Boston Red Sox 2015-16 Winter Offseason - bayers3's Dynasty

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Boston Red Sox 2015-16 Winter Offseason

Posted on August 16, 2014 at 12:22 PM.

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THE BOSTON GLOBE (RED SOX DYNASTY REPORT)

Boston takes their third title in three years.

Yet another amazing season in Boston, but the front office wouldn't have much time to celebrate. Few expected the team to win it all in 2014, let alone a third time in 2015, but it looks like the painful rebuilding process is finally here. David Ortiz, who looked just about done in 2014, was able to get one more ring before riding off into the sunset and leaving a Big Papi shaped hole in Boston's heart and lineup.

Luckily for Boston there is plenty of young talent still around, Mookie Betts being named the AL Playoff MVP is evidence of that. The Red Sox are in for some growing pains, but they have three rings to help tide the fans over.

2015-2016 FREE AGENCY

Once again the Red Sox took a back seat in free agency, locking up their own players and sitting back during the big free agency process. GM Ben Cherington has been very keen on stockpiling draft picks and rebuilding the team through the farm system, and this year was no different.

2015 Qualifying Offers

Mike Napoli (Declined) - Signed $16 million / 2 Years, Pittsburgh Pirates
Clay Buchholz (Declined) - Signed $30.3 million / 3 years, San Diego Padres

Napoli, a fan favorite and World Series MVP, seriously misjudged the market. Boston's qualifying offer was for almost as much as he ended up signing for, but for one less year. Perhaps at his age he was looking for more, but few teams offered him anything more than a 2 year deal.

2015 Contract Extensions

Braden Shipley - $4 million / 5 years

2015 Free Agents

This was where Boston may have made a few mistakes in 2014, and their roster depth showed it. This year management decided to sit back and see who they could get on low-risk high-reward contracts, and it worked out perfectly. While most of the contenders fought over big names, like the Rangers landing Orioles' 1B Chris Davis for a whopping $118.55 million over 5 years, Boston quietly picked up pieces to compliment the young talent already on the roster. The other notable free agent signings were Jason Heyward (Phillies, $114.20 million over 5 years) and Matt Wieters (Astros, $39.72 million over 3 years).

Matt Adams - $3 million / 3 years
Nelson Cruz - $3.96 million / 1 year
Jake Lamb - $360,000 / 5 years
Jonathan Schoop - $3 million / 4 years
Matt Stites - $300,000 / 3 years

At first glance it seems like the Red Sox splurged, but really they managed to sign a lot of young players to very budget friendly deals. Nelson Cruz, even though he signed for nearly $4 million, was a real steal as he received very few offers. Ben Cherington showed interest on a one year deal early on, but Cruz declined while waiting for a longer deal. Nothing materialized, and the slugger found himself without a job, so the Red Sox landed someone to take the place of Ortiz in the DH spot.

Rule 5 Draft

Boston made no selections in the 2015 Rule 5 Draft.

FINANCES

Despite having one of the largest available budgets, just over $200 million, the Red Sox have really scaled back on their payroll for 2015. Their current team salary sits at $64.2 million, good enough for 26th in MLB, thanks to passing on massive contracts to older players. Dustin Pedroia continues to be the highest paid player thanks to his lengthy extension prior to the 2014 season that goes through the 2015 to 2021 season.

2015 Notable Retirements

A brutal year for Boston in the retirement department, but everyone went out winners. It was important to Boston and David Ortiz that he retire in the town where he became an elite hitter, he will always be missed by his teammates and the organization.

David Ortiz (Boston Red Sox) - 39, 19 Seasons
Koji Uehara (Boston Red Sox) - 40, 7 Seasons
Shane Victorino (Boston Red Sox) - 34, 12 Seasons
Torii Hunter (Boston Red Sox) - 39, 19 Seasons
Jonathan Papelbon (Tampa Bay Rays) - 34, 11 Seasons
Jose Bautista (Toronto Blue Jays) - 34, 12 Seasons
Joe Nathan (Detroit Tigers) - 40, 15 Seasons
Adrian Beltre (Texas Rangers ) - 36, 18 Seasons
Big Fat Bartolo Colon (NY Mets) - 42, 18 Seasons
Cliff Lee (Philidelphia Phillies) - 36, 14 Seasons
Chase Utley (Philidelphia Phillies) - 36, 13 Seasons