Know Thyself 2009: Boston Red Sox

The 2009 Boston Red Sox are in the final stages of preparing for what is certain to be an entertaining and exciting season. The spring is finally behind us, the roster is set and the team is moving northward to christen Citi Field with some Major League talent.

Now all the roster moves are behind us and the questions move from the "who" of the offseason as they shift to the analysis of performance and the "what" of baseball. This past week has been spent looking at the competition in the American League East, and stiff competition it is. In most cases, the Red Sox had the position by position edge over each team from the Yankees to the Orioles and it should come as no surprise, in that light, that the staff here at Fire Brand gives the Red Sox the edge to win the AL East in 2009.

Today we summarize much of what we've talked about in our "For Better or Worse" series this offseason as we go player by player through the Red Sox roster and prepare for live baseball next week.

Why didn’t Theo give up Bowden or Buchholz for Montero or Saltalamacchia?

Salty - phillenium49

On Monday, I discussed Jason Varitek's seeming inability to field given The Fielding Bible Vol. II's insights.

Today, I want to tackle why Theo Epstein didn't pull the trigger on acquiring Miguel Montero and/or Jarrod Saltalamacchia.

Don't kid yourself: the ability was there for Theo to do just that. Far too many news reports have reported that a Montero for Michael Bowden or Saltalamacchia for Clay Buchholz deal would have occurred had Theo said yes.

Chat Transcript: Ortiz, Yankees, Buchholz and more

David Ortiz - Samara Pearlstein

Sit down with a big cup of coffee, because have I a treat for you. I participated in a chat on Tuesday night and they have made the transcript available for Fire Brand to peruse.

I talk about which minor leaguers to keep an eye on... what the Sox need to do to win this year... how important David Ortiz is to us.

Oh, I also throw out predictions such as who will finish at first... scoff at the Yankees... and talk about who the heck can be our future catcher.

Which TV characters resemble Red Sox players?

I was thinking about the multitude of TV shows that I watch and I thought it would be pretty funny and cool to pair up who I think represents a certain character best on the Red Sox. I'm not limiting this to one show (but am limiting it to shows currently on the air), so... let's check out my comparisons. In the comments, leave your own!

Sox’s recent additions don’t mean young pitchers will be dealt

The Boston Red Sox have made a few sensational low-cost, high-reward moves lately, bringing in Rocco Baldelli, Brad Penny, Takashi Saito and John Smoltz.

This has led several people to posit that the Red Sox may now be more amenable to dealing Michael Bowden, Clay Buchholz or Justin Masterson for a catcher such as Texas' Jarrod Saltalamacchia or Taylor Teagarden and Arizona's Miguel Montero.

Really?

Don't be so quick to assume the Sox may be more likely to ship out some of their younger pitching because of these deals.

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.

Rangers want Buchholz for Salty

Gammons: "Boston wouldn't part with either Clay Buchholz or two out of the Justin Masterson/Nick Hagadone/Michael Bowden trio for Jarrod Saltalamacchia."

Morning Cup o’ Rumors: MLB; Sox needs

Let's take a whirl throughout the rumors in baseball and see what's going on...

In Milwaukee, Doug Melvin picked up Mike Cameron's option, but the Yankees have now come calling -- presumably dangling Melky Cabrera and Ian Kennedy. With Alex Rodriguez being solicited for advice on Cameron and rumblings that the Yankees might sign second baseman Orlando Hudson and move him to centerfield, you can expect to see a new centerfielder roaming the new Yankee Stadium next year.

A back of the rotation starter is being looked at so Clay Buchholz isn't handed the job in spring training. Paul Byrd could return.

Buchholz solid in AFL start

Clay Buchholz, currently playing for the Scottsdale Scorpions in the Arizona Fall League, pitched five innings of one run ball yesterday evening against the Mesa Solar Sox. Buchholz struck out three and walked two, dropping his ERA to 2.60 over his four starts for Scottsdale.

Buchholz will only be allowed to pitch 25 innings for the team, and after his latest start he is at 17.1 IP so it is likely he will only have two more starts in Arizona. The 24 year old has 12 strikeouts against only five walks so far. Opponents are batting .210 against Buchholz.

Red Sox to go hard after Jake Peavy?

The Red Sox are in a great position to win the Peavy sweepstakes due to their depth and the Padres' asking price. That may seem like a steep price -- Bowden, Masterson and Anderson for Peavy -- but for a 27-year old who is as immensely talented as he is, it's completely logical.