Year End Awards: Minor League Edition

With the Governor’s Cup series serving as the only games remaining on the minor league schedule, it seems like a good time to hand out this season’s year-end award.  Bear in mind that not all of the awards I’m giving out will be positive–and of...

Roster Power Rankings, August Edition

“And down the stretch they come!”  Once again the calendar turns from August to September. Thankfully this time around the Red Sox are not only back in the race, they are, in fact, leading the race. Boston entered August 65-44, up 0.5 games in the American...

The Forgotten Prospect: Brian Johnson

It wasn’t supposed to be like this for Brian Johnson.  First round picks during their first full season after being selected usually get a lot of hype.  The hype isn’t always positive, of course.  Sometimes, it’s negative with prospect analysts and...

Putting Prospect Depth In Context

Jacoby Ellsbury, Koji Uehara, Stephen Drew, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Mike Napoli and Joel Hanrahan. You have just read an exhaustive list of Red Sox players who will become free agents after the 2013 season. Two additional players – Jon Lester and Matt Thornton – have...

Sweeping Success For Red Sox Prospects In 2013

When I first set out to write this column on Sunday, my idea was pretty simple: highlight which Red Sox prospects have done the most to improve their value in 2013, as well as those who’ve taken major steps back in their development. Filling out the first part of the...

Roster Power Rankings, July Edition

Every month, here on Fire Brand, I take a look at the relative value of the 25 players on the current active roster. If you missed the March, April, May, or June editions check them out for the criteria and history of these rankings. This month sees a season high six...

Red Sox trade for Jake Peavy

I’ll be honest with you guys, I still feel pretty baseball drunk from what happened tonight. First there were the Cliff Lee rumors. Then Jackie Bradley Jr. was pulled from his game in Pawtucket. Then there was a false report that Giancarlo Stanton had been pulled from...

The Advanced Scout – Seattle Mariners

Didn’t think to see Seattle again so soon after the All-Star Break, but it’s a welcome appearance after the stretch the Red Sox have just had. I’d rather not face David Price twice in the span of six days, but what can you do, right? (Send scathing...

Can Prospects Save The Red Sox’ Pen?

Andrew Bailey, Andrew Miller, Joel Hanrahan, Franklin Morales and Alex Wilson are all on the DL. If the playoffs started today, here’s what we’d probably be left with for a bullpen. RHP LHP Koji Uehara Matt Thornton Junichi Tazawa Craig Breslow Pedro Beato Drake...