All-Aughts Team of the Decade RF: Trot Nixon

The Red Sox. From 2000 to 2009, have you ever seen such a drastic reversal of fortunes? Regardless if the Yankees (bleh) win the World Series, I can't see how you don't anoint the Sawx the team of the decade. Speaking of team of the decade, that's what we're doing right here. We've anointed our shortstop of the decade in Nomar Garciaparra. Let's move on to right field. It rather obviously came down to Trot Nixon versus J.D. Drew, and Nixon took home the honors.

Big Papi wants to play 3-4 more years

David Ortiz believes he has three or four more years in him, and wants those years to be with Boston.

“I want to finish my career here,” [Ortiz] said. “I think I still have another three or four good years in me. It’s not like I’m going to play until I’m 50, but I know I can still swing the bat. All I know is last year I had the worst two months of my career and still almost ended up at 30 and 100.” “Everybody is used to seeing me hitting 40 homers with 140 RBI,” Ortiz said. “But I tell you, anybody will take 30 and 100." (Boston Herald)

I certainly will. The last 10-15 years have been weaned on 40/120 being the mark of a true power hitter, but with the increased emphasis on speed, defense, pitching and no steroids, 30/100 has become the new benchmark. Ortiz needs to come out with a strong season, hitting in the .280 range while flashing 30/100 power for the club to pick up his 2011 option, valued at $12.5 million. While I see that option being picked up, it remains highly likely that Big Papi will finish his career elsewhere.

All-Aughts Team of the Decade SS: Nomar Garciaparra

With the close of the decade, it's time to look back at the decade that was; the decade that completely changed the face of the Red Sox. We're going to be creating a full 25-man roster and create the Red Sox Team of the Decade. Today, we'll take a look at shortstop, with Nomar Garciaparra doing the honors as our shortstop of the decade. Look at what Nomar meant to Boston. An entire generation was weaned on Nomar. He provided a homegrown electricity to the team. Between him and Pedro Martinez, Boston was a team to watch.

Tim Federowicz: Rising up the prospect charts

Tim Federowicz, 22, was drafted in the seventh round of the 2008 draft. He made his debut in low-A Lowell last year before splitting time between mid-A Greenville and high-A Salem this year. For Greenville, Federowicz hit .345/.393/.562 in 226 at-bats. Moving up the ladder, Federowicz struggled when tasked with splitting playing time. In 187 at-bats, he hit .257/.276/.390. All told, he cranked 14 home runs. SoxProspects.com likes Federowicz's build as catcher and sees him as a very good major league defensive catcher. The one knock on him to date is poor plate discipline. It hasn't prevented catchers from getting big league jobs, namely Miguel Olivo. Federowicz sat down to answer some questions with Fire Brand about his experiences in his first full professional season and what the road ahead looks like.

Progress, Thy Name Is Replay

Two more blown calls, this occurring last night in Game 2 of the World Series. Bud Selig has been adamant about the fact that the current iteration of reply will be the only iteration until the day he dies. After this abominable playoffs sure to go down in history as the sports postseason affected by umpires the most -- and consistently -- it's clear that something has got to change.

Coveroo TRIVIA: No-hitter in Yankee Stadium post-Rohr

What Red Sox pitcher after Billy Rohr took a no-hitter into the ninth inning of a game in Yankee Stadium before it was broken up? (Bonus half point for the year.)

Does Hoyer hiring help or hurt Adrian Gonzalez trade?

With now former assistant GM Jed Hoyer departing to become the head honcho in San Diego, how does this affect a potential acquisition of Adrian Gonzalez back in Boston? I've heard more people than not say that it will only become easier. I'm here to burst your bubble and say it will be harder. Whatever is gained from a working relationship between Hoyer and Epstein is lost in three major factors, which we'll cover today.

Brad Mills heads to Houston… was he man behind curtain for Francona?

Little late on this, but worthy of mention. The Sox bench coach, Brad Mills, has departed to Houston for two years plus a club option. All the platitudes out of Sox camp you expected to hear were said. Houston owner Drayton McLane said that -- and Francona verified -- Mills was given a lot more responsibility than your average bench coach. He ran spring training and handled most of the player communication. That's great, and it makes Mills doubly qualified to be a big league manager. But it worries be from Francona's perspective. All along, we've heard that he's a player's manager and players love him. How do they know that if it's Mills doing most of the talking all season? And if it's Mills doing the bonding monotonous exercises in spring training? Has Mills been the man responsible for what Tito supposedly excels at? Is Tito more the game manager, and Mills the player's manager? If true, maybe you start hearing about how Tito's become more stern over the years. All conjecture, but it crossed my mind.

Coveroo TRIVIA: No-hitter in Yankee Stadium

What Red Sox pitcher took a no-hitter into the ninth inning of a game in Yankee Stadium before it was broken up? (Bonus half point for the year.)

Spend now or spend later?

Tony Massarotti's latest article at the Boston Globe deals with the Sox payroll -- both short-term and long-term versions of it. It's something we've been exploring a bit here at Fire Brand, and Mazz does a great job tying it all together. I was planning on bringing up this subject in later articles, but I might as well now, given the money quote here:

The biggest question Epstein may be faced with this offseason will result if he fails to sign either Bay or Holliday, leaving the Sox with a fistful of money and no marquee free agents to spend it on. When that happened last year, Epstein signed a handful of pitchers to one-year contracts and rolled the dice that the Sox could pitch their way to a world title. And though that plan ultimately fell a few steps short, the Sox essentially are right back where they started. With a roll of cash in their pockets, faced with the decision of spending it now or spending even more later.

As I've alluded to, this free agent class is horrible when it comes to making significant investments on the free agent market. There is no clear "break the bank" player. Bay understands he isn't one, but is gunning for years, reportedly. Holliday is pretending he's one. So what is Theo to do? Break the bank now or later? The Sox attempted to do this last year with the signing of Mark Teixeira, but Theo's conservatism cost the BoSox big time -- and you can bet he realizes this. So, to reiterate: Do we spend now or later? You decide, but let me just point out potential 2011 free agents: Carlos Pena (who may cement himself as a major free agent target -- he's close), Julio Lugo (had to, just for kicks), Derek Jeter (hey, he wants to play for Boston), Adam Dunn, Jayson Werth, Josh Beckett (so we need to try and resign him), Roy Halladay, Huston Street and of course... Joe Mauer. So tell us. Spend now or later?