I hope to heck that the Sox aren't dumb enough to try and plug Hanley at SS on an everyday basis. His defense is pretty atrocious at this point.
Bogaerts wasn't exactly lighting it up defensively, either. I don't pretend to be any sort of baseball expert, but he appeared way more adequate at third last season (and no, the decline in production was not related to the move from short to third...).
his defense was good at ss, not 3b. they should have never tried that.
here's my shot:
RF-Betts
2B-Pedroia
DH-Ortiz
3B-Panda
LF-HanRam
1B-Napoli
SS-Boagarts
CF-Castillo
C-Vasquez
SP1-Hamels (trade for Cespedas)
SP2-?
SP3-Bucholtz
SP4-Kelly
SP5-Ranaudo
I'm tempted to put DeLarosa, Owens, Doubbront, Workman, etc., in the top five, maybe slide Kelly into the #2 spot. I don't see the need to get a big arm like others, I think the big arm is on the roster already, just needs to develop and gain experience. Its kind of like my belief with Sully in that he can be like Klove, just needs time.
Once the Sox rid themselves of Drew and moved Xander back to SS, he played solid defense. The infield defense will be good. Panda is a good defender and Dusty and Napoli are GG caliber. Hanley's bat profiles well in a corner outfield spot and he is a tremendous athlete, he will adapt easily out there. They may actually have the most athletic outfield in the big leagues next season with Hanley, Castillo and Betts.
There is no doubt Cespedes gets dealt, I think Seattle or Cincy. I still believe they will get Lester, something along the lines of 6/ 135....
Love how bold Cherington is....