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2016 AL East Rankings by Position: First Base

By Nate Wardle

Sep 20, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles designated hitter Chris Davis (19) hits a 2-run home run during the third inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 20, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles designated hitter Chris Davis (19) hits a 2-run home run during the third inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 8, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Boston Red Sox left fielder Hanley Ramirez (13) in the dugout against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 8, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Boston Red Sox left fielder Hanley Ramirez (13) in the dugout against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Boston Red Sox – Hanley Ramirez, Brock Holt, Travis Shaw, Allen Craig

The Red Sox come in last, as they deal with the saga of Hanley Ramirez. Let’s be honest, his year last year in left field was nothing short of an utter disaster. He had a -2.5 dWAR, which is atrocious. And if you watched any games, that might be too high. With Pablo Sandoval and his fat contract at 3B, and rising star Xander Bogaerts at SS, not to mention aging David Ortiz at DH, Hanley is now going to play first base for the Red Sox.

Anyone else see this going badly?

The Red Sox are paying Ramirez $20 million this season. This for a guy without a defensive position. As for offense, well HanRam isn’t worth the money there either. He hit .249/.291/.426 last season, with 19 HRs, 12 2Bs, 53 RBIs and 59 runs in 105 games. If you are a fan of any other team in the AL East, you are hoping that Ramirez stays healthy all season long.

The team would probably be better off with super backup Brock Holt starting at first base. Holt was a 2015 All-Star, playing every position but pitcher and catcher for the Red Sox. He appeared in 129 games, hitting .280/.349/.379 with only 2 HRs, but 27 2Bs. Holt is not a power hitter either, but he’s a gritty player who does everything well. He can run the bases, he can field, and he can hit. If the Red Sox would find a way to make Ramirez go away, which would take some sort of miracle, Holt would probably bump the Red Sox up to at least third on this list. But, with it hard to send someone who makes $20 million packing, the Red Sox are in a predicament.

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Travis Shaw also showed his ability in the major leagues last year. He will be a key part of the Red Sox bench in 2016.

There is a lot about this position that makes this AL East rankings very uncertain. If Tex gets hurt, the Yankees could fall to fifth. If Colabello duplicates last year, he might have a better year than Tex. If the Red Sox somehow find another place for Ramirez, Holt could send Boston rocketing up the rankings.

The one thing I am sure about is that Chris Davis and the Baltimore Orioles are set at first base, and he is clearly the best first baseman in the AL East.

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