) watches shortstop

(2) catch a pop up for the final out of the game as the Red Sox defeat Toronto Blue Jays 4-3 at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

It’s no secret that the Boston Red Sox will want to sure up their starting rotation, now and in the off-season. It’s fun to bandy about big names to excite a fan base that is struggling to care about their beloved team when the Red Sox sit in the American League cellar. They can beat up on other anguishing teams, but that won’t solve the problems that Boston’s had with their team. If they are to change their fortunes, the brass in the front office are going to need a plan, which may or may not involve some big sacrifices.

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Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe believes that there are a number of options that the Red Sox could take. Most of which include taking advantage of other clubs’ free agency problems later this fall. Teams like the New York Mets and San Diego Padres have some players that may not be around much longer, as they brought these names into the fold to succeed right now, with varying results. Granted that Cafardo also believes that the Red Sox should be “considering kicking John Farrell upstairs” to bring in a new manager, some members of Red Sox Nation may not want to hear the rest of his suggestions with graceful patience. It may depend on clarification of what he means by ‘upstairs’, whether an office or a holy land; however, let’s not promote violence, as baseball is just a game, right?

In a more forgiving light, let’s examine Mr. Cafardo’s suggestions:

Aug 5, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher

(33) throws the ball in the first inning of a game against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

1) Matt Harvey For Xander Bogaerts

Cafardo said, “The Mets may not be able to solve their offensive problems through free agency because they are not likely to spend the money. So, they may have to use their pitching depth to do so […] The downside for the Red Sox would be they’d lose an up-and-coming player but would gain one of the top young pitchers in the game. A potential replacement for Bogaerts would be Deven Marrero. There’s also Holt, who has played well at shortstop. It would be a good move for the Mets, who need a young star in the infield.”

Of course the Red Sox would be better if they had Matt Harvey. Yet, before we sign over Bogaerts, how about we look more closely at the Mets’ infield situation. They have Ruben Tejada and Wilmer Flores at shortstop. They have Daniel Murphy and Kelly Johnson at second base. They also have Juan Uribe and Eric Campbell at third, while Murphy could also play the position.

Now, forget about 33-year-old Johnson and his .259 batting average, as his contract is only for this year; forget about 36-year-old Uribe, who was simply brought in to give the Mets a veteran bat and some leadership, which has turned into a .120 batting average in the last seven games; forget about Campbell’s .179, as well.

That leaves Murphy, Tejada, and Flores. Murphy’s 30 years old and is hitting .280 with eight home runs and 40 RBIs. Tejada’s belting a mere .260 with two home runs and 20 RBIs. Flores’ hitting a lowly .253 only because of a very slow start to the season. He’s bashed .299 and .273 for July and August, with significant power to drive in 11 home runs and 40 RBIs this year.

Bogaerts would be an improvement to Tejada as a bat, hitting .311 with three home runs and 53 RBIs; however, he’s only slightly better, percentage-wise, in the field this season.

Flores may not be hitting like Bogaerts today, but even the Red Sox shortstop had a slow start to his career. Anyone remember the nightmare that was Bogaerts last year? Put your hand up if you wanted to trade or release him at the end of every month of the 2014 season. Flores’ recent success and the passion that he showed for the Mets, when he cried on the field over an inaccurate trade rumor, could be signs that the star is rising inside him, too.

And, the fact that the often-injured-but-fan-favorite David Wright is coming to take back his throne at third base doesn’t give the Mets many options. One could argue that they could add Bogaerts as the shortstop with either Flores or Murphy at second, with Wright signed to play third base until 2020. Even if the Mets wanted to stab their season-ticket holders in the heart and rid themselves of Captain America, they could still put Murphy at third and feel that their infield is decent, if not elite, and still keep Harvey.

That’s right, we haven’t even spoken about what Harvey would bring to the Red Sox. The 2013 All-Star is eligible for salary arbitration, which could mean big numbers for the former first-rounder in the 2010 MLB draft, with free agency in 2019. Was it also mentioned that Harvey missed the 2014 season due to Tommy John surgery? He’s 10-7 with a 2.76 ERA and 121 strikeouts, looking like his injury is now history. However, there are a ton of factors up in the air about Harvey, while the Red Sox know what they have in Bogaerts and the contractual control that they have with him.

Oh, and Tejada is 25 and Flores is 24. What was that about needing youth in the infield? We could go into why the Red Sox shouldn’t trade arguably their best hitter away, but why bother?

Jul 28, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher

(33) pitches against the New York Mets during the first inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

2) James Shields For Pablo Sandoval

After that first suggestion, the second one sounds, perhaps, more reasonable.

Cafardo said regarding Shields and Sandoval, “Two bad contracts. Around the deadline there was speculation this had been discussed. ‘It makes too much sense, so it won’t happen,’ said one veteran scout. The Padres wanted Sandoval last offseason and offered more than the Red Sox and Giants. Third base is a tough position to fill, so why wouldn’t the Padres still have some interest?” Cafardo also suggests that Holt or Shaw could replace Sandoval at third for the move to make sense.

Whether you feel that the Red Sox got what they paid for in Sandoval or not, Holt or Shaw have looked like much better options on defense. The question would be the bats. Shaw’s sample-size is pretty small, with only 15 games and 36 at-bats, and Holt’s only hitting .228 in the last 30 games. Ironically, Sandoval is the one just below Holt, with .219. Will their production be higher than Sandoval’s with more playing time. At this point, many of Red Sox Nation would be willing to take the chance.

Especially with Shields coming to Boston in return. Or would they?

After clearing waivers, Shields sits in the Padres starting rotation with a record of 8-4, a 3.75 ERA and 160 strikeouts in 24 starts. The 10-year veteran also has another $63 million guaranteed to him for three years with a $16 million team option in 2019. He can also opt out after 2016 from any club he’s with at the time. Sandoval has $72.4 million coming to him, with a $17 million team option in 2020. That year, Sandoval will be 33 years old. Shields is already 33.

Less money to pay; more risk on a player who only plays every fourth or fifth game. Shields’ days of becoming a dominant pitching ace are likely gone, but is there enough coming back to the Red Sox? Nobody except Henry Owens is a starter for Boston with a lower ERA than Shields, and Owens has only started two games. Something to ponder.

Aug 6, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays right fielder

(19) celebrates scoring a run with Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher

(14) during the fifth inning in a game against the Minnesota Twins at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

3) Sign David Price

Cafardo said, “He’ll be 30 when he hits free agency this offseason, but he will be the only true game-changer among the free agent pitchers. Use the $29 million saved on Mike Napoli and Shane Victorino or the $13 million option on [Clay] Buchholz to contribute toward a true ace.”

That’s possible. It’s also possible that Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz throws Price around the dugout like a rag-doll, with their well-documented, heated relationship. However, a recent development of Price saying that he would be alright with taking his talents to Fenway Park could be a sign that the feud can be put in the past.

Price is set to be a free agent this off-season and he is young enough to carry his prime on for years as a Red Sox ace. If the dollar-tag is to the liking of Boston’s brass, it shouldn’t be problem on their end if it’s not a problem for Price, himself.

Let’s not even dispute the fact that Price would clearly make the Red Sox starting rotation better.

Instead, peek over at the aforementioned, and currently injured, Red Sox ace. Buchholz has often been forgotten as the two-time All-Star and leader of Boston’s pitching staff. Up until he was injured, Buchholz was changing everyone’s minds about him, riding a wave of wins and 107 strikeouts to only 23 walks. In 18 games, he posted a 3.23 ERA which was one of the best in both major leagues. Yes, Price’s ERA is much better at 2.53, but that’s because he’s one of the best to have ever played the game.

Don’t dismiss Buchholz’s injury issue; he may never be back as good as he was. However, if the Red Sox want Price so badly, maybe they could find that extra amount of money somewhere else, and not in the team option on Buchholz.