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?

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.

"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)

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?

Carter, Green make 25-man

Nick Green and Chris Carter are your final members of the 2009 Opening Day Boston Red Sox, Sean McAdams reports. Carter grabs the "Kotsay spot" and should see time at first and DH until Kotsay returns in May. Green will back up the infield until Julio Lugo returns a week or two into the season.

Things can change if the Red Sox make an acqusition this week. The Sox are known to like Jeff Keppinger, who is available. If they do acquire Keppinger, you would have to think Lugo will not return at all.

Know Thine Enemy 2009: Baltimore Orioles

It's time for Fire Brand's annual Know Thy Enemy series, one where we reveal our division standing predictions over the course of the week by taking you into each division rival and examining what we will have to deal with.

Today, we talk fifth place; the consensus by Fire Brand to host that spot are the Baltimore Orioles.

Their offense, like it was last year, will be among the best in the league. The pitching? Terrible.

Why didn’t Theo give up Bowden or Buchholz for Montero or Saltalamacchia?

Salty - phillenium49

On Monday, I discussed Jason Varitek's seeming inability to field given The Fielding Bible Vol. II's insights.

Today, I want to tackle why Theo Epstein didn't pull the trigger on acquiring Miguel Montero and/or Jarrod Saltalamacchia.

Don't kid yourself: the ability was there for Theo to do just that. Far too many news reports have reported that a Montero for Michael Bowden or Saltalamacchia for Clay Buchholz deal would have occurred had Theo said yes.

MVN Outsider tackles the Red Sox, HoF Kell passes

MVN Outsider tackled Curt Schilling today while also providing insight on the Red Sox from a fantasy perspective. Also, former Red Sox Hall of Famer George Kell passed away.

TRIVIA: HR in first at-bat

Who was the last player to hit a home run in his first plate appearance as a member of the Boston Red Sox?

Schilling officially retires

Schilling may have only spent four years in a Boston uniform, but he's one of the more indelible players to ever wear the uniform and seems destined for the Hall of Fame.

Jason Varitek: No, he cannot field

As you might have deduced from the headline to this article, I've learned that Varitek can't field. Not only can he not field, he can't throw either.

There are two newfangled statistics that bear this out -- Adjusted Earned Runs Saved and Stolen Bases Saved. Needless to say, Varitek doesn't fare well in either statistic.

What do you think is the overriding reason why, in the face of declining offensive and defensive skills, Jason Varitek is still a starting member of the Boston Red Sox?

What does the release of Josh Bard mean?

The release of Josh Bard hit Boston by storm yesterday. While the release of a backup catcher may not register much in other cities, it's very important here; both for our rabid intake of baseball and the myriad implications for Jason Varitek's role and the future of catching in Boston.

To all those conspiracy theorists out there, it may not mean that the Sox value George Kottaras more... it is possible it means they're on the cusp of a blockbuster trade like Miguel Montero or Jarrod Saltalamacchia.