Pawtucket Red Sox preview 2011

One thing Arnie Beyeler won’t have to do in his first season as the Pawtucket Red Sox’ manager is purchase…

Chris Iannetta, Michael McKenry good targets for Red Sox

There is no better time to target Iannetta as a trade candidate. He possesses an extraordinary bat, is a great defensive backstop, and is cheap. Signed through 2012 for roughly $3 million per year (with a $5 million team option in 2013), he’ll be easy on the ledger. Having just turned 27, he could be the team’s feature backstop for the next four to five years.

He won’t be cheap to acquire, however. Offensively gifted catchers who excel behind the plate don't grow on trees. Though the Rockies have depth at catcher in their system -- including fellow Sky Sox backstop Michael McKenry -- Iannetta is a very rare asset that will likely be difficult to wrest from the Denver management's fingers.

Daisuke Rolling, Ellsbury Back, Colorado Catchers

Daisuke Rolling With all the issues the Red Sox rotation has faced this season, there is nothing better than to see Daisuke Matsuzaka stepping up into at the right time. Throwing a one-hitter in Philadelphia on Saturday, there has been some speculation that Daisuke may be taking that long-awaited leap to respectability. However, other than two stellar starts sandwiching his New York meltdown, there has been a little to be excited about this year. Daisuke just hasn't changed at all from years past to indicate that any sustainable change is in the works. His zone percentage at a career low (46.4 percent), his first-strike percentage largely unchanged (56.6 percent in 2010 v 59.5 percent, career), and his zone contact percentage in line with his career line (84.9 percent, 2010 v 84.2 percent, career), it seems we are dealing with the Daisuke of old again this season.