2009 Affirmation

It felt very good, today, listening to the panel of gurus on MLB TV agree with Baseball Prospectus that the Red Sox are most likely to win the powerful AL [...]

Poll: Better of Worse: Jacoby Ellsbury’s 2009 Stolen Base Total?

New Poll Question:
Better of Worse: Jacoby Ellsbury’s 2009 Stolen Base Total?

Early last season it seemed like Jacoby might steal 75 bags, but a mid-season slump hit both his bat and his legs and he ended up with only 50. Can he top 60 in 2009? Vote in the poll to the left and give your community projection for Ellsbury here. Find out how you all responded to our previous poll, “Will Jason Bay hit 30+ HRs in 2009?” after the jump.

Jacoby Ellsbury: For Better or Worse 2009

Looking over the 2009 Boston Red Sox roster, it’s fairly common opinion that, between the depth in both the rotation and the bullpen, the Red Sox pitching staff will be one of the best in baseball this season. It is also fairly common opinion that the most glaring worry point heading into the season is the overall offensive efficiency.

Enter Jacoby Ellsbury. We know that this offense needs the pop in the middle of the lineup from David Ortiz and that a healthy Mike Lowell and J.D. Drew will add the depth and production that is needed to field a well rounded and complete one through nine. But there may not be anyone who will dictate the overall efficiency of the Red Sox offense in 2009 than their young leadoff hitter.