David Ortiz is retiring after the 2016 season, giving us plenty of time to reflect on his career and debate endlessly about his Hall of Fame credentials.

But what does it mean for the Boston Red Sox?

While Ortiz made his announcement Wednesday on his 40th birthday, there is another Red Sox player celebrating his birthday next month.

Hanley Ramirez will turn 32. By the ripe age of 33, Ramirez should be ready to slide into the DH role.

Calls for Ramirez to be traded after this past season, when he hit .249 with a .717 OPS and 19 home runs, are legit, but who is going to deal for Ramirez without Boston taking on much of his remaining $66 million contract (in addition to another $22 million in a vesting option for 2019)?

If Boston must pay a lot for Ramirez to play somewhere else, the Red Sox might as well see if he can play first base for them next year. He has to be better at first than in left field, right?

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With Ortiz gone after next year, Ramirez can then retreat to the dugout and think only of hitting.

Ramirez was never a fit in left field. And when he injured his shoulder by crashing into the wall on May 4, his production dropped. Before the crash, he hit .283/.949 with 10 home runs in 25 games. After the injury, his numbers fell to .239/.647 with nine home runs in 80 games.

With his outfield days behind him and a DH role on the horizon, Ramirez may be able to stay healthy enough to just hit. Say what you will about his supposed attitude and his obvious defensive shortcomings, Ramirez is a gifted hitter.

Meanwhile, the development of first basemen Travis Shaw and Sam Travis continues. Shaw turned heads with a .270/.813 performance, with 13 home runs in 65 games last year. But the Red Sox need to see a greater sample size before being sold on him.

The other Travis – Sam – tore up the Arizona Fall League (.348/.900). He likely will return to the Sea Dogs next spring (he played only 65 games here last season) – but Triple-A won’t be far off.

The money that Ortiz frees up also might be a factor in the Red Sox’s future. Ortiz, who will make $16 million next season, had another option for 2017 that would be worth between $10 million and $16 million, depending on plate appearances.

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With that off the books, team president Dave Dombrowski can figure that money in for future expenses – say an expensive free-agent pitcher?

WHEN BOSTON traded for reliever Craig Kimbrel, Dombrowski sent San Diego some of his excess – four minor leaguers, including three solid prospects in center fielder Manuel Margot, shortstop Javier Guerra and pitcher Logan Allen, plus infielder Carlos Asuaje – an Eastern League All-Star with the Sea Dogs who projects as a utility infielder.

Margot showed potential in Portland (.271/.745), while Guerra starred in low Class A. But both play positions of strength for Boston. Not only does Boston have center fielders Mookie Betts and Jackie Bradley Jr., but 2015 first-round draft pick Andrew Benintendi looks very promising. Shortstop Xander Bogaerts is settled in at Fenway.

Allen, 18, looked great in the rookie leagues, but who knows? Trading him was certainly worth the gamble, with Boston’s bullpen in such desperate shape.

WHO ELSE might Dombrowski trade? The top prospects – infielders Yoan Moncada and Rafael Devers, pitcher Anderson Espinoza and Benintendi – appear untouchable (a dangerous word to use with a new president on board). Moncada, most certainly, should stay around, with Boston investing $63 million for him.

Shortstop Deven Marrero has a major league glove and decent enough bat to be attractive. Pitcher Brian Johnson may be deemed expendable.

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A NEW Sea Dogs manager will be announced soon, with Salem Manager Carlos Febles likely to replace Billy McMillon in Portland. According to Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe, McMillon will become the Red Sox minor league outfield and base-running coordinator, replacing George Lombard.

Lombard left the Red Sox to become the Atlanta Braves’ minor league field coordinator.

Red Sox director of player development Ben Crockett would not confirm the changes, saying “we won’t be announcing minor league staffs publicly until they are all finished.”

Likewise, Febles said by email he “cannot comment until the Red Sox make it official.”

Febles, 39, has been coaching in the Red Sox system since 2008, including the last two years as the advanced Class A Salem manager.

Febles played for the Kansas City Royals from 1998 to 2003. He finished his career in 2004, playing for the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox.

MADISON YOUNGINER, once a top Red Sox pitching prospect, signed a minor league contract with the Braves. Younginer, whose career as a starter stalled in low Class A, ended up in the Sea Dogs’ bullpen last year, where he compiled a 3.05 ERA.

 


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