Boston Red Sox: Who is next in line to fill DH position?

The Red Sox are in the hunt for a big bat to fill in the hole of designated hitter for the Spring. This winter, they are in the market for these names.

With the long awaited Winter Meetings taking place, the Boston Red Sox are looking to take action in filling a hole that hasn’t been open in what seems like a life time: Designated Hitter.

With plenty of names in the market to fill the spot David Ortiz controlled for over a decade and a half, many are speculating on who will end up in the heart of the lineup for the Red Sox come next spring. With the Winter Meetings in full swing, and the Hot Stove becoming so so hot, here’s some names that have been thrown into the air when it comes to a replacement for Ortiz:

Pedro Alvarez: Coming off of a one year deal in Baltimore, Alvarez is one of the best options when it comes to a bat. Posting a .249/.322/.504 slash line, with 22 home runs  and 49 RBI (surprisingly low), he is no stranger to the American League East. At only 29, he has proven he is worthy. The notorious power hitting strikeout machine cut his strikeout total to under 100 for the first time since 2011 and hit 20+ home runs for the fourth time in his career.

Since there haven’t been many reports on Alvarez and what his asking price brings, it’s likely that he will be a relatively cheap option. He hasn’t been a very good batting average or on base player in his career, so any team that signs him is paying for cheap power. And the Red Sox could be that team.

Alvarez has the flexibility to also play first base, and can alternate with Hanley Ramirez for the first base job and designated hitter. Alvarez also has history at third base, although it’s not likely he would ever see time there, it’s good to keep in mind that if the moment arises he can play there, even knowing he’s not great (79 from ’12-’14).

Mike Napoli: Obviously, Boston knows Mike Napoli well. In 2013, he was a key player as they made the run to win the World Series. A crowd favorite in Boston, fans both cheered and booed at the trade that sent him to Texas. A known power threat and strikeout machine, Napoli could be another cheap option for a team looking for some power.

Napoli, who is now 35, has reportedly been looking for a multi-year deal. The Sox have no issue dealing out a multi-year deal to him, but the only issue is how much he will cost them. His single year in Cleveland cost them $7 million, but a reunion could cost more. It will be a matter of how bad the Red Sox want him, and how much they are willing to potentially overpay for someone who strikes out one of every three at bats. Hopefully, it doesn’t turn into a Matt Holliday with the Yankees type deal (which was ludicrous), but a return of the Nap could mean more shirtless celebrations whether we win or lose. It would be a good deal regardless.

Evan Gattis: Gattis is an interesting thought when it comes to him taking the hole of designated hitter. It’s no secret he can hit. That’s the easy part. It’s the problem of Houston trying to save him and fit them in the lineup.

A outfielder turned catcher turned potential first baseman, he is the odd man out in the Astros lineup. The Astros haven’t outed Gattis just yet, but with the signing of Carlos Beltran earlier last week it is possible that he can be on the move. A good destination could be in Boston, and the Red Sox have more than enough pitching to give to Houston in return (something they need). It has previously been written by BoSox Injection that Gattis is an option, and it will be interesting to see if Boston decides to pursue the former 30-year old janitor. It would be nice to see him pepper balls off and over the Green Monster this upcoming season.

Chris Carter: Man, is this guy an exciting but scary player. Carter led the National League in both home runs and strikeouts. This second-coming-of-Mark Reynolds type player can absolutely mash, but struck out 206 times (and that’s not even a career high). In short, he’s the epitome of what a DH is.

Despite being a huge K machine, his power is the best out of anyone on this list making him a valuable to Boston. Recently non-tendered, he is a free agent, and his track record with contracts shows he won’t be expensive. A one-year deal could satisfy Carter and the Red Sox, who have a long list of players who are waiting for the opportunity to shine at DH.

At just 29, he could be in Boston for extended time, but isn’t likely. We can hope for one year or two of him launching the ball on the onto the Mass Pike and striking out with the bases loaded in important situations. Wait, scratch that last part.

Next: Boston Red Sox Trade Target: Evan Gattis

The Red Sox have a hole, and that is clear. How soon they decide to fill it is the problem, and with the Hot Stove heating up they need to act fast. They’re reported to be out of the hunt for Edwin Enarnacion, so they can either capitalize on the free swinging power threats that are left or hold out and hope that Hanley and company can provide enough offense to make up for David Ortiz. One can only hope that they wont have problems holding it together this spring.