Middlebrooks Done in Boston?

Two years ago one of the questions in Boston was who is going to play third for the forseeable future.  The answer so they thought was a young, right handed, power hitter coming up through the minors named Will Middlebrooks.  He showed solid power potential and was given his first extended look that season.

Middlebrooks first full season with the Sox was a mixed bag.  In 94 games he only hit .227, but showed the power was legit with 17 home runs.  He was expected to be the starter throughout the 2014 season with Xander Bogaerts moving to short stop full time.  Bogaerts did move from third but Middlebrooks wasn't able to seize the opportunity.  He struggled in 63 games hitting .191 with only two home runs while also dealing with injuries. Super utility man Brock Holt along with a couple others saw starts in Middlebrooks place.  The replacements didn't set the world on fire but proved to be more productive options at this time. This helped put Middlebrooks future with Boston in question.

This off-season there have been trade rumors for a number of Red Sox players including Middlebrooks.  Nothing was set in stone but the sox have actively sought third basemen in free agency.  Contracts have been offered to former Red Sox short stop Hanley Ramirez and three time World Series champion Pablo Sandoval.

Ramirez was once seen as the short stop of the future in Boston but was shipped to Florida in a block buster trade that involved Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell.  He is a career .300 hitter with 191 home runs and 654 RBIs.  What has made him even more intriguing is that he is open to a position change which could be either third or outfield.  Ramirez agreed to an offer said to be 5 years $90mil with Boston and will be finalizing the deal this week.

Pablo Sandoval has come up with the San Francisco and has played third base exclusively.  He has had some weight issues but the talent is undeniable.  The switch hitter has hit .294 with 106 home runs and 462 RBIs since his debut in 2008.  He claimed that he will make his decision next week, but reports have stated that he is leaning toward taking Boston's 5 year $95mil offer.  It is also said that the Sox may be willing to bring in both players.

The ability to bring in a proven veteren, possibly two, on long term deals can't bode well for Middlebrooks future in Boston.  He also had prospect Garin Ceccini making a case as an in house replacement.  This move along with the depth will most likely have Boston fielding offers for Middlebrooks.  There's no doubt a team will be interested in bringing in a potential power bat to boost their lineup or increase depth.  More clarity will come next week after Sandoval's decision but don't be surprised to see Middlebrooks helping another team this season.