We asked CSNNE.com's Red Sox insider, Sean McAdam, the same questions we're asking you in our preseason survey. Over the next few days, Sean will give his answers; see if you agree and, if you haven't already, click the link and cast your votes.
This question: Which offseason acquisition will work out the BEST? Click here for his answer to today's other question: Which offseason acquisition will work out the WORST?
From the time he was signed by the Red Sox at the age of 16, Hanley Ramirez dreamed of wearing the Boston uniform and playing in Fenway Park.
At the end of 2005, he got a brief taste, appearing in two games for the club. But that winter, Ramirez was packaged to the Florida Marlins in a deal that saw the Red Sox obtain Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell.
Now, a decade later, Ramirez's dream is coming true for longer than two games. Signed to a four-year, $88 million deal last December, Ramirez is poised to make a big -- and full-time -- impact on the Red Sox.
He's due to hit cleanup in an enhanced lineup, surrounded by mentor David Ortiz and friend Pablo Sandoval in the batting order, that is expected to be one of the most powerful in the game.
It was just two years ago that Ramirez posted a 1.040 ERA (albeit in only 86 games). Ramirez, in fact, has seemingly been an injury ready to happen in recent seasons, playing fewer than 100 games in two of the last four years.
Boston Red Sox
But moved from shortstop to left field, there will be far less wear-and-tear on his body, enabling him to stay on the field.
Protected in a powerful lineup and hitting in a far friendlier home ballpark -- Ramirez has spent his entire big league career in bad hitter's ballparks in Miami and Los Angeles -- he should flourish, home again.
Check back tomorrow when Sean answers these two questions: 1) Which young player will make the biggest contribution? 2) Who will be the closer at the end of the season?