In Search of a Cure for My Raging Case of Lackey Optimism

I can pinpoint exactly when it all began. It started with Joe Reilly’s January 5th column right here on Fire Brand. Soon enough, I started to show symptoms of a developing case of Lackey Optimism. The more I thought about the possibilities, the more I started to see...

Ask Nick: Bridge Year Edition

(Key – Bold w/italic is Nick Cafordo’s opening, Bold is the quesiton asked, italic is Cafardo’s answer, unaltered text is my writing). FORT MYERS, Fla. – The low expectations for the Red Sox continue to ooze out in this week’s mailbag. There are lots...

Monday’s Links – How to Lose Outfield Depth: Facepalm Edition

It’s the unofficial start of Spring Training! Time to drown yourselves in baseball, photos of new guys in your favorite team(s) uniforms, and what have you. Someone/something has it out for Red Sox minor league outfielders lately. First, Ryan Kalish has surgery,...

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...

Dreaming Big

Following a putrid 69-win season, there isn’t much optimism surrounding the Red Sox’ chances of winning the American League East in 2013. The Sox have not made the postseason since 2009. They haven’t won the division since 2007, which is the only time they’ve done it...

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)...

An Open Letter to Josh Beckett

Dear Josh Beckett, You were one of my favorite Red Sox players. You were one of my least favorite Red Sox players. It all started out so well. My first memory of you was when you helped reduce the awful sting of 2003 ALCS by a small percentage when by kicking the...

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...