Incoming MLBPA head issues statement on Ortiz

Michael Weiner, the incoming head of the Players Association, and David Ortiz will speak to the media at 12:30 pm today. Here is an advance statement released by Weiner. Two money quotes:

The number of players on the so-called "government list" meaningfully exceeds the number of players agreed by the bargaining parties to have tested positive in 2003. Accordingly, the presence of a player's name on any such list does not necessarily mean that the player used a prohibited substance or that the player tested positive under our collectively bargained program.

In 2003, legally available nutritional supplements could trigger an initial "positive" test under our program.

Smoltz DFAd, Tazawa hits the majors, Woodward claimed as Lowrie lands on DL

UPDATE: WBZ and Amalie Benjamin are reporting that John Smoltz has been designated for assignment. Smoltz was a huge disappointment for the Sox, and I feel sad at this outcome. However, it had to be done. There is an empty roster spot for a reliever. It is not known who will fill it at this time.

Click to read about the rest of the Sox moves today.

Sox whiff out on Gaudin, Pavano

I've got an article up at The Hardball Times, where I take the Sox to task for not acquiring either Chad Gaudin or Carl Pavano, both of who have been moved in the last 24 hours.

LIVE BLOG: Sox@Yanks, Tides@PawSox

Join me tomorrow for a live blog! I was able to score a press pass to Fenway Park tomorrow to cover the 4:05 Futures at Fenway game that will put the Pawtucket Red Sox against the Norfolk Tides.

Of course, there's some game going on in New York as well at this time. Should be a great chat. Obviously it will tilt to Sox/Yankees, but I'll provide updates from the Triple-A game as well.

Also, we'll have lots to talk about, what with David Ortiz speaking out about his predicament before the game.

Enough is enough: Bring in a new starter

With John Smoltz's debacle in New York (granted, the stadium didn't do him any favors) behind us, it's time to look ahead and figure out how exactly we're going to make the playoffs with exactly two reliable pitchers in the rotation.

The biggest question I have right now is: how long do we wait? Daisuke Matsuzaka will not return for a month. Tim Wakefield... from what I'm hearing, I wouldn't be surprised if we've seen the last of him.

Do we really want to rely on Smoltz, Penny and Buchholz for the next month?

I can't even go on anymore. I'm too demoralized about the state of the pitching staff.

Paul Byrd reunited with Red Sox

According to MLB.com's beat writer, Ian M. Browne, the Red Sox have agreed to a minor league contract with Paul Byrd. This is welcome news, as the Red Sox could use more depth in the minors. I would guess he would only need 2-3 weeks of work in the minors before being ready to contribute.

In an interview with Fire Brand on February 12, Byrd said that he wanted to take the first half of the season off to be with his children. If you listened to this week's Fireside Chats, this move will come as no surprise to you as Paul Testa mentioned Byrd as a possibility to rejoin the Sox.

VOTE for Fire Brand in CSNNE’s Daily Duel!

I'm currently embroiled in a duel over at Comcast SportsNet New England: Do the Red Sox need to make a waiver wire deal? This duel will last for 24 hours, and so will the voting.

Take a gander, and vote for myself and Fire Brand's victory in the duel! I take the position that the Sox need to bring in another relief arm, while CSNNE's Rich Levine says to leave well enough alone. This duel will be mentioned by CSNNE on air, so make sure CSNNE does so while mentioning Fire Brand brought home the hardware!

Reddick optioned to Pawtucket, Traber recalled

After an impressive debut, Josh Reddick finds himself optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket. LHP Billy Traber, 29, is being added to the roster.

Q+A with top 3B prospect Will Middlebrooks

Will Middlebrooks is currently ranked the 25th best prospect in the Red Sox farm system. 20 years old, Middlebrooks is currently in Mid-A Greenville, hitting for a .265/.343/.424 line. Excepting first basemen, he is the fourth best infield prospect in the system.

Will took some time out of his schedule to answer a couple questions for Fire Brand. You'll be interested in his answers...

MLB opened ‘cursory’ investigation into PEDs in Sox staff last year

The Boston Globe today has a special report regarding the use of performance enhancing drugs in the Red Sox clubhouse.