The Red Sox traveled to Jupiter, Florida for an exhibition game with the Marlins on Thursday March 6, 2014. As harmless as this sounds, what unfolded after the game and the days after is interesting and cause for concern.
The Marlins, being one of the worst teams in the MLB, hiked up the prices for tickets against the Red Sox because of their stardom. Fans going to see players like Ortiz, Napoli, Bogaerts, and Victorino were in for a shock when the Red Sox played players that normally make up a Triple-A/ Double-A roster.
March 6th, 2014 Red Sox lineup
1. Jackie Bradley Jr., CF
2. Alex Hassan, LF
3. Garin Cecchini, 3B
4. Ryan Lavarnway, C
5. Travis Shaw, 1B
6. Brandon Snyder, DH
7. Bryce Brentz, RF
8. Deven Marrero, SS
9. Heiker Meneses, 2B
Allen Webster, RHP
Drake Britton, LHP
Alex Wilson, RHP
Miguel Celestino, RHP
This is out of the ordinary for a Spring Training game and as expected the Marlins executives were outraged by this stunt. John Farrell stated that injuries and an extended day of infield instruction were the reasons why most of the regulars didn’t make the trip to Jupiter for the game.
MLB guidelines state that teams are required to have four players who are regular everyday starters. The MLB considered Jackie Bradley Jr. to be one of those players because of his potential to be an everyday player in the 2014 season. However this left the Red Sox three players short.
The MLB decided to fine the Red Sox for their lineup but John Henry took to Twitter to express his displeasure at the Marlins.
Henry’s comments about the Marlins may prove detrimental for Sox during the trade deadline.
Giancarlo Stanton is the best player on the Marlins roster and his name is always associated with the Red Sox when it comes to trade talks. I would love to see Stanton come to the Sox.
He is a prolific outfielder and has a powerful bat that would fit in perfectly in the 5 hole of the lineup behind Ortiz. His role would be similar to that of Manny Ramirez. In four seasons in the MLB Stanton has hit 117 home runs. In 2012 he lead the National League in slugging percentage at .608. He also had the highest AB per HR in the National League at 12.1.
Where would Stanton play though? The Red Sox have a solid core of outfielders in Bradley Jr., Carp, Nava, Victorino, and Gomes. While most fans want to see what Jackie Bradley Jr. can do, I believe he is the incentive the Red Sox need to make a trade with the Marlins. Unloading him, Carp, and a couple prospects can really open things up in the outfield.
With Bradley Jr. gone, Victorino can move back to his natural position, center field. Nava and Gomes can split time in left field. This leaves right field alone to Stanton. Whenever Stanton needs a day off Farrell could put Nava in right and have Gomes play left. It is an ideal situation if you are John Farrell.
Projected Line-up with Stanton
- Victorino, CF
- Pedroia, 2B
- Bogaerts, SS
- Ortiz, DH
- Stanton, RF
- Napoli, 1B
- Nava, LF
- Middlebrooks, 3B
- Pierzynski, C
This is a formidable batting order with guys who can score runs, hit home runs, steal bases, and change the complexion of any game. Also Stanton will have more protection in the line up causing pitchers to pitch to him rather than around him like they do in Miami.
Put Stanton with the Red Sox and you have a team that can contend for a long time. However, Henry’s comments could drive the price for Stanton up. What could that be? It could be an extra pitching/ fielding prospect. Perhaps this blew any chance the Sox had to get Stanton. Either way it will be interesting to see what happens after this whole thing settles.