AL West Sleepers

Buried in the West are many talented breakout candidates. Some of the more interesting in the league, many have been relegated to former prospect status, while others are just building a name for themselves. Anaheim Angels of California This team is a bit difficult to pinpoint as most of the players are already somewhat established. Though Joel Pineiro could fit in simply because he is, potentially, a one-year wonder, he’s still enough of a credible asset to disqualify himself as a sleeper. There are a couple, however, that deserve some serious notice. 3B Brandon Wood: Wood is probably best known for the annual merry-go-round he and the Angels play on – sending the prospect up, down, and around through the organization – never letting him stay in one place. Though he’s done precious little at the major league level to warrant a 25-man roster spot – or starting gig, no less – he’s been so good in the upper minors for so long that at some point you just have to let the guy get his hacks in...

New Poll Question: Which reclamation project is the best investment for the Sox this offseason?

It's a gamble, but which reclamation project is the best investment for the Sox this offseason? * Justin Duchscherer * Kelvim Escobar * Ben Sheets

Red Sox Offseason BluePrint v.3 : Gonzalez, Holliday, Harden, Sheets

With respect to both Evan and Mike's blueprints and analysis preceding me, I chose to take a slightly different direction with the 2010 Red Sox. I think Theo Epstein and company will be aggressive this off season. No matter what you heard at the end of the season in the "season wrap" press conference from Epstein, I think he's learned from his mistake last hot stove in letting Mark Teixeira slip through their fingertips. While I believe that Theo would rather spend his chips and time trying to pry a young, talented and under team control starter to slot in at the top of the rotation with Lester and Beckett (i.e. Felix Hernandez), I don't believe that will be the route that the Red Sox take given the prohibitive ask that it would take to swing that deal. Trade Clay Buchholz, Lars Anderson, Manny Delcarmen, and Michael Bowden to San Diego for Adrian Gonzalez Instead, despite reports that the San Diego Padres aren't looking to shop their star first baseman Adrian Gonzalez this off season, I think that is exactly where Theo and team will level their gaze, rebuilding their team around a player with nearly all the strengths that they missed out on with Mark Teixeira at a fraction the cost.

Sox interested in Derek Lowe; bullpen questions

Pass on Lowe. If the Sox could let him go after 2004 and his postseason heroics due to a concern about his pitching ability and his off-the-field issues, why bring him back four years later at a salary that should be at least $15 million and years not less than four?

Projections for 2009 Red Sox and others

Bill James has come out with his new handbook for 2009, and in the handbook are the early statistical projections for players next year. This may be especially significant in the case of the Red Sox, as James has a vast amount of knowledge of players in the Red Sox system due to being employed by the team.

Nine Up, Nine Down: Getting to know the Brew Crew

With the Milwaukee Brewers coming to town, I went looking for some information on the Brewers. Al’s Ramblings was more…

2009 Free Agent Checkup

The Red Sox hit a bump in the road over the weekend and through Monday in the Metrodome, losing three…

“Who’s on Deck?” with The Bottom Line

It

BLOGPOLL: NL Awards 4/14

Each week, I will be participating in the 2008 MLB Blog Poll, put together by BaseballHappenings.com. Below are my current…

Wait, what? Sox in hunt for Ben Sheets?

UPDATE ON JOHAN SANTANA TRADE TALKS: Buster Olney reports that the Red Sox have “generated a few new ideas for…