Jacksonville predicts the Sox
Our hometown paper, the Jacksonville Times-Union, did a major story listing the pluses and negatives of all Major League teams…
Month: April 2009
Red Sox Madness Finals: For all the marbles
It has all come down to this. Sixteen men enter, one man leaves, and that man will be either Josh Beckett or Dustin Pedroia. Who's success will go further in determining the Red Sox fate this season? Who will have their own Red Sox Madness tournament "One Shining Moment"?
Remember, the simple question is "who's success is more important to the overall success of the Boston Red Sox in 2009?" Vote away after the jump!
2009 NL East Preview
Now, I could talk myself into a few of Washington's pitchers doing better than we'd expect; Cabrera, Zimmerman, Olson. But Cabrera has always had trouble with his control, so expecting him to "get it together" isn't logical. And Scotty Olsen has some makeup issues as well. Zimmerman is very young, and young pitchers are, well, see: Clay Buccholz, Phil Hughes, Ian Kennedy, Homer Bailey, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc...etc.
Julio and Dontrelle Redux
Julio is on the DL, after an excellent ST in which he showed his old stuff, but is needing rehab…
200HR
I had difficulty understanding the pervasive concern about the Sox offense in 2009. It seems that with J.D.’s back, Papi…
Know Thyself 2009: Boston Red Sox
The 2009 Boston Red Sox are in the final stages of preparing for what is certain to be an entertaining and exciting season. The spring is finally behind us, the roster is set and the team is moving northward to christen Citi Field with some Major League talent.
Now all the roster moves are behind us and the questions move from the "who" of the offseason as they shift to the analysis of performance and the "what" of baseball. This past week has been spent looking at the competition in the American League East, and stiff competition it is. In most cases, the Red Sox had the position by position edge over each team from the Yankees to the Orioles and it should come as no surprise, in that light, that the staff here at Fire Brand gives the Red Sox the edge to win the AL East in 2009.
Today we summarize much of what we've talked about in our "For Better or Worse" series this offseason as we go player by player through the Red Sox roster and prepare for live baseball next week.
Red Sox Madness Final Four: Beckett vs. Lester
The first half of our ongoing Red Sox Madness tournament is in the books and #1 seed Dustin Pedroia will represent the offense against the winner of today's Josh Beckett/Jon Lester matchup in the final. Pedroia took fellow tablesetter Jacoby Ellsbury down with relative ease in the first Final Four matchup. Ellsbury's cinderella run came to an end after knocking off #2 seed Jason Bay and #1 seed David Ortiz.
Today we turn our attention to the starting rotation as we pit #1 seeds Jon Lester and Josh Beckett against each other in a battle that should enlighten Red Sox Nation's perspective on the "true ace". Which starting pitcher is more important to the overall team's success?
Remember, the simple question is "who's success is more important to the overall success of the Boston Red Sox in 2009?" Vote away after the jump!
Know Thine Enemy 2009: Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are coming off their first successful season in the history of the franchise. Finally, they're not considered doormats with no vision of the future. Now the Pirates stand alone there. (Even the Royals are much improved!)
This club is scary in the pool of young talent they already hold plus more on the way in the minor leagues. The Rays will compete for a very, very long time. But will they be able to withstand the Red Sox and Yankees assault in 2009?
Red Sox Madness Final Four: Ellsbury vs. Pedroia
After two grueling rounds of match ups, we now know the Final Four contestants in the first annual Red Sox Madness tournament. In a late run, (primarily thanks to Paul and I's get out the vote campaign for Jon Lester in last night's podcast), Jon Lester eeked out the closest battle of the tourney yet over Kevin Youkilis 45-42. Lester will battle fellow #1 seed and starting pitcher Josh Beckett in the second of our Final Four matchups.
The top half of the draw pits the top two hitters in the Red Sox lineup. Which tablesetter's success means more to the Red Sox chances in 2009? Is it the upstart #3 seed Jacoby Ellsbury or the reigning AL MVP and #1 seed Dustin Pedroia?
Remember, the simple question is "who's success is more important to the overall success of the Boston Red Sox in 2009?" Vote away after the jump!
Jeter: “Rather play for Sox than move off short”
Some shocking news came out of the Yankees' spring training camp as they prepare to break in their new Yankee Stadium... one that just adds another dash of controversy to a team that needed more controversy like Bartolo Colon needs more doughnuts.
More surprising? The news is courtesy of captain Derek Jeter, who now has his loyalty and reputation as a Yankee questioned. The news:
Jeter mentioned in passing as he headed to the field to participate in infield drills that he has no intention of moving off shortstop. Jeter, signed through the 2011 season, is considered by many to be a poor defender despite his three Gold Gloves.Well, that was unexpected. Would you guys be willing to have Cap'n Jetes don Sox red and man shortstop for the Olde Towne Team if it meant snubbing the Yankees?
"I'd rather play for the Red Sox than move off short," Jeter remarked. "I've shown a lot of loyalty to this organization and if they're going to repay that loyalty by asking me to move off short, well that's one payment I won't take." (New York Post)