Is He Worth It?

by | Aug 22, 2013 | Alfredo Aceves, Allen Webster, Andrew Bailey, Boston Red Sox, Clay Buchholz, Daniel Bard, Daniel Nava, David Ortiz, David Ross, Dustin Pedroia, Felix Doubront, Franklin Morales, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jake Peavy, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Joel Hanrahan, John Lackey, Jonny Gomes, Koji Uehara, Manny Ramirez, Matt Thorton, Mike Napoli, Pedro Ciriaco, Rubby de la Rosa, Ryan Dempster, Shane Victorino

As soon as a new deal is signed the debate begins over whether or not the player is actually worth the money that they will be paid. It happened with all of the free agent acquisitions last winter, it happened when Pedroia signed his extension, and it will happen...

Five Burning Questions – August

by | Aug 20, 2013 | Allen Webster, Anthony Ranaudo, Boston Red Sox, Clay Buchholz, Daniel Nava, David Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia, Felix Doubront, Garin Cecchini, Henry Owens, Jackie Bradley, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jake Peavy, John Lackey, Jon Lester, Matt Barnes, Mike Napoli, Portland Sea Dogs, Xander Bogaerts

1.  Is it time to worry about the Red Sox? Grab some wood their, bub.  Not so fast.  Entering this most recent series against the Giants, the Red Sox had lost nine of 14 games against the Astros, Royals, Blue Jays, and Yankees–a crew they should have won nine of...

An Argument For Keeping Jacoby Ellsbury

by | Aug 19, 2013 | Boston Red Sox, Brian McCann, Daniel Nava, David Ortiz, David Ross, Dustin Pedroia, Jackie Bradley, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Jonny Gomes, Jose Dariel Abreu, Shane Victorino, Will Middlebrooks, Xander Bogaerts

Last week, I wrote about how the Red Sox are in great shape headed into the offseason thanks to their financial and organizational flexibility. With the Nick Punto trade creating more salary relief than anyone would’ve thought possible and a big steps forward by a...

The Advanced Scout – San Francisco Giants

by | Aug 19, 2013 | 2013 Boston Red Sox, Angel Pagan, Brandon Belt, Brandon Crawford, Buster Posey, David Ortiz, Felix Doubront, Hunter Pence, Jake Peavy, Jon Lester, Marco Scutaro, Mike Napoli, Pablo Sandoval, Ryan Vogelsong, San Francisco Giants, Tim Lincecum

Back to the West Coast go the Red Sox. This time, they have to play by silly National League rules and have the pitchers hit. And the last time they visited AT&T Park in 2010, it didn’t go so well for a certain pitcher and a popular second baseman....

Putting Prospect Depth In Context

by | Aug 12, 2013 | Alex Wilson, Allen Webster, Andrew Miller, Anthony Ranaudo, Boston Red Sox, Brandon Snyder, Brandon Workman, Brock Holt, Bryce Brentz, Clay Buchholz, Daniel Nava, David Ortiz, Drake Britton, Dustin Pedroia, Felix Doubront, Franklin Morales, Jackie Bradley, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, John Lackey, Jon Lester, Jose Dariel Abreu, Junichi Tazawa, Matt Thorton, Rubby de la Rosa, Ryan Kalish, Ryan Lavarnway, Will Middlebrooks, Xander Bogaerts

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...

A Good Day to TrollBag

by | Aug 4, 2013 | Boston Red Sox, Brock Holt, Clay Buchholz, Daniel Nava, David Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia, Felix Doubront, Jackie Bradley, Jacoby Ellsbury, John Lackey, Jon Lester, Rubby de la Rosa, Will Middlebrooks, Xander Bogaerts

You guys know the drill by now: I ask for questions, people give me them, and rarely are they serious. Let’s get the trollbag started. — @PoarchDaniel Let me finish a few more beers first — Joshua Cookson (@TheCookson802) August 3, 2013 This is exactly the...

Roster Power Rankings, July Edition

by | Aug 1, 2013 | Boston Red Sox, Brandon Jacobs, Brandon Snyder, Brandon Workman, Brock Holt, Clay Buchholz, Craig Breslow, Craig Kimbrel, Daniel Nava, David Ortiz, David Ross, Drake Britton, Dustin Pedroia, Felix Doubront, J.D. Drew, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jake Peavy, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Jim Johnson, Joe Nathan, John Lackey, Jon Lester, Jonny Gomes, Jose De La Torre, Jose Iglesias, Junichi Tazawa, Koji Uehara, Mariano Rivera, Matt Thorton, Mike Carp, Mike Napoli, Pedro Beato, Ryan Dempster, Ryan Lavarnway, Shane Victorino, Stephen Drew, Ted Williams, Will Middlebrooks, Wins Above Replacement, Xander Bogaerts

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...