MVN: Most Valuable Network

Since the American League is once again wholly superior (seriously, one could make the argument that any of the top four teams in the East could win four out of the other five divisions, the West being the exception with the Dodgers) and the league I know better than the back of my hand, here's my best shot at devising what should be true the 2009 AL All-Star Game Roster complete with nine starting position players, six starting pitchers, six closers and 13 reserves: Read article

Last year, the Red Sox lost Mike Lowell's services down the stretch and into the postseason due to a painful hip injury that zapped the third baseman's power and discarded his defensive mobility. With Lowell on the pine, the Red Sox were forced to play Kevin Youkilis at third base and Mark Kotsay every day at first base, where the longtime outfielder hit .226/.286/.345 in 84 second-half AB's for Boston and compiled just a .233 average in 30 AB in the ALCS against Tampa Bay. Read article

You know things are going well when your starting third baseman hits the DL and you're really not all that worried about your team's future.  We've almost come to expect another series win and another 2 out of 3 taken from the opponent.  Paul and I do break down some of the options in front of the Red Sox as the trade deadline approaches and sing the praises of the starting rotation.

This weeks' "Tweet of the Week" from our Red Sox Twitter Tracker:

from @kentremendous

All that and more on Episode #51 of Fireside Chats on MVN!

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With Mike Lowell's recent injury concerns creeping back into the active conscious of Red Sox Nation, depth at the corners and in the middle of the lineup has suddenly been thrust to the forefront of the early pre-trade deadline chatter.

Much of the Red Sox trade innuendo to this point has surrounded the potential acquisition of a shortstop or catcher, positions without organizational depth or strength. But with Jason Varitek and George Kottaras holding down the fort behind the plate with acceptable production and Nick Green earning the job at short with Jed Lowrie waiting in the wings (and Julio Lugo being Julio Lugo), those positions may not be the most critical to address as July rolls in. Read article