The Boston Red Sox have been dealing with a logjam in their outfield since the end of the 2014 season, especially since they signed Rusney Castillo and Hanley Ramirez, acquired Allen Craig from St. Louis and had Shane Victorino return from surgery. Will Josh Hamilton's suspension help them clear some space?
Major League Baseball officials are currently deciding how to punish Hamilton and the Los Angeles Angels are waiting for a suspension to be handed down. The former AL MVP suffered a relapse with alcohol and cocaine this offseason and violated the league's drug policy, but since he has struggled with addiction for years, the MLB is trying to be sympathetic with their decision.
Nonetheless, Hamilton is expected to miss a chunk of time since he'll be recovering from shoulder surgery and serving a suspension. As a result, the Angels will probably have Matt Joyce take over in left field, but there's a chance he doesn't prove to be an effective replacement after a poor 2014 campaign during which he batted .254/.349/.383 with 51 runs scored, nine home runs and 52 RBIs in 140 games. This could bring the Red Sox into the mix.
"It certainly opens up the possibility that Allen Craig or even Shane Victorino could be of interest to the Angels," writes Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe.
Craig and Victorino would probably be the two outfielders the Red Sox would be most willing to deal because of their current contract situations - Craig is owed $26.5 million over the next three seasons and Victorino will earn $13 million in 2015. It's likely manager John Farrell would like to have Hanley Ramirez in left and a combination of Mookie Betts and Rusney Castillo in center/right, even though he said Victorino would be the Opening Day right fielder if he proves he's back to full health. Victorino has already been rumored to be involved in a deal with the Phillies for either Cole Hamels or Cliff Lee.
Los Angeles would be in need of an experienced veteran with Hamilton on the shelf considering their other option is Collin Cowgill if Joyce proves to be ineffective. By ridding themselves of Craig, the Red Sox would be able to shed a contract commitment that is worthless to them at this point, while moving Victorino would give them the opportunity to usher in the era of Mookie Betts, who the team hopes will be their future leadoff hitter.
The next month will be revealing for both of these clubs.
