BOSTON -- The Red Sox have made a pair of impact free-agent deals that should bolster their offense in 2015 and beyond. Both Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval have agreed to join the Red Sox.
Sandoval will be introduced Tuesday at Fenway Park in a 1 p.m. ET news conference that will be streamed live on MLB.com and redsox.com. Ramirez's deal, which is still pending a physical, could also be announced later Tuesday.
The Giants released a statement about Sandoval agreeing to a deal with the Red Sox: "Pablo Sandoval has been a key member of the Giants since breaking into the Majors with us in 2008. He has been with us through some of the greatest moments in San Francisco Giants history -- including all three World Series championships.
"We will never forget his World Series MVP performance in 2012 and his numerous contributions to the 2014 championship. His connection with Giants fans -- young and old -- is truly special and he will be greatly missed. We wish him nothing but the best in Boston."
Ramirez's agreement, first reported by FOXSports.com, is for $88 million over four years with a $22 million vesting option for a fifth year. Sandoval, who chose the Red Sox over the Giants and Padres, has agreed to a five-year contract worth close to $100 million, CBSSports.com reported.
The Red Sox have not commented on the reports, and club policy is that they don't comment on negotiations with free agents until deals are final, including the completion of physicals.
But David Ortiz, Boston's longest-tenured player, tweeted out a welcome to both players: "Welcome to #RedSoxNation @HanleyRamirez @KFP48.....bout to give pitcher nightmares!!!!"
Sandoval is all but certain to become Boston's new third baseman. But less clear is how Boston will utilize Ramirez. Ramirez's natural position is shortstop, but Xander Bogaerts is currently holding down that spot for Boston.
One option is that Ramirez -- who turns 31 next month -- could move to the outfield. Though Ramirez has never played the outfield in the Major Leagues, he certainly seems to have the athleticism that would be necessary to make that transition.
A Sandoval-Ramirez tandem will likely prompt the Red Sox to trade at least one outfielder among Yoenis Cespedes, Rusney Castillo, Mookie Betts,Jackie Bradley Jr., Allen Craig, Daniel Nava and Shane Victorino.
Though the Red Sox stated earlier this offseason that their preference is to keep Cespedes, the addition of Ramirez could change their line of thinking. Cespedes is entering the final year of his contract, and his free-swinging approach makes him less of a fit in Boston than Ramirez, who has a career on-base percentage of .373.
Monday marked the nine-year anniversary of when the Red Sox traded Ramirez -- once billed as their shortstop of the future -- to the Marlins in a deal that brought Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell to Boston.
That trade nine years ago was a classic example of a transaction that worked for all sides. Beckett and Lowell helped the Red Sox win a World Series in 2007, and Ramirez became an almost instant star with the Marlins.
Ramirez was traded from the Marlins to the Dodgers on July 25, 2012, and performed well in his two-plus seasons in Los Angeles.
The Red Sox met with Ramirez at the General Managers Meetings in Arizona earlier this month and stayed in contact afterward. Ramirez originally signed with Boston as an amateur free agent in 2000.
Ramirez is a three-time All-Star and a career. 300 hitter with 191 homers, 654 RBIs and an .873 OPS.
In 2014, the Red Sox finished in last place in the American League, largely due to an anemic offense. They now appear willing to invest nearly $190 million in two established hitters in an effort to improve.
Add Ramirez and Sandoval to an offense that already includes David Ortiz,Dustin Pedroia and Mike Napoli, and Boston's lineup could certainly become elite again.
Aside from the ongoing efforts to improve the offense, Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington is also on a mission to add to the starting rotation. An offer was made recently to Jon Lester in hopes that the lefty will return to Boston. Lester is still in the midst of talking to other teams.
If the Red Sox can't bring back Lester, they now appear to be in position to package some of their outfield depth and perhaps some prospects for a potential trade for a pitcher, such as Cole Hamels.
Ian Browne is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Brownie Points, and follow him on Twitter @IanMBrowne. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
