Boston Red Sox connections on the MLB landscape move

Red Sox connections on the move you may have missed

It’s time for a slow dance after the Red Sox home run-infused mauling of the Rays at hideous Tropicana Field. A look at some news pertaining to those with Red Sox connections, including a high-paid slugger and former manager.

Hanley Ramirez is in the news as the former Red Sox sometime slugger is slated to play winter ball. Ramirez is reporting to Los Tigres de Licey of the Dominican Winter League. He is no novice to the winter leagues as this will mark the fifth go-around with Los Tigres.

Ramirez “retired” with a career slash of .289/.360/.847 and 271 home runs. In 2017, Boston dumped him and swallowed the remainder of his $22.75 million contract for the season. But a new age may dawn if the National League institutes the designated hitter, and Ramirez could get an Orlando Cepeda type call. Is this a show casting for Ramirez?

Taylor Motter appeared with Boston briefly in 2021 but did contribute. The 32-year-old right-hand hitter played in three games and hit .333. The majors, a long-time minor league slugger, have not been kind to Motter, hitting an anemic .191 with five different organizations. His MLB power line is ten home runs and 38 RBI in 157 games. Does the KBO await?

Right-hand hitting Yairo Múnoz has been outrighted to Worcester. Múnoz, now 26 years old, slashed .274/.327/.722 with the Cardinals spread over two seasons (2018-2019) and 213 games. He made a brief appearance in Boston this season, hitting an anemic .091 compared to his .333 in 12 games in 2020.

Múnoz grabbed attention this season with a 35 game hitting streak, with the Worcester WooSox (AAA) setting an organizational record. He demonstrated his versatility with Worcester by playing every position but catcher and pitcher and earning team MVP honors. Múnoz had also been on the COVID list since September first.

This is not new territory for Múnoz as the Red Sox outrighted him last December and assigned him to Triple-A. The Red Sox eventually signed Múnoz to a minor league deal, which could be the cycle again.

Torey Lovullo was a former National League Manager of the Year with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Lovullo has just signed an extension with the snakes for next season with a club option tacked on for 2023.

Boston roots exist for Lovullo as bench coach to manager John Farrell. Lovullo took over in 2015 when Farrell had health issues. Boston took off under Lovullo’s tutelage with a .638 winning percentage. Eventually, Lovullo was hired by ex-Red Sox executive Mike Hazen and moved west. Lovullo has a 337-371 managerial record.

The Red Sox might not have entered the playoffs if they neglected to sign José Iglesias when he was dumped by the Angels. The former Red Sox hit .356 in 23 games while locking down second base. A noted solid defender, Iglesias had a terrible defensive season at short with a -10.3 UZR/150 and -21 defensive runs saved. That turned around when placed at second.

Iglesias will be 32-years-old next season and has a .277 career average. A noted free swinging with just a career 4.4 BB%, the right-hand hitter can have some pop hitting nine home runs in 2021 and 27 doubles. Iglesias could be a relatively cheap infield insurance policy next season.

Whatever happened to Brandon Workman? One that I missed. In early August, Workman was granted free agency after a brief and rather morbid return to the Red Sox. The Red Sox gave the righty who had bullpen self-immolated in Philadelphia and Chicago a lifeline.

The Boston numbers were far from encouraging, especially a dismal 15.1 BB%. A far cry from his glory days of 2018-2019 in Boston. The righty combined for a 16-2 record, 2.63 ERA, and 16 saves. Worman – now 33-years-old – has not been hooked on with another team.