Discount and Decline

Unless you’ve been living under a rock or just stepped out of a time machine, you know about the depressing state of the Red Sox’ negotiations with Jon Lester. It’s a weird state of affairs – Lester said he’d take a hometown discount, the...

Fourth Place

I projected the Red Sox to finish fourth in the division this season. To be fair, I am an idiot. I predicted Jason Heyward would win the National League MVP award, and he went on to be only the third-most-valuable player on his own team in terms of fWAR, with a...

The Advanced Scout: ALCS – Detroit Tigers

I guess it was inevitable that the teams with the two best offenses in the major leagues would meet in the ALCS. Strangely enough, the Tigers and the Red Sox have never faced each other in the playoffs before in the history of baseball. Someone’s going to make a...

Friday’s Links – A New Opponent

Considering how time seemed to slow down a ton in the ALDS, it feels like forever since the Red Sox played a game. Yay for anxiety and years off my life! No matter how hardened the person, the postseason exacts a toll on all of us, be it our patience or our energy....

Ranking Possible Playoff Opponents

ESPN’s standings currently have the Red Sox sitting at a 99.9% chance of making the playoffs. So is it a lock that Boston will once against be dancing in October? Of course not! But just how close are they to winning the AL East? Even if the Red Sox go a modest 7-8...

What is this Felix Doubront and what do we do with it?

Sometimes I wonder why Felix Doubront isn’t held in higher regard among Red Sox fans, but then again, I’m not that surprised. After all, Doubront was signed as an international free agent in 2004 at the age of 16 – during a period in time where the Red Sox farm system...

Roster Power Rankings, May Edition

Every month, here on Fire Brand, I take a look at the relative value of the 25 players on the current active roster. If you missed the March or April editions check them out for the criteria of these rankings. As always, tell me if you agree or disagree in the comment...

Bold Predictions for 2013, Part 3 — The League

Part 1: The Pitchers Part 2: The Batters Part 3: The League Once again, 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)...