Hanley Ramirez is on his way back to the Red Sox orginization. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports)
The Boston Red Sox reportedly acquired two prized free agents on Monday — shortstop Hanley Ramirez and third baseman Pablo Sandoval.
On Monday afternoon, the Red Sox and Ramirez agreed on a five-year deal worth $88 million, according to multiple reports.
Ramirez, 30, hit .283 with a .369 on-base percentage, a .448 slugging percentage, 13 homers and 71 RBIs in 128 games for the Los Angeles Dodgers this past season.
Earlier on Monday, Boston and Sandoval came to terms on a five-year deal worth nearly $100 million.
Sandoval has won three World Series rings in five years with the Giants.
The 28-year-old Sandoval is coming off a season where he hit .279 with 16 home runs and 73 RBIs. In the postseason, he hit .366 in 17 games.
–Pitchers who won a combined nine Cy Young Awards and position players who earned three batting titles are among 17 new candidates on the 2015 Hall of Fame ballot.
Pitchers Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez and John Smoltz; infielder Nomar Garciaparra and outfielder Gary Sheffield join 17 holdovers from the 2014 balloting in which pitchers Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine and first baseman/designated hitter Frank Thomas won election to the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y. It marked the first time that three first-ballot nominees were elected since Nolan Ryan, George Brett and Robin Yount in 1999.
Former Houston Astros second baseman Craig Biggio missed the 75-percent qualifying point by two votes in last year’s balloting.
Other holdovers who remain on the ballot include Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Mike Piazza and Jeff Bagwell.
–After 11 seasons, outfielder Josh Willingham told ESPN that he is retiring.
The 35-year-old hit .253 with 195 home runs during a career that included stops with the Florida Marlins, Washington Nationals, Oakland Athletics, Minnesota Twins and Kansas City Royals.
His best season came in 2012, when he hit 35 homers, drove in 110 runs and won a Silver Slugger Award with the Twins.
–Third baseman Kyle Seager and the Seattle Mariners are nearing a long-term deal that will keep the 27-year-old in the Northwest for the next seven years.
According to multiple reports, the Mariners will lock up Seager at a cost of nearly $100 million. The contract will include an option in the eighth year and could be worth another $20 million.
Seager is coming off an All-Star type season. He won his first Gold Glove while hitting .268 and belted 25 home runs.
–Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cliff Lee got the green light to begin his offseason throwing program.
Lee missed the final two months of the 2014 season because of a left elbow strain.
General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. told CSNPhilly.com Lee would begin his offseason throwing program next week and that the veteran left hander will be ready for the start of spring training.
–ESPN reported that the Texas Rangers have engaged the Atlanta Braves in talks with the hope of acquiring outfielder B.J. Upton.
