Even Hanley Ramirez says the Red Sox are ‘way better’ with him at first base
The Red Sox’s positional Tetris continues — but now with optimism.
As youngsters Jackie Bradley Jr., Mookie Betts, and Rusney Castillo continue to emerge as playmakers, the team has begun experimenting by moving Hanley Ramirez from left field to first base.
“I think, with me at first, we’re going to have a better team on the field, competing every day,’’ said Ramirez, via CSNNE.com. “I was thinking, ‘Yeah, we’re a way better team with me at first and Jackie and Mookie and Casty (in the outfield).’ Hopefully we can do it and they can keep doing what they’re doing – playing great outfield and keep hitting, because we’re going to need that.’’
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The Sox (57-69) sit in last place in the AL East, and have undergone a number of changes in recent weeks. Manager John Farrell has taken time off for treatment of lymphoma. GM Ben Cherington resigned on the same day the team named Dave Dombrowski president. And perhaps with Ramirez, the change will continue.
“Nothing is imminent,’’ Red Sox interim manager Terry Lovullo said, via WEEI.com. “We just wanted to see how it looked.’’
When speaking about Ramirez’s position in left field on August 20, Dombrowski admitted it’s unfair for teams to assume players can transition to a new position. Ramirez, however, expressed confidence in his versatility.
“I’m blessed. I can play anywhere,’’ he said. “I can hit anywhere. I’m really happy that I can do that for a team. I can play first, second, third, short, left, center, right field, I can catch. I can lead off, be second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, 10th. And if the game’s one-sided, I can pitch. I’m really blessed.’’
Ramirez as a Red Sox reliever would be a spectacle, but the Red Sox seem to have had enough Ramirez-related spectacles. Instead, he and the Sox will start with first base.
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