Yes, it's already time to start thinking about 2015. Various teams across the MLB are working to improve their roster, coaching staff and front office before the offseason gets into full-swing. HNGN is going to start with the AL East and document the most pressing position needs for each team and provide potential solutions. Today we have the Red Sox, Rays and Blue Jays.
Boston Red Sox (71-91), Last Place in AL East
After winning the World Series in 2013, the Red Sox had a dismal campaign in 2014. However, they did much of their offseason work in July and August to prepare for 2015 since their season was lost at that point. They traded Jon Lester, Jake Peavy and John Lackey to usher in some younger arms on the starting rotation. In those transactions, they received outfielder Yoenis Cespedes, outfielder Allen Craig, starting pitcher Joe Kelly and two young prospect pitchers. They also signed Cuban outfielder Rusney Castillo to fill another void in the outfield.
Right now, their most pressing needs are at third-base and the starting rotation. Will Middlebrooks has not been the third baseman Boston expected him to be and they also cannot rely on a wildly young pitching staff to lead them in 2015. So here are some options for these two positions:
Third Base: Although they might stick with Middlebrooks, here are some (expensive) options for the Red Sox at the third base position. Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Hanley Ramirez will be a free agent and he also has extensive experience at the hot corner, but he might be out of the question because he's looking for a $130 million contract. Giants' third baseman Pablo Sandoval is also expected to land a contract of that magnitude, but if San Francisco doesn't want to spend that money then Boston can take a look at him. Lastly, Aramis Ramirez could be the cheapest option. He wants to return to Milwaukee, but it's unknown if the Brewers want to pick up his $14 million option. If they don't he could be headed elsewhere. But Brock Holt had a good season playing all over the place, and Boston may opt to keep him at third full-time if Middlebrooks fails to impress.
Starting Pitcher: The Red Sox staff currently consists of Clay Buchholz, Rubby De La Rosa, Allen Webster, Joe Kelly, Anthony Ranaudo and Brandon Workman. Yeah, not too many household or veteran names. There are a number of free-agent starters that Boston can take a look at, including marquee names such as Jon Lester (who has an outside chance of returning to the team), Max Scherzer and James Shields. These guys will all cost a lot of money, but other names such as Jason Hammel, Francisco Liriano, Hiroki Kuroda, Ervin Santana, Ryan Vogelsong and others are available.
Tampa Bay Rays (77-85), 4th Place in AL East
The Rays might be in trouble. They lost executive vice president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman as well as manager Joe Maddon within the last few weeks and they also face some roster predicaments. They must decide whether or not to pick up second baseman Ben Zobrist's $7.5 million option for 2015 and work on an arbitration settlement with outfielder Desmond Jennings, who they might also look to trade. But other than that, their infield, outfield and starting rotation seems to be rounded off. Injuries largely affected the team this year, but their bullpen could use some work. That department ranked 20th in the MLB with a 3.71 ERA and only 37 saves.
Relief Pitchers: There are some interesting choices here because a number of solid arms had down seasons in their contract years and could now be signed on the cheap. They include Giants reliever Sergio Romo and Nationals reliever Rafael Soriano. Phil Coke, Zach Duke and Tom Gorzelanny are also solid left-handers that will be available. Owner Stuart Sternberg will be looking for inexpensive options because he said he wants to lower the team's payroll in 2015.
Toronto Blue Jays (83-79), 3rd in AL East
The Blue Jays had one of the best offenses in the MLB in 2014, but they failed to show it in the win/loss column. Melky Cabrera and Colby Rasmus are free agents, so if they team doesn't re-sign them then they're going to need outfield help, unless they choose to stick with youngsters Anthony Gose, Kevin Pillar and Dalton Pompey. Closer Casey Janssen is also a free agent, which will affect an already poor Toronto bullpen. The Blue Jays' pen ranked 25th in the MLB with a 4.09 ERA and 20th in opposing batting average (.248). Toronto is willing to spend, so the options aren't too limited.
Relief Pitchers: Andrew Miller is a name that jumps right out. The left-hander has been one of the most effective relievers in baseball over the past two seasons and they could snatch him away from the Baltimore Orioles. Closers David Robertson (Yankees) and Francisco Rodriguez (Brewers) are also available, as are the others mentioned for the Rays' options. Kyle Farnsworth, Luke Gregerson, Matt Lindstrom and Pat Neshek are others the Blue Jays can take a look at to bolster their weak bullpen.
We'll finish off the AL East tomorrow with the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles.
