From an emotional perspective, I would love to see Hanley moved somewhere in the offseason. But does it make sense to do so? I can see a number of reasons for keeping him:
(1) moving him now would be selling low--why would anyone give any value for him (even with the Sox picking up some of his salary)? If moving him means paying for him to play somewhere else and getting nothing back, that is a reason to keep him.
(2) keeping him doesn't mean he has to play everyday. He could play a a game or so a week in the OF and DH a game or so a week (assuming he can't play 1B and continues to be atrocious defensively in LF). If he can play 1B (which I realize may not materalize--but I suppose it's at least possible), he could get starts there too.
(3) he would be Ortiz insurance.
(4) he may still be able to hit. He was incredible in April and is still capable of scorching the ball. It seems possible/likely his offensive output has suffered as a result of the injury he sustained when running into the wall. Not sure how long this affected him, but at the least it seemed to screw up May and perhaps has had effects even after May (I don't know, just speculating).
(5) if he hits better next year but still can't find a position, perhaps they can trade him during the season for more value than they'd get now.
The thought of Hanley manning LF next year is terrifying. But maybe that doesn't mean he has to leave. It seems possible that keeping him could make sense, as long as he is not the starting LF. If the plan is for him to be the starting LF, then I'd revert to my emotional response--ship him anywhere, cut your losses.
(1) moving him now would be selling low--why would anyone give any value for him (even with the Sox picking up some of his salary)? If moving him means paying for him to play somewhere else and getting nothing back, that is a reason to keep him.
(2) keeping him doesn't mean he has to play everyday. He could play a a game or so a week in the OF and DH a game or so a week (assuming he can't play 1B and continues to be atrocious defensively in LF). If he can play 1B (which I realize may not materalize--but I suppose it's at least possible), he could get starts there too.
(3) he would be Ortiz insurance.
(4) he may still be able to hit. He was incredible in April and is still capable of scorching the ball. It seems possible/likely his offensive output has suffered as a result of the injury he sustained when running into the wall. Not sure how long this affected him, but at the least it seemed to screw up May and perhaps has had effects even after May (I don't know, just speculating).
(5) if he hits better next year but still can't find a position, perhaps they can trade him during the season for more value than they'd get now.
The thought of Hanley manning LF next year is terrifying. But maybe that doesn't mean he has to leave. It seems possible that keeping him could make sense, as long as he is not the starting LF. If the plan is for him to be the starting LF, then I'd revert to my emotional response--ship him anywhere, cut your losses.