by dpoarch | Jun 9, 2013 | Alfredo Aceves, Allen Webster, Boston Red Sox, Daniel Nava, David Ortiz, Jackie Bradley, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jose Iglesias, Josh Papelbon, Kevin Youkilis, Trey Ball, Will Middlebrooks, Xander Bogaerts
Last week, I had the bright idea of starting a Fire Brand mailbag. I thought I would have some fun with it, but mostly, it would focus on legitimate Red Sox analysis in a way Nick Cafardo typically fails to provide. I… was wrong. You can read the first part here....
by bcowett | Jun 7, 2013 | 2013 Boston Red Sox, 2013 MLB Draft, Adrian Beltre, Boston Red Sox, David Ortiz, Jonny Gomes, Teddy Stankiewicz, Trey Ball, Will Middlebrooks
Some shades of 2006 last night with that walk-off bomb by Big Papi. Bring on the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of California of the USA! All it took was one pitch, and David Ortiz had the stadium exploding with joy. So far, so good in June for the Red Sox. (One pitch...
by chipbuck | Jun 6, 2013 | Boston Red Sox, Jose Iglesias, Stephen Drew, Will Middlebrooks
Will Middlebrooks started his rehab assignment in Pawtucket on Tuesday. When he’s ready to return, the Red Sox have a very interesting situation on their hands. With Stephen Drew more than adequately manning shortstop, and Jose Iglesias magically and...
by tbrooks | Jun 4, 2013 | Boston Red Sox, Garin Cecchini, Jose Iglesias, Nick Cafardo Mail Bag, Shane Victorino, Will Middlebrooks, Will Middlebrooks, Xander Bogearts
Hey Nick, when and where are you writing to us? In case we wanted to stop you for an autograph and pic to put on Instagram? Writing to you after a 9-2 win over the Phillies as we head to New York. Thanks for the update. The bag this week is a Jose Iglesias lovefest....
by dpoarch | Jun 2, 2013 | Alfredo Aceves, Boston Red Sox, Bryce Brentz, Clay Buchholz, Clayton Kershaw, Cleyton Mortersan, Derek Jeter, Dustin Pedroia, Felix Hernandez, Garin Cecchini, Garin Cecchini, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jake Peavy, James Loney, Jon Lester, Lars Anderson, Los Angeles Dodgers, Michael Young, Seattle Mariners, Will Middlebrooks
Ok. So I had a simple thought coming into this week’s column: I wanted to do a mailbag. We’ve had a long-standing tradition here at Fire Brand of mocking Nick Cafardo’s regular mailbags, and let’s face it—those things are ridiculous. What I wanted to accomplish, then,...
by jkeller | May 30, 2013 | Alex Wilson, Allen Webster, Andrew Bailey, Andrew Miller, Andrew Miller, Boston Red Sox, Brock Holt, Clay Buchholz, Clayton Mortensen, Craig Breslow, Daniel Nava, David Ortiz, David Ross, Dustin Pedroia, Felix Doubront, Franklin Morales, Jackie Bradley, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, John Farrell, John Lackey, Jon Lester, Jonny Gomes, Jose Iglesias, Junichi Tazawa, Justin Verlander, Koji Uehara, Mike Carp, Mike Napoli, Pedro Ciriaco, Robinson Cano, Ryan Dempster, Shane Victorino, Stephen Drew, Will Middlebrooks
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...
by tbrooks | May 28, 2013 | Babe Ruth, Boston Red Sox, Clayton Kershaw, Don Mattingly, Jose Iglesias, Los Angeles Dodgers, Matt Kemp, Nick Cafardo Mail Bag, Will Middlebrooks
Nick Cafardo brings the intensity on Sundays. Sitting in Peter Gammons’ distinguished chair, Cafardo drops insights. Here are a few of the most glimmering moments (this week only!). Don Mattingly may lose his job as manager of the Dodgers, but he gained respect...
by bcarsley | May 27, 2013 | Allen Webster, Boston Red Sox, Felix Doubront, Jose Iglesias, Pedro Ciriaco, Will Middlebrooks, Xander Bogearts
The Red Sox have already played 51 baseball games this season. While those of us who watch the team day in and day out know this to be factually true, it’s also easy to be caught off guard by that number. In many ways it seems like Opening Day was just last weekend,...
by jcookson | May 24, 2013 | Boston Red Sox, David Ortiz, Jackie Bradley, Michael Almanzar, Will Middlebrooks, Xander Bogearts
One of my favorite sources for prospect info over the last few years has been Jason Parks, who writes for Baseball Prospectus and joins with Mike Ferrin on the “Fringe Average” podcast. He likes to emphasize a point that I think we often forget when looking at...
by bcowett | May 17, 2013 | 2013 Boston Red Sox, Andrew Bailey, Boston Red Sox, Daniel Bard, Jacoby Ellsbury, Joel Hanrahan, Shane Victorino, Tampa Bay Rays, Will Middlebrooks
Amazing. Simply amazing. The Red Sox take two of three in the Trop, and are now 5-1 against the Tampa Bay Rays. On to Minneapolis! If you look at it optimistically, Will Middlebrooks hasn’t struck out all those times. He’s just found ways not to get a hit....
