by charliesap | Jan 13, 2011 | Boston Red Sox, Jonathan Papelbon
With pitchers and catchers just about a month away, the Red Sox have, for the most part, finished their offseason moves. However, two prominent Sox stars are arbitration eligible, closer Jonathan Papelbon and outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury. Theo Epstien and crew have been...
by darryl johnston | Jan 12, 2011 | Boston Red Sox
Red Sox 2002? For no reason other than my never-ending digging through Red Sox data and statistical archives, I give to you some randomness from 2002. The season had the mighty combination of Brian Daubach and Tony Clark as your first basemen. Rey Sanchez was the...
by charliesap | Jan 11, 2011 | Boston Red Sox, John Lackey
My first article for Fire Brand came back in August, when I decided to touch on the inconsistent season of John Lackey. It wasn’t the best of debuts for Lackey, who had just signed a five-year $82.5M contract in the offseason. However, Lackey did turn things...
by mike silver | Jan 10, 2011 | Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees
The Yank’s Woeful Rotation After failing to sign their top priority free agent, Cliff Lee, missing out on trade target Zack Greinke, and facing the possible retirement of Andy Pettitte, the Yankees find themselves scrambling for back-end rotation starters. The 2011...
by evan brunell | Jan 9, 2011 | Adrian Beltre, Boston Red Sox, Fire Brand Awards, Jon Lester, Quick Post
The Fire Brand of the American League is a Red Sox player who exhibits character under pressure, an unassuming man who leaves the spotlight for other people but makes his indelible mark on the past season’s Boston Red Sox. A piece most people take for granted, but...
by darryl johnston | Jan 9, 2011 | Boston Red Sox
MINNESOTA TWINS First, I would like to congratulate Twins great Bert Blyleven for being elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. That is some good news for the Minnesota Twins. Their offseason news is a lot less positive. After being knocked out of the playoffs by the...
by tom fratamico | Jan 8, 2011 | Boston Red Sox, Dustin Pedroia
My intention was to post Red Sox hitter projections but it appears that Charlie Saponara has that covered. Since my system does not account for park affects – it was developed for fantasy baseball – Sponara’s will certainly do a better job with new...
by charliesap | Jan 6, 2011 | Boston Red Sox, Max Ramirez, Tony Pena Jr.
The day we knew was drawing near finally came to be. Adrian Beltre has officially left the Boston faithful for the greener (as in money) pastures of Arlington Texas. However, while Beltre was dawning his new digs, the Sox were making some intriguing minor league...
by darryl johnston | Jan 5, 2011 | Boston Red Sox
In 2011, the Boston Red Sox will face AL West opponents 36 times, accounting for more than a fifth of their season schedule. This includes the season opener in early April when Boston travels down to Arlington to kick off the year. Over the past five seasons, the Red...
by charliesap | Jan 4, 2011 | Boston Red Sox, Jacoby Ellsbury
Jacoby Ellsbury 2011 projection: Last season was a lost one for emerging speedster Jacoby Ellsbury. After fracturing four ribs early in April, Ellsbury would spend most of the season rehabbing while attempting and failing to come back to the lineup a few times....
