In this power age of baseball, the Red Sox are lacking it. And whether they can justify not having it, they must acquire it this coming offseason. How they do it is the next issue.
Giancarlo Stanton is the poster child for power. While many in baseball believe Stanton could be made available by the Marlins, don’t be so sure. Derek Jeter will run the baseball side of things and there’s no reason to believe that the Marlins’ new ownership group will want to jettison Stanton and the $285 million left on his contract. We don’t know that yet.
If Stanton is made available, the Red Sox have to be in on him. Whether they would have enough to satisfy the Marlins’ demands and whether the Marlins would eat some of Stanton’s contract remains to be seen. But at age 27 and with 60-homer potential, Stanton is a player the Sox must inquire about.
The Marlins do not have a good farm system. They would also need an outfielder to replace Stanton and could use a young starting pitcher. The Sox would have to start with Andrew Benintendi and Eduardo Rodriguez and likely throw in another pitching prospect, of which the Red Sox don’t have many (Miami might be enticed by Jalen Beeks or Jay Groome).
Some people might consider it blasphemy to give up Benintendi, but what is the Sox’ bigger need — an all-around player such as Benintendi or a force in the middle of the lineup who strikes fear in pitchers and helps the hitters around him? The Red Sox had that with David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez during their run of three championships in 10 years.
Teams have to have the ability to hit the ball out of the park, and deep down the Red Sox know this — even though they continually talk about how they’re not a home run-hitting team and they can win games in other ways. Yes, they can. It’s just a harder way to do it.
Even Yankees manager Joe Girardi said as much recently in discussing the slumping Aaron Judge: “You’ve got to get [homers] from someone.’’ Girardi is fortunate to have catcher Gary Sanchez in that respect.
Stanton has a full no-trade provision in his contract, which has another 10 years plus a club option in 2028. He’s a native of Los Angeles, so he might not favor moving to another East Coast team. The Phillies, Cardinals, and Rangers have already tried, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale.
Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski loves big hitters. Think Miguel Cabrera, whom he acquired while with the Tigers.
There won’t be many other power bats available this offseason, but a second trade option would be White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu. He’s an annual threat for 30 homers and 100 RBIs. The Red Sox wanted him badly out of Cuba but lost out to the White Sox and then signed Rusney Castillo the next offseason.
Agent Scott Boras wouldn’t mind seeing his client, first baseman and pending free agent Eric Hosmer, wind up with the Red Sox. Hosmer has 22 homers this year — approaching his career high of 25 — but the feeling is he could hit closer to 30 if he had the left-field wall at Fenway at his disposal. He’s also a very good contact hitter and defensive player.
The Red Sox don’t appear to have a spot for someone such as Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas, unless they move Rafael Devers to first or DH. Moustakas, another Boras client entering free agency, has hit 35 out of the park this year, though none since Aug. 15.
Outfielder Justin Upton, acquired by the Angels on Thursday, can opt out of his contract after the season. He has 28 homers this year.
Former Dombrowski acquisition J.D. Martinez will be a free agent after the season. The outfielder is one homer shy of his second 30-homer season.
But none of these options match what Stanton has done this year. He is the most powerful man in baseball, and he’s just what the Red Sox need.
The Red Sox will stay under the luxury tax threshold this season, giving them more payroll flexibility for 2018 while Mitch Moreland, EduardoNunez, and Addison Reed come off the books.
The Red Sox entered Friday 26th in the majors in home runs. They have pointed out that only two of the top five home run-hitting teams in baseball — the Astros and Cubs — are currently in playoff position. But the Red Sox have had, for the most part, good pitching and good defense. Their base running has been helter-skelter, but they steal bases (fifth most in MLB).
What’s missing is the power element. And when you play at Fenway in a home run-hitting era, it doesn’t make much sense not to have it.
KEEPING AN EYE OUT
Foundation benefits scouts
Last week, we wrote about scouting casualties. At least there’s a foundation that helps scouts in tough times. It’s the Professional Baseball Scouts Foundation, located in Thousand Oaks, Calif., and founded by Dennis Gilbert, the former super-agent.
Gilbert is concerned by the recent purges in scouting staffs, examples being in Houston and Minnesota. Arizona recently let four scouts go, but general manager Mike Hazen said he’s actually adding to his pro scouting staff.
The organization was founded 15 years ago and has helped more than 50 scouts after they lost their jobs.
“We’ve paid for hospice. We’ve actually taken someone who was living in a Motel 6 and provided proper housing. We removed a person living in his car,’’ said Gilbert. “The whole idea of this is you have situations where a scout is working in an organization for 10-15 years. And let’s say they’re in their late 40s or 50s and they get terminated. Because most of them are former minor league players, what are they qualified to do? So they don’t have any other work experience in doing anything except watching baseball games and analyzing hitters and pitchers and whatever else a scout does. These guys are without jobs, and our job is to help them get a new job and take care of them in the meantime.
“As soon as somebody gets fired, especially if over age 50, we’ll immediately pay for his COBRA so they have health insurance. That’s an automatic. Here a guy who has just been fired, so how’s he going to pay $500-$900 a month and more for health coverage?’’
Gilbert said the foundation e-mails MLB scouting directors to tell them which scouts are available for employment. They also send the scouts’ résumés to teams.
“We have situations where credit cards are overdrawn, or they don’t have money for rent or their mortgage. Most of these scouts live month to month. We’re there to fill in the gap until they’re able to get on their feet,’’ Gillbert said.
Gilbert, who was Tony Conigliaro’s minor league roommate with the Red Sox and earned the name “Go-Go’’ because of his speed, throws a fund-raising dinner for the foundation every year and has honored Sandy Koufax, Willie Mays, Cal Ripken Jr., Brooks Robinson, George Brett, Vin Scully, and Bud Selig, among others.
Board members include Tommy Lasorda, Roland Hemond, Pat Gillick, and Hall of Fame president Jeff Idelson.
Apropos of nothing
1. If the season ended today, would the Red Sox beat the Indians in the ALDS? If the Sox can’t earn home-field advantage, do you expect a different result than last year’s sweep? Given the matchups and the history between the teams, I’d give a slight edge to the Indians. Chris Sale would oppose Corey Kluber in Game 1. Until Sale finds a way to beat the Indians, you have to give the edge to the Tribe. Sale has never pitched in the postseason. Kluber pitched a gem against the Red Sox in Game 2 last year and has pitched well against them this season. The Indians are hoping to get Andrew Miller back for the postseason. If he returns, he’ll be a big factor.
2. If you’re rating starting rotations in the playoffs, wouldn’t the Nationals — Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, and Gio Gonzalez — be first? The Astros have entered the picture after acquiring Justin Verlander to go with Dallas Keuchel and Lance McCullers.
3. The Tigers got a good deal having to send only $8 million to the Astros for each of the next two years to help with Verlander’s enormous contract. The Tigers also got three very good prospects they can rebuild around. The Tigers were able to deal Verlander, Justin Upton,J.D. Martinez, and Justin Wilson, but were unable to move Ian Kinsler, Miguel Cabrera, and Victor Martinez.
4. Have to feel for the Royals. They took a shot at the playoffs by keeping all of their pending free agents and now it appears they’re going to be left without anything but draft picks. Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas, Lorenzo Cain, Jason Vargas, and Alcides Escobar will be hitting the open market. The Royals have to make qualifying offers to get draft pick compensation should the player sign a contract for more than $50 million. The Royals may try to retain Hosmer, but even that’s a long shot. The Royals didn’t make any extra additions in August because of payroll restrictions.
Updates on nine
1. Brian Cashman, GM, Yankees — Cashman went to Japan last week to watch pitcher/hitter Shohei Otani. Otani was injured for much of the season and didn’t pitch well with Cashman in attendance, allowing four runs on three hits and three walks over 3⅓ innings. Most teams want Otani as a pitcher, but in 45 games this season he’s hit .342 from the left side of the plate, with five home runs and 22 RBIs. Otani wants to sign with an MLB team that will allow him to hit and pitch. The Yankees could offer Otani about $10 million under the new collective bargaining agreement.
2. Justin Smoak, 1B, Blue Jays — Jays third base coach Luis Rivera can’t see how Smoak doesn’t win the Gold Glove in the AL. “He’s as good there as anyone I’ve seen this year,’’ Rivera said. “He’s had a great year at the plate too, and sometimes that helps in the Gold Glove.’’ Mitch Moreland was last year’s winner and should contend again. Eric Hosmer is another hopeful.
3. Josh Donaldson, 3B, Blue Jays — Remember when Donaldson used to be willing to dive into the stands? There are times now when he doesn’t run out balls to first base, and it’s been noticed. Don’t be shocked if the Jays listen to offers for him this offseason.
4. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF, Yankees — Could the Yankees eat some money and deal Ellsbury this offseason? It’s possible. Ellsbury is hitting again, but the concussion he suffered took its toll. He’s lost his job to Aaron Hicks. The Yankees, who are on the hook with Ellsbury for at least $68 million, might be able to sell him off if they pick up half the contract. Ellsbury, 33, has speed but has declined in the field.
5. Manny Machado, 3B, Orioles — The Orioles will likely clear the deck after next season and let go of veterans such as Adam Jones, Chris Tillman, Zach Britton, and J.J. Hardy (after this year). Will they then re-sign Machado, who can become a free agent after next season? There are two schools of thought. One is the Orioles will seek to deal him in the offseason if they feel they aren’t making headway on a new deal. Machado’s market could be interesting and could include the Phillies, Braves, Giants, Angels, and Mets. We hesitate on Miami (Machado’s hometown) only because if Giancarlo Stanton is still on the Marlins it would be hard to imagine them adding Machado to the payroll. The Yankees could be buyers as well, but they have strong prospects vying for the third base job.
6. Manuel Margot, CF, Padres — The main piece in the package San Diego received from the Red Sox for Craig Kimbrel is hitting .268 with 13 homers, 34 RBIs, and a .740 OPS in his age-22 season. The Padres will take that. Margot has only 12 steals, which the team feels he can improve upon.
7. Sam Travis, 1B, Red Sox — Travis could be a key guy, not only if he fits into Boston’s first base plans for next season but also whether he could be a piece in a deal for a power hitter. Remember, Dave Dombrowski said he didn’t want a long-term signing at first base because he didn’t want to block Travis. But Travis didn’t have a great offensive year at Triple A, hitting .270 with six homers and 24 RBIs in 304 at-bats. Wonder how strongly the Sox are feeling about Travis considering Michael Chavis was moved to first base for the Arizona Fall League.
8. Ryan Howard, 1B, Rockies — Howard, who is hitting .231 with three homers and eight RBIs in Triple A, was not among the Rockies’ call-ups Friday. We’ve said before that his career is over, but this may be it.
9. Henry Owens, LHP, Red Sox — The Red Sox remain patient with Owens, who is headed to the Arizona Fall League to work on his new arm slot. The Sox should hire Randy Johnson to work with Owens and teach him about pitching as a tall lefty. Of course, Owens doesn’t throw 100 miles per hour like Johnson did.
Extra innings
From the Bill Chuck files — “In 1995, Mark McGwire totaled 87 hits, of which 39 were homers. This season, Joey Gallo has 36 homers and just 73 hits.’’ . . . Happy birthday, Chad Fox (47), Mike Paxton (64), and Tom Brewer (86).
Nick Cafardo can be reached at cafardo@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @nickcafardo. Material from interviews, wire services, other beat writers, and league and team sources was used in this report.
