MVN: Most Valuable Network

POLL: Most impact?

Fire Brand asked which of the new additions to the Red Sox would make the most impact in the poll now running on the right-hand sidebar. The results are after the jump.

Fireside Chats #31: Where a little Smoltz and Baldelli goes a long way

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Paul and Tim seem to have recovered from the aftershock of Mark Teixeira's donning the pinstripes, and John Smoltz and Rocco Baldelli have alot to do with it. Aside from breaking down the new acquisitions, they go up and down the lineup, wonder if Tim Wakefield's position on this team is secure, and review the MLB Network. Are they suddenly optimistic about the Red Sox 2009 prospects? Listen and find out.

JUNKYARD DOGS, A Season of Redemption . . . and Hope.

17 of the starting 25 Red Sox for 2009 have much to prove this season. Of this number, 15 are rebounding from injuries which plagued 2008.

Rocco Baldelli, John Smoltz signings are master strokes

Smoltz - y-its-mom (Flickr)

As we all know by now, the Boston Red Sox are on the cusp of signing outfielder Rocco Baldelli and starting pitcher John Smoltz to contracts. These are master strokes by general manager Theo Epstein.

All that's standing in the way of Penny, Smoltz and Baldelli is not ineffectiveness, it's injury. And all indications (considering the Red Sox do their homework on this) is that these players do not have injuries holding them back anymore.

They're ready and able to get Boston that World Series ring in a year where they have two heavyweights on their back in the Yankees and Rays. What the Yankees and Rays may not be counting on, however, is that the Sox, as presently constituted, could be better than them.

Cafardo's Latest: Baldelli, Smoltz close

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe is reporting that Rocco Baldelli and the Boston Red Sox are close to agreeing on terms for the Rhode Island native to become the fourth outfielder for 2009. The St. Petersburg Times reported earlier this evening that Baldelli was likely to sign soon, and Peter Gammons later reported that Rocco and the Red Sox "close."

Cafardo is also reporting the team is likely to announce a deal with 42-year old veteran John Smoltz. Sources involved with negotiations indicate Smoltz with get a one year, $5.5 million deal with the potential to make $10 million in 2009. Smoltz is likely to return by early May and has a desire to be a starter.

Updates from the Hot Stove

On the surface it would appear that his decision is between Boston and the L.A. Angels of Anaheim, but the Nationals and to a lesser extent the Orioles are showing it is not a two team race for the switch-hitting, Gold Glover.

Mazz Wrap

Tony Massarotti had a chat session this afternoon on the Boston Globe's website. Here are some important notes from the hour-long discussion with the readers. I've posted some highlights, including Mike Lowell, John Smoltz, and of course, Mark Teixeira.

Starting pitching options for Red Sox

It has become clear that the Red Sox plan on bringing in a veteran arm to round out the rotation that currently has locks Josh Beckett, Lon Jester, Daisuke Matsuzaka and Tim Wakefield in it.

With CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett and (likely) Derek Lowe out of the equation, who could the Sox bring in?

Evan Brunell runs through four main options: Kenshin Kawakami, Ben Sheets, Brad Penny and John Smoltz... then offers up some other pitchers who could head to Beantown.

Could a Tex deal be drawing near?

Fox Sports Ken Rosenthal has reported a contract may have come closer on Wednesday.

John Smoltz on the Red Sox radar

With the news that John Smoltz's recovery from labrum surgery in June of 2008 is progressing well enough that he was able to throw off a mound last week, it would only make sense that the Red Sox explore their options with the twenty one year vet.

And according to the Boston Herald, the Red Sox are doing just that. Smoltz has indicated a preference to play for a contending team next year and although it is likely that he'll continue his career in Atlanta, the Red Sox are on a short six team list of teams he would consider offers from.