The Anthony Rizzo Extension: What Could Have Been

by | May 13, 2013 | Adrian Gonzalez, Allen Webster, Andrew Cashner, Anthony Rizzo, Carl Crawford, Casey Kelly, Chicago Cubs, Dustin Pedroia, Felix Doubront, Jackie Bradley, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jed Hoyer, Josh Beckett, Junichi Tazawa, Los Angeles Dodgers, Reymond Fuentes, Rubby de la Rosa, Theo Epstein, Will Middlebrooks, Xander Bogearts

The Cubs took another big step in their lengthy rebuilding plan yesterday, reportedly signing first baseman Anthony Rizzo to a seven-year, $41 million extension that could keep the 23-year-old in Chicago blue until 2021. While there is of course some risk involved for...

3 Up 3 Down: Let’s Not Push the Panic Button

by | May 11, 2013 | 2013 Boston Red Sox, Andrew Bailey, Boston Red Sox, Dustin Pedroia, Felix Doubront, Jacoby Ellsbury, Joel Hanrahan, John Farrell, Junichi Tazawa, Stephen Drew, Terry Francona, Will Middlebrooks

Note: Written before Friday nights game. Well, since the last installation of 3 Up 3 Down the Boston Red Sox have been less than spectacular. In fact, they have been pretty awful; losing 5 of their last 6 dating back to Saturday’s loss to the Rangers. In short,...

The Advanced Scout – Toronto Blue Jays

by | May 10, 2013 | Adam Lind, Alex Wilson, Andrew Miller, Boston Red Sox, Brandon Morrow, Brett Cecil, Brett Lawrie, Casey Janssen, Clay Buchholz, Clayton Mortensen, Colby Rasmus, Darren Oliver, David Ortiz, David Ross, Drew Hutchison, Dustin McGowan, Dustin Pedroia, Edwin Encarnacion, Emilio Bonifacio, Esmil Rogers, J.A. Happ, J.P. Arencibia, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Jon Lester, Jose Bautista, Jose Reyes, Josh Johnson, Junichi Tazawa, Koji Uehara, Kyle Drabek, Luis Perez, Maicer Izturis, Mark Buehrle, Mark DeRosa, Melky Cabrera, Mike Carp, Minnesota Twins, Munenori Kawasaki, Pedro Ciriaco, Rajai Davis, Ramon Ortiz, Ryan Dempster, Sergio Santos, Shane Victorino, Stephen Drew, Steve Delabar, Toronto Blue Jays, Will Middlebrooks

Having lost three of four against the Twins, the Boston Red Sox (21-14, tied for 1st in the AL East) finish their homestand by welcoming the Toronto Blue Jays (13-23, last place in the AL East, 8.5 games back) to Fenway Park for a three-game weekend series. The Red...

The Advanced Scout – Texas Rangers

by | May 3, 2013 | A.J. Pierzynski, Adrian Beltre, Alex Wilson, Alexi Ogando, Andrew Bailey, Andrew Miller, Boston Red Sox, Clayton Mortensen, Colby Lewis, Craig Gentry, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Daniel Nava, David Murphy, David Ortiz, David Ross, Derek Holland, Dustin Pedroia, Elvis Andrus, Felix Doubront, Geovany Soto, Ian Kinsler, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Jason Frasor, Jeff Baker, Joakim Soria, Joe Ortiz, John Lackey, Jon Lester, Jonny Gomes, Junichi Tazawa, Justin Miller, Lance Berkman, Martin Perez, Matt Harrison, Michael Kirkman, Mitch Moreland, Neftali Feliz, Nelson Cruz, Robbie Ross, Tanner Scheppers, Texas Rangers, Will Middlebrooks, Yu Darvish

After taking two of three in Canada, the Boston Red Sox (20-8, 2.5 games ahead in the AL East) travel to Arlington to take on the Texas Rangers (17-11, 1.5 games ahead in the AL West) for a three-game weekend series. The Boston Red Sox, still holders of the best...

Roster Power Rankings, April Edition

by | May 2, 2013 | Alex Wilson, Andrew Bailey, Andrew Miller, Boston Red Sox, Clay Buchholz, Clayton Mortensen, Daniel Nava, David Ortiz, David Ross, Dustin Pedroia, Felix Doubront, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, John Lackey, Jon Lester, Jonny Gomes, Junichi Tazawa, Koji Uehara, Mike Carp, Mike Napoli, Pedro Ciriaco, Ryan Dempster, Shane Victorino, Stephen Drew

Every month, here on Fire Brand, I take a look at the relative value of the 25 players on the current active roster. In case you missed the last one, here are the criteria for the power rankings: 1) What is the value of each player on the Red Sox roster relative to...

The Advanced Scout – Toronto Blue Jays

by | Apr 30, 2013 | Aaron Loup, Adam Lind, Alex Wilson, Andrew Bailey, Andrew Miller, Boston Red Sox, Brandon Morrow, Brett Cecil, Brett Lawrie, Casey Janssen, Clay Buchholz, Clayton Mortensen, Colby Rasmus, Darren Oliver, David Ortiz, Drew Hutchison, Dustin McGowan, Dustin Pedroia, Edwin Encarnacion, Emilio Bonifacio, Esmil Rogers, J.P. Arencibia, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Jon Lester, Jonny Gomes, Jose Altuve, Jose Bautista, Jose Reyes, Josh Johnson, Junichi Tazawa, Kyle Drabek, Luis Perez, Maicer Izturis, Mark Buehrle, Melky Cabrera, Miami Marlins, Michael Schwimer, Mike Carp, Mike Napoli, Munenori Kawasaki, Ryan Dempster, Sergio Santos, Stephen Drew, Steve Delabar, Toronto Blue Jays, Will Middlebrooks

After sweeping Jose Altuve (because, let’s face it, he was the only Astros player worth a damn), the Boston Red Sox (18-7, 3 game lead in the AL East) fly north of the border to take on the Toronto Blue Jays (9-17, 9.5 games behind in the AL East) in a...