Ask Youk a question
Thanks to the fine fellow, Rob, over at "The Bottom Line", Kevin Youkilis is available for an interview and is soliciting questions. Head there and submit your question if you have one.
Author: evan brunell
Sox set to sign Baldelli, Bloomquist?
The Red Sox have been hotly linked to two players: Seattle's Willie Bloomquist and Tampa Bay's Rocco Baldelli.
Fire Brand interviews Bill James
Bill James answers a few questions from Fire Brand of the American League. Find out why it's more successful to have a pitcher's park and who he thinks the active pitcher closest to perfection this days is...
Varitek to decline arbitration
Jon Heyman is reporting that the Red Sox's longtime catcher, Jason Varitek, will decline arbitration. He was theorized to possibly accept, as he would have received a raise over his current $10.4 million salary and possibly rebuild his value for the free agent market next year.
Either Varitek (or really, Scott Boras) feels he will be able to get Varitek a multi-year deal worth significant money or there is already such a deal on the table.
Sumo Lounge TRIVIA: Pedey’s nickname
What is Dustin Pedroia's Spanish nickname and what does it mean?
Should Justin Masterson start?
The possibility certainly exists that the plan all along is to have Masterson as the No. 5 starter. Given Masterson's impressive debut and his propensity for ground balls, the Sox should look to him as a starter.
Did the Red Sox make those moves to market him as a starter in the trade market? His value would undoubtedly be higher as a starter and this may be a posturing move on behalf of the Red Sox to drive his price up.
Lars Anderson can play left
In my interview with Peter Gammons, he mentioned the possibility of Lars Anderson playing the outfield should the Sox sign Mark Teixeira. But did Lars have outfield experience? I asked him. He says: "I played left for two years in high school but they haven't mentioned it...I haven't really concerned myself with much of that talk this offseason."
Should Sox sign Teixeira?
My article on why the Red Sox should not sign Mark Teixeira certainly got a bit of debate going. Paul over at Yanks Fan Sox Fan wrote a nice article rebutting my claims. Check it out.
Tek, Byrd offered arbitration
Jason Varitek and Paul Byrd were offered arbitration in advance of the midnight deadline. Varitek, a Type A free agent, will fetch two draft picks (first round and supplementary first round, unless the first rounder is in the top 15; then it will be the second round pick of the signing team) if he signs elsewhere. Peter Gammons believes there is a chance Varitek accepts.
Byrd is a Type B, which will be a supplemental round pick. There's no harm in Byrd accepting as it would put Masterson in the bullpen, give us a deep bullpen and depth in the rotation. It won't preclude any team from signing him as there are no draft picks for them to lose.
Peter Gammons checks in with Fire Brand
Peter Gammons stops by Fire Brand to answer a few questions. He cautions not to write off David Ortiz and muses about an Eric Byrnes and Miguel Montero to Boston trade.