by dpodheiser | Jan 11, 2013 | Boston Red Sox, cc sabathia, Daniel Nava, Daniel Nava, David Price, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jonny Gomes, Josh Willingham, Mark Buehrle, Matt Moore, Mike Trout, Ricky Romero, Wei-Yin Chen
There were two American League outfielders who posted an OPS of .880 or higher in 2012: Mike Trout (.963) and Josh Willingham (.890). Needless to say, finding an outfielder who can put up that kind of production is rare in the recent low-offense environment, and it’s...
by bcarsley | Jan 7, 2013 | Boston Red Sox, Bryce Brentz, Clay Buchholz, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Dustin Pedroia, Gerrit Cole, Giancarlo Stanton, Hanley Ramirez, Jackie Bradley, Jackie Bradley Jr., Jacoby Ellsbury, Jurickson Profar, Portland Sea Dogs, Salem Red Sox, Will Middlebrooks, Xander Bogaerts, Xander Bogearts, Yuniesky Betancourt
If Bobby Valentine represents all the evils that poured out of baseball’s Pandora’s Box last year, Xander Bogaerts can be the hope that escapes shortly thereafter. Yes, it’s rarely wise to make bold predictions when writing about baseball, and that’s doubly true when...
by dpoarch | Jan 6, 2013 | Adam LaRoche, Adrian Gonzalez, Allen Webster, Asdrubal Cabrera, Bobby Valentine, Boston Red Sox, Carl Crawford, Carlos Santana, Cleveland Indians, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jason Kipnis, John Farrell, John Lackey, Josh Beckett, Justin Masterson, Kelly Shoppach, Kyle Lohse, Los Angeles Dodgers, Michael Bourn, Mike Napoli, Rubby de la Rosa, Shin-Soo Choo, Terry Francona, Trevor Bauer, Ubaldo Jimenez
If there’s one thing you should know about me, it’s that I’ve never been a fan of narratives in sports. I know a good story is fun to follow, but too often, the media takes a story and beats it to death with terrifying efficiency. Just ask your friendly neighborhood...
by dpodheiser | Jan 4, 2013 | Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Jackie Bradley, Jacoby Ellsbury, Kevin Youkilis, Mike Napoli, Mike Olt, Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers, Will Middlebrooks, Xander Bogearts
The Red Sox have been one of the most active teams in the league this offseason, signing free agents Shane Victorino, Stephen Drew, Ryan Dempster, Koji Uehara and Mike Napoli (deal still pending) and trading for closer Joel Hanrahan. The club also brought back John...
by jkeller | Jan 3, 2013 | Alex Avila, Alfredo Aceves, Bobby Valentine, Boston Red Sox, Brent Lillibridge, Che-Hsuan Lin, Chicago White Sox, Clay Buchholz, Cleveland Indians, Cody Ross, Danny Valencia, Darnell McDonald, David Price, Detroit Tigers, Dustin Pedroia, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jason Repko, Jerry Remy, John Henry, Jon Lester, Josh Reddick, Kevin Youkilis, Larry Lucchino, Mark Melancon, Marlon Byrd, Miguel Cabrera, Mike Aviles, New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, Pawtucket Red Sox, Reid Brignac, Tampa Bay Rays, Tom Werner, Toronto Blue Jays, Vicente Padilla, Will Middlebrooks
One of my favorite family traditions is sitting down at the end of December and listing our highs and lows from the past year. What were the best moments and what were the worst? It’s a great way to summarize the ebb and flow of life. So, as Red Sox fans gladly wrap...
by huntergolden | Jan 2, 2013 | Ben Cherington, David Ross, Dustin Pedroia, Jacoby Ellsbury, Joel Hanrahan, Jon Lester, Jonny Gomes, Koji Uehara, Mike Napoli, Ryan Dempster, Stephen Drew
The Red Sox set out to do a lot of things this offseason, but from the brunt of their moves, it appears their priorities were as follows: 1.) Field a competitive team in the short term 2.) Don’t give up draft picks 3.) Retain priority prospects 4.) Maintain payroll...
by huntergolden | Dec 5, 2012 | Bryce Brentz, Jackie Bradley, Jacoby Ellsbury, Marco Scutaro, Melky Cabrera, Mike Napoli, Shane Victorino
I have to admit that I’m pretty surprised by the generally negative reaction that the Shane Victorino deal has received amongst members of the national news media and some of the more hardcore members of the Red Sox fan base. While in a vacuum this deal should raise...
by bcowett | Dec 5, 2012 | 2012 General Managers Meetings, Boston Red Sox, Jacoby Ellsbury, Kevin Youkilis, Marco Scutaro, Mike Napoli, Shane Victorino
Happy the-week-is-halfway-over-day, everyone! I’m Brett Cowett, the newbie here at Fire Brand, so be gentle with me, please. I bruise easily. Let’s get to the link bonanza, shall we? Freshly minted BBWAA member Eno Sarris goes over the pricey acquisition...
by huntergolden | Nov 11, 2012 | 2012 General Managers Meetings, Adam LaRoche, Anibal Sanchez, Grady Sizemore, Hiroki Kuroda, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jason Bay, Joakim Soria, Joe Blanton, Josh Hamilton, Josh Johnson, Justin Masterson, Kyuji Fujikawa, Mike Napoli, Nick Swisher, Ryan Dempster, Stephen Drew, Torii Hunter, Zack Greinke
Ben Cherington and the Boston Red Sox delegation returned from the GM Meetings this past week with much to consider. The GM meetings are seen by most as a time to begin feeling out other teams, consider trades and engage in discussions with agents. The Red Sox did a...
by huntergolden | Oct 25, 2012 | Angel Pagan, Barry Zito, Boston Red Sox, Brian Wilson, Buster Posey, Hunter Pence, Jacoby Ellsbury, Javier Lopez, Madison Bumgarner, Matt Cain, Melky Cabrera, Pablo Sandoval, Ryan Vogelsong, San Francisco Giants, Tim Lincecum
I was over at Sons of Sam Horn the other day and stumbled across this interesting thread with the idea of trading Jacoby Ellsbury to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for Tim Lincecum. It certainly tickled my fancy but before I could put pen to paper, I noticed my...
