by tbrooks | Feb 12, 2013 | Boston Red Sox, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Jackie Bradley, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, John Lackey, Johnny Gomes, Jon Lester, Juan Carlos Linares, Nick Cafardo Mail Bag, Will Middlebrooks, Xander Bogearts
(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...
by jcookson | 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...
by dpodheiser | Feb 1, 2013 | Andrew Bailey, Boston Red Sox, Craig Breslow, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Daniel Bard, Daniel Nava, Jacoby Ellsbury, Joel Hanrahan, Jonny Gomes, Koji Uehara, Ryan Sweeney, Shane Victorino
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...
by jkeller | Jan 31, 2013 | Bill Mueller, Billy Beane, Boston Red Sox, David Ortiz, David Ross, Dustin Pedroia, J.D. Drew, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Jason Varitek, John Farrell, Johnny Damon, Jonny Gomes, Jose Iglesias, Kevin Millar, Larry Lucchino, Manny Ramirez, Mike Napoli, Nomar Garciaparra, Oakland Athletics, Rob Deer, Shane Victorino, Stephen Drew, Todd Walker, Trot Nixon, Will Middlebrooks
Part 1: The Pitchers Part 2: The Batters Part 3: The League (2/7) The same disclaimers apply: 1) Please feel free to bookmark them and come back later in September/October to see how I did — you know that if I hit on a few you’re going to hear about it. 2)...
by bcarsley | 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...
by bcarsley | Jan 21, 2013 | Austin Jackson, Boston Red Sox, Coco Crisp, Denard Span, Gerrit Cole, Jackie Bradley Jr., Jacoby Ellsbury, Johnny Damon, Matt Barnes, Portland Sea Dogs, Salem Red Sox, Xander Bogaerts
For the better part of the past decade, the Red Sox have allowed three players to roam center field: Johnny Damon, Coco Crisp and Jacoby Ellsbury. Damon finished his career as one of the better Red Sox players of the 2000s: a postseason hero blessed with tremendous...
by jreilly | Jan 19, 2013 | Adrian Gonzalez, Arizona Diamondbacks, Bill Mueller, Boston Red Sox, Carl Crawford, Cody Ross, Curt Schilling, David Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia, Fan Graphs, Gabe Kapler, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jason Varitek, Josh Beckett, Kevin Millar, Miguel Cabrera, Shane Victorino, Will Middlebrooks
Part One of Shane Victorino’s Defense can be found here. As I am sure all of you know; a position player’s overall value is not simply tied to offense (with the exception of the David Ortiz’s and Miguel Cabrera‘s of the world). In the world of the Bill...
by tbrooks | Jan 15, 2013 | 2004 World Series, 2007 World Series, Boston Red Sox, Jacoby Ellsbury, Justin Smoak, Seattle Mariners
The Red Sox have a First Base Problem. Losing Adrian Gonzalez to the Dodgers has been well documented and a deal well made, but at this point Ben Cherington is trying to fill a James Loney sized hole at 1b. Mike Napoli looked an intriguing signing, and that may...
by bcowett | Jan 14, 2013 | Boston Red Sox, J.D. Drew, Jackie Bradley, Jacoby Ellsbury, Javier Vazquez, Justin Upton, Michael Morse, Mike Napoli, Pedro Martinez, Rubby de la Rosa, Theo Epstein
It’s that time of the year where baseball is so close, yet so far away. I can’t stand these once-a-week football games, even if the team I cheer for is doing well. Too stressful. The Red Sox like this guy who’s relatively cheap, is now expendable for...
by jreilly | Jan 12, 2013 | Alex Gordon, B.J. Upton, Boston Red Sox, C.C. Sabathia, Chase Utley, David Ortiz, David Price, Dustin Pedroia, Jacoby Ellsbury, John Farrell, Josh Hamilton, Keith Law, Lou Merloni, Michael Bourn, Mike Napoli, Philadelphia Phillies, Ryan Howard, Shane Victorino, Will Middlebrooks
Part one of a two part series on the defense of the signing Shane Victorino. We begin on offense: As a Boston Red Sox fan living in “Braves Country” I have to persistently make an effort to get my daily Sox news throughout the day. The Atlanta Journal Constitution,...