Rob Bradford of WEEI.com is reporting that the Red Sox have made an offer to Jason Varitek. This offer would pay Tek $5 million in 2009 and include a team option for 2010 at another $5 million. Varitek can also exercise a $3 million player option if the team declines their end of the option. Varitek has been clear in that he wants a multi-year contract, so this may satisfy both parties. The Red Sox have given Varitek an unknown deadline of when to accept the offer.
We’re gonna miss you, Sean Casey. We will miss the inevitability of a hit when you came to the plate.…
Perhaps the most perplexing, yet enticing prospect in the Sox system, Bubba Bell is at the stage in his career where performance is everything. There is no projection left. Always known as a hitter with above-average skills all-around, he no longer can point to this fact, and must produce or he'll remain a career minor leaguer until he's finally forced to retire. After a breakout season in the wind-tunnel, otherwise known as High-A Lancaster, Bell had many scouts wondering if he had made the necessary adjustments to become a major league regular. But even then, his ultimate ceiling was in question.
He had always been known to have solid, yet unspectacular tools all around. He makes excellent contact, has decent power, solid plate discipline, a tick above average speed, a good glove with decent range, and a plus arm. He can play all outfield positions well, but profiles more as a right fielder because of his stocky build. With his strong work ethic, fundamentally balanced swing, and contact rate, there isn't much doubt that he could at least serve as an adequate fourth outfielder. So what remains as Bubba's biggest stepping stone to the major leagues?
Eric SanInocencio spoke with Alex Meyer this weekend in his college baseball preview. Meyer was drafted by the Red Sox in this past amateur draft and has Scott Boras as his agent. After several contentious rounds of negotiations, Meyer decided to attend college. After the jump, find an excerpt of the interview and the link for the rest.
Wow, a high percentage feel that Varitek will return to catch. The new poll is an important one because it involves Fire Brand. Since converting to the new layout, we have gone to an "excerpt" format on the front page so it is easier for readers to digest what articles there are on any given day. Should Fire Brand continue using the "excerpt" format or should the front page consist of all articles in full?
Not too long ago, the teams of Little League, Pony League, Church leagues and adult leagues were proudly sponsored by…
The 2nd Annual ESPN rankings of the top systems and top prospects by Keith Law were officially released this morning. Catching a lot of fans by surprise was the generous ranking at #7. I really can't quibble too much, however, as you could have made a case for every team in that 7-12 range. It's really just a matter of opinion, and the debate gets brought up a few times every year. Do you prefer a system with more impact major league ready talent or one that's deep with some impact talent at the top and a lot of low-level high-upside guys filling out the top 10. Keith understands that, and provided some valid reasoning:
While it's certainly feasible logic, I don't think you can accurately grade the 2008 draft class quite yet. Not that Law was doing that, as he clearly stated it has the "potential", but I don't know if you can precisely rank the Sox system over teams with more top-heavy systems like the Giants and to an extent, the Orioles. Of course, there's the counter-argument that guys like Pete Hissey (whose ranked 25th at SoxProspects) would probably rank in the 10-15 range for other teams in that 7-12 range. So while the Sox have graduated a lot of their top prospects, they've quickly reloaded through the amateur draft and the international market by adding a lot of depth, and a lot of high-ceiling guys.
With the news that uber-closer Jonathan Papelbon has signed a record-breaking $6.25 million contract in his first year of arbitration, it's clear that Papelbon has to be considered one of, if not the, best closer in the game now.
But how long will that last?
According to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, the Red Sox have sent right-handed reliever David Aardsma to Seattle for 19 year old left-hander Fabian Williamson. Aardsma, who threw 48 2/3 innings for the Sox last season, will fill up the final spot on the Mariners 40 man roster. Williamson, who spent all last season in single-A Pulaski, striking out 59 batters in 46 2/3 innings, will more than likely begin the season in short-season Lowell.
I'd also like to introduce myself as this is my first post here at Fire Brand. Obviously, my name is Pat and I'm a sophomore at the University of Southern Indiana. I'm a baseball junky and also a big Red Sox fan. My main interests are intensively following players as they progress through the minor leagues and players coming up through the amateur rankings (HS, College). I'll be joining Fire Brand by frequently posting minor league updates as they come through and analysis on certain players once or twice a week. I also take requests, so shoot me an e-mail if you have a certain player you'd like me to break down.
Hello FireBrand community! Chances are you are looking for something to read today since I totally blew off my article. My bad. I promise to be back in the swing of things, but in the meantime, check out the latest mailbag from the Boston Globe's Amalie Benjamin. In a great break from the constant coverage of the local nine, Amalie decided to do an entire mailbag dedicated to the prospects of the big club.
Check the link after the jump!
Check out how Amalie compares Lars Anderson to Bill 'Spaceman' Lee, Daniel Bard's future with the team, and the AAAA status of Charlie Zink and the departed David Pauley.