In Search of a Cure for My Raging Case of Lackey Optimism

I can pinpoint exactly when it all began. It started with Joe Reilly’s January 5th column right here on Fire Brand. Soon enough, I started to show symptoms of a developing case of Lackey Optimism. The more I thought about the possibilities, the more I started to see...

Ask Nick: Bridge Year Edition

(Key – Bold w/italic is Nick Cafordo’s opening, Bold is the quesiton asked, italic is Cafardo’s answer, unaltered text is my writing). FORT MYERS, Fla. – The low expectations for the Red Sox continue to ooze out in this week’s mailbag. There are lots...

Putting Prospect Rankings In Perspective

The season of prospect rankings is upon us. For minor league enthusiasts, wannabe prospect experts and the truly invested, this is our Christmas. For more casual MiLB fans or those looking for a quick refresher on their favorite team’s farm system, it’s a great time...

Monday’s Links – How to Lose Outfield Depth: Facepalm Edition

It’s the unofficial start of Spring Training! Time to drown yourselves in baseball, photos of new guys in your favorite team(s) uniforms, and what have you. Someone/something has it out for Red Sox minor league outfielders lately. First, Ryan Kalish has surgery,...

PEDs in Major League Baseball: When Will It End?

Like many of you, I grew up with Lance Armstrong as one of my select few heroes. Every June, for seven straight years (1999-2005), I would watch Lance throttle his Tour de France competition into submission. He was a cancer survivor, philanthropist, PED-less cyclist,...