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...

On Keith Law’s Rankings And Mass Hysteria

by | Feb 4, 2013 | Allen Webster, Boston Red Sox, Brandon Workman, Bryce Brentz, Jackie Bradley Jr., Jose Iglesias, Keith Law, Matt Barnes, Pawtucket Red Sox, Portland Sea Dogs, Xander Bogaerts

Keith Law is very good at his job. He has an impressive resume, a clear knack for evaluating talent and an impressive selection of sources from which to glean information. You may dislike the combative persona he’s built for himself, but that doesn’t detract from his...

Red Sox Shortstops Since Nomar with a Spin on American Pop Culture

by | Feb 2, 2013 | Alex Cora, Alex Gonzalez, Boston Red Sox, Derek Jeter, Edgar Renteria, Greg Maddux, Jed Lowrie, John Smoltz, Johnny Damon, Jose Iglesias, Julio Lugo, Marco Scutaro, Mike Aviles, Nick Green, Nomar Garciaparra, Orlando Cabrera, Stephen Drew, Steve Avery, Tom Glavine, Xander Bogaerts

My plan last week was to write an article on Boston Red Sox shortstop attrition since the departure of Nomar Garciaparra, but as I began writing about Nomar nostalgia got the best of me and it turned into a Nomar love fest. Thus, this Saturday morning piece will be...

Bold Predictions for 2013, Part 2 — The Batters

by | 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)...

Blocked at the Top?

by | Jan 22, 2013 | Adrian Beltre, Adrian Gonzalez, Andrew Bailey, Curt Schilling, Jackie Bradley, Jose Iglesias, Josh Reddick, Jurickson Profar, Mike Olt, Pedro Martinez, Will Middlebrooks, Xander Bogearts

For several years in the early 2000’s, shortstop Hanley Ramirez was considered the Red Sox top prospect. A gifted athlete, Ramirez held his own in the minors at a young age, and brimmed with promise. As Ramirez progressed through the Sox system, the question that came...

Wednesday’s Links – That Good Ole’ Revolving Door

by | Dec 19, 2012 | Ben Cherington, Boston Red Sox, Dustin Pedroia, John Farrell, Jose Iglesias, Koji Uehara, Mike Napoli, R.A. Dickey, Stephen Drew, Terry Francona, Toronto Blue Jays, Xander Bogearts

Since you’re reading this, I can assume you’re fully prepared for the end of the world this Friday, bunker and all. So here’s some links to go with your non-perishable food & bottled water. While it doesn’t seem like it, the Red Sox have a...

Winter Meetings Preview

by | Dec 1, 2012 | Adam LaRoche, Alex Gonzalez, Alfredo Aceves, Andrew Bailey, Anibal Sanchez, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Brandon McCarthy, Brennan Boesch, Brian Wilson, Cody Ross, Dan Haren, Daniel Bard, Detroit Tigers, Edwin Jackson, Francisco Liriano, Jair Jurrjens, Jerry Owens, Joakim Soria, Joe Blanton, Jonathan Broxton, Jonny Gomes, Jose Iglesias, Jose Valverde, Josh Hamilton, Koji Uehara, Kyle Lohse, Mark Reynolds, Mike Adams, Mike Napoli, Nate Schierholtz, Nick Swisher, Rafael Perez, Ryan Dempster, Ryan Madson, San Francisco Giants, Shaun Marcum, Shin-Soo Choo, Stephen Drew

The 2012 Baseball Winter Meetings will be held in Nashville on Monday through Wednesday. Let’s take a look at some of the free agents and non-tendered players that the Red Sox may be interested in. As everybody knows, Boston is looking for a first baseman, and...