Bold Predictions for 2013, Part 3 — The League

Part 1: The Pitchers Part 2: The Batters Part 3: The League Once again, the same disclaimers apply:  1) Please feel free to bookmark them and come back later in September/October to see how I did — you know that if I hit on a few you’re going to hear about it. 2)...

Player Development: How Did Theo Do?

Theo Epstein’s stated goal when he took over as General Manager of the Red Sox was to turn the Sox into a “player development machine”. He envisioned a pipeline of minor league talent that would replenish the major league roster whenever needed. So how successful was...

Ryan Kalish And Prospect Attrition

You don’t have to be a Red Sox fan to have your heart go out to Ryan Kalish. After an exciting 2010 debut in which he showcased his potential, his flaws and his energy all at once, many assumed Kalish would start 2011 as the team’s left fielder. Then came the Carl...

Friday’s Links – A Front Office Change-Up

“I think about baseball when I wake up in the morning. I think about it all day and I dream about it at night. The only time I don’t think about it is when I’m playing it.” – Carl Yastrzemski Honestly, who isn’t glad that Pedro...

Bold Predictions for 2013, Part 1 — The Pitchers

Part 1: The Pitchers Part 2: The Batters (1/31) Part 3: The League (2/7) Disclaimers: 1) Please feel free to bookmark this and come back later in September/October to see how I did — you know that if I hit on a few of them you’re going to hear about it. 2)...

Matt Barnes: Not An Ace, And That’s Ok

Matt Barnes is the best pitching prospect in the Red Sox system. He was a steal as the 19th overall pick in the 2011 draft, and as a UConn product and New England native, he’s easy to root for as a Red Sox fan. He began 2011 as the minor league’s most dominant pitcher...

Friday’s Links – And Then There Were None

Guys, I’m making the 2013 Baseball Hall of Fame class reunion letters and need some creative – oh. Right. Blank ballots, morality debates, and no players voted in. Here’s some links for you all while I stare at this situation incredulously. Of all...

Xander Bogaerts Vs. Hanley Ramirez

If Bobby Valentine represents all the evils that poured out of baseball’s Pandora’s Box last year, Xander Bogaerts can be the hope that escapes shortly thereafter. Yes, it’s rarely wise to make bold predictions when writing about baseball, and that’s doubly true when...