You guys are talking me into either Panda or Beltre. I like Beltre better - and how fun would it be to have that guy back in Boston? But Sandoval is advantageous in that he's a lefty and he's younger. But I'm not so convinced he'll be much cheaper. He's a good player in the beginning of the prime of his career hitting the free agent market. He'll likely command a big long-term contract. I like the idea of Beltre for 2 years in the hopes that Cecchini or Devers is ready by then. Though the odds of Devers being MLB-ready at that point are probably pretty small, seeing as though he's just 17 years old right now!
But if they're not, I think at that point you either re-sign Beltre to a short contract or once again look to fill the need elsewhere. But it gives you two years to figure it out.
CF Castillo
2b Pedroia
DH Ortiz
RF Cespedes
3b Beltre
1b Napoli
RF Craig/Victorino
SS Bogaerts
C Vazquez
And you fill in with Betts on an almost every-day basis at 2b, SS, or any of the OF positions, as needed. There will be injuries. Guys will need days off. Betts should be able to get 350-400 AB in that scenario. I know it's right-hand heavy, but oh well. Still a lot of pop in that lineup from 3-7.
And Holt fills in everywhere else. In many respects, that's a hell of a bench:
- veteran C
- Betts
- Victorino/Craig
- Holt
It's versatile - you have two guys who can play IF/OF. It has speed. It has pop. It has hitters from both sides of the plate. That would be pretty sweet.