The Boston Red Sox are reportedly finalizing a deal with free agent third baseman Pablo Sandoval, according to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com.
Late Sunday night, the Red Sox also reportedly agreed to a deal with Hanley Ramirez. Both Sandoval’s and Ramirez’s deal are believed to be somewhere in the $100 million range over five or six years.
After suffering through an embarrassing World Series hangover last season, Boston is obviously looking to revamp its roster. The Red Sox have been the favorites to sign Sandoval, as they have a need at third base and can move him to designated hitter when David Ortiz retires.
Ramirez was more of a surprise signing. The Sox already have a great young prospect at shortstop in Xander Bogaerts, but it’s not as if Ramirez is a great defensive shortstop anyway. The 30-year-old said earlier this offseason that he is willing to change positions, which is likely what he will do in Boston.
Peter Gammons speculates that the Red Sox could move Ramirez to left field and trade Yoenis Cespedes for starting pitching. Cespedes has reportedly not made many friends since coming to Boston at last year’s trade deadline.
It’s unclear if signing both Ramirez and Sandoval means the Red Sox are out of the Jon Lester sweepstakes.
