…In Which the 2004 World Series Was Won By Intangibles, Cafardo Style!

by | Feb 26, 2013 | 2004 ALCS, 2004 ALDS, 2004 World Series, Boston Red Sox, David Ortiz, Devin Marrero, Dustin Pedroia, Felix Doubront, Fenway Sports Group, J.D. Drew, Jackie Bradley, Jacoby Ellsbury, John Lackey, Nick Cafardo Mail Bag, Will Middlebrooks, Xander Bogearts

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Except for the Alfredo Aceves blip, the Red Sox have had a pretty uneventful spring training so far. There seems to be harmony in the clubhouse with John Farrell at the head of things. The players seem to be happy and good natured. All we have to...

Putting Prospect Rankings In Perspective

by | Feb 11, 2013 | Allen Webster, Blake Swihart, Blake Swihart, Boston Red Sox, Bryce Brentz, Clay Buchholz, Felix Doubront, Franklin Morales, Garin Cecchini, Henry Owens, Jackie Bradley, John Lackey, Jon Lester, Keith Law, Matt Barnes, MiLB, Xander Bogearts

The season of prospect rankings is upon us. For minor league enthusiasts, wannabe prospect experts and the truly invested, this is our Christmas. For more casual MiLB fans or those looking for a quick refresher on their favorite team’s farm system, it’s a great time...

Player Development: How Did Theo Do?

by | Feb 5, 2013 | Ben Cherington, Boston Red Sox, Brian Price, Casey Kelly, Clay Buchholz, Craig Hansen, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Daniel Bard, David Mailman, Felix Doubront, Jacoby Ellsbury, John Lackey, Jon Lester, Jonathan Papelbon, Jose Iglesias, Junichi Tazawa, Lars Anderson, Michael Bowden, Pete Hissey, Ryan Kalish, Ryan Westmoreland, Will Middlebrooks, Xander Bogearts

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...

Ryan Kalish And Prospect Attrition

by | Jan 28, 2013 | Aaron Cook, Allen Webster, Anthony Ranaudo, Blake Swihart, Blake Swihart, Boston Red Sox, Bryce Brentz, Casey Kelly, Clay Buchholz, Daniel Bard, David Ortiz, Drake Britton, Dustin Pedroia, Felix Doubront, Garin Cecchini, J.D. Drew, Jackie Bradley, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jon Lester, Josh Reddick, Junichi Tazawa, Marco Scutaro, Marlon Byrd, Matt Barnes, Michael Bowden, Rubby de la Rosa, Ryan Kalish, Ryan Lavarnway, Ryan Sweeney, Ryan Westmoreland, Will Middlebrooks, Xander Bogearts

You don’t have to be a Red Sox fan to have your heart go out to Ryan Kalish. After an exciting 2010 debut in which he showcased his potential, his flaws and his energy all at once, many assumed Kalish would start 2011 as the team’s left fielder. Then came the Carl...

Friday’s Links – A Front Office Change-Up

by | Jan 25, 2013 | Andrew Miller, Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, Carl Pavano, Carl Yastrzemski, Clay Buchholz, Felix Doubront, Jason Varitek, Jon Lester, Justin Upton, Lars Anderson, Mike Napoli, Ryan Dempster, Tommy Lasorda

“I think about baseball when I wake up in the morning. I think about it all day and I dream about it at night. The only time I don’t think about it is when I’m playing it.” – Carl Yastrzemski Honestly, who isn’t glad that Pedro...

Bold Predictions for 2013, Part 1 — The Pitchers

by | Jan 24, 2013 | Aaron Cook, Alfredo Aceves, Andrew Bailey, Boston Red Sox, Clay Buchholz, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Daniel Bard, Felix Doubront, Franklin Morales, Joel Hanrahan, John Lackey, Jon Lester, Junichi Tazawa, Mark Melancon, Mark Teixeira, Rick Ankiel, Rubby de la Rosa, Ryan Dempster, Vicente Padilla, Zach Stewart

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)...