AL East Round Up!

The Boston Red Sox

Nov 25, 2014; Boston, Ma, USA; A man in a panda costume greets Boston Red Sox third baseman

after the introductory press conference at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

The Red Sox are a team rooted in a winning history. So when the 2014 season came to a close, and the playoffs began with them on the outside looking in, one had to reason big moves were scheduled for the winter season. The Sox have done just that.

They started by signing 2014 World Series Champion Pablo Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez. Each of these contracts ate up a considerable amount of money  with Sandoval earning $95M/5 years and Ramirez banking $88M but hey, it’s the Red Sox, money is only paper.

These two signings are undeniably impactful, however they didn’t address their major problem which was their starting rotation. This problem was tackled at this year’s winter meetings as the Sox acquired Wade Miley from the D-backs, Justin Masterson via free agency and Rick Porcello from the Tigers in exchange for all-star outfielder Yoenis Cespedes.

With the recent moves in mind, it certainly would be difficult to argue against Boston being a divisional contender next season but with no true ‘ace’ in their rotation it’s possible the Sox still haven’t completed construction.

The plethora of expendable Red Sox outfielders provides them with several viable trade options especially if GM Ruben Amaro Jr. decides to part ways with his left-handed ace Cole Hamels.

Either way, if the season were to start today, with the way the Sox have assembled their team this off-season, it’s expected they will content for the AL East title in the coming season.