Hanley Ramirez has logged 52 innings at first base this spring and has yet to make an error. While he's passing all tests at this point in the offseason, he still has yet to play the position at the MLB level, so he still has a lot to prove.
If he fails to meet expectations early on in 2016, could prospect Sam Travis take his place?
This scenario was speculated earlier in the offseason when it was unclear how Ramirez would adapt to his new position. As of right now, the veteran is silencing his critics, but Travis isn't going away.
The 22-year-old first baseman has been the team's most prolific hitter this spring thanks to a .579/.619/.895 stat line with four runs scored, two home runs and 13 RBI in 14 games (22 at-bats) in his first appearance in MLB camp. For a guy that has logged just 198 career games in the minor leagues and has yet to play above Double-A Portland, this is a tremendous first impression that could last for a while.
"With Travis' likely landing spot in Double-A Portland to start the year, the Sox surmise they have some time before having to worry about roster flexibility," writes Rob Bradford of WEEI.com. "But, judging by what has transpired in Fort Myers, decisions may have be made sooner than most anticipated."
ESPN's Buster Olney says the Red Sox' staff "loves his work ethic and attitude."
Team president Dave Dombrowski likely won't be hasty in bringing Travis up to the major league roster, but he'll stash the youngster in his back pocket in case the team's original plans were to go awry. Travis Shaw is also an option to take over for Ramirez in the event he fails to be efficient, but third baseman Pablo Sandoval also needs to improve his bat and glove if he wants his job to be safe.
In a worst-case scenario where Ramirez and Sandoval fail to produce and meet expectations, Shaw could take over at third and Travis could be an option at first, assuming Dombrowski were to make such a drastic switch. That probably won't happen, but it's at least comforting for the Red Sox to know they have options behind the two veterans.
Trade rumors surrounded both Ramirez and Sandoval during the second half of the 2015 season as well as the offseason because many felt Dombrowski wasn't afraid to move on from either expensive veteran. However, their trade values were at an all-time low, so it's probable he wanted to wait it out and see if they can rebound in 2016 before having to absorb a significant portion of their contracts in a trade.
Ramirez has managed to rebound this spring and produce on offense and defense, but Sandoval has not. The 29-year-old has made three errors in 10 games so far and is batting just .208 with a .667 OPS in 24 at-bats.
It's unclear how long the leash will be for Ramirez and Sandoval, but there is certainly tough competition beneath them.
