Payroll Pressures

With arbitration cases kicking in, payroll comes to the forefront of team concerns this week. While the Red Sox only have 4 arbitration cases left to settle, we can start to look at the overall payroll concerns going into 2010 and beyond. 2010 is supposed to be our "bridge" year, but is 2011 really when the Red Sox completely reload? Cot's Baseball Contracts lists the Red Sox payroll commitments, and a handy spreadsheet breakdown for the next 4 years as well. Evan's article yesterday laid out some basic figures for the four arbitration eligible Red Sox. While his figures for Delcarman, Ramirez, and Hermida seem solid ($1M, $1.5M, $3M) I have more reservations about Papelbon, considering the "favor" he wants to achieve for his fellow closers, and think his case will invariably go all the way into arbitration, where he'll get close to $9M. I have a feeling he'll ask for at least $10M, especially after he thinks he should be getting Mariano Rivera-liek deals in free agency. Currently, the Red Sox payroll stands at $149M, taking into account all new contracts, leftover payments for former players (like Lugo) any options exercise upon contract termination (Wagner, Alex Gonzales) and monies received form other teams (via Seattle for Bill Hall).

Papelbon, three others file for arbitration

This year, four Red Sox are eligible for arbitration. The big name is closer Jonathan Papelbon while Manny Delcarmen, Ramon Ramirez (the original one) and Jeremy Hermida round out the other three. (Hideki Okajima recently avoided arbitration, signing for $2.75 million, a raise of $1 million from his 2009 salary.)

The Red Sox’s Christmas List

Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Happy Holidays to everyone! While I celebrate both Christmas and Hannukah, there's no denying the holiday that stops America in its tracks -- that's Christmas. That's why I've chosen Christmas as the holiday of choice to reveal certain Red Sox personnel's holiday gift lists that were acquired in some unseemly ways. And away we go...

An Introduction to Pitch FX

In 2007, pitching analysis was changed forever with the addition of the Pitch FX system. While the technology in 2007 was not as widely available throughout all ballparks as it is today, it has helped the average fan be able to take a critical eye to pitches. Have you ever wondered how much vertical break Barry Zito's curveball had? How about the angle Randy Johnson's slider took as it swept across the plate? What about how our own Jonathan Papelbon throws his fastballs? Now you have the power.

All-Aughts Team of the Decade CL: Jonathan Papelbon

Keith Foulke gave his right arm to pitch the Sox to the 2004 World Series. I'm forever appreciative of what Foulke did -- moreso than most people, I think -- but it's obvious that Jonathan Papelbon ranks as the closer of the All-Aughts Team of the Decade. Papelbon holds the record for most career saves in Boston -- all this despite entering 2010 at the tender age of 29. Paps' 151 saves blew past Bob Stanley's old record. Those saves were all legitimate too: his 1.84 ERA in two innings short of 300 IP is outstanding. Among Boston relievers who had 80 percent of their appearances out of the bullpen as well as a minimum of 250 innings pitched, Papelbon checks in at numero uno on the list for ERA. In 2006, Keith Foulke was supposed to be the closer despite injuries nagging him. When Terry Francona needed a closer on April 5 against Texas, he did not summon Foulke. No, Papelbon was the guy. He would go on to rattle off seven straight saves, finish the season with 35 saves, be named to the All-Star team and rank second in Rookie of the Year voting (Justin Verlander). His 0.92 ERA that season still stands as a personal best

LAA 7, BOS 6: The End Is Here

That one stings. Jon Papelbon's ninth inning meltdown ended the playoff journey for Boston, as the Red Sox are swept by the Los Angeles Angels, 7-6. After leading for the entire game, Vlad Guerrero's single off Papelbon in the top of the ninth was the culmination of a completely lackluster post-season, the end of a pretty abysmal weekend for Boston sports in general. But... there's always next year.

The Turning Point, The Injury Front, and Sleep Tremors

The Turning Point

There's no better way to enter the playoffs than on a hot streak, unless, of course, your opponent is reeling in defeat.

The ninth inning of last night's game must have put a real damper on the spirit in the Los Angeles clubhouse. After reclaiming their lead in the ninth against the unhittable, untouchable Daniel Bard, the Sox were able to steal the victory away when closer Brian Fuentes unraveled with one out to go.

As David Ortiz walked to the plate in the ninth against a left-handed Fuentes, hearts were simultaneously dropping all over New England. Two outs, down one, no one on, and Ortiz hasn't been able to touch lefties since 1945. The game was all but over...

Testing the Papelbon Trade Theory

The popular rumor growing in MLB trade circles has Red Sox closer Jon Papelbon being traded in the offseason with Billy Wagner assuming closer duties for 2010. With the claims gaining steam, it's time to look at the Sox' possible 2010 bullpen scenarios.

The 2009 Jon Papelbon

Jon Papelbon hasn't been the same JON PAPELBON he was from 2006-2008. It's somewhat surprising that the baseball community has been as down on Pap as they have been, as he still has a 1.81 ERA and is 34/37 in save opportunities this season.

However, there has been a palpable decline in his numbers and rate indicators this season. While his strikeout rate has been stable since last season, as too has his velocity for the most part, his rising walk rate has been at the root of his relative "struggles" this season...

Impact of the Billy Wagner trade

The Billy Wagner acquisition by the Red Sox is a major acquisition that will have an impact on the Sox's ability to close out games, both down the stretch run and (cross your fingers) in the playoffs.

This is one of your more complicated trades: the Red Sox had to navigate the morass of a 2010 option and arbitration possibilities to get the lefty into the Sox bullpen. Let's look at where things now stand.

No way you slice it, Billy Wagner is better than the morass of relievers that have come through the Sox clubhouse since Justin Masterson departed.

Tweets on the Red Sox’s 25-man roster

In a homage to Twitter, the new social media application that is changing how news is delivered (in the same vein how blogs changed everything) I bring to you a summary of each Red Sox player on the 25-man roster in 140 characters or less (the maximum number of characters you can enter on Twitter).

Have Twitter? Follow me. Tim's on too. Oh, and Fire Brand has one as well. You'll notice that had you followed Fire Brand, you would have gotten all these tweets last night.