A year ago, manager John Farrell stood outside their Spring Training clubhouse and oozed with optimism. World Series championships in back-to-back seasons was his dream. Instead, the thud you heard was the Red Sox hitting the basement concrete once again as the AL East cellar dwellers.

But rather than walk around with his head bowed, executive vice president and general manager Ben Cherington took a deep breath, swallowed hard and became one of the most active movers and shakers in Major League Baseball this offseason.

Cherington spent $88 million to sign Hanley Ramirez, who began in Boston's Minor League system before stops with the Marlins and Dodgers.

And while fans were grieving over the failure of persuading former Red Sox favorite Jon Lester to return to Fenway Park, Cherington pulled off what I consider a shrewd marketing ploy: He gave "The Panda," former Giants All-Star third baseman Pablo Sandoval, a five-year, $95 million deal to bring his talents and charisma to Boston.

Sandoval, Ramirez introduced in Boston

It was a big day in Boston as Pablo Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez were introduced as the newest members of the Red Sox

Can you imagine how Sandoval will excite Red Sox fans? Sure, he was in the middle of San Francisco's three World Series titles the past five seasons, but I'll guarantee you the Red Sox's marketing department is already ordering stuffed pandas, bobble heads -- you name it.

And, yes, there was the trade of Yoenis Cespedes to Detroit for underrated right-handed pitcher Rick Porcello. With Justin Verlander, David Price and Max Scherzer also in the Tigers' rotation, Porcello was under the radar, but he won 15 games with an impressive 3.43 ERA.

Sandoval elevated the adrenaline and hopes of Red Sox fans when he was asked recently if Boston would win its division. "We will," he said flatly. At this stage of the winter, it's hard to disagree.

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Red Sox set for another worst-to-first rebound