All-Aughts Team of the Decade Manager: Terry Francona

In 2004, Boston hired Terry Francona as manager, who had a nasty experience managing the Phillies in their down years, but also had experience managing superstars, such as Michael Jordan in the White Sox's farm system. He had been training in Oakland, learning from Billy Beane and others. His reputation was one of a balanced background: using statistics to shape his decisions, but leaving plenty of room for the human element. The going was a bit tough early on for Francona, although largely exacerbated by the awful choice of having Dale Sveum as the third-base coach. Where was Wavin' Wendell when you needed him? Of course, he made far more right decisions than wrong, steering the club to a World Series title and should receive massive credit for his handling of the situation the Sox found themselves in during the playoffs, down three games to none in the best-of-seven ALCS. Francona was at times -- and still is, to this day -- called Francoma for some questionable decisions he makes that is rooted in both the human element of the game and his ability to remain steady and even-keeled day in and day out, understanding the bigger picture.

Tim Wakefield to be full-time member of the rotation?

In several pieces (here's the ESPN Boston one) over the last couple days, it has been made clear by Tim Wakefield that he expects to serve as a full-time member of the Red Sox rotation. Coming off of back surgery in October, he expects to enter spring training healthy. This is a situation that is going to have to be resolved one way or the other. Josh Beckett, Jon Lester and John Lackey aren't going anywhere and it's difficult to imagine Daisuke Matsuzaka not being in the rotation. All indications are that the club is moving forward with Clay Buchholz as a long-term, permanent member of the rotation as well. So... where's the give? Where's the solution. Something's gotta happen.I don't see any way that Wakefield doesn't open the season in the bullpen (barring injury). Anyone have any thoughts?

All-Aughts Team of the Decade RP3: Hideki Okajima

Lost in all the hubbub back when Daisuke Matsuzaka was being posted was Boston's inking of left-handed reliever Hideki Okajima to a two-year deal with a club option. The signing flew rather under the radar given Okajima was a run-of-the-mill reliever in Japan and many felt the signing was to give Matsuzaka a caddy in Boston. (Fire Brand archive: What About Our Hideki? 2/20/07)

When Okajima came in Opening Day and gave up a home run to Royals catcher John Buck on his first pitch, things looked like they were taking a drastic turn for the worse. 19 scoreless appearances later, he finished with a 0.83 ERA in the first half. (Fire Brand archive: Okajima: Ability or Fortuity? 4/12/07.) He developed a changeup that took on a name called the Oki-Doki. (Fire Brand archive: Can Pitch FX track the Okie Dokie? 12/20/09.)

All-Aughts Team of the Decade DH: David Ortiz

The beginning of the 2000s saw saw such names as Dante Bichette, Brian Daubach and Carlos Baerga man the designated hitter position. Beginning in 2003, a new name was added to these ranks: David Ortiz. Once Shea Hillenbrand was ousted to Arizona in May, Ortiz took over the full-time DH job and carved his place in Red Sox lore as the greatest clutch hitter in Boston history (commemorated with a plaque given by John Henry in 2004) and a major reason why Boston won two titles.

Ortiz finished fifth in the MVP voting in 2003, topping 100 RBI for the first time in his career. He had a quiet ALDS against the Athletics save for his rousing double in Game 4, but gave us a hint of what was to come in the ALCS against New York, cranking two home runs. Ortiz then avoided arbitration by signing a one year deal worth $4.5875 million a year after earning $1.25 million. Such cheap production for such valuable output, much to George Steinbrenner's anger as he reportedly encouraged GM Brian Cashman to ink Ortiz as a free agent, which Cashman nixed.

All-Aughts Team of the Decade bench UTIL: Eric Hinske

Hinske was acquired by Boston during the fateful year of 2006 to provide much-needed depth at first base, the outfield corners and third base (although he never once appeared in a game at third for Boston).

Hinske was similar to Doug Mirabelli during his time in Boston that he had a low batting average (.229 in Boston) but a fair amount of pop. He also had strong plate discipline and was considered a valuable asset to the team, serving as the utilityman in each 2007 postseason series roster.

All-Aughts Team of the Decade SP3: Josh Beckett

As Theo Epstein exited Fenway Park under a gorilla suit, the Red Sox were busy trading away their best prospect, shortstop Hanley Ramirez, to the Florida Marlins for third baseman Mike Lowell (considered a throw-in that became much more) and starting pitcher Josh Beckett, an oft-injured 25-year old.

The hope was that Beckett could be the Sox's new ace, with Pedro Martinez off to New York. The first year in the American League was not kind to the fastball-happy Beckett, who served up 36 home runs en route to the club finishing in third place. Despite Beckett's struggles, the club moved to sign him to a three-year, $30 million extension ($12 million club option for 2010), which was a hometown discount.

In 2007, Beckett moved away from his fastball (going from using it 69 percent of the time to 63) and finished second in the Cy Young voting, leading Boston to a World Series championship. His 20-7 record along with a 3.27 ERA and second consecutive (and total, as well) season with at least 200 innings pitched along with Mike Lowell's fantastic season caused many to forget about Hanley Ramirez.

One remarkable thing to note in 2007 is that Beckett suddenly became a control artist, averaging a 1.8 BB/9, a mark he would repeat in 2008. In 2006, that number was 3.3, which wasn't even a career high and not out of line from 2004 (3.1) and 2005 (2.9.)

More minor league signings for Boston

As I'm on shift at Rotoworld.com, I noticed the Red Sox have made a couple more signings. Mike took a look at the previous batch. Let's quickly go through the new names alphabetically (Oh, and the depth chart is updated).

All-Aughts Team of the Decade CF: Johnny Damon

Johnny Damon came to Boston for the tail-end of the previous regime, getting a taste for how unpopular the club was among players at the time. Damon's autobiography, Idiot: Beating "The Curse" and Enjoying the Game of Life, related that an unnamed Red Sox player told him he made a mistake signing with the team. That was back in 2002, when Damon led the American League with 11 triples, erasing the memories of Carl Everett from our mind. The following year, the tide began to turn for both Damon and the Red Sox, as both became fan favorites. In the offseason, Damon grew lazy and allowed his hair and beard to grow out, coming across as a "Caveman" and being referred to as Jesus.

Papelbon, three others file for arbitration

This year, four Red Sox are eligible for arbitration. The big name is closer Jonathan Papelbon while Manny Delcarmen, Ramon Ramirez (the original one) and Jeremy Hermida round out the other three. (Hideki Okajima recently avoided arbitration, signing for $2.75 million, a raise of $1 million from his 2009 salary.)

All-Aughts Team of the Decade bC: Doug Mirabelli

Dougie's going deep tonight! A popular meme about a day in the life of Doug Mirabelli (there were two such days, I can't find the other one) was passed around back when Mirabelli was a cult figure in Boston. It might be odd for some to think that Doug Mirabelli was a cult figure for Red Sox fans, but I can assure you... he was. Mirabelli was acquired as a response to Jason Varitek breaking his elbow on the since-removed on-deck circle in 2001. At that point, Mirabelli was 30 and quickly gained a reputation for being a defensive whiz with a cannon for an arm behind the plate... as well as launching bombs at the plate without batting gloves, adding a bit of intrigue in the process. In 141 at-bats for Boston that year, he hit. 270/.360/.518 with nine home runs. I remember attending the August 16, 2001 game in which Ichiro Suzuki and Mark McLemore were ruthlessly gunned out trying to steal by Mirabelli, and the crowd was in an uproar. We couldn't believe it. Mirabelli had a cannon.