The Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval signings ultimately will be judged based on whether they help the Boston Red Sox return to World Series glory. And frankly, that’s how it should be.
But as both players wrap up their first month with the Red Sox — or in Ramirez’s case, the first month of his second stint with the organization — and Boston sits at 12-10, it’s OK to give credit where it’s due.
The Red Sox have been lambasted — somewhat fairly — for their inability to land a top-notch starting pitcher over the offseason, creating what has become a pain point early in 2015. But just imagine the heat Boston would be taking if both Ramirez and Sandoval weren’t playing meaningful roles in helping the club overcome its pitching shortcomings en route to finishing April with a record over .500.
Neither Ramirez nor Sandoval represented a perfect fit over the offseason. Sure, the Red Sox desperately needed a third baseman, and Sandoval, coming off his third World Series title with the San Francisco Giants, was considered the cream of the free-agent crop. And Ramirez was considered to have perhaps the highest offensive ceiling of any player on the open market. But both had deficiencies that made shelling out close to $200 million — $95 million to Sandoval and $88 million to Ramirez — a sizable risk.
For Sandoval, it was his weight, his struggles against left-handers and his recent regression in several offensive categories. For Ramirez, it was injury issues, character concerns and the mere fact he had never played the outfield at the major league level.
Admittedly, some flaws in each player’s game have been occasionally exposed over Boston’s first 22 contests. But it’s hard to argue with either signing one month into things, especially with the Red Sox relying so heavily on their offense within the American League East.
Ramirez has been an absolute beast, tying David Ortiz’s franchise record (set in 2006) for the most home runs (10) hit before May 1. He’s the first Red Sox player ever to compile at least 10 homers and 22 RBIs in April, and the ball quite literally has been jumping off his bat, especially over his last 11 games, during which he’s batting .359 (14-for-39) with six blasts.
Sandoval, meanwhile, has only one hit in 20 plate appearances against left-handers, but the switch-hitter has made up for it by raking against right-handers. The 28-year-old entered Thursday hitting .397 (23-for-58) with a 1.054 OPS versus righties, giving him a team-best .312 average and .398 on-base percentage overall.
Both players’ early season contributions seemingly have transcended the box score, too. Ramirez has stood tall within an offense that often looks like one of the best in baseball, lengthening the lineup and providing the right-handed pop Boston has lacked since Manny Ramirez was shipped out of town. And Sandoval’s nifty glove work at third base has been the product of both underrated agility and a hard-nosed style that was easy to lose track of as he played his home games on the West Coast.
It’d be unreasonable to pass any definitive judgments on either Ramirez or Sandoval less than 15 percent of the way through their first season since signing lucrative long-term contracts with Boston. But it also would be irrational to lose sight of either player’s hot start because of the pitching issues that have cast some doubt over whether the Red Sox are built for playoff success in 2015.
Without Ramirez and Sandoval, the ship might be sinking. Instead, it’s afloat and awaiting repair work.
Thumbnail photo via Bill Streicher/USA TODAY Sports Images
