MLB Boston Red Sox

Predicting the Boston Red Sox’s 2015 Starting Lineup After Winter Meetings

Predicting the Boston Red Sox's 2015 Starting Lineup After Winter Meetings

red sox
Bob DeChiara - USA Today Sports

The Boston Red Sox, coming off an extremely disappointing season, completely retooled their roster and created a dangerous offense. Here's a look at their potential lineup.

1. Shane Victorino - RF

Shane Victorino
Kim Klement - USA Today Sports

1. Shane Victorino - RF

Shane Victorino
Kim Klement - USA Today Sports

Shane Victorino has seen a few consecutive injury-plagued seasons. However, when he is consistently in the lineup, he is one of the most solid leadoff hitters in the major leagues. He is an above-average defender for a corner outfielder, and he can get on base and run. He will be the perfect setup man for the scary middle of the order if he stays healthy.

2. Dustin Pedroia - 2B

Dustin Pedroia
Bob DeChiara - USA Today Sports

2. Dustin Pedroia - 2B

Dustin Pedroia
Bob DeChiara - USA Today Sports

What more to say? Dustin Pedroia has been one of the staples of this team for years. He had a bit of a down year last year, hitting .278 with only seven homers. However, this year he gets to play with an elite offense around him, and he should return to his typical hardworking, on-base style that has gained him so much success. On top of that, he has always been a solid second baseman for the Red Sox.

3. Hanley Ramirez - LF

Hanley Ramirez
Richard Mackson - USA Today Sports

3. Hanley Ramirez - LF

Hanley Ramirez
Richard Mackson - USA Today Sports

Hanley Ramirez is a known quantity on offense. He has always been a beast, and last year he hit .283 with 13 home runs to go along with 35 doubles. He should also benefit from the close confines of Fenway Park in left field. The big question mark with him will be how he adjusts to playing left field, but Ramirez will still provide another huge boost to this offense.

4. David Ortiz - DH

David Ortiz
Joy R. Absalon - USA Today Sports

4. David Ortiz - DH

David Ortiz
Joy R. Absalon - USA Today Sports

Every year, fans expect to David Ortiz to fall off, and every year, he continues to amaze. Last season, he hit 35 homers and drove in 104 runs to continue to bolster his Hall of Fame resume. This was in a season where the rest of the team was in flux and he never had consistent producers around him. With the complete lineup they've found this year, expect more of the same from Big Papi.

5. Pablo Sandoval - 3B

Pablo Sandoval
Greg M. Cooper - USA Today Sports

5. Pablo Sandoval - 3B

Pablo Sandoval
Greg M. Cooper - USA Today Sports

The other splashy free agent signing for the Red Sox this offseason was the Kung Fu Panda, Sandoval. Even though they had a young talent at third base in Will Middlebrooks, Sandoval is clearly a huge upgrade. He provides a switch-hitting bat that can deliver from both sides, as well as surprising defense considering his size. More importantly, he adds even more championship presence and a winning attitude.

6. Mike Napoli - 1B

Mike Napoli
Bob DeChiara - USA Today Sports

6. Mike Napoli - 1B

Mike Napoli
Bob DeChiara - USA Today Sports

Mike Napoli is somewhat of a boom or bust player on the offensive end. He only hit .248 last year, but that was to go along with 17 homers. He is usually a player who you can rely on for 20 homers a year. If they can get that type of season from him as a player hitting closer to the bottom of the order, the Red Sox would be very happy.

7. Brock Holt - CF

Brock Holt
Anthony Gruppuso - USA Today Sports

7. Brock Holt - CF

brock holt
Anthony Gruppuso - USA Today Sports

With a roster so loaded with both proven talent and young players, this third outfielder position could shift a lot as people like Allen Craig still need to get playing time. However, the fact is Brock Holt played well enough last year to prove that he deserves this spot. He was one of the few bright spots in a bad year for the Red Sox. He hit .281, stole 12 bases, and played excellent defense wherever the Red Sox put him on the field.

8. Christian Vazquez - C

christian vazquez
Bob DeChiara - USA Today Sports

8. Christian Vazquez - C

christian vazquez
Bob DeChiara - USA Today Sports

Christian Vazquez struggled at the plate during his first campaign in the bigs, only hitting .240. However, people project him to improve as time goes on and become a serviceable on the offensive end. And what he's already more than serviceable at is defense, where he's regarded as an excellent catcher. The Red Sox are looking for improvement and continued defensive excellence from Vazquez in year two.

9. Xander Bogaerts - SS

xander Bogaerts
Charles LeClaire - USA Today Sports

9. Xander Bogaerts - SS

xander Bogaerts
Charles LeClaire - USA Today Sports

The Red Sox have bet a lot on their highly-touted shortstop, Xander Bogaerts. He struggled to prove them right last year, but the move of Hanley Ramirez to the outfield clearly shows that the Red Sox are still committed to seeing Bogaerts succeed in the major leagues. If he can, they have a serious weapon at the bottom of their order.

Owen Gabbey is a baseball writer who also contributes for the NFL for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter @ogab_3, “Like” him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google. 

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