Hanley Ramirez should be ok at first...maybe

AP/Charles Krupa

For all their off-season moves, the Red Sox have some questions that still need answering. Primary among said questions is how Hanley Ramirez will adjust to first base. His defense in left field last year was shaky, which is putting it nicely. John Farrell went on WEEI and expressed his confidence in Hanley Ramirez's ability to adjust to playing first base during Spring Training:

"A 30-game schedule in spring training, we feel like we'll have ample time to get him adjusted over there," Farrell said. “We’re talking about a longtime career infielder that granted, we made the move to put him in left field and now we’re coming off that and putting him at first base, but we’re also taking a career-long infielder and moving him across the diamond,” Farrell said. “As far as the footwork and fielding a groundball, we feel that’s kind of a pickup from where he’s been his whole career. Now his footwork around the bag, and the responsibilities with cutoffs and relays and understanding certain game situations, yes, that’s going to be different.”

Well, I wish I had his confidence. Hanley had 4 errors in left field over 92 games, but misplayed balls off the Green Monster, while giving up on other plays. That's what worries me about him - his apparent laziness last season wouldn't translate well to first base, and I wonder if it will result in him getting traded eventually. Red Sox Nation is sure hoping it happens and Travis Shaw gets more playing time. Either him, or Chris Davis, Baltimore Orioles free agent slugger, is also a nice fantasy. I'd say go with Travis Shaw personally, but first Hanley would have to be gone because you know as long as he's on the team, he'll be in the lineup as much as possible due to his contract.

One can only hope that Hanley gets his act together, because a trade likely means the Red Sox would be stuck with a good chunk of his remaining contract. Hanley, if you are reading this (slim, I know), please get your stuff together. Do it for the kids.

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