Chris Carter

The Red Sox know how to manage “injuries.”

If Lowell goes down, Youk can shift to third and David Ortiz and Chris Carter can share the 1B/DH spots. Or even Rocco could DH at times. If Daisuke suffers from "arm fatigue." Which could also be labeled as "we are being careful with him because of the the WBC." Then Justin Masterson can shift from the pen to the rotation.

But Theo has built a team that can handle suspensions, injuries, performance issues, more than just about any team in the game of baseball. And the organization as a whole has built a farm system that has the players to either be quality Major Leaguers, fill temporary holes, or be traded to address any of these "holes."

April 18, 2009 tito crafts

Dustin Pedroia

Fenway Guide TRIVIA: Dropping series

This is the first year the Red Sox has lost each of its first three series since ____ (year) when they lost four straight. What year was it?

April 16, 2009 evan brunell

Brad Penny

Don’t Panic: The Red Sox will improve.

Sample size, sample size, sample size! Remember the thing that increases the accuracy of whatever the available data happens to…

April 15, 2009 tito crafts

Daisuke Matsuzaka

OAK 6, BOS 5: Red Sox slide continues

Not only is Daisuke Matsuzaka's arm fatigued, but Red Sox Nation is also after suffering through a 12 inning, four hour and 24 minute, 6-5 extra innings loss to Oakland.

April 15, 2009 shawn medeiros

Dustin Pedroia

Fenway Guide TRIVIA: Pedroia’s body fat

Dustin Pedroia's previous body fat was around 17 percent. What is it now?

April 13, 2009 evan brunell

Akinori Iwamura

BOS 5, TB 3: Beckett’s back

Any questions about Josh Beckett returning to his 2007 form were answered against the Tampa Bay Rays. At least for one start.

April 7, 2009 shawn medeiros

Dustin Pedroia

2009 Red Sox Madness Champion: Josh Beckett

If the results of our Red Sox Madness tournament tournament tell us anything, it's that today's start for Josh Beckett could be setting the tone for the season.

After matching up the sixteen most important players on the Red Sox 2009 roster in a head to head, NCAA tournament style bracket, Josh Beckett cruised to a 63-36 win in the finals over Dustin Pedroia.

In resounding support of the notion that top flight pitching wins championships, the Red Sox "Big Three" of Josh Beckett, Jon Lester and Daisuke Matsuzaka went 7-2 in this tournament with the two losses being Lester's and Dice-K's to the eventual champion.

April 7, 2009 josh lacey

Dustin Pedroia

Red Sox Madness: Championship Monday

The rain may have postponed Opening Day, but I look at it as a blessing in disguise. I mean, how could you really expect to start the season without having properly named the 2009 Red Sox Madness Champion.

Votes will be tabulated tomorrow morning and a winner crowned before first pitch.

Whose success is more important to the overall success of the 2009 Boston Red Sox, Josh Beckett or Dustin Pedroia?

Red Sox Madness 2009 Championship Game: #1 Dustin Pedroia vs. #1 Josh Beckett

April 6, 2009 tim daloisio

Dustin Pedroia

Red Sox Madness Finals: For all the marbles

It has all come down to this. Sixteen men enter, one man leaves, and that man will be either Josh Beckett or Dustin Pedroia. Who's success will go further in determining the Red Sox fate this season? Who will have their own Red Sox Madness tournament "One Shining Moment"?

Remember, the simple question is "who's success is more important to the overall success of the Boston Red Sox in 2009?" Vote away after the jump!

April 5, 2009 tim daloisio

Clay Buchholz

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.

April 3, 2009 josh lacey