The Boston Red Sox enter the winter of 2012-13 with a long “to do” list, and some extra cash to get it done. Ben Cherington has hired his manager in John Farrell, and can now move on to the free agent and trade market. After a last place finish, the Red Sox will need to make some key additions, but also smart additions. They need help in the outfield, a first baseman, and every kind of pitching you can imagine. Here are some potential targets for Cherington and the Sox this winter.
OF - Torii Hunter
At 37, Hunter is a shell of his former self, but still a solid ballplayer. A wizard in the outfield, Hunter also put up some very good numbers at the plate in 2012, batting .313 with 16 home runs and 92 RBI for the Angels. UPDATE: Hunter signed a 2-year deal with the Detroit Tigers.
C/1B- Mike Napoli
While Napoli primarily played behind the plate in 2012, he does have some experience at first base. At the plate, he hit .254 with 24 home runs and 56 RBI in 108 games.
SP - Edwin Jackson
In search of another starter, Edwin Jackson could be an option for the Red Sox. The 29-year-old Jackson went 10-11 with a 4.03 ERA in 31 starts for the Washington Nationals last season, striking out 168 batters in 189.2 innings of work.
SP - Anibal Sanchez
The former Red Sox prospect is about to hit the free agent market after going 9-13 with a 3.86 ERA in 31 starts with the Marlins and Tigers. Sanchez went 1-2 with a 1.77 ERA in the postseason with Detroit, and likely earned himself a hefty deal.
RP - Joakim Soria
Soria is coming off Tommy John surgery, but the former Royals closer will draw some interest from clubs looking for bullpen help.
RP - Rafael Soriano
Soriano declined his option that would have paid him $14 million with the Yankees. He is looking for a four-year deal according to reports, after recording 42 saves in 46 chances in place of the injured Mariano Rivera in 2012.
SP - Francisco Liriano
If the Red Sox want a project pitcher, they may take a look at Francisco Liriano. The lefty went just 6-12 with a 5.34 ERA over 28 starts (and 34 appearances) with the White Sox and Twins last season, but is just two years removed from winning 16 games. John Farrell may be able to fix Liriano, who could be a decent fifth starter.
SP - Felix Hernandez
The Red Sox are in desperate need of pitching, and could be looking to make a huge splash on the trade market. If they are going to do that, they might as well go big and see what Seattle wants for King Felix. It will likely be their entire farm system, Jacoby Ellsbury and a few Fenway bricks, but it would be worth it to add a true ace in Hernandez.
1B - James Loney
For their vacancy at first, the Red Sox may look no further than the man they acquired from the Dodgers in August's blockbuster trade. Overall it was an off year for Loney at the plate, batting .249 with six home runs and driving in 41 over 144 games with LA and Boston. In 30 games with the Sox, Loney hit just .230 with two homers and eight RBI.
1B/3B - Kevin Youkilis
It's the longest of long shots, but the Red Sox could kick the tires on a Kevin Youkilis reunion now that Bobby Valentine is out of town. In 80 games with the White Sox, Youkilis clubbed 15 homers and drove in 46 runs, but for the year only hit .235.
RP - Jeremy Affeldt
Affeldt had a great season out of the pen for the World Champs, recording 16 holds in 67 games, striking out 57 over 63.1 innings of work. The lefty reliever got even better in the playoffs, throwing 10.1 scoreless innings while striking out 10.
SP/RP - Tim Lincecum
Tim Lincecum could also be a potential trade target for Boston. The two-time Cy Young winner has had a couple rough seasons since his 2009 Cy Young award, and found himself in the bullpen for the Giants World Series run this offseason. He will be in the final year of a mega-deal, making nearly $23 million. He went 10-15 this season and saw his ERA nearly double, but a change of scenery could do the 28-year-old lefty some good.
OF - Cody Ross
The Red Sox' number-one priority this off-season needs to be bringing Cody Ross back. The outfielder put up solid numbers for Boston last season, batting .267 with 22 home runs and 81 RBI in 130 games.
OF/DH - Delmon Young
A postseason hero for the Tigers, Detroit has said they won't be bringing Young back next season. He can play some outfield, but is viewed mainly as a DH.
SP - Dan Haren
Dan Haren is a free agent after the Angels declined his $15.5 million option for next season. Haren went 12-13 with a 4.33 ERA in 2012.
SP - Daisuke Matsuzka
Just kidding...
SS - Stephen Drew
Red Sox fans will likely cringe at the thought of having another Drew on their team. The 30-year old shortstop has battled injuries the last two seasons, and hit just .223 in 79 games between the Diamondbacks and A's last year. But, he would provide another shortstop in case Jose Iglesias doesn't work out or needs more seasoning in the minors.
