Boston Red Sox News

Schilling: Sox should extend Beckett
Comment
February 9
Boston Globe
 
"Curt Schilling fired up his blog again and writes today that the Red Sox should sign Josh Beckett to a contract extension. His reasoning is that Beckett tries really hard. Just a guess, but the Red Sox might work in a few more factors before they make a decision. In case you missed it, Nick Cafardo wrote about Beckett on Sunday and the possible need for the Red Sox to protect themselves in case of injury."
2011 already a lost year
Comment
February 7
Boston Herald
 
"So much for waiting until next year - in free agency, that is. A 2011 class once expected to be flush with top-tier talent is now looking more like a repeat of this past winter, when the trio of Jason Bay, John Lackey and Matt Holliday cashed in, but most every other free agent ended up scrounging. The presumed ace of next year's pitching market, Roy Halladay, signed a three-year extension with the Phillies. The biggest bat - and maybe the biggest free agent ever - is Joe Mauer, and by the time you read this he may have already re-signed his negotiated 10-year extension with the Twins."
Lengthy deal for Beckett requires medical attention
Comment
February 7
Boston Globe
 
"A five-year, $82.5 million deal for Josh Beckett - the same thing former Marlins teammate A.J. Burnett and current teammate John Lackey got - seems logical for the free-agent-to-be. Right now, it's not going to happen in Boston. That's an opinion rather than pure fact, but one based on the way the Red Sox have operated the past few years. The Sox could invoke a Bill Parcells-like "I reserve the right to change my mind'' if Beckett was to have an outstanding season, but think more along the lines of Roy Halladay's three-year, $60 million extension, minus $6 million-$8 million. That's about as long a deal as the Sox would feel comfortable with."
Kelly, Kalish headline Sox' spring invitees
Comment
February 6
Boston Globe
 
"Several of the organization's top prospects, including righthander Casey Kelly and outfielder Ryan Kalish, are among the 20 nonroster players invited to spring training by the Red Sox yesterday. The 20-year-old Kelly was a pitcher and shortstop in Single A (Greenville and Salem) last season before deciding over the winter to focus solely on pitching. The 2008 first-round pick had a 2.08 ERA last year and is expected to begin the season with Double A Portland. Kalish is expected to compete for a job at Triple A Pawtucket. He played all three outfield positions for Portland last season, where he hit .271 in 103 games. He's been a .281 hitter in the minors since starting with the organization ..."
Red Sox extend a spring invite to 20
Comment
February 6
Boston Herald
 
"The Red Sox announced yesterday 20 non-roster pitchers and players who have been invited to big-league camp in Fort Myers. The list includes pitchers Randor Bierd, Fernando Cabrera, Kris Johnson, Casey Kelly, Adam Mills, Edwin Moreno, Joe Nelson, Brian Shouse, Jorge Sosa and Kyle Weiland. Position players invited are catchers Luis Exposito and Gustavo Molina; infielders Lars Anderson, Yamaico Navarro, Angel Sanchez and Gil Velazquez; and outfielders Zach Daeges, Ryan Kalish, Che-Hsuan Lin and Darnell McDonald."
Sox need to ante up for Beckett
Comment
February 5
Boston Globe
 
"Red Sox pitchers and catchers report to Fort Myers, Fla., two weeks from today. It could be the last time that Josh Beckett shows up to spring training as a member of the Red Sox. Beckett is entering the final year of his contract, slated to make $12.1 million this season, and along with Mariners lefthander Cliff Lee would be the most sought after starting arm in the free agent class of 2011. For most of his career, Beckett, riding the reputation of postseason performances, has been known as a money pitcher. We're about to find out if the Sox and general manager Theo Epstein see him as one. They should. This is a deal that needs to get done before the season, so the occasionally irascible ..."
Red Sox announce some front office moves
Comment
February 4
Boston Globe
 
"This release from the Red Sox today: Eddie Romero, who has served as Coordinator, Latin American Operations since 2006, was promoted to Assistant Director, Latin American Operations. Gus Quattlebaum was promoted to Assistant Director, Amateur Scouting after working for the club as a Major League scout since 2006. Steve Peck was named a Major League scout. He joined the Red Sox in 2009 as a professional scout after 13 years on the coaching and scouting staff of the Seattle Mariners. The team also officially announced the signing of catcher Gustavo Molina and righthander Joe Nelson to minor-league deals that include invitations to spring training."
Sentimental value only
Comment
February 4
Boston Globe
 
"A reader from California named Jordan e-mailed today regarding Adrian Gonzalez and said he sympathized with the fans in San Diego who could lose their first baseman. His wife, he said, has owned t-shirts bearing the number of Johnny Damon and Manny Ramirez and now has Jonathan Papelbon "Sorry, but I have secured his future as the replacement for Mariano in the Bronx in 2012," Jordan joked. That got me thinking. How many of us own jerseys or t-shirts celebating a player who has since been traded or left the team we root for? When I moved in December, I left behind two perfectly good Patriots jerseys in a Goodwill bin back in New York: Mike Vrabel and Richard Seymour."
Fox considering Sox for prime-time games
Comment
February 4
Boston Globe
 
"Fox will air two of its Saturday games in prime time this season. While this regularly happens during the postseason, Fox has never before tried it during the regular season. Two dates are booked, May 22 and June 26. The possible games are: May 22: Yankees-Mets, Red Sox-Phillies, Cubs-Rangers or Tigers-Dodgers. June 26: Yankees-Dodgers, Red Sox-Giants or Cubs-White Sox."
Adrian Gonzalez still in play
Comment
February 4
Boston Herald
 
"With chatter increasing that the Twins and catcher Joe Mauer are close to striking a long-term agreement, the odds of a similar deal for another Red Sox object of interest - Padres first baseman Adrian Gonzalez - grow longer. In an interview with the San Diego Union-Tribune, Padres CEO Jeff Moorad did not sound optimistic about the team's ability to retain Gonzalez, who can become a free agent after the 2011 season. "While I'd be thrilled to have him part of the organization for the long term, the early signals indicate his cost will be greater than our ability to pay," Moorad said. Assuming those signals do not change, the Padres are expected to entertain serious trade offers by the July ..."
Red Sox' Hall hits hard drive
Comment
February 3
Boston Herald
 
"Bill Hall's laptop reminds him every day of what he once was, and what he yet again hopes to be. The computer's hard drive contains every swing he took for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2006. There was the walkoff homer he hit against the New York Mets on Mother's Day with his mom in attendance. The blast to beat the San Diego Padres three weeks later. The four hits, including a homer, he had July 3 against the Cincinnati Reds. They're all there. All 35 homers, 39 doubles and 145 hits. Those numbers made him Milwaukee's improbable team MVP and earned him a four-year, $24 million contract. But thanks to an ankle injury that so profoundly altered his swing he's only now rediscovering it, Hall ..."
Red Sox, reliever Nelson agree to deal
Comment
February 2
MLB.com
 
"Joe Nelson has been fighting his entire Major League life. Now, the veteran reliever will fight once more -- this time for a spot in the Red Sox's bullpen. Nelson told MLB.com on Monday afternoon that he has reached agreement with Boston on a Minor League deal with an invitation to Spring Training. So now, after a journeyman career that has taken him through six organizations, a fair share of up-and-down trips between the Minor and Major Leagues and several stops at the operating table, Nelson will head to Fort Myers, Fla., in mid-February with a realistic chance to land a spot on potentially one of the best bullpens in the big leagues. "Having to make a team is nothing new to me," Nelson ..."
Phillies to observe workout of former Giants lefty Lowry
Comment
February 2
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"Ruben Amaro Jr. confirmed that the Phillies plan to watch Noah Lowry, who hasn't pitched since 2007 because of a series of arm injuries, when he auditions for scouts in Arizona. That was supposed to happen today, but the session was postponed to give the 29-year-old lefthander more time to prepare. The Phillies general manager last night characterized the team's interest as "moderate." The Astros, Mets, Rangers and Red Sox also are reportedly interested. About half the teams are expected to be represented when he has his open bullpen session. Lowry's agent, Damon Lapa, told the Associated Press that the former Giants No. 1 draft choice hasn't had a setback, but decided it would be to his ..."
Sox' defense department a priority
Comment
February 2
Boston Herald
 
"The epiphany came last May 9, in the fifth inning of a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park. It was at that moment the Red Sox realized their defense truly was terrible. The 14-5 defeat that afternoon against the Rays was mostly characterized as a poor showing from starter Jon Lester, who served up a two-run homer to Evan Longoria in the first inning and was chased in the fifth after allowing a career-high eight runs on 10 hits. The Sox knew better than to pin the loss on Lester. They knew that while the lefty hadn't pitched his best, he didn't lose that game. The gloves did."
Revamped Red Sox look to improved defense in '10
Comment
February 1
USA Today
 
"Terry Francona began his offseason defending his team's offense. Theo Epstein completed the bulk of his winter work by bragging about his team's defense - for 2010, at least.There's a connection, one that the Boston Red Sox hope will solve some of the on-field disconnect that produced a 95-win season and first-round playoff exit - hardly acceptable results by 21st-century Red Sox standards. "Looking forward to next year, I'm hoping we have a better all-around club than we had this year," Epstein, the Red Sox's general manager, said at the news conference introducing new third baseman Adrian Beltre. "Our defense was really our Achilles heel last year. If everything goes according to plan, ..."
Josh Beckett dealings a toss-up for Sox
Comment
February 1
Boston Herald
 
"The last time the Red Sox negotiated during the regular season with a free agent-to-be, it didn't end so well, which is why Jason Bay will play left field for the Mets this season. The Sox only can hope they encounter less turbulence in dealing with right-hander Josh Beckett, for whom ascertaining the market will be one of the more fascinating storylines this season. Beckett and Mariners left-hander Cliff Lee project to be the top two starters available in free agency next winter. Such a position has meant big money in recent years, as the Red Sox well know. John Lackey, after all, is the most similar pitcher to Beckett in baseball history, according to a means of statistical comparison ..."
Adjusted projection puts NY Yankees atop AL East... with Red Sox
Comment
January 31
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"Checking in quickly on this chill (and chilly) Saturday afternoon... Baseball Prospectus adjusted its 2010 PECOTA projections. Originally, the Yankees were projected to win 93 games and miss the playoffs, finishing third in the American League East. Now, the Yankees are still projected to win 93-games, but that will be good enough to tie with the Red Sox for the division title. The Rays, according to the projections, would finish 92-70, just out of the playoffs. With the adjustments, the records have changed. But the general idea stays the same: expect a tight three-team race in the AL East."
Lakers' resolve gets test against archrival Celtics today
Comment
January 31
L.A. Daily News
 
"The tune-ups came to a merciful end Friday night in Philadelphia, with the Lakers completing their three-game sweep of the 76 ers, Indiana Pacers and Washington Wizards without appearing toa bead of sweat. Now it gets tougher. Now they must play like champs because they're no longer facing chumps. It's not like the Lakers don't know how to crank up the intensity. It's just that it's not their thing all the time. After all, they drifted through the first three games on this eight-game trip while losing to Cleveland, beating New York and falling to Toronto. After winning their next three and played with more than enough gusto to make victories over Washington, Indiana and Philadelphia look ..."
A reliever's up 'n' down
Comment
January 31
Boston Herald
 
"To say last year was a learning experience for Daniel Bard would be an understatement. He made his big league debut in May, then slowly worked his way up the Red Sox [team stats]' relief ladder until becoming Jonathan Papelbon's principal setup man. Pretty much every outing was instructive in some way, but two appearances less than three weeks apart in August helped show Bard the two extremes of relief pitching, and in his development they were key moments that he'll be able to draw on this season as the No. 2 arm in the bullpen. The first moment came on Aug. 9 in New York. The Red Sox were in the midst of getting swept away by the Rays and Yankees in consecutive series, but on this night ..."
A triumphant return for Dr. Charles?
Comment
January 30
Boston Globe
 
"Only in Boston does the free agent status of a public relations person qualify as hot stove baseball news. Then again, Dr. Charles Steinberg isn't just any p.r. person. As the executive vice president of public affairs, Steinberg played a major role in enhancing the fan experience at Fenway Park after the team was sold to the current ownership in 2002. Steinberg oversaw such varied departments as advertising, customer service, public relations, television and video production, and entertainment. He received high praise for orchestrating the franchise's memorable recent on-field ceremonies, such as the World Series ring presentation on Opening Day, 2005, and the tribute to Ted Williams in ..."
Bard's could be huge for Bo-Sox bullpen
Comment
January 30
Boston Globe
 
"The last (and lasting) memory of the Red Sox' 2009 bullpen came in the form of a blown save in the loss that ended the season. And though there hasn't been much done to upgrade a relief corps that lost Billy Wagner and Takashi Saito to the Braves this offseason, the return of many key members brings hope for a replication of a mostly stellar season. Since Daniel Bard now has a year of major league experience, that should help shore up the late innings, when manager Terry Francona can choose among Bard, Hideki Okajima, and Ramon S. Ramirez leading up to Jonathan Papelbon. With Papelbon expected to approximate his past success, Bard's development into a shutdown setup man might be the key to ..."
Theo Epstein: Don't sweat starter surplus
Comment
January 30
Boston Herald
 
"Theo Epstein is probably as good at math as Tim Wakefield is. So after Wakefield expressed concern that he could be the odd guy out because the Red Sox have six starters for five spots this coming season, Epstein saw the equation differently yesterday. Wakefield's math was fine. Epstein just wants to wait before doing his. "I've been around teams that had deep starting pitching on paper and by the time you get to the season, you can't find a starting pitcher to take the ball," Epstein said. "I don't see that as a problem. I see that as a potential asset. It's not worth wasting time thinking about it or talking about it unless or until you get to a point during the regular season when you ..."
Clay Buchholz aims to earn rotation spot
Comment
January 29
Boston Herald
 
"Clay Buchholz was as good as any pitcher in baseball during a crucial 10-start stretch when the Red Sox took control of the wild card race last season. Buchholz then delivered the best start from a Red Sox hurler in the playoffs, leaving Game 3 of the Division Series with a 5-1 lead. Just 25, he has one of the brightest futures in the game. And he's taking nothing for granted. "I don't want to be overconfident that I have a spot," Buchholz said yesterday. "That's what I've been working towards, getting ready for the season and going in and earning my spot. Now knowing that (Tim) Wake(field)'s back to normal and is going to be here for another two years, he's been here a lot longer than I ..."
Red Sox' UZR + DRS = Wait till next year
Comment
January 29
Boston Herald
 
"With the opening of spring training less than three weeks away it would appear the retooling of the Red Sox is complete, at least for now. So what has general manager Theo Epstein wrought? Beats me, which is unimportant. Beats the Yankees? I don't think so. If an array of new fielding metrics you need a Ph.D. to understand are to be believed, the Red Sox will have to travel with two planes this year. The first for the players, the second for their Gold Gloves. According to Epstein, the Red Sox will be competitive through the use of kung fu baseball, the art of winning without scoring. They will be so flawless in the field that opponents will simply forfeit, their inability to penetrate the ..."
Daniel Bard relieved for Jonathan Papelbon
Comment
January 28
Boston Herald
 
"Red Sox fans weren't the only ones applauding the quick resolution of Jonathan Papelbon's contract situation last week. Daniel Bard was pleased, too. The flamethrowing set-up man likely will inherit Papelbon's mantle as Red Sox closer some day, but for now he is more than happy to continue watching and learning from one of the best in the game. "As much negative attention as he might get for the some of the stuff he says, he's a great guy to have on the team," Bard said with a chuckle from his North Carolina home yesterday, fresh off his honeymoon in Mexico. "He's a competitor. He's ready every day to throw. And really, he's a good guy for me to watch personally."
Jeremy Hermida reaches deal
Comment
January 27
Boston Herald
 
"Outfielder Jeremy Hermida and the Red Sox agreed to a one-year, $3.345 million contract yesterday, avoiding arbitration for the last eligible player on the team. General manager Theo Epstein continued his unbroken eight-year stretch of never going to arbitration. Like all arbitration-eligible players, Hermida's contract is non-guaranteed. Hermida had 47 RBI and a .740 OPS last season with the Marlins, who paid him $2.25 million. Hermida filed for a $3.85 million salary, the Red Sox $2.95 million."
No relief for Tim Wakefield from starter talk
Comment
January 27
Boston Herald
 
"For a guy closing in on the all-time Red Sox wins record, Tim Wakefield is in a sadly familiar position - needing to prove himself once again. Declaring himself fully healed from offseason surgery to repair a herniated disc, Wakefield is well aware the Sox will enter spring training with six starters following the free agent signing of John Lackey. Wakefield also is aware that many outside the organization believe he's the natural choice as the odd man out. The knuckleballer disagrees. "It shouldn't mean anything," Wakefield said by phone yesterday from New York, where he was honored for community service. "I did make the All-Star team last year. It seems every year, and I don't know why, ..."
Jason Bay and Boston Can't Be Friends
Comment
January 25
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"For us Mets fans, we've assumed the risk of Bay's health and moved on. For Nick Cafardo of in yesterday's Boston Globe, the Red Sox made the right decision regarding their demands on Bay and their requests for preemptive surgery: Are the Sox going too far? Are they being too cautious when other doctors opine that Bay will be fine? The bottom line is . . . the bottom line. It's the Sox who are paying the millions, so if they have concerns, that's really all that matters. Over the next few years, we'll see whether their concerns about Bay were warranted. We'll see whether Bay continues to average 154 games. His sentiment, in his explanation to WEEI, was: If it's not broken, why fix it? Fact ..."
Updated: Schilling planning a comeback? Nope
Comment
January 25
Boston Herald
 
"The following post just came across Curt Schilling's official Twitter page: "Working out again…..not sure I can add anything to that other than I feel it in every fiber of my being, every step I take…." Schilling, who turned 43 in November, has not appeared in a big league game since beating the Rockies 2-1 in Game 2 of the 2007 World Series."
Medical dispute led Bay from Boston
Comment
January 24
MLB.com
 
"While the Mets are thrilled to have Jason Bay as their new left fielder, the star slugger -- if not for a medical dispute -- likely would have stayed with the Boston Red Sox. In an interview with WEEI.com's Rob Bradford, Bay confirmed what MLB.com's Peter Gammons first reported earlier this week -- that the Red Sox and the outfielder had agreed in principle on a four-year, $60 million contract shortly after the All-Star break. "That," Bay told WEEI.com, "is just one-tenth of the story." The Red Sox had first broached a new contract with Bay during Spring Training of last year. The sides were too far apart at that time and agreed to table talks. Things again heated up in July, with Bay ..."
Casey Kelly follows father's path
Comment
January 24
Boston Herald
 
"First off, Casey Kelly's dad is not that Pat Kelly. While the Red Sox farmhand is the son of a big leaguer, it's not the one who spent most of his nine-year career playing second base for the Yankees. It's the Pat Kelly who spent nearly eight years in the minors before finally earning the call to the big leagues for a career that lasted all of five days. The elder Kelly debuted in Fenway Park for the Blue Jays on May 28, 1980 and recorded a pair of singles off Bob Stanley that went down as the only two hits of his career. Two games later, the catcher was done, leaving the game after seven at-bats and with a career .286 average. He spent three more years in the minors before beginning a ..."
John Henry endorses Red Sox' strategy
Comment
January 23
Boston Herald
 
"The Red Sox just completed a $120 million-plus spending spree on the free agent market this winter. Nice to know the principal owner, John Henry, approves of all the check-writing. "I believe the 2010 club on paper is stronger than 2009," said Henry in an e-mail exchange yesterday. Henry and general manager Theo Epstein enjoy a strong working and personal relationship, each appreciative of the strengths the other brings to his job. To the extent that Epstein has reshaped the philosophy and operations of the baseball club from top to bottom, his efforts would be for naught without the backing of Henry and his coterie of partners. Last year's offseason was marked first by the failure to ..."
Papelbon: 'I'm just happy we were able to see eye-to-eye'
Comment
January 22
Boston Globe
 
"The Red Sox in recent years have emphasized locking up their home-grown core players -- among them Dustin Pedroia, Jon Lester, and Kevin Youkilis -- to long-term contracts well before they approach free agency. The notable exception has been closer Jonathan Papelbon, who avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $9.35 million deal Tuesday that includes incentives. Speaking to the hosts of The Sports Hub's "Tanguay and Zolak" show this afternoon via telephone, the candid 29-year-old closer said he's content not only with his salary and the way the process has worked, but also with how the Red Sox have handled his contract status. "I think the biggest thing is making both sides happy," ..."
The plot thickens with Bay
Comment
January 22
Boston Globe
 
"Remember back in June and July when the idea that Jason Bay would stay with the Red Sox seemed like a foregone conclusion? Obviously that never came to pass as Bay turned down the Sox and signed with the Mets. One report indicated the Red Sox were concerned with Bay's shoulder. Then Peter Gammons revealed that an agreed-upon deal with the Sox was pulled for medical reasons. Now, WEEI advances the story some more by speaking to Bay. The outfielder said the Sox pulled their offer because of concerns with his knees. Then the team came back with different proposals that all included medical contingencies. Finally Bay decided to move on, insisting all the while that he felt fine. If the Sox ..."
Jeremy Hermida, Red Sox eye deal
Comment
January 22
Boston Herald
 
"The chance of Jeremy Hermida spoiling Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein's perfect arbitration avoidance record lies somewhere between slim and none. A source close to the negotiations expressed optimism yesterday that a deal would be struck before Hermida's 2010 salary winds up in the hands of an arbitrator at a hearing next month. The dialogue has been a healthy one, said the source. Hermida filed for a $3.85 million salary for next season, while the Red Sox came in at $2.95 million. The former Marlins outfielder made $2.25 million last season. Pap has reminder In an interview on 98.5-The Sport Hub radio, Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon spoke of how watching an endless video loop of his ..."
A step toward their spring
Comment
January 21
Boston Globe
 
"Jose Iglesias was wearing a stocking cap on his head and black tights under his shorts as he fielded ground balls on the turf inside the Boston College practice facility yesterday. The 20-year-old shortstop from Cuba saw snow for the first time when he arrived in town last week. "That's quite an experience,'' he said in Spanish."
Red Sox' Jose Iglesias has wow factor
Comment
January 21
Boston Herald
 
"The lessons are coming fast and furious for Red Sox prospect Jose Iglesias, some more visceral than others. Take Iglesias' third game in the Arizona Fall League last October. He blasted a two-run homer in his first at-bat and celebrated in the style of his native Cuba, thrusting his arms aloft and joyously circling the bases. That joy departed with a groan one at-bat later when Cardinals prospect Scott Gorgen drilled him in the ribs. Lesson learned. "Call it a rookie mistake," Iglesias said yesterday through translator Eddie Romero. "It's very different from where I come from in Cuba where (celebrating) is something normal. . . . I learned from the bruise. Hopefully it won't happen again." ..."
With Papelbon, it's hardly a closed case
Comment
January 20
Boston Globe
 
"Another year, another arbitration season, another debate concerning Jonathan Papelbon. And as the Red Sox creep nearer and nearer the seeming end of the relationship with their fearsome closer, a question remains. Are they doing the right thing? Roughly a month before the start of spring training, the Red Sox and Papelbon are due to exchange arbitration figures today. (Editor's note: Papelbon and the Sox reached agreement on a one-year, $9.35 million deal Tuesday afternoon). In and of itself, that is neither a bad nor especially newsworthy thing. When all is said and done, arbitration really isn't much different than any other negotiation with a player who lacks the service time to file ..."
Only Hermida remains unsigned
Comment
January 20
Boston Globe
 
"After coming to deals with RHPs Jon Papelbon ($9.35 million), Manny Delcarmen ($905,000) and Ramon Ramirez ($1.12 million), OF Jeremy Hermida is the only arbitration-eligible player the Red Sox have not signed. Hermida made $2.25 million last season. Presumably he will not be the player who breaks Theo Epstein's streak of never going to an arbitration hearing. The sides have a few weeks to make a deal as hearings do not start until Feb. 1 in St. Petersburg."
Sox close deal
Comment
January 20
Boston Globe
 
"Despite predictions that Jonathan Papelbon could be the first Red Sox player to go to arbitration during general manager Theo Epstein's tenure, the closer agreed to a contract yesterday. Papelbon, along with fellow relievers Manny Delcarmen and Ramon Ramirez, are set with one-year deals for 2010. Those agreements leave Jeremy Hermida as the lone arbitration-eligible player on Boston's roster, and the outfielder and the team exchanged figures yesterday. Papelbon signed for the second straight year just before the deadline to exchange arbitration figures, this time for $9.35 million with incentives that could increase his salary to $9.5 million, according to a team source. Papelbon was paid ..."
Good word on Jonathan Papelbon
Comment
January 20
Boston Herald
 columnist Steve Buckley
"When the Red Sox won the World Series in 2004, they had a roster stacked with guys who led the majors in OPS. As in: outspoken . . . plain and simple. If it wasn't Curt Schilling pretending to be an expert on everything from Massachusetts politics to Red Sox history, it was Pedro Martinez, who once asked if someone could please wake up the Bambino in order that he might drill him in the arse. Kevin Millar, who introduced "Cowboy Up" to Red Sox parlance, later disclosed that he and some of the other boys downed shots of Jack Daniels before Game 6 of the American League Championship Series."
Closer Jonathan Papelbon cuts Sox a fine deal
Comment
January 20
Boston Herald
 
"Sometimes it's easy to forget exactly how good Jonathan Papelbon is. After all, he "struggled" last year to get swings and misses, often required six and seven pitches to vanquish inferior hitters and blew his final save opportunity in Game 3 of the Division Series against the Angels. But make no mistake, the deal Papelbon signed yesterday is a tremendous bargain. Yesterday, he and the Red Sox avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $9.35 million contract that makes him just the eighth-highest paid reliever in the game, seventh if you discount the unemployed B.J. Ryan. Papelbon also has a $50,000 bonus for finishing 60 games (he finished 59 last year). Most of the names in front of ..."
Source: Red Sox to pay Papelbon $9.35M
Comment
January 19
ESPN.com
 
"The Boston Red Sox and closer Jonathan Papelbon came to terms Tuesday on a one-year deal worth $9.35 million, according to an industry source. The deal, which could escalate to $9.5 million with incentives, means the Red Sox and Papelbon will avoid arbitration for the second straight offseason. The contract is the largest ever for a relief pitcher with four years or less in service time, topping Eric Gagne's $8 million in 2005. Seven big league closers have contracts for $10 million or more. Papelbon's deal puts him just under that number. Since 2006, when Papelbon became the Boston closer, eight pitchers have had seasons of 35 saves or more, a strikeouts-per-nine-innings ratio of 10 or ..."
Hometown Report: It's all better for daddy Dustin Pedroia
Comment
January 19
Sacramento Bee
 
"In the big picture, life is grand these days for Dustin Pedroia. His broad grin has replaced his frown of frustration from when the Boston Red Sox All-Star ripped his hometown of Woodland in an article last spring. Gone is the anxiety from when his wife, Kelli, went into premature labor in July. His glow of fatherhood won't be dimmed until spring training begins next month. "Things are so good right now," Pedroia said by phone Monday from his offseason home in Chandler, Ariz. "Last year was a tough year. Much better now." Pedroia gushed about his young son, Dylan, born Aug. 18, a day after his own birthday. He raves about the little lad's growth, his personality, his appetite, that he's a ..."
Red Sox pitch own souvenir shop outside Fenway
Comment
January 19
Boston Herald
 
"The Red Sox have a plan to score more of the profits from team merchandise sales outside Fenway Park. Sox officials are seeking approval for a retail shop opening onto Van Ness Street near the historic ballpark's Gate B and the Ted Williams statue, according to documents filed with the Boston Landmarks Commission. The $750,000 project would put the store under the grandstand and convert three existing garage doors in the exterior brick facade into a street entrance and display windows."
Four Red Sox file for arbitration
Comment
January 16
Boston Globe
 
"Four Red Sox were among the 128 players who formally filed for salary arbitration today. Righthanders Manny Delcarmen, Jon Papelbon and Ramon S. Ramirez filed along with outfielder Jeremy Hermida. If contracts are not agreed to before then, the sides will exchange figures on Tuesday. Hearings are scheduled to start Feb. 1 in St. Petersburg, Fla. In most cases, contracts are agreed to before a hearing become necessary. If it gets to that point with Papelbon, it will be interesting to see what he seeks. The closer made $6.25 million last season in his first season of arbitration."
Red Sox Minor league deals signed
Comment
January 16
Boston Globe
 
"Jorge Sosa, who appeared in 18 games for the Washington Nationals last season, is among seven free agents signed to minor league contracts by the Red Sox and invited to spring training. Along with lefthanded reliever Brian Shouse, whose name came to light this week, the Red Sox also signed outfielder Darnell McDonald, infielders Angel Sanchez and Gil Velazquez, and righthanders Fernando Cabrera and Edwin Moreno. A 32-year-old righthander, Sosa was 2-1 with two saves and a 6.45 ERA for the Nationals. But he pitched well for Triple A Syracuse, striking out 53 over 48 1/3 innings, allowing only 40 hits. He also pitched well this winter, going 4-2 with a 3.83 ERA for Tigres del Licey in the ..."
Calling James's number: Stat guru senses new defensive focus
Comment
January 15
Boston Globe
 
"Red Sox senior adviser Bill James could not help but smile at the idea that the Baseball Writers' Association of America would present him with an honor for long and meritorious service to baseball. The father of modern baseball statistical analysis, James was often at odds with the mainstream media over how best to evaluate a player's performance. Writers, in turn, were slow to give the ideas James espoused any credence. But James is now part of the establishment, having worked for the Red Sox since 2002, and many writers embrace the virtues of nontraditional statistics. "I'm certain that in my youth I delayed this day quite a number of times by writing unnecessary unkind things about the ..."
Farrell, Sox seek openness from Matsuzaka
Comment
January 15
Boston Globe
 
"At this point in their relationship with Daisuke Matsuzaka, it's difficult to say that the Red Sox have confidence in the communication. Having been twice burned - when Matsuzaka made comments last summer about his training regimen in the United States, and a week ago when a Japanese magazine published an interview in which he disclosed an injury suffered prior to the 2009 World Baseball Classic - it's understandable that pitching coach John Farrell shied away from definitive statements about whether this might happen again. "I think the one thing that we strive to do, and go to great lengths, is to put a player in the best position possible to have success,'' Farrell said before last ..."