Ben Cherington has had a week to celebrate the first World Series championship he won as a general manager. Now it's time to focus on building the 2014 Red Sox.
Cherington has several impact free agents of his own to sort out. Jacoby Ellsbury, a central figure in the Red Sox championships in 2007 and 2013, is likely gone. Mike Napoli, a bargain buy before the 2013 season who provided power and lineup protection, is no guarantee to return. Stephen Drew and Jarrod Saltalamacchia, two key pieces of the 2013 Red Sox who struggled in the playoffs, have their futures in limbo.
I say that Napoli and Saltalamacchia join Ellsbury in leaving the Red Sox but Drew stays. Drew might not be a fan favorite but his defense at shortstop is vastly underrated and he's a solid veteran player.
With Drew staying, phenom Xander Bogaerts will stay at third base which leaves Will Middlebrooks without a home. Middlebrooks could move across the diamond to first base as Napoli's replacement but I don't think that will be the case. We'll come back to Middlebrooks.
To replace Ellsbury in center field, Cherington could turn to top prospect Jackie Bradley, Jr. - as has been the plan since Bradley emerged as a future star in the minor leagues - or, if he does not believe Bradley is quite ready for the spotlight in Boston, make a move for a short term replacement. Coco Crisp of the cash strapped Atheltics, the man that Ellsbury replaced in center field at Fenway, could be a target if that's the case. Bradley is probably the choice and we'll pencil him in for center field in 2014.
At first base, the Red Sox could get creative if Napoli departs. As John Tomase writes in today's Boston Herald, the Red Sox could sign Carlos Beltran to play left field and move Daniel Nava to first base. I like the idea of signing Beltran and if Napoli does choose to leave I think that Cherington will sign Beltran but to play first base instead of left field. Brian Butterfield turned Napoli into a very good defensive first baseman in his first year of full-time duty at that position so I think he could do the same for Beltran, who's balky knees could benefit from moving away from the outfield. I'll come back to left field later.
At catcher, I would like to see Saltalamacchia re-signed but the Red Sox did not offer him a qualifying offer and it seems unlikely he will return. Salty could get a nice payday from the Yankees - he could be a 30 home run guy hitting left handed in Yankee Stadium - and the Red Sox don't seem interested in paying top dollar for his services. Brian McCann of the Braves has been mentioned as a Red Sox target but he's expected to fetch a contract worth around $100-million and I think that's too rich for Boston's taste. I could see Cherington going after Dioner Navarro of the Cubs or Kurt Suzuki of the Athletics to partner with David Ross while rising prospects Blake Swihart and Christian Vazquez get another year of seasoning. Navarro is coming off the better season so for our purposes, we'll say he replaces Saltalamacchia.
Cherington has an abundance of pitching and he'll be able to deal some of that to benefit the big league club as well as provide some depth in the minor leagues. Jake Peavy was well worth the cost of Jose Iglesias (remind me that I wrote that when Iglesias picks up 8 of the next 10 A.L. Gold Glove awards at shortstop) but he's better served in the National League at this point of his career. Ryan Dempster is likely to join him in the senior circuit. Both will leave Boston with a World Series ring, great memories, and, in the case of Peavy, a used Duck Boat.
The starting rotation next year will be Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz, John Lackey, Matt Garza (signed as a free agent), and Allen Webster. Why not Felix Doubront? I'll get to that shortly.
In the bullpen, Koji Uehara will be back, joined by Junichi Tazawa and Craig Breslow. Brandon Workman (who could push Webster for a spot in the rotation) and Drake Britton (another candidate to start) will provide power arms to the set up crew. Andrew Bailey is also scheduled to return sometime around July. Expect Cherington to add a few arms via the "bargain bin" of free agency to add depth.
As for left field?
Get ready for Giancarlo Stanton to come to Boston.
The 24-year-old power hitting outfielder would be perfect for the middle of the Red Sox batting order and would not only help them defend their World Series title in 2014 but would also serve as a piece of the foundation of the team for the next decade.
Stanton is not going to come cheap. While I sincerely doubt the Red Sox would deal Bogaerts, the rest of the farm system would be up for grabs. Felix Doubront and either Henry Owens or Matt Barnes (or both) would likely be central figures as young pitching will be a desire of the Marlins if they're to trade Stanton. Middlebrooks, without a home in Boston, would add some pop to Miami's lineup. One of the catching prospects is likely to be included as well.
Doubront, Owens, Barnes, Middlebrooks, and Swihart/Vazquez for Stanton? A steep price but one Cherington would likely pay for a talent like Stanton.
So, if Cherington follows my plan, this would be the Opening Day lineup in April:
1. Victorino, RF
2. Pedroia, 2B
3. Ortiz, DH
4. Stanton, LF
5. Beltran, 1B
6. Bogaerts, 3B
7. Drew, SS
8. Navarro, C
9. Bradley, CF
That's a lineup capable of piling up runs and with their pitching, it would be a team more than capable of winning back-to-back World Series titles.
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