Chat Transcript: Ortiz, Yankees, Buchholz and more

David Ortiz - Samara Pearlstein

Sit down with a big cup of coffee, because have I a treat for you. I participated in a chat on Tuesday night and they have made the transcript available for Fire Brand to peruse.

I talk about which minor leaguers to keep an eye on... what the Sox need to do to win this year... how important David Ortiz is to us.

Oh, I also throw out predictions such as who will finish at first... scoff at the Yankees... and talk about who the heck can be our future catcher.

Poll: Better or Worse: Jon Lester’s innings pitched in 2009?

New Poll Question: Better or Worse: Jon Lester's innings pitched in 2009?

Jon Lester pitched a yeomans-like 237 innings in 2008. There is debate over whether Lester will be a candidate for the now famous "Verducci-effect" in 2009. Can Lester's arm hold up for another 200+ innings this season? Vote in the poll to the left and give your community projection for Lester here.

Find out how you all responded to our previous poll, "Will Josh Beckett drop a sub-3.50 ERA in 2009?" after the jump.

Lester signs with BoSox for 5 years, $30 million

Jon Lester has agreed to a five-year deal, buying out his first year of free agency. The Sox have a $13 million team option for his second year in 2014. The five years total $30 million and locks up yet another Sox youngster. Great news, especially with Lester on the charts of scouts to make a push for the Cy Young award this year.

My favorite Red Sox players

Pedro - drgandy

On Friday, the Boston Globe ran down the worst breakups in Red Sox history going around the diamond by position. It's a nice (and sobering) read.

It made me ask myself "who would be on my personal 'favorite Red Sox' team?" My list is here and includes famous names such as Pedro Martinez and obscure names such as Jeff Frye

Could Jon Lester regress?

One of the better stories of the 2008 season was the maturation of Jon Lester into a pitcher very much to be reckoned with.

There are three pressing questions when attempting to evaluate Lester's chances for 2009: control, workload and xFIP.

Fire Brand takes a look at each component and attempts to answer the question.

The Truth is Out There

While the truth may be out there, it's awash with a sea of misinformation deeper than any Mulder and Scully had to wade through.

Buster Olney provides the latest fodder for the Red Sox rumor mill in his links column on ESPN Insider.

Projections for 2009 Red Sox and others

Bill James has come out with his new handbook for 2009, and in the handbook are the early statistical projections for players next year. This may be especially significant in the case of the Red Sox, as James has a vast amount of knowledge of players in the Red Sox system due to being employed by the team.

Internal Affairs

Some of the biggest signings that the Boston Red Sox make this offseason might not have anything to do with new faces set to make a splash in Boston. The biggest signings to happen, or "not" to happen, may be with some more familiar faces (and no, this isn't a sign Derek Lowe and take a flyer on Pedro Martinez and Curt Schilling post).

I'll throw out a few names for you; Jason Bay, Dustin Pedroia, Jonathan Papelbon, Kevin Youkilis, Jon Lester.

While each of these players is currently "under team control" for next season and in most cases beyond, each could pen to paper on a new contract this offseason. At the same time, each enters their respective negotiations with their teams under slightly different circumstances.

10/19: Do or Die Part III

We've been in this situation before. Last year. 2004. 1986. Are we going to make it 4-4 in improbable comebacks, or is our time up? Find out tonight.

BOS 4, TB 2: One win away

Now, the Boston Red Sox are playing like the defending champions they are.