Evan Brunell’s 2010 MLB Predictions: Does Boston win it?

As the advent of spring training games are upon us, I thought I’d kick off everyone’s favorite little exercise by providing my own personal predictions as to how I think the season will shake out. Now, before I do so, a word of caution: predictions can change daily based on events. Heck, my predictions change multiple times a week. But I’ve gotta make predictions at some point, right? Point being, I might disagree with my own predictions a week from now. Most of the time, these kind of predictions are an exercise in fallacy, but it’s not going to stop me from trying.

I don’t know why I made things harder on myself, but I set out to present an exact record. This means I had to go into a spreadsheet and make sure all the wins and losses totaled the correct amount of games while also balancing out to a .500 record. Took me a while, but dadgum it, I did it. One thing I did not control for was the unbalanced schedule (in a total record sense), but I already strained my tenuous math skills, so I wasn’t about to complicate it further.

Click “read more” or the headline to find my predictions.

Assessing Boston’s shortstop options

With the departure of Alex Gonzalez to Toronto, it’s time to move on and explore what options are available to Boston to man the shortstop position in 2010 — and possibly beyond. I’ve gone through some potential free-agent and trade options and then tied it all in a neat little bow for consideration.

Internal options include Jed Lowrie and Jose Iglesias.

The free agent market has a bevy of options, but they all have their drawbacks. From Marco Scutaro to Adam Everett to Miguel Tejada to Craig Counsell — yes, Craig Counsell — we have you covered here.

Want to think trade? Stephen Drew, Cristian Guzman and Hanley Ramirez are considered.

Yeah, Hanley Ramirez. The New York Daily News has a note that the Marlins are talking to the Red Sox about a Hanley Ramirez trade.

Jays talking Chris Snyder

Boston whiffed on J.J. Hardy. Might another whiff be coming?

The Arizona Diamondbacks are talking to the Toronto Blue Jays about catcher Chris Snyder. This is not the first time Snyder has come up at Fire Brand.

I was on shift at Rotoworld.com when the news broke, and here’s what I had to say:

Snyder hit .200/.333/.352 in a scant 165 at-bats during the season, losing his starting gig to Miguel Montero, and having the year marred by injuries. Due $11.25 million through 2011, the 28-year old has a reputation as a great defensive catcher who has a healthy rapport with pitchers. The Jays’ top prospect is widely considered to be catcher J.P. Arencibia, so you have to wonder what Toronto is thinking if the rumor is true.

Snyder isn’t a world beater, but he did hit .237/.348/.452. If Boston wants to upgrade offensively and defensively, one way might be to go after Snyder, put Victor Martinez at first and slide Kevin Youkilis over to third.

Guest Sunday: Jim McLennan talks D-Backs/Sox connection

Jim McLennan has been writing and talking about the Arizona Diamondbacks since probably before their inception. He can be found at AZ Snakepit, and chimes in this Sunday, talking about the Red Sox from a Diamondbacks’ perspective. Always good to get an outsider’s look. (PS: Jim, feel free to ship us Stephen Drew to further strengthen our baseball connections!)

Stephen Drew to Boston? Yes, please

I know, I know… we need to stay focused on 2009. The Sawx need to do what they can to win the World Series. Even after a demoralizing series to the Yankees, I feel the team has a great chance of picking up that crown. However… we gotta talk about 2010.

Bob Nightengale of USA Today said that the Diamondbacks plan on shopping shortstop Stephen Drew, with the Red Sox expected to make contact. ‘Zona will seek pitching.

Drew’s age 26 season has been solid for a shortstop: .258/.321/.432. However, coming off his .291/.333/.502 line from 2008, the year has been marked a disappointment. Having someone who can hit that as a base, though, with the potential for more is awesome.

Sox September 1st Call-Ups

With September now underway, the Red Sox have called up five players to fill out the Major League roster. Called-up were Junichi Tazawa, Chris Woodward, Joey Gathright, Brian Anderson, and George Kottaras.

While Tazawa is the easy favorite to make an impact for the big league club, every stolen base and late inning defensive substitution will put the Sox that much closer to the playoffs.

Analysis inside…

8/10: Come on horrendous offense, score runs!

Well, after a very, very disappointing series sweep at the hand of the Yankees, the Red Sox take on the Detroit Tigers. Yet, they have to face another very good pitcher in Edwin Jackson. The offense must wake up.

On our side, we have the declining Brad Penny. Hopefully, Penny can keep us in this game and let our capable offense of the past have a shot at a win.

BOS 7, BAL 2: Homers keep Lester perfect against O’s

Jon Lester improved to 9-0 in his career against the Baltimore Orioles with the help of the long ball.

Red Sox waive Kotsay

Instead of disabling Mark Kotsay with his calf issues, the Sox have opted to waive him and his .257/.291/.324 line on the year. He just never could get in the groove. This opens up a 25-man spot for Adam LaRoche (and a 40-man spot for Chris Duncan).

This leaves Rocco Baldelli as the team’s only backup outfielder, but if needed, Kevin Youkilis could play left field — he has 134 innings of experience there. Tito also isn’t afraid to send him to right, with 8.2 innings experience there.

Epstein and Gammons on LaRoche trade

Theo Epstein was on a conference call today, and mentions that this deal does not preclude a further deal. Also, Peter Gammons says the Sox turned down Clay Buchholz for Victor Martinez and made the LaRoche swap today because another team had entered the sweepstakes.