Coveroo TRIVIA: Hall of Fame manager

When was the last time the Red ox had a manager who was either a current or former Hall of Famer? Who?

Red Sox Offseason Blueprint v.1: Figgins, King Felix head to Boston

Today is the first in a three version series on an offseason blueprint the Red Sox should follow. What should their starting lineup and pitching staff look like entering the 2010 season? I'll take a look at one possible scenario while Mike and Tim follow up with their own in the next two days. Before I jump in, let me clarify something important: this is not necessarily a prediction of what the Sox will do, nor an endorsement of a particular path. All this is is simply food for thought. What possible scenarios could Boston pursue? Well, this particular one involves three major names being added to the team while losing Clay Buchholz.

Fireside Chats #64: Where we put the 2009 Red Sox out to pasture

Paul and I take a little time to wallow in the misery that was the end of the Red Sox season. You'll find a little bit of ALDS analysis, at least as much as we can muster, along with a look back at the 2009 season as a whole. We'll give out our MVP award as well as talk about our goats of 2009. All that and more on this episode of Fireside Chats after the jump...

Billy Wagner Mulling Retirement

In what is the first curveball in an early off-season, relief ace and potential closer replacement, Billy Wagner, has been considering possible retirment. While sources close to the pitcher state that Wagner may just need a 'cooling period' to settle down after the season's end, the loss of Wagner would certainly limit the Red Sox' offseason options. Hinging on Wagner's decision are both the option to trade Jon Papelbon, with Wagner re-signing as closer, or to allow him to leave and collect two draft picks from his Type A free agent tag.

Tim Looks Forward with Toucher & Rich on 98.5 The Sports Hub

While I wish my second appearance on 98.5 The Sports Hub was ripe with analysis of a potential Game 5 in Anaheim instead of eulogizing the Red Sox season and looking forward to 2010, it's always fun to talk Red Sox with Toucher & Rich. To summarize; I like Alex Gonzalez at SS for one more year and have been talking myself into Matt Holliday over Jason Bay (but I reserve the right to change my mind again). While the words Joe Mauer were referenced in relation to Mike Silver's latest post, I still see Mauer staying in Minnesota or getting the world from New York....but I too like to dream.

Sox’ Expiring Contracts

As is customary at the conclusion of every MLB season, the Boston Red Sox are now the proud holders of a number of expiring contracts and team options. For a team swept in the opening round of the playoffs, there is often the urge to spend big on the free agent market in an attempt to show the fans that they are committed to winning after a badly failed run. However, this may not be the case with the 2010 Sox, as they are retaining most of their starting roster - many at excellent prices for their skill level (i.e. Lester for $3.75 million in 2010) - with significant questions at left field and shortstop only. Now, with the end of the season upon us and free agency approaching, who will the Sox choose to keep around?

Did you see Sox failure coming? I did

It may seem silly for me to contend that I saw this short exit by Boston in the postseason coming given I picked Boston to win the whole shebang in 7, but... I'm not in the least bit surprised by what happened. I think part of the reason why I didn't really talk about it and hedged in person about the Sox's chances is because I didn't particularly want to admit it. Oh, make no mistake: This was a World Series-caliber team, and I'm singing a different tune this morning if Jonathan Papelbon had any clue that you can't just throw a fastball and expect to get away with it. But this was also a team that could exit stage-left rather quickly. The bats went cold, the starting pitching was decent enough, and the bullpen was solid -- but nowhere the fearsome combo it was earlier in the season. The big thing, for me, though? What really got me is the lack of energy I saw with the team.

POLL: Biggest Sox need?

New Poll Question: What is the Red Sox's biggest need?

• A legitimate No. 3 SP
• An above-average shortstop
• Another power bat..somewhere...anywhere!
• Retaining Jason Bay
• Nothing; it's OK to lose in the postseason sometimes

You tell me. Vote in the poll on the sidebar.

LAA 7, BOS 6: The End Is Here

That one stings. Jon Papelbon's ninth inning meltdown ended the playoff journey for Boston, as the Red Sox are swept by the Los Angeles Angels, 7-6. After leading for the entire game, Vlad Guerrero's single off Papelbon in the top of the ninth was the culmination of a completely lackluster post-season, the end of a pretty abysmal weekend for Boston sports in general. But... there's always next year.

10/11: This feels familiar