HanRam to Boston. Panda close to sign with Red Sox. What’s up for Bogaerts?

The Red Sox have signed shortstop Hanley Ramirez to a five year deal worth around $90 million. According to the reports on MLB.com they are close to sign Pablo Sandoval as well.

A third baseman and a shortstop, the positions that Xander Bogaerts can play as well. The experts (which I am not. I am only a fan) say that the Red Sox will keep Bogaerts to play shortstop and that the Red Sox will move Ramirez to left field after they have traded Cespedes away for a pitcher.

But why on earth would you sign one of premier shortstops of the game of baseball to play left field? In my opinion this is a downgrade. If this experiment with Ramirez in left field doesn’t pan out, they will move him back to the infield without a doubt.

I realize it is too soon to tell. I don’t have a crystal ball and I don’t know what kind of other wicked plans Ben Cherington has on his sleeve, but I fear that Bogaerts is the odd person here.

Last season was quite a roller coaster ride for Bogaerts. He started as the Red Sox main shortstop but after they signed Steven Drew he was moved to shortstop. Before this move, his batting average hovered around .290. After this move his average went south. After Drew was traded to the Yankees, Bogaerts average was on the rise again. Eventually he ended the season with a .240 batting average.  So in the last weeks of the season, Bogaerts has shown that he can hit. To me it is clear that Bogaers did not feel comfortable at third base. His fielding percentage at that position was .910, compared to .975 at shortstop.

But I really cannot imagine that the Red Sox will play a $90 million shortstop at left field, even though he is open to that option. And if they will sign Sandoval, I think that Bogaerts position is in danger.

I sincerely hope that I am wrong about this. Even though Bogaerts plays for the Red Sox, I want him to succeed, like I want all players from the Netherlands and the Netherlands Antilles to succeed.

Now Jeter has retired, the Yankees are looking for a replacement. Names like Troy Tulowitski and Alexei Ramirez are swirling around. If the Red Sox will sign Sandoval, I would check with the Red Sox about the availability of Bogaerts, if I was Brian Cashman. The kid is still young, is relatively cheap and he is a good defensive shortstop and he has proven that he can hit.

Just a thought.