Boston Red Sox News

Jays Take Three of Four from Boston

2011-09-09T15:32:00.002-04:00

MON 9/5:Red Sox 0, BLUE JAYS 1

The opener to this four-game set was a painful loss for the Sox, literally and figuratively. Josh Beckett's start for the Sox was cut short when he sprained his right ankle on the mound with two outs in the bottom of the fourth, leaving Terry Francona to rely on the bullpen in a game that would eventually require extra frames. Alfredo Aceves, Daniel Bard, and Jonathan Papelbon combined to hold the Jays bats silent for just over six innings, but the game's first and only run came when Toronto rookie Brett Lawrie tattooed a Dan Wheeler fastball over the left-centerfield wall for the walk-off win.

TUE 9/6:RED SOX 14, Blue Jays 0

Combine a hitting clinic with a stellar joint pitching performance and what do you get? Answer: A dominating victory by the Sox in the second game of this series. The Sox offense racked up 20 base hits against Jays, with David Ortiz and Marco Scutaro each with four knocks of their own. Jon Lester started on the hill and went seven scoreless innings, allowing just three hits and striking out eleven. Kyle Weiland came out of the pen and went the final two innings in relief, giving up just one hit.

WED 9/7:Red Sox 10, BLUE JAYS 11

The Sox dropped the third game of this series in maybe the most gut-wrenching game of the season. Tim Wakefield went five innings and gave up five runs (four earned) and was in position to finally earn his 200th career win, but that all changed when Daniel Bard came out of the pen in the eighth inning. Bard imploded and gave up a career-high five runs and coughed up the lead to the Jays. The Sox had a chance to draw even in the ninth as Adrian Gonzalez cut the lead to two by belting a solo shot to right to open the inning. David Ortiz then singled and Marco Scutaro brought him home with an RBI single up the middle. With Josh Reddick at the plate, Mike Aviles pinch-ran for Scutaro but was gunned down by Jays catcher Jose Molina, ending the game.

THU 9/8:RED SOX 4, BLUE JAYS 7

Lefty Andrew Miller had another rough start in the final game of this series, giving up eight hits and five earned through five innings of work. The Jays put up four in the second frame, putting the Sox in an early hole that they never dug themselves out of. The Sox drop three out of four in Toronto and stay two and a half games out of first place in the AL East.

Starting Pitching Matchups: Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees

2011-08-29T13:23:00.001-04:00

Here are the starting pitching matchups for a three-game series between the Red Sox and Yankees at Fenway Park this week (Boston enters the series with a two-game lead atop the A.L. East):

Tuesday: CC Sabathia (17-7, 2.99) vs. John Lackey (12-9, 5.98), 7:10 p.m.

Wednesday: Phil Hughes (4-4, 6.46) vs. Josh Beckett (11-5, 2.43), 7:10 p.m.

Thursday: A.J. Burnett (9-11, 5.31) vs. Jon Lester (14-6, 3.09), 7:10 p.m.

Get your tickets for the games on TicketWebsiteHq.com

Lester notches 13th win behind patchwork lineup

2011-08-22T12:10:00.000-04:00

Tito didn't make it easy on Jon Lester, but he delivered a solid performance in Sunday afternoon's 6-1 win over Kansas City.

With Jacoby Ellsbury, David Ortiz, and Kevin Youkilis all out with various ailments, Francona had to call on a thin bench to get the job done offensively. In doing so, he made a number of questionable calls -- and all of them seemed to work.

Reserve outfielder Darnell MacDonald was inserted into the 2-hole and produced three hits, including a solo homer to get the Sox on the board in the 5th. Ahead of Darnell was Marco Scutaro, who collected a hit and a walk while seeing 21 pitches.

Meanwhile, all these injuries made some of us question why Carl Crawford didn't find his name higher up on the lineup, instead hitting in the 7-hole behind the likes of the punchless Jed Lowrie and the unproven Ryan Lavarnway. Lowrie scored a run, had a hit and drove in a run, while Lavarnway had two hits, including a double, and an RBI. And Crawford found success in the 7-hole, homering and walking.

The curious moves weren't held to the lineup. Following Lester in the 7th was Daniel Bard, who inherited two runners with a 2-run lead. An unusually early entrance for Daniel, who rewarded Francona with a strike out, fly out, and ground out to hold the lead. The Sox poured on three more runs in the 8th -- but then Bard came back out for the bottom of the inning with a five-run lead. While it was curious, it's probably harmless -- Bard ended up throwing only 24 pitches, which he would have done in two at bats against New York. Dan Wheeler came on for the 9th, and that was that.

Not exactly how Theo drew it up in the offseason, but it got the job done. And kudos to Francona for doing what he thought was right, regardless of the reaction it might cause from some of us who know far less than he does.

The Sox took three of four from Kansas City and head south to play the Rangers in one of the biggest series of the year, starting today.

Tim Wakefield Falls Short in Fourth Attempt at Win No. 200, But Still Gives Red Sox Quality Effort Despite Loss

2011-08-15T13:12:00.002-04:00

Tim Wakefield said after his third attempt at career win No. 200 that he was just happy the team won the game. After his fourth try at the milestone resulted in a loss, he still had plenty of which he could be proud.

By going eight innings in a 5-3 loss at Seattle on Sunday, Wakefield accomplished several things. Since the Red Sox could not rally in the top of the ninth, he picked up his 33rd complete game and his first since April 22, 2009, which was a rain-shortened affair against Minnesota that was over after seven innings.

By doing it in two hours, 14 minutes, the second-fastest game of the year for Boston, he gave the team a chance to hit the airport nice and early and possibly get home at a time that might allow the players to actually enjoy Monday's day off.

And by eating up all the available innings, he sent the staff back home very rested as it prepares for what could be the most grueling portion of the schedule.

After the day off, the Red Sox begin a stretch of 14 games in 13 days. It all starts with a doubleheader Tuesday against Tampa Bay and another contest the following afternoon, during which all hands need to be on deck. The same could be said about the ensuing nine games, four in Kansas City and four in Texas, where temperatures will take down even the heartiest.

David Ortiz Upset About Lack of Contract Discussion with Red Sox

2011-08-08T11:32:00.002-04:00

Last winter, David Ortiz was clearly campaigning for a long-term contract from the Red Sox. Instead, the club used its $12.5 million team option to lock Ortiz up on short money.

This year, no such option exists, but the slugger is equally perplexed as to why the team hasn’t approached him about a multi-year deal.

A source close to Ortiz tells ESPN Deportes that he is feeling neglected by the Sox during his All-Star 2011 season:

“David is (too) proud and respectful to say how he feels in public, but the guy feels hurt, upset by the way that he is being ignored by the Red Sox. After all he’s done here and having a good season, he was at least hoping to be approached by the team to talk about his future.”

Ortiz told reporters that no talks have taken place between he and the team regarding his contract status beyond this year:

“This sport is a business above all. People know what I can do. Right now I don’t see myself in another uniform, but that’s not up to me. It will be decided in free agency.”

The 35-year-old is hitting .286 with 21 home runs and 71 RBI this season. He’s on pace to post a OPS above .900 for the first time since 2007.

Last week, Big Papi was visibly angry when official scorer Chaz Scoggins took a RBI away from him after a game against the Indians at Fenway Park.

He finished with 99 RBI two years ago and stated after the game that the difference between a double-figure and triple-figure RBI total is unfairly viewed at the negotiating table.

All Alfredo Aceves Does is Win

2011-08-01T13:47:00.000-04:00

Alfredo Aceves is a winner, because all he seems to do is win. The 28 year old right-hander relief pitcher is in his 4th MLB season and picked up his 7th win of the season yesterday, and now owns a 21-2 career record. He started off with the New York Yankees (2008-2010) and is now in his first season with the Boston Red Sox. With only 90 appearances under his belt, this ~~vulture~~ bullpen savior sure knows how to swoop in and grasp the W in his talons. Nicknamed "Ace", Aceves owns the best winning percentage in the history of the game out of pitchers with a minimum of 20 decisions (91.3%). Amazing

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2011-07-26T17:04:00.000-04:00

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Red Sox sweep lowly Mariners out to sea

2011-07-25T12:03:00.001-04:00

It was a quick turnaround for the Boston Red Sox and Seattle Mariners as they played Saturday night and went right back at it Sunday afternoon to complete a three game series at the Fens over the weekend.

Saturday night saw a scoreless game through the first six innings between the teams as pitching seemed to be the order of the day. Josh Beckett was seeking his 9th win of the season and to drop his minuscule ERA even lower, while young Blake Beavan of the Mariners was given the almost insurmountable task of busting up the red-hot Red Sox offense as well as snap the M’s 14 game losing streak in the process. He pitched well enough to win, and held the Sox at bay for 6 innings.

Next came the dreaded 7th inning for any Boston opponent this season. They have outscored their opponents by 60 plus runs in this inning alone! The Sox scored 3 in that inning in this game with Jacoby Ellsbury getting the big blow with a 2-run single and then scoring on a wild pitch.

The only real blemish on Josh Beckett’s record this night was the homer he gave up to this guy I’ve never heard of again, Matt Carp. Beckett went 7 innings, scattering 7 hits and striking out 7 to get that 9th win of the year.

Sunday afternoon might have been the complete opposite of the game the night before as both teams pounded out double digit hits. Tim Wakefield was gunning for career win 199, and also achieved his 2,000th strikeout along the way, adding another accomplishment to his long and storied career with Boston. Although Wake did give up 7 runs in 6 and a 1/3 innings, he did pick up the win and sent Seattle to its record breaking 15th loss in a row.

Boston’s box score again had a plethora of crooked numbers on it with six out of the starting nine having multiple hit games, highlighted by Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford and Jarrod Saltalamacchia all banging out 3 hits each.

Up 11-3 in the 7th, the Red Sox did have a bit of a scare put into them as the Mariners put up a 4-spot in the inning to close the gap to 11-7. Alfredo Aceves came in for Wakefield and pitched the final 2 and 2/3 innings giving up only one run on 3 hits in another solid outing, not allowing Seattle to get any closer and giving the Sox a 12-8 victory.

Jon Lester comes off of the DL to start a series against the Kansas City Royals tonight at Fenway. Kyle Davies starts for the Royals.

Pedroia gives Red Sox marathon win in 16th

2011-07-18T09:00:00.001-04:00

Minds and bodies were getting tired as the stalemate between the Red Sox and Rays went all night Sunday and into the early hours of Monday morning.

It was the type of occasion that called for Dustin Pedroia -- who will never be accused of lacking energy -- to be a hero.

And that's exactly what the little second baseman was for the Red Sox, raking a two-out, RBI single into right, bringing home the only run of an epic, 1-0 16-inning victory against the Rays.

By the time the madness had ended, Pedroia had even earned a new nickname within the confines of his clubhouse that seemed as if it was about to go viral.

"The Muddy Chicken is definitely the player of the game," Red Sox ace Josh Beckett said of Pedroia. "He got it done when we absolutely needed it."

The Muddy Chicken?

"I don't even know what you're talking about, man. It sounds awesome, though, doesn't it?" said Pedroia.

New monikers aside, Pedroia was just happy to give his team a big hit when they needed it most.

"I just wanted to go home," Pedroia said after a game that ended at 1:54 a.m. ET. "I think everyone did. We were trying our best pretty much the whole night to score some runs. But they threw the ball outstanding all night. We did, too. It was a great game -- we're just happy we won."

Big Papi suspended 4 games

2011-07-15T10:28:00.003-04:00

Big Papi received a 4 games suspension for the altercation against Kregg last Friday and he supposed to be out tonight, unless he decides he want to appeal to get a lesser punishment.

Life without Big Papi?

2011-07-12T10:24:00.000-04:00

"The Red Sox All-Stars were lined up six deep in a desert ballroom yesterday, Adrian Gonzalez at one end, next to Jon Lester, Kevin Youkilis, Josh Beckett, Jacoby Ellsbury and David Ortiz on the other.

One of these stars was not like the other, however.

One of them is a free agent this fall, and if he's at the All-Star Game next year in Kansas City, Mo., he could be playing for another team.

Which is just too crazy to even imagine.

How could David Ortiz, the face of the Red Sox franchise for the last nine seasons, the one superstar here whose smile and charisma are burning at a higher wattage than any other All-Star, wear any uniform besides a Sox one until the day he retires?

Again, it's too crazy to imagine.

That still doesn't make it a longshot.

Ortiz wants at least a two-year deal with an option for a third, and at 36 years old next season, he is a couple of years beyond the age when the Red Sox normally get extremely gun-shy about committing to players for the long term.

No wonder just posing the question about his unsettled future makes Ortiz' Cheshire-cat smile vanish for an instant.

"You know what? I've been in this organization for nine years. My numbers ain't that bad, you know what I'm saying?" said Ortiz, who wants to re-sign with the Red Sox. "I don't think I need to open any more eyes than I have already. If you haven't seen me, you ain't."

With only hitting to worry about as the designated hitter, Ortiz understands wear and tear is not his problem."

Back to back to back homers to win 10 to 4 against Orioles

2011-07-08T11:33:00.002-04:00

The long ball propelled the Boston Red Sox to a 10-4 victory over the Blatimore Orioles Thursday night at Fenway Park.

Boston’s Dustin Prdroia, Adrian Gonzales, Jacoby Ellsbury, David Ortiz, Josh Reddick and Jarrod Saltalamacchia all provided a home run to help the Sox take the first game of this four-game set.

Ortiz, Reddick and Saltalamacchia hit back-to-back-to-back solo homers in the bottom of the seventh inning. It was the first time since Aug. 13, 2010 at Texas that the Red Sox hit three consecutive home runs when Ortiz, Adrian Beltre and J.D. Drew accomplished the feat.

Get you Tickets right now to support the Red Sox get ahead !

Red Sox Remaining 2010 Schedule and Tickets

2010-06-03T14:50:00.000-04:00

Boston Red Sox vs. Oakland Athletics	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Thursday 6/3/2010 1:35 PM	view tickets
Baltimore Orioles vs. Boston Red Sox	Oriole Park At Camden Yards Baltimore, MD	Friday 6/4/2010 7:05 PM	view tickets
Baltimore Orioles vs. Boston Red Sox	Oriole Park At Camden Yards Baltimore, MD	Saturday 6/5/2010 7:05 PM	view tickets
Baltimore Orioles vs. Boston Red Sox	Oriole Park At Camden Yards Baltimore, MD	Sunday 6/6/2010 1:35 PM	view tickets
Cleveland Indians vs. Boston Red Sox	Progressive Field (formerly Jacobs Field) Cleveland, OH	Monday 6/7/2010 7:05 PM	view tickets
Cleveland Indians vs. Boston Red Sox	Progressive Field (formerly Jacobs Field) Cleveland, OH	Tuesday 6/8/2010 7:05 PM	view tickets
Cleveland Indians vs. Boston Red Sox	Progressive Field (formerly Jacobs Field) Cleveland, OH	Wednesday 6/9/2010 7:05 PM	view tickets
Cleveland Indians vs. Boston Red Sox	Progressive Field (formerly Jacobs Field) Cleveland, OH	Thursday 6/10/2010 7:05 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Philadelphia Phillies	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Friday 6/11/2010 7:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Philadelphia Phillies	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Saturday 6/12/2010 4:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Philadelphia Phillies	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Sunday 6/13/2010 1:35 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Arizona Diamondbacks	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Tuesday 6/15/2010 7:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Arizona Diamondbacks	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Wednesday 6/16/2010 7:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Arizona Diamondbacks	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Thursday 6/17/2010 7:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Los Angeles Dodgers	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Friday 6/18/2010 7:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Los Angeles Dodgers	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Saturday 6/19/2010 4:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Los Angeles Dodgers	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Sunday 6/20/2010 8:05 PM	view tickets
Colorado Rockies vs. Boston Red Sox	Coors Field Denver, CO	Tuesday 6/22/2010 6:40 PM	view tickets
Colorado Rockies vs. Boston Red Sox	Coors Field Denver, CO	Wednesday 6/23/2010 6:40 PM	view tickets
Colorado Rockies vs. Boston Red Sox	Coors Field Denver, CO	Thursday 6/24/2010 6:40 PM	view tickets
San Francisco Giants vs. Boston Red Sox	AT&T Park San Francisco, CA	Friday 6/25/2010 7:15 PM	view tickets
San Francisco Giants vs. Boston Red Sox	AT&T Park San Francisco, CA	Saturday 6/26/2010 4:10 PM	view tickets
San Francisco Giants vs. Boston Red Sox	AT&T Park San Francisco, CA	Sunday 6/27/2010 1:05 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Tuesday 6/29/2010 7:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Wednesday 6/30/2010 7:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Baltimore Orioles	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Friday 7/2/2010 7:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Baltimore Orioles	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Saturday 7/3/2010 7:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Baltimore Orioles	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Sunday 7/4/2010 1:35 PM	view tickets
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Boston Red Sox	Tropicana Field Saint Petersburg, FL	Monday 7/5/2010 7:10 PM	view tickets
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Boston Red Sox	Tropicana Field Saint Petersburg, FL	Tuesday 7/6/2010 7:10 PM	view tickets
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Boston Red Sox	Tropicana Field Saint Petersburg, FL	Wednesday 7/7/2010 7:10 PM	view tickets
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Boston Red Sox	Rogers Centre Toronto, Canada	Friday 7/9/2010 7:07 PM	view tickets
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Boston Red Sox	Rogers Centre Toronto, Canada	Saturday 7/10/2010 1:07 PM	view tickets
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Boston Red Sox	Rogers Centre Toronto, Canada	Sunday 7/11/2010 1:07 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Texas Rangers	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Thursday 7/15/2010 7:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Texas Rangers	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Friday 7/16/2010 7:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Texas Rangers	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Saturday 7/17/2010 7:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Texas Rangers	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Sunday 7/18/2010 1:35 PM	view tickets
Oakland Athletics vs. Boston Red Sox	Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Oakland, CA	Monday 7/19/2010 7:05 PM	view tickets
Oakland Athletics vs. Boston Red Sox	Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Oakland, CA	Tuesday 7/20/2010 7:05 PM	view tickets
Oakland Athletics vs. Boston Red Sox	Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Oakland, CA	Wednesday 7/21/2010 12:35 PM	view tickets
Seattle Mariners vs. Boston Red Sox	Safeco Field Seattle, WA	Thursday 7/22/2010 7:10 PM	view tickets
Seattle Mariners vs. Boston Red Sox	Safeco Field Seattle, WA	Friday 7/23/2010 7:10 PM	view tickets
Seattle Mariners vs. Boston Red Sox	Safeco Field Seattle, WA	Saturday 7/24/2010 7:10 PM	view tickets
Seattle Mariners vs. Boston Red Sox	Safeco Field Seattle, WA	Sunday 7/25/2010 1:10 PM	view tickets
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim vs. Boston Red Sox	Angel Stadium Anaheim, CA	Monday 7/26/2010 7:05 PM	view tickets
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim vs. Boston Red Sox	Angel Stadium Anaheim, CA	Tuesday 7/27/2010 7:05 PM	view tickets
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim vs. Boston Red Sox	Angel Stadium Anaheim, CA	Wednesday 7/28/2010 12:35 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Detroit Tigers	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Friday 7/30/2010 7:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Detroit Tigers	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Saturday 7/31/2010 4:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Detroit Tigers	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Sunday 8/1/2010 TBD	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Cleveland Indians	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Monday 8/2/2010 7:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Cleveland Indians	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Tuesday 8/3/2010 7:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Cleveland Indians	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Wednesday 8/4/2010 7:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Cleveland Indians	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Thursday 8/5/2010 7:10 PM	view tickets
New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox	New Yankee Stadium Bronx, NY	Friday 8/6/2010 7:05 PM	view tickets
New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox	New Yankee Stadium Bronx, NY	Saturday 8/7/2010 4:10 PM	view tickets
New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox	New Yankee Stadium Bronx, NY	Sunday 8/8/2010 TBD	view tickets
New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox	New Yankee Stadium Bronx, NY	Monday 8/9/2010 TBD	view tickets
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Boston Red Sox	Rogers Centre Toronto, Canada	Tuesday 8/10/2010 7:07 PM	view tickets
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Boston Red Sox	Rogers Centre Toronto, Canada	Wednesday 8/11/2010 7:07 PM	view tickets
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Boston Red Sox	Rogers Centre Toronto, Canada	Thursday 8/12/2010 12:37 PM	view tickets
Texas Rangers vs. Boston Red Sox	Rangers Ballpark In Arlington Arlington, TX	Friday 8/13/2010 7:05 PM	view tickets
Texas Rangers vs. Boston Red Sox	Rangers Ballpark In Arlington Arlington, TX	Saturday 8/14/2010 7:05 PM	view tickets
Texas Rangers vs. Boston Red Sox	Rangers Ballpark In Arlington Arlington, TX	Sunday 8/15/2010 2:05 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Tuesday 8/17/2010 7:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Wednesday 8/18/2010 7:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Thursday 8/19/2010 7:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Toronto Blue Jays	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Friday 8/20/2010 7:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Toronto Blue Jays	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Saturday 8/21/2010 7:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Toronto Blue Jays	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Sunday 8/22/2010 1:35 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Seattle Mariners	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Monday 8/23/2010 7:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Seattle Mariners	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Tuesday 8/24/2010 7:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Seattle Mariners	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Wednesday 8/25/2010 1:35 PM	view tickets
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Boston Red Sox	Tropicana Field Saint Petersburg, FL	Friday 8/27/2010 7:10 PM	view tickets
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Boston Red Sox	Tropicana Field Saint Petersburg, FL	Saturday 8/28/2010 7:10 PM	view tickets
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Boston Red Sox	Tropicana Field Saint Petersburg, FL	Sunday 8/29/2010 1:40 PM	view tickets
Baltimore Orioles vs. Boston Red Sox	Oriole Park At Camden Yards Baltimore, MD	Tuesday 8/31/2010 7:05 PM	view tickets
Baltimore Orioles vs. Boston Red Sox	Oriole Park At Camden Yards Baltimore, MD	Wednesday 9/1/2010 7:05 PM	view tickets
Baltimore Orioles vs. Boston Red Sox	Oriole Park At Camden Yards Baltimore, MD	Thursday 9/2/2010 7:05 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Chicago White Sox	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Friday 9/3/2010 7:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Chicago White Sox	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Saturday 9/4/2010 7:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Chicago White Sox	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Sunday 9/5/2010 1:35 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Monday 9/6/2010 7:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Tuesday 9/7/2010 7:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Wednesday 9/8/2010 7:10 PM	view tickets
Oakland Athletics vs. Boston Red Sox	Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Oakland, CA	Friday 9/10/2010 7:05 PM	view tickets
Oakland Athletics vs. Boston Red Sox	Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Oakland, CA	Saturday 9/11/2010 6:05 PM	view tickets
Oakland Athletics vs. Boston Red Sox	Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Oakland, CA	Sunday 9/12/2010 1:05 PM	view tickets
Seattle Mariners vs. Boston Red Sox	Safeco Field Seattle, WA	Monday 9/13/2010 7:10 PM	view tickets
Seattle Mariners vs. Boston Red Sox	Safeco Field Seattle, WA	Tuesday 9/14/2010 7:10 PM	view tickets
Seattle Mariners vs. Boston Red Sox	Safeco Field Seattle, WA	Wednesday 9/15/2010 12:40 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Toronto Blue Jays	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Friday 9/17/2010 7:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Toronto Blue Jays	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Saturday 9/18/2010 7:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Toronto Blue Jays	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Sunday 9/19/2010 1:35 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Baltimore Orioles	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Monday 9/20/2010 7:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Baltimore Orioles	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Tuesday 9/21/2010 7:10 PM	view tickets
Boston Red Sox vs. Baltimore Orioles	Fenway Park Boston, MA	Wednesday 9/22/2010 7:10 PM	view tickets
New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox	New Yankee Stadium Bronx, NY	Friday 9/24/2010 7:05 PM	view tickets
New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox	New Yankee Stadium Bronx, NY	Saturday 9/25/2010 TBD	view tickets

Okijima has Wrist Injury

2009-03-14T19:04:00.002-04:00

Okijima has Wrist Injury

Hideki Okajima has a bit of a wrist injury, which the Red Sox will be monitoring. It doesn't appear serious enough that he will need a stint on the disabled list, but it will be checked out.

5-17-2008

BoSoxBuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01495128969427558650noreply@blogger.com

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BoSoxBuzz

2009-03-14T19:04:00.001-04:00

BoSoxBuzz

BoSoxBuzz!

BoSoxBuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01495128969427558650noreply@blogger.com

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Red Sox vs. Brewers (Game 1)

2009-03-14T19:04:00.000-04:00

Red Sox vs. Brewers (Game 1)

5-17-2008 (3:35pm)

Red Sox
1. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
3. David Ortiz, DH
4. Manny Ramirez, LF
5. Kevin Youkilis, 3B
6. J.D. Drew, RF
7. Jason Varitek, C
8. Sean Casey, 1B
9. Julio Lugo, SS

Daisuke Matsuzaka, SP

Brewers
1. Rickie Weeks, 2B
2. Mike Cameron, CF
3. Ryan Braun, LF
4. Prince Fielder, DH
5. Corey Hart, RF
6. J.J. Hardy, SS
7. Joe Dillon, 1B
8. Bill Hall, 3B
9. Jason Kendall, C

Jeff Suppan, SP

BoSoxBuzzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01495128969427558650noreply@blogger.com

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Howard Deals Crippling Blow to Rays

2008-10-28T20:53:00.003-04:00

Howard Deals Crippling Blow to Rays

Last night when Ryan Howard hit his three run blast in the fourth inning, I got the feeling that the Rays were done. The next inning, when Joe Blanton became the first pitcher in 34 years to hit a home run in the World Series, I knew the Rays were done.

These aren't the same Rays that topped the Red Sox in the ALCS. Noticeably absent are the bats of Carlos Pena and Evan Longoria. Those two driving forces of the Rays offense have yet to get a hit in the World Series.

These Rays look worn out, they look inexperienced, they look sloppy. With their two errors last night, they looked an awful lot like the Devil Rays. Maybe they exhausted themselves getting past the Red Sox, or maybe they ate some bad cheesesteaks. But even for someone rooting for the Phillies, it's painful to watch the Rays play so well all year only to forget to show up to the big dance.

Maybe the real Rays will show up tonight. But with Hamels pitching, I doubt it.

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Youkilis Honored, Manny Humanized

2008-10-28T20:53:00.002-04:00

Youkilis Honored, Manny Humanized

MLB handed out the Hank Aaron award today. This award is voted on by fans to honor the best offensive player in each league. National League honors were given to Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez, and American League honors were handed out to none other than Kevin Youkilis.

In February of this year, I pointed out how Youkilis' bat has improved every year with the Red Sox. This year, we finally saw Youkilis become an elite offensive force. The gold glove first baseman hit .312 with 29 home runs and 115 RBI.

In other news today, Bob Hohler of the Boston Globe reminds us that Manny wasn't all bad. When he wasn't driving in 100 runs or hitting postseason home runs, he had his moments when he was a good teammate. In 2003, he sat out the final game of the season to ensure that Bill Mueller would win the batting title.

Speaking of "The Professional", earlier this month he admitted that he's itching to suit up again. Mueller's 38 and barely has any cartilage left in his knees, but wouldn't it be great to see him in uniform just one more time? Perhaps the Red Sox could offer him a symbolic invitation to Spring Training so he could retire with the Red Sox, like the Yankees did with Jeff Nelson last year.

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Free Agent Options - Mark Teixeira

2008-10-28T20:53:00.001-04:00

Free Agent Options - Mark Teixeira

Teixeira would be a welcome addition to any team. It's not too often that a gold glove caliber, switch hitting power threat comes along. And with the health concerns for David Ortiz, J.D. Drew and Mike Lowell, Teixeira would provide the middle of the Red Sox lineup with some stability. For this reason, the Sox are sure to check the price on Teixeira.

Still, I don't think the chances of seeing "Tex" in a Red Sox uniform next year are very good. Before the Red Sox get in on the bidding, they would have to find a way to move Mike Lowell and the $24 million left on his contract over the next two years. It's unlikely that the Red Sox would be able to move Lowell without paying for some of his contract, which would waste money the Red Sox could use on free agents like AJ Burnett and Brian Fuentes.

Once the Red Sox found a suitor for Lowell, they would then have to enter a bidding war with the Angels, Yankees, Dodgers, Orioles and Braves. Epstein has over payed for players in the past such as J.D. Drew and Julio Lugo. But those were moves of necessity. Going into 2007 the Red Sox were without a shortstop and rightfielder. When it comes to luxuries, Epstein has been hesitant to overpay, or give out longterm contracts as was the case with Pedro Martinez and Johnny Damon.

Another factor which makes any Teixeira deal unlikely is the prescense of Red Sox prospect Lars Anderson. Anderson is not only the team's top prospect, but also the best first baseman prospect in the game. He hit .316/.436/.526 last year in the pitching friendly environment of Double-A Portland. There's a good chance that he'll be ready to take over the job of everyday first baseman in 2010, at which point the Red Sox will already have Mike Lowell, Kevin Youkilis and David Ortiz under contract. So why would Epstein overpay to add one more corner outfielder to the log jam?

Teixiera's most likely destination next year is probably the Yankees who actually need a first baseman and won't hesitate to overpay for one. While such a signing will be unpleasant for Red Sox fans, it won't do anything to address the Yankees greatest weakness - pitching.

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A Record Streak Isn’t Enough for Papelbon

2008-10-13T23:26:00.000-04:00

Jonathan Papelbon was oblivious enough in the early hours of Saturday that he accidentally threw a record-setting baseball into a garbage can. Then Papelbon, the Red Sox’ closer, admonished himself for doing it, dug the ball out of the trash and carefully placed it in his locker.

As careless as Papelbon said it was to discard the ball after the Red Sox won the opener of the American League Championship Series, he turned serious in discussing his growing imprint in playoff history. At 28 and in only his fourth season in the majors, Papelbon is already infatuated with his legacy.

Papelbon has not allowed a run in his first 22 career postseason innings, a record that he can embellish when Boston hosts the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 3 on Monday. When Papelbon thinks about getting those precious final outs against the Rays, it leads him to think about potentially winning another title.

“For me, I’ve always told myself, big leaguers are remembered throughout this game for what they do in the postseason and for championships,” Papelbon said. “For me, it’s always been a critical part of my game to kind of step it up in the postseason.”

So far, Papelbon has been tremendous in the postseason. Of the 75 batters he has faced, only 14 have reached first with a hit or a walk. Papelbon handled four consecutive Rays during Game 2 to carry the Red Sox through 10 innings, but they lost, 9-8, in the 11th with Mike Timlin on the mound.

Papelbon was having his right arm iced in the clubhouse when B. J. Upton’s sacrifice fly on the 433rd pitch of the game ended the 5-hour-27-minute marathon. The Red Sox are the defending World Series champions and understand the routine in October, so Papelbon instantly focused on how they won one of two road games, not on how they lost an opportunity to jump ahead by 2-0 in the best-of-seven series.

“Obviously, you’d like to win both games,” Papelbon said. “But you can’t be greedy.”

That was Papelbon’s spiel after the loss. Yet after he had surpassed Joe Niekro’s scoreless streak of 20 innings to start a career, in the A.L.C.S. opener, he spoke greedily about the playoffs. Papelbon has one World Series ring, and he was emphatic about wanting more. He is 2-0 with a 0.00 earned run average and six saves in 14 playoff appearances.

Besides being one of the elite closers in the major leagues, Papelbon is also a sports fan. And, in his estimation, a player is not fully appreciated until he wins a championship. Papelbon mentioned that he considered Kevin Garnett of the Boston Celtics a tremendous basketball player and Michael Strahan of the Giants a terrific football player, but said that they enhanced their stature after they won their first championships in the past year.

“It’s not just baseball,” Papelbon said. “It’s every sport. Not only guys in this clubhouse, but in the public eye. You’re remembered for what you do in playoffs and postseason play and how many championships you won.”

I (Don't) Love New York

2008-09-26T06:22:00.003-04:00

I (Don't) Love New York

Like most Red Sox fans, I'm not particularly wild about spending time in New York, let alone Yankee Stadium. So I'm torn. Should I buy allstar game tickets or not? What am I saying, of course I will. But I won't enjoy it. That'll be my compromise.

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Other Sports

2008-09-26T06:22:00.002-04:00

Other Sports

While I was waiting for baseball season to start, I kept myself occupied with football and hockey. My friend gets these great Boston Bruins hockey tickets pretty often, so we checked them out. I'm not nearly as into hockey as baseball, but it's still a good time. I think it's funny that the Bruins finished the season exactly in the middle of the NHL standings. 15th out of 30. Can you get any more mediocre than that? :)

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Red Sox Rock Twins

2008-09-26T06:22:00.001-04:00

Red Sox Rock Twins

Well fans who bought their Boston Red Sox tickets early got their money's worth. Twins got a taste of some vintage Red Sox baseball. Schilling may be 40 but get ready for some changeup tang. Your not going to hear Francona complaining about the menu. Not sure the Twins are going to fare much better than the Mets tonight.

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RED SOX ELIMINATE YANKEES

2008-09-24T14:52:00.002-04:00

RED SOX ELIMINATE YANKEES

HAHA YANKEES!

Some nice quotes:

Boston edged Cleveland 5-4 on Tuesday to clinch a playoff berth, which left New York on the outside of the postseason picture looking in for the first time since the 1993 campaign.

Four hours later, from the same vantage point, Girardi saw the end come when the out-of-town scoreboard on the right-field wall flashed the final score of the Cleveland-Boston game. The Red Sox had beaten the Indians to clinch a playoff spot and eliminate the Yankees.

The Boston Red Sox will get a chance to defend their World Series title after clinching a playoff berth and eliminating the New York Yankees from postseason contention in the process.

ROFLMAO Hahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!! YANKEES SUCK - IT'S TRUE!

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ROUND 1 GOES TO SOX

2008-09-09T01:22:00.006-04:00

The Red Sox and Rays meet 6 times in 11 days, and the Sox took round 1 thanks to a brilliant start from Papelbon, and a 4 out save from Papelbon. The Sox also set the record for most consecutive sellouts at 456.

All the scoring came in the 1st inning. Ortiz, Youkilis, and Bay each drove in a run, Bay's RBI came via a solo homer.

Lester was the star of the evening, throwing 7.2 scoreless innings, striking out 9. He got into a jam in the 8th, which is why Papelbon came in early. With runners on 2nd and 3rd, Papelbon struck out Rocco Baldelli.

In the 8th inning this year, which is typically a crucial situation if Papelbon is pitching, the Sox closer has held batters to a 1 for 14 clip, striking them out 7 times.

The victory cuts Tampa Bay's AL East lead to half a game. The Sox are 8-2 in their last 10 games. The Rays have lost 4 straight, and have yet to win at Fenway Park this season.

The Twins were idle last night, so the Sox have a 7 game cushion in the Wild Card race. The Yankees are losing 11-1 as I write this. They really do suck.

Tuesday night, 11-6 Scott Kazmir takes on Daisuke Matsuzaka in a battle of sub 3.00 ERAs.

BITTERSWEET VICTORY

2008-09-09T01:22:00.005-04:00

As you now know, Tom Brady's knee was injured in the 1st quarter of yesterday's 17-10 win over Kansas City. Still no official word on Brady's prognosis, but it doesn't look good. He will probably miss the rest of the season.

By the way, the hit was clean. It's football, injuries happen. Some people need to get over that fact.

Cassel did an admirable job filling in, throwing 13 of 18 for 152 yards and a touchdown. Then again, it was against the Kansas City Chiefs, and he did have Randy Moss to throw to. Moss had his 9th 100+ yard game with the Pats.

The M & M boys did a good job out of the backfield. Morris had 53 yards on 10 carries, Maroney had 51 yards on 10 carries. Maroney becomes a much better back when he splits carries with someone else, as was evidenced yesterday.

The defense did well, but again, the whole Kansas City thing.

I think I'm taking the Brady injury pretty well. He's got the 4th most consecutive starts in NFL history, so it's amazing it's been this long without a major injury. The season isn't over. Cassel probably won't be like Kurt Warner in '99, or Brady in '01; but he does have a vast array of weaponry on that offense. And if the defense performs well, this team can still win.

So let's allow the haters out there to celebrate. They can celebrate the "end" of the Patriots' era in the NFL. And maybe they'll be partially right. Maybe this team will wilt without Brady. Then again, maybe not. And how awesome would it be to win after the haters already started celebrating?

Patriots @ Jets, next Sunday, 1 PM.

G142: Red Sox 7, Rangers 2

2008-09-08T05:52:00.002-04:00

Red Sox - 020 022 100 - 7 12  1
Rangers - 000 000 011 - 2  7  1

1.5 GB!

Byrd was dynamite (6.2-3-0-3-4, 102), holding the Rangers in check while his mates battered McCarthy. Francona was thus able to use whichever pitchers he wanted to in preparation for the Rays series that begins tomorrow night in Fenway.

And once again, it was a team effort from the lineup.

Ellsbury - RBI single, BB
Pedroia  - RBI single, BB
Ortiz    - 2-run HR, single
Youkilis - double
Bay      - solo HR, single
Casey    - single, run
Varitek  - single, run
Cora     - RBI triple, BB
Crisp    - RBI single, double, walk, 2 runs, SB

Toronto shutout Tampa Bay 1-0, completing a three-game sweep of the Rays. Los Angeles beat the White Sox 3-2 and Detroit beat Minnesota 7-5 -- so the Red Sox increased their WC lead to 6.5 games.

And Seattle beat New York 5-2, dropping the Yankees into fourth place!

Three Is A Magic Number

2008-09-06T13:07:00.003-04:00

Red Sox 8, Rangers 1

Lowell, Beckett and Sean Casey all are back from the D.L. Beckett was awesome striking out 7 and keeping the Rangers off the board. Lowell hit a homer on his first at bat.

Nice to see Crisp getting hot - especially this time of year.

Rays lost so we gain. Sox are playing great right now. They look October worthy.

Went to see the overly-hyped "Tropic Thunder" at the huge mega-plex in dowtown San Francisco. At one point in the film I thought the people behind me were kicking the seats. Then I realized everybody was looking around and I knew we were having an earthquake. Luckily it was small, but I've never been in such a huge building during an earthquake.

Ellsbury Glad to Stay With Sox

2008-01-29T22:32:00.000-05:00

After months of seeing and hearing his name on the rumor mill in a proposed deal for two-time Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana, Red Sox center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury is now all but certain that he won't have to pack his bags for Minneapolis.

The Twins and Mets reached agreement on a deal that will send Santana to New York, assuming the lefty agrees to a contract extension and passes a physical.

"I think when you have a pitcher of Johan's caliber, pretty much every prospect is going to be mentioned in a trade at some point in the talks," said Ellsbury in a telephone interview. "It was pretty flattering to be even considered in the trade, but I'm happy with what happened. I'm happy to be a Red Sock. I'm happy that I wasn't traded at his expense, and it's nice to know where I'm going heading into the season."

Red Sox fans -- be it in chat rooms or talk radio -- were openly distraught at the prospect of Ellsbury being moved, even in a deal for a pitcher as talented as Santana.

Ellsbury, who began the 2007 season at Double-A, filled in for an injured Manny Ramirez in September and instantly won over fans and teammates with his exciting style of play.

And starting with Game 6 of the American League Championship Series, Ellsbury took over center field from Coco Crisp for the rest of the postseason and thrived. In the World Series sweep of the Rockies, Ellsbury went 7-for-16 with four doubles and scored four runs.

The Red Sox, Mets and Yankees had been the most frequently mentioned suitors when it came to the Santana sweepstakes. The Red Sox spent quite a bit of time talking with Twins general manager Bill Smith during the Winter Meetings and multiple proposals were made, but a deal was never struck. The Red Sox were believed to have one package that involved Ellsbury and another that was headlined by lefty Jon Lester and Crisp.

Though a Josh Beckett-Santana 1-2 punch would have been downright scary for opposing teams, the Red Sox can take heart in the fact that they will have just about every key member back from the team that won the 2007 World Series.

2008-01-29T22:30:00.000-05:00

The Boston Red Sox on Monday acquired righthanded reliever David Aardsma from the Chicago White Sox for a pair of minor league pitchers.

Aardsma, 26, will try to earn a spot on Boston's 25-man roster in spring training after faltering for the White Sox last season.

The White Sox acquired pitchers Willy Mota and Miguel Socolovich, who pitched in Class A ball in 2007.

Entering his fifth season, Aardsma posted a 2-1 record with a 6.40 ERA in 35 appearances for Chicago. He made only four appearances for the White Sox after May and spent the second half of the season at Class AAA Charlotte of the International League.

Aardsma has a career mark of 6-1 with a 5.16 ERA in 81 appearances for the San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs and White Sox.

Santana Going to the New York Mets

2008-01-29T22:27:00.000-05:00

Johan Santana is a contract extension and physical from joining the New York Mets. Beating out the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, the Mets reached a tentative agreement Tuesday to acquire the two-time Cy Young Award winner, two people familiar with the deal said, speaking on condition of anonymity because no announcement had been made.

Minnesota would receive speedy outfielder Carlos Gomez, and pitchers Philip Humber, Deolis Guerra and Kevin Mulvey.

"If it's true, obviously, you're getting arguably the best pitcher in the game," Mets third baseman David Wright said.

What originally appeared to be a bidding war for Santana early in the offseason turned into something more akin to a negotiation of attrition in which first the Yankees and then the Red Sox appeared to lose interest and decide they'd rather hold onto their top prospects.

The Mets emerged as the top candidate after December's winter meetings, when the Yankees withdrew their offer, which included pitcher Phil Hughes and outfielder Melky Cabrera, and the Red Sox refused to improve their proposals, which would have sent pitcher Jon Lester or outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury to the Twins along with other prospects.

Santana can become a free agent after this year's World Series, and Minnesota offered him an $80 million, four-year extension that he turned down early in the offseason.

Twins general manager Bill Smith called teams last weekend and asked them to make their best offers. Smith informed the Mets on Tuesday that he was accepting their proposal.

Arriving at the annual Baseball Assistance Team fundraising dinner Tuesday night, New York general manager Omar Minaya wouldn't say much.

"It's out there, but the bottom line is that we're trying to look at ways at improving our club," Minaya said. "That's all I'm going to be able to say about it right now."

Preparing for their final season at Shea Stadium and their 2009 move to Citi Field, the Mets landed the top available pitcher on the market. The trade is one of the two biggest of the offseason, along with Detroit's acquisition of third baseman Miguel Cabrera and pitcher Dontrelle Willis from Florida.

Minnesota will receive New York's Nos. 2, 3, 4 and 7 prospects, according to Baseball America's ranking. The Mets did not include their top farmhand, outfielder Fernando Martinez, or their top young pitcher, Mike Pelfrey.

In Varitek the Red Sox trust year in and year out

2008-01-06T14:53:00.000-05:00

Where have all the catchers gone? That's something that scouts and executives continue to scratch their heads over as they desperately try to enhance depth at one of the most indispensable positions in baseball.

At a time when the lack of quality young catchers has never been more apparent, the Red Sox are fortunate to have a seemingly ageless rock behind the plate, not to mention the leader of their team.

When Jason Varitek reports to Spring Training in February, he will be embarking on his 10th season as Boston's primary catcher and 11th year with the club.

Offensively, Varitek has been better in some years than others. Defensively, he's been a difference-maker every year.

Last October -- as the Red Sox were en route to their second World Series championship in four seasons -- general manager Theo Epstein found a unique way of identifying Varitek's role.

"A good catcher who prioritizes the pitching staff over his own offensive performance is a huge asset to the organization. He's like the command center of our operation in terms of run prevention," Epstein said. "He takes all the information and is ultimately the one who puts down the right fingers. It's a great asset."

Of Varitek's many assets, the best is probably his game preparation. Varitek scours through a thick binder loaded with information on each hitter, and he shares his information during scouting meetings and in individual sessions with that night's starting pitcher.

"Trust 'Tek" might as well be a team motto, because it's one that virtually every Boston pitcher follows.

A sturdy physical presence, Varitek also remains as one of the best in the game at blocking the plate and preventing wild pitches.

If you want to nitpick and find a weakness in Varitek's defense, it's his throwing arm, which has never been quite the same since elbow surgery in 2001.

Aside from what he does on defense, Varitek also gives the Red Sox a switch-hitting bat who is capable of putting the ball out of the park.

Varitek hit .255 with 17 homers and 68 RBIs in 2007, and he has a way of getting big hits when his team needs it most.

One thing Varitek hasn't been able to avoid in recent seasons is a second-half decline at the plate. In truth, because of all he does behind the plate and the energy that takes up, there probably isn't much he can do.

In 2007, Varitek hit .279 before the All-Star break and .222 after.

But in the World Series, Varitek hit .333 and drove in five runs.

What would happen to the Red Sox if Varitek went down? Unfortunately, they've gotten that answer twice. On June 7, 2001, Varitek fractured his right elbow making a brilliant catch on a foul pop. The Red Sox floundered right out of the American League pennant race without Varitek. Ditto in 2006, when Varitek underwent knee surgery in August.

All of that brings up an interesting point. Varitek is entering the final season of a four-year, $40 million contract that he signed on Christmas Eve 2004.

The Red Sox clearly have no intentions of letting Varitek walk after 2008. It will be interesting to see if the club can reach terms on a new deal with Varitek before the season starts. Agent Scott Boras often advises his clients not to sign deals until they exercise their right for free agency. But considering the unique relationship between Varitek and the Red Sox, an exception could be made. There were indications earlier this offseason that the sides had at least discussed exploring a new deal.

Since 2002, Varitek has been backed up by Doug Mirabelli. The only exception to that was in the first month of the 2006 season, when the Red Sox dealt Mirabelli to the Padres, only to reacquire him later.

Mirabelli is currently a free agent, and it's unclear if the Red Sox will bring the 37-year-old backup catcher back or look for a younger alternative. Though Mirabelli remains strong from a defensive standpoint -- particularly at handling Tim Wakefield's knuckleball -- his offense has declined in the past few years.

The one in-house candidate to be Varitek's backup is Kevin Cash, who held his own while catching Wakefield during Mirabelli's disabled-list stint last August. Cash was recently re-signed to a Minor League deal. However, Cash is probably even a step below Mirabelli offensively, but the Red Sox do like his makeup and defensive ability.

Red Sox sign Switzer, Tejera

2008-01-06T14:50:00.000-05:00

The Boston Red Sox on Friday agreed to terms with lefthanders Jon Switzer and Michael Tejera on minor league contracts.

Both Switzer and Tejera have been assigned to the Class AAA Pawtucket and have been invited to Boston's major league spring training camp as non-roster invitees.

Switzer, 28, joins Boston after seven seasons in the Tampa Bay organization. In 2007 he was 0-2 with an 8.05 ERA in 21 games for the Rays. Switzer is 2-4, with a 6.11 ERA in 68 career major league appearances with Tampa Bay.

Edwards Says He's Like the Red Sox

2008-01-06T14:47:00.000-05:00

John Edwards looked more rested for this evening's event and it was certainly his best performance of the day. He was loose, relaxed but still focused on his new message as the underdog to fight for change.

My savvy colleague, CBS News Correspondent Chip Reid, noted that the crowd size was bigger than the Bonnie Raitt/Jackson Browne concert that took place in the same venue just a few weeks ago. I disagreed slightly since the room was set up smaller than last time so it just LOOKED like there was more people. But it was a very impressive crowd nonetheless.

"The voters of New Hampshire and the people of New England know a little something about what it's like to be the underdog and to run against a team from New York with all the money in the world," said Edwards in reference to the hometown Boston Red Sox.

(To be fair, this is would have been an apt metaphor if it were three or four years ago. Today you can hardly call the Sox underdogs, seeing as they've won more World Series titles since the turn of the century than anyone else, while domintaing the rival New York Yankees on the field with clutch performances - like when they rallied back from a 3-0 deficit in the 2004 ALCS - and off the field with brilliant moves by the front office in trading for Josh Beckett and winning out on the bidding war for Japanese pitching sensation Daisuke Matsuzaka.... And, yes this digression was just about as fun to write as you can probably imagine.)

Edwards also warned the voters not to be blinded by the celebrity and glitz that comes with Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.

"The New Hampshire voters are gonna be blitzed with television, with money, money, money, with some glamour - which the media loves," he said.

An interesting moment came in the Q and A when a woman, impressed with Edwards's claim to speak for those without a voice, asked about speaking for unborn babies.

"Nobody made me God," said Edwards, who explained that the government should not have a role in telling women what to do.

Sox Claim Jay Marshall

2007-12-09T22:14:00.000-05:00

The Red Sox today announced that lefthanded pitcher Jay Marshall has been claimed off waivers by the Oakland A’s. He was added to Oakland’s major league roster.

Marshall was received by the Red Sox on a waiver claim from the A’s on October 15. He spent all of 2007 with the A’s, compiling a 1-2 record and 6.43 ERA in 51 relief appearances in his major league debut.

Brewers Sign Eric Gagne

2007-12-09T16:01:00.001-05:00

The Milwaukee Brewers added an arm for their bullpen as the team agreed to give Eric Gagne a one-year deal worth $10 million on Saturday.

Small details of the contract still need to be worked out but it is almost certain that Gagne will join the Brewers and fight for the closing job that is open because of Francisco Cordero's free agency.

Milwaukee signed Gagne despite the former Boston Red Sox reliever's disappointing performance in 2007. He finished the season with a 4-2 record and a 3.81 ERA and 16 saves which is misleading because he was decent in the first half of the year when he played for the Texas Rangers.

Once Gagne was traded to the Red Sox in the middle of the season, he was mostly dreadful as he compiled a 2-2 record with a 6.75 ERA with the World Series champs.

Despite that performance, Milwaukee general manager Doug Melvin still has faith in Gagne.

"He's got a history of closing, and he's a guy that can help our bullpen on the back end," he said.

If Gagne returns to his previous form when he was one of the best closers in all of baseball, the Brewers will be pleasantly surprised.

The 31-year-old saved 152 games with the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2002-04 which is the most of any baseball player in a three-year period ever.

Red Sox's Hansen undergoes procedure

2007-12-09T15:58:00.001-05:00

Craig Hansen underwent a procedure for sleep apnea following the Arizona Fall League season.
It was reported back in September that he would. Hansen battled fatigue because of the condition. "I have to believe that day-to-day functions, if you’re not getting sound sleep throughout the night, it’s going to cause fatigue," pitching coach John Farrell said. "The whole intent here is to have it behind him." Hansen will be a long shot to win a spot in Boston's pen in spring training, but no one is giving up on the hard-throwing 24-year-old.

Mitt Romney Speaks Highly of David Ortiz

2007-12-09T15:56:00.000-05:00

At rally in Miami this afternoon before tonight's Univision debate, Mitt Romney listed some of his Hispanic heroes to a crowd of about 125 supporters.

Romney mentioned former Chairman of the Republican Party Al Cardenas, Mexican revolutionary general Pancho Villa, former Spanish Prime Minister Jose Aznar and David “Big Papi” Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox.

Also making Romney’s list was King Juan Carlos of Spain, whom the former Massachusetts governor praised for his recent confrontation with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

“People who are kings, you know, you don’t typically spend a lot of attention hearing what they say—you just sort of look at them and say that’s a cool life—but in this case, the king of Spain, Juan Carlos, said something that needed to be said a long time ago,” Romney said. “He turned to Hugo Chavez and said what he should have heard a long time ago: ‘Shut up.’”

Romney was joined by his wife Ann and his youngest son Craig, who served as a Mormon missionary in Chile and addressed the crowd in Spanish.

Governor Romney does not speak Spanish, but he did show off his French when he spoke to a supporter who was of Haitian decent.

Red Sox Prepare for Japan

2007-12-09T15:52:00.000-05:00

With Boston making its maiden voyage to the Pacific Rim to begin the 2008 season, Red Sox officials are already working hard to make sure they will be fully prepared.

"We've certainly begun working on it," Red Sox president/CEO Larry Lucchino said on Saturday during the club's Christmas at Fenway celebration. "We've adjusted our Spring Training schedule, and Major League Baseball really takes the lion's share of the responsibility for organizing it, but we are actively involved with them to see if there are things we can do around the margins to make it easier on our players and our coaching staff."

"I'd love to go to Japan, but I don't know that it's our biggest thrill to open the season there, because our No. 1 objective is to win every game we can," added manager Terry Francona. "A road trip that accumulates about 12,000 miles probably isn't the best way."

But knowing the frequent-flier miles are going to add up quickly, the Red Sox have already taken steps to ensure they'll be ready with they leave in March.

"We'll do some things in Spring Training a little bit differently," Francona said. "We're going to show up a few days early with the pitchers, we will do some drills with the players earlier than normal, players will go longer into [Spring Training] games than they did [in years past]."

Francona said Saturday that he wants to make sure the team won't use the trip as an excuse should the team get off to a slow start.

"We have a responsibility to make sure that doesn't get in the way of us winning," the skipper said. "And it is a big deal. And there will be some things that are vastly different, just the fact we're leaving Spring Training 11 days early. I know there will be some things that come our way that we're not ready for, but if we're prepared for almost everything, then we can take care of the other things along the way."

The Red Sox leave for Japan following their Grapefruit League game against Toronto on March 19. They play the Oakland A's on March 25 and 26 at the Tokyo Dome to open the season, with two exhibition games on March 22 and 23.

"Sometimes you do things that are in the best interest of baseball, so you do them with a smile," Francona told the audience on Saturday at Christmas at Fenway. "Our job, as a staff, is to prepare this team so we don't have setbacks. We've already started working on that. We'll adjust. We always do adjust, because the worst thing we can do is lose games and then make an excuse. Nobody cares. We won't do that. We'll go over there, we'll try to win, we'll have a good time and when we come back, we'll try to continue to win."

Always on the lookout: Lucchino acknowledged Saturday that the club's championship drive has not diminished in the least, even after claiming its second World Series title in the past four seasons.

"I think that's because there's a commitment to winning that I hope people have come to believe in," Lucchino said. "We feel it from principal owner John Henry, chairman Tom Werner, throughout the whole organization. Our goal is not just to field a team, it's to field an entertaining, winning team people can be proud of.

"We spend money on players, we spend money on a farm system, we invest in a player development system so we can do that year in and year out. We don't want to squander this opportunity. We see this as an opportunity to help the Red Sox be competitive year in and year out and become the kind of franchise that its fans have always wanted it to be."

And in light of the continuing rumors surrounding Minnesota lefty Johan Santana, Lucchino said the team will continue its efforts to field a star-studded and entertaining team.

"We will look at all possibilities -- international, amateur, free agents, trades," Lucchino said. "We look at them all."

Names like Jacoby Ellsbury and Jon Lester have been included in reports of a potential deal with Minnesota, but Francona says he's playing it cool.

"You hear so many things at those [Winter] Meetings, and 99.9 percent of the time, they're not true," Francona said Saturday. "But because we're the Red Sox, we're players in things like that, which is kind of neat. But at the same time, until something ever happens, they're our players and I just stay that way. I don't need to get into that. It's not productive."

Eric Gagne Declines Arbitration

2007-12-09T15:47:00.001-05:00

Eric Gagne's brief and frustrating run with the Boston Red Sox likely came to an end on Friday night, when the right-handed reliever declined the club's offer of salary arbitration.

A free agent, Gagne is all but certain to seek a closing job elsewhere, as the Red Sox already have one of the best closers in the game in Jonathan Papelbon.

The main motivation behind Boston offering Gagne arbitration is that he is a Type B free agent, meaning the Red Sox will gain a supplemental round Draft pick, assuming another team signs him.

When the Red Sox acquired Gagne in a trade with the Rangers on July 31, they thought he was the final piece that would turn an already strong bullpen into a dominant one.

But Gagne -- a star closer for much of his career -- couldn't adapt to a setup role. He struggled from the outset and became the target of boos at Fenway Park.

Gagne pitched in 20 games for the Red Sox, posting a 6.75 ERA. He was used sparingly -- and typically in mopup situations -- during the postseason, registering a 6.23 ERA in five outings. The Red Sox still went on to win the World Series.

Signed by the Rangers last winter, Gagne recovered from several injury-plagued seasons by going 2-0 with a 2.16 ERA and 16 saves over 34 outings.

He won the National League Cy Young Award in 2003, when he was with the Dodgers.

The Red Sox still retain the right to sign Gagne to a contract, but it is highly doubtful that they will do so.

Terry Francona - Yankees Red Sox Rivalry Continues

2007-12-07T23:48:00.001-05:00

Terry Francona and Joe Torre developed a unique relationship in recent years while managing different sides of baseball's most celebrated rivalry. But with Torre in Los Angeles and Joe Girardi at the helm now in the Bronx, Francona isn't worried about the rivalry losing any of its luster.

"I'm sure I'll get to know him," Francona said. "It's impossible not to cross paths with everybody with the Yankees at some point whether you're, you know, yelling at somebody or fighting or whatever. It just happens."

Torre and Francona used to speak often, although never on the field, since fans of both teams wouldn't have wanted to see the pair mingling before their epic battles. The two men exchanged messages after Torre's departure from the Bronx, but they never connected after Torre took the Dodgers job. Francona even seemed partially relieved not to have to go up against Torre anymore.

"It's hard to probably put it in words, but I have so much respect for Joe, but at the same time, you want to beat their brains out," he said. "Then with all the extra stuff that comes with New York-Boston, it gets a little over the top sometimes. I think we both felt that way."

READY FOR RULE 5: The Yankees won't be selecting any players in this morning's Rule 5 Draft, the last event of the winter meetings. But that doesn't mean other teams won't pluck some unprotected players from the Yankees' farm system. Brian Cashman is counting on losing at least two players.

The Yankees added four players - starters Jeff Marquez and Steve White, reliever Scott Patterson and catcher Francisco Cervelli - to the 40-man roster last month, protecting them from the draft.

But some prospects, including pitchers Steven Jackson and Brett Smith, as well as first baseman and former first-round pick Eric Duncan, will be there for the taking for the other 29 teams.

VOTING AGAINST BONUSES: The Baseball Writers Association of America passed a rule yesterday that will prohibit players from receiving any bonuses for winning the MVP, Cy Young or Rookie of the Year awards.

Beginning in 2013, players with such bonus clauses in their contracts will not be eligible to receive votes for the BBWAA awards. The five-year waiting period is designed to give agents, teams and players the opportunity to adapt to the new rule, as only a handful of players are signed beyond the 2012 season.

The Yankees have never included such bonuses in contracts, although Alex Rodriguez just got $1.5 million for winning the MVP award, part of the deal he negotiated with the Rangers seven years ago. A-Rod's new deal will not contain any such clauses.

Hall of Fame voting is not affected, nor are manager of the year or non-BBWAA awards such as the World Series MVP or Gold Glove.

Red Sox May Keep Donnelly

2007-12-07T23:44:00.000-05:00

The Red Sox are likely to sign the rehabbing Brendan Donnelly to a multi-year contract.

Donnelly may miss the entire 2008 season following Tommy John surgery, so inking him for multiple years is a way for the Red Sox to potentially receive some value if they can get him healthy. Donnelly might be 37 years old by the time he pitches again, so there's more risk involved than a typical rehab project.

Eric Gagne Might Return

2007-12-07T23:41:00.000-05:00

Just when you thought the Red Sox had seen the last of Eric Gagne, the reliever might just be hanging around a bit longer after all.

One of the teams interested in signing the free agent was told by Gagne’s agent, Scott Boras, that his client could very well accept arbitration from the Red Sox by today’s deadline.

If Gagne does elect to go to arbitration with the Sox, he would have to make no less than 20 percent below the $6 million salary he had last season. It would also mean the Sox would miss acquiring the draft pick they had coming if the reliever signed with another team.

If Gagne accepts arbitration and the Sox aren’t able to trade him, they can release him during spring training and pay him one-sixth of his contract.

An industry source believed that while Boras’ strategy might very well simply be posturing, it could also be a sign of what today’s deadline to accept arbitration may hold. Many in baseball feel that a greater number of free agents will be accepting arbitration.

Gagne is being considered to fill the closer role by both Texas and Milwaukee. It was thought he might be attractive to some teams considering his Type B status, which mandates a team only surrender one draft pick instead of the two necessary if the pitcher was a Type A.

Gagne’s classification dropped because of his struggles with the Sox, a 6.75 ERA in 20 games.

The rumor mill

Here’s a rundown of some top trade rumors floating up and down the lobby floors of the Opryland Hotel:

By having Erik Bedard on the market, Baltimore has helped to slow down the free agent market for guys like pitcher Carlos Silva. The Orioles are in full strip-mining mode. Besides Bedard, second baseman Brian Roberts (Cubs) and shortstop Miguel Tejada (Houston) are receiving interest.

The San Francisco Giants have attracted interest from a pair of AL East teams. The Yankees have spoken with the Giants about shipping left fielder Hideki Matsui there, and Toronto talked about sending outfielder Alex Rios for starter Tim Lincecum.

Detroit may want to flip recently acquired left-hander Dontrelle Willis to the Mets.

Seattle, Arizona and the Dodgers are most heavily after Japanese free agent Hiroki Kuroda.

Red Sox ace Schilling joins McCain in NH

2007-12-07T23:38:00.000-05:00

When Sen. John McCain was a boy, Ted Williams, the Boston Red Sox hitting legend, was his hero.

And when he rides his campaign bus, McCain is notorious for incessantly flipping television channels until he finds the baseball game he is looking for.

Tonight, McCain will mix sports and politics at the Derryfield School Auditorium in Manchester when Curt Schilling, the Boston Red Sox pitcher, joins him on stage to take questions from voters.

McCain has been friends with Schilling since he was a pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks, and Schilling has endorsed McCain for president. At the MySpace/MTV presidential forum the other day, McCain joked that the event is likely to be the biggest town hall meeting he's ever held in the state.

Whether it's big or not, McCain aides are excited about the prospect of reaching voters who may never have attended a political event before.

"Having grown up in the Boston area, I consider myself typical of Red Sox fans and there will be a huge amount of people who come out to see Curt Schilling and that's important because it's a different, unique way to bring people out to a town hall meeting who wouldn't normally come,'' said Michael Dennehy, McCain's political director. "It's a different to reach voters in a compelling way."

Said Jill Hazelbaker of the McCain campaign: "We’re thrilled with Schilling’s endorsement -- and we hope his post season magic rubs off on us!"

Red Sox Announce New Management in Pawtucket

2007-12-07T23:33:00.000-05:00

Hoping to improve on their 67-75 record and fourth-place finish in the International League North in 2007, Boston’s Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox introduced new hitting coach Russ Morman and pitching coach Rich Sauveur on Friday.

"I think we’re very excited about the staff that’s coming up here," said Mike Hazen, Red Sox director of player development. "The leadership quality, the ability to impact the players on so many different levels, outside the game, what goes on in (the clubhouse), it’s a challenge, and they do a great job of managing it, as well as being great baseball guys.

Morman and Sauveur join manager Ron Johnson, entering his fourth season at the helm of the PawSox.

"I think they’re both upbeat and positive people," Johnson said. "I’ve been with Russ before. We worked in Portland together. I’m getting a chance to be around Rich, and it’s always exciting to get to know somebody new. It’s very easy to see that he’s very upbeat and excited to be here, a very positive type of instructor."

Morman replaces Mark Budaska, whose contract was not renewed. Morman spent the last four seasons as the hitting coach for the Red Sox Double-A Portland Sea Dogs. While Portland finished the seventh in the 12-team league with a .263 team batting average, the Sea Dogs lead the league in runs scored, with 718, and walks, with 590. Morman also managed Boston’s Single-A Augusta Greenjackets in 2003 and in the Florida Marlins organization in 2000-01.

"I’m looking forward to getting a chance to work with all the guys that I had an opportunity to work with in the past and seeing how they’ve grown from last year to this year or over the last couple of years, and getting to know the new people who are going to be part of the Red Sox organization," Morman said.

Sauveur replaces Mike Griffin, reassigned to the Red Sox Single-A Lancaster Drive after five seasons with the PawSox. He joins the Boston organization after five seasons in the Milwaukee Brewers system. He was the pitching coach for the last three seasons with Double-A Huntsville, where his staff had the best WHIP (1.29) and the third-best ERA (3.90) in the Southern League in 2006. Sauveur began his coaching career with the independent Brockton (Mass.) Rox in 2002 after a 17-year playing career, with stops in Pittsburgh, Montreal, New York Mets, Kansas City, Chicago White Sox, and Oakland.

"It’s a very, very high priority, feeding the big league team, getting these guys ready to pitch in the major leagues," Sauveur said. "At this level, they’re still developing, but it should be a little more fine-tuned than where I was in Double A. But, still, there’s some developing. I welcome the challenge."

Winter Meetings - Red Sox Keep Mike Timlin

2007-12-07T23:03:00.000-05:00

The Red Sox will have one of the most dependable members of their bullpen back for another year. The club officially announced on Friday that Mike Timlin has been re-signed for one year.

When Timlin arrives at Spring Training in February, he will be entering his sixth season with the Red Sox.

This marks the fourth time Timlin has been eligible to depart Boston and sign somewhere else, only to return to the team he's been so comfortable with since 2003.

Timlin said there were some other intriguing options out there, but nothing that could sway him to move on.

"Well, you know, it's a place that you're familiar with," Timlin said. "We know the organization, we know the people in the organization. They know what my family is about, what we consider important to us. We kind of fall along the same lines in our thinking. We're comfortable there and that's a huge part. If you're comfortable playing somewhere and you're having success, there's not a whole lot of reason to change."

The Red Sox did not release details of the contract, though reports indicate that it's worth roughly $3 million.

After struggling through an injury-plagued and ineffective 2006 season, Timlin was again hurt early in 2007, but returned to form during Boston's World Series championship season. He went 2-1 with a 3.42 ERA and earned one save over his 50 appearances.

"I just got my strength back and was more consistent throwing strikes," Timlin said. "That's all it was from August on."

Timlin, 41, got a couple of critical strikeouts in the clinching Game 4 of the World Series at Colorado. During the 2007 postseason, Timlin registered a 3.18 ERA over six outings, walking none and striking out seven. Aside from being a key performer, Timlin is also considered a spiritual leader in the bullpen.

Timlin is the only member of the Red Sox to be a part of four different World Series championship teams. He was with the Blue Jays when they won back-to-back titles in 1992-93, and he has been a core member of Boston's championship teams of 2004 and '07.

With 44 career appearances in the postseason, Timlin ranks fourth on the all-time list.

"That's the reason you play," Timlin said. "You want to play in the postseason. That's the fun part of the game. It's a lot of fun all year to play, and to play hard. You're there because you want to go to the World Series and Championship Series and you want to be part of the playoffs. That's what teams are remembered for, when they go to the playoffs and win. The reason I get better [in October]? I don't know. I've never really considered myself a pressure pitcher, but there's a lot of pressure in Boston to win. For some reason, God has given me the ability to do that. I've been doing it well."

And he's been doing it a long time.

"I don't know how many I have left, but honestly, no, I never thought I'd be pitching this long," Timlin said. "My wife [Dawn] and I kind of kid each other. She's like, 'You just keep going and going and I don't know when you're going to stop.' What I know is that I'm closer to the end than the beginning -- I'll tell you that."

Timlin has pitched in 1,011 regular-season games during his career, going 71-69 with a 3.55 ERA while posting 140 saves.

Timlin, Manny Delcarmen and Hideki Okajima figure to be key setup men for closer Jonathan Papelbon next season. Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein is trying to add some more depth to the bullpen.

Of course, there are other matters on Epstein's plate, such as the pursuit of Twins ace and two-time Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana.

"That's pretty interesting," said Timlin. "Johan, he's an awesome pitcher, an incredible talent. It would be good to see him on our team. As much as I've seen him across the field, it would be great to watch him in the same uniform perform the way he does. It would make definitely for a formidable rotation to have him and [Josh] Beckett and [Curt] Schilling, [Daisuke Matsuzaka] and Wake [Tim Wakefield] and [Jon] Lester and whoever else. Having Johan -- I'm watching it intently. Every chance I get, I'll jump on the Internet or I'll watch on TV just in case we try to land him. Hopefully that will come to fruition and we'll have him."

Red Sox Announce Spring Training Schedule

2007-12-07T23:00:00.000-05:00

The Red Sox will have their first game action since the World Series on Feb. 28, when they host Boston College and Northeastern University in split-squad contests at City of Palms Park in Fort Myers, Fla.

It will be a different kind of Spring Training for the defending World Series champions, who will depart Florida following their March 19 home game against the Blue Jays for an International excursion to Tokyo, where the Sox will officially open their 2008 season with two games against the Oakland Athletics.

The Red Sox will open the 20-game Grapefruit League portion of their schedule on Feb. 29 with a road game against the Twins, who also train in Fort Myers.

The club tried to make the most of its abbreviated spring in Florida when planning the schedule.

"With the abbreviated Grapefruit League schedule due to our Japan trip, it was our intent to schedule as many spring home games as possible," said Red Sox president/CEO Larry Lucchino. "Of the 22 games we will play in Florida, 13 will take place at City of Palms Park and three at Hammond Stadium, giving us 16 games in Lee County. We realize the impact that Spring Training has on this community, and we did everything in our power to maximize the time we have in Southwest Florida."

Among the teams who will visit City of Palms Park are the Twins (March 2, 7) Pirates (March 4), Reds (March 5), Dodgers (March 6), Marlins (March 8), Mets (March 11), Rays (March 13), Orioles (March 14), Reds (March 15) and the finale against the Jays on the 19th.

Tickets for all 13 home games will go on sale on Dec. 15 at redsox.com. Fans located in Fort Myers can also buy tickets from the City of Palms Park box office, which will be open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Dec. 15-16, and 9-5 during weekdays.

The price breakdown will be as follows:

Home-plate boxes are $46; dugout box seats in the front row are $40; dugout box seats in row 2 are $36; other box seats are $26; right-field deck seats are $26; reserved seats are $23; bleachers are $15; lawn seats and reserved standing room are $12; regular standing room is $10.

Tickets for the college doubleheader on Feb. 28 will be half-price. In 2007, the Red Sox sold out all of their Spring Training home games.

The Red Sox will play their chief rivals -- the Yankees -- just once during Spring Training, and that will be a road game at Tampa on March 17. Some other road stops include visits to Jupiter to play the Marlins (March 3), Fort Lauderdale for a split-squad contest with the Orioles (March 7), Vero Beach against the Dodgers (March 9), Port St. Lucie for a meeting with the Mets (March 10) and Bradenton against the Pirates (March 16).

After arriving in Tokyo, the Red Sox will have a workout on March 21, followed by exhibition games against Japanese opponents on March 22-23, and the two regular-season games against Oakland (March 25-26).

The Red Sox will then resume exhibition play upon their return to the United States, facing the Dodgers in a three-game series in Los Angeles from March 28-30. The middle of those games will be played at the Memorial Coliseum, while the other two will be at Dodger Stadium.

Terry Francona Likes 2008 Line Up

2007-12-05T19:17:00.001-05:00

When Red Sox manager Terry Francona did his annual Winter Meetings media session on Wednesday morning, Josh Beckett was still his unquestioned ace. In other words, no deal had been struck for two-time American League Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana.

Perhaps, as it turns out, Santana will wind up staying with the Twins or going somewhere else. Francona didn't seem to be on the edge of his seat waiting for a definitive answer.

"Oh, I wouldn't even touch that," said Francona. "I think the best way I can answer that is that I and we love our young players. There's so much stuff that seems to fly around that lobby. Wow, it's interesting."

The case can be made that no manager is more at peace with his situation these days than Francona. And that's not only because the Red Sox just won the World Series for the second time in the past four seasons. For Francona has a team stacked with accomplished veterans and talented young players, and the entire core from the 2007 champs are under contract for next year.

These are good days to be the manager of the Boston Red Sox -- Santana or not.

"You know, it's not a lesser sense of urgency like, 'Oh, we won.' But I think it's different," said Francona. "We're in a different point than we were four years ago."

Though the Hot Stove still has some time to burn, it's fairly certain the Red Sox will be a strong favorite entering 2008.

"Oh, it doesn't matter," said Francona. "And we'll talk about that the first day of Spring Training, how we handle moving forward. Because that's what we need to do is to move forward. In '04, we talked about it, but obviously none of us had been through it."

Unlike the '04 team, which lost key participants such as Pedro Martinez, Derek Lowe and Orlando Cabrera, the '07 Sox aren't likely to subtract any core veterans.

When Curt Schilling and Mike Lowell re-signed with the Red Sox, it saved general manager Theo Epstein from having to scour the market for replacements. And it saved Francona from having to break in new players to fill those spots.

Winter Meetings

"You know, Theo brought Lowell and Schill back, and the other guys, they are ours," Francona said. "Really, besides maybe fine-tuning the bench, we have our position players in place and basically our staff. So it's a good feeling."

Both players also took lesser financial packages with Boston. And when a reporter suggested that Lowell and Schilling left money on the "table," Francona couldn't resist taking a good-natured jab at the latter player.

"I'm thrilled," Francona said. "I think that's the first time Schilling ever left anything on the table. I'm sure he'll appreciate that [comment], too."

Part of Schilling's new contract includes a weight-clause incentive that the right-hander suggested himself.

"I've had some fun at his expense," Francona said. "But I'm excited that he wants to do that. We talked about this last year, and not just Schill, but guys in general. When you get some age on you, you have to work harder to keep your level."

Speaking of 40-something Red Sox starters, Francona provided an update on knuckleballer Tim Wakefield, who was left off the roster in two of the three postseason rounds because of a back-shoulder injury.

"Good," Francona said of Wakefield. "He was in Boston the other day. He looks terrific. He's in great shape, and it's December. He's not even restricted now. He tested out the other day great."

The 2008 season will have a different feel to it from the start, considering that Opening Day is slated for the Tokyo Dome against the Oakland Athletics. Francona and pitching coach John Farrell continue to be thorough in their preparation to make sure the entire team is as prepared as possible.

"As far as going to Japan, I think we're all excited," Francona said. "I think there's a little trepidation because two of the games count and our routine is definitely interrupted. But our job is to not let it affect us. I'm sure Daisuke [Matsuzaka] will be excited, as he should be. But when the games count, it takes away some of the sightseeing aspect of the trips. You want to win games."

Whiteside posthumously wins Spink

2007-12-05T19:15:00.000-05:00

Larry Whiteside, the late groundbreaking baseball writer for The Boston Globe, has been elected as the 2007 winner of the J.G. Spink Award by the Baseball Writers' Association of America and will be honored at the yearly National Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremonies on July 27 in Cooperstown, N.Y.

Nicknamed simply "Sides," Whiteside was the first African-American beat writer in the Globe sports department. He teamed with Peter Gammons to cover the Red Sox in the 1970s. Gammons is also a former winner of the Spink Award.

Whiteside passed away in Boston after a long illness on June 15. He was 69. The Red Sox noted his passing with a moment of silence that night, prior to their game against the Giants at Fenway Park.

"Sides was a really important pioneer in our business," Gammons told MLB.com after the announcement at a BBWAA meeting on Wednesday morning. "For an African-American in the early '70s to go from Milwaukee, where he was a very respected writer, to become such a prominent guy at the Globe, tells you all you need to know. He was very good at what he did. He worked very hard at it and had a great deal of dignity. He never played the race card, which is one of the things I really respected about him, even though I know he went through some hell at times that others could not relate to."

Are The Red Sox The Santana Favorites?

2007-12-05T19:12:00.000-05:00

By Tuesday night, the Red Sox remained hopeful of making a blockbuster deal for Twins ace Johan Santana, and still appeared to be the favorites in the derby.

But until every aspect of the transaction is complete, the Sox aren't going to start fitting Santana for that No. 57 jersey.

For the second consecutive day, Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein didn't refer to Santana by name in his session with the media. But on Tuesday, he did discuss the hot rumor-mill topic -- Boston's pursuit of the two-time American League Cy Young Award winner -- in broad terms.

"It's tough to tell," said Epstein. "It takes two teams to make a trade. I know there's been a lot of speculation out there that we're close to something big, but until we actually reach agreement, then we're not that close."

However, the field seemed to be shrinking. Perhaps it will come down to the Red Sox or the Twins simply opting not to trade Santana.

The Yankees -- stuck at an impasse because they wouldn't add Ian Kennedy to a package that already included Phil Hughes and Melky Cabrera -- are said to have backed out of the talks, at least for now.

Earlier in the day, there were rumors that the Angels -- who lost out to the Tigers in the race for stud slugger Miguel Cabrera -- were ready to swoop back in. But Angels general manager Tony Reagins denied having any talks with the Twins regarding the ace.

If other teams are in on Santana, they've kept an extremely low profile at the Winter Meetings.

Could it be that Boston is Minnesota's only dancing partner for a pitcher who many consider to be the best in the game?

"I don't know," Epstein said. "We're just focusing on what we're doing."

What the Red Sox have done is offer the Twins multiple packages. One reportedly included left-hander Jon Lester, center fielder Coco Crisp, shortstop Jed Lowrie and right-hander Justin Masterson. The other one consisted of center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury, Lowrie and Masterson. It is believed that the Twins -- looking to bolster their pitching staff with highly-rated prospects -- are more interested in scenario A.

The Red Sox, at least at this point, have been unwilling to include Ellsbury and Lester together in any proposal.

"Our approach in certain transactions is to be as flexible and accommodating and respectful as we possibly can be, while at the same time making sure we only offer things that we're very comfortable with," said Epstein. "I never really say that you've exhausted every avenue. There might be some other way to reach a deal that you haven't thought of just yet."

Winter Meetings

Asked if the process was nerve-wracking, Epstein said it wasn't. In fact, he is confident in the state of his organization with or without the addition of another ace pitcher to go alongside Josh Beckett.

"I think we're in a great position," said Epstein. "[Manager Terry Francona] said it well earlier today. He said, 'Last year, when I left your office and you were telling us how the free-agent pitching didn't excite you and how we had a plan to kind of lay low and go after [Daisuke] Matsuzaka, I left your office thinking, "This is going to be great if we get this guy, but we're [in trouble] if we don't."' [Francona] said, 'I don't have that feeling at all today.'"

"I think with some of the things that we're discussing as an organization, we all feel as if it's a win-win, that we're in a great position regardless," continued Epstein. "We've worked hard to get in this position, we feel good about our team at the Major League level. We feel good about our future. We're excited to see how it plays out. We're open to opportunities to get better. So, no, it's not nerve-wracking, because either alternative is a good one."

There were some reports that the Twins had informed the Red Sox they wanted something done by the end of Tuesday.

"I'm not comfortable commenting on timelines, or what other teams are indicating," Epstein said.

Similarly, Twins general manager Bill Smith wouldn't say if he had instituted any deadline.

"I can't predict the future," Smith said. "It takes two to tango always. So I don't know."

Epstein didn't sound as if he was ready to jump through hoops to acquire another starting pitcher in the event that efforts to reach Santana are unsuccessful.

After all, Boston already has Beckett, Matsuzaka, Curt Schilling, Tim Wakefield, Lester and Clay Buchholz.

"It's one of the most difficult things to do in baseball, is to compete at the highest level while developing young talent and while growing with that talent. I think we're in a position to do that," said Epstein. "I think we've done that, to some extent. I think we're in a position, to continue to do that and that's not to be taken lightly. We've worked really hard for a long time to get in this position and this is a big part of our philosophy that we believe in. We're not going to actively seek other deals just for the sake of making deals. Within that philosophy of growing with your own young talent and competing while developing, there are times to consider big moves that are almost too good to pass up that can make you a lot better."

Though Santana has clearly been Boston's hot-button topic at these Winter Meetings, Epstein was making sure other business -- such as improving the bullpen and the bench -- doesn't get lost in the shuffle.

"We have other things going on as well," said Epstein. "We're going to meet [Tuesday night] and sort of distribute assignments to our scouts for the evening and check in with other teams on smaller deals and make sure we don't miss any opportunities because of any one transaction."

But the big transaction -- the one Epstein won't refer to by name due to his respect for protocol -- is the one that all eyes continue to be fixated on.

David Ortiz Wins the Edgar Martinez Award

2007-12-05T19:10:00.000-05:00

David Ortiz might not only be the best designated hitter in the game. He might be the best since the inception of the rule in 1973. It was announced Tuesday that Big Papi -- the left-handed masher of the Boston Red Sox -- was the winner of Major League Baseball's Edgar Martinez Award for the fifth straight year.

The award has been presented to the most outstanding designated hitter in the game since 1973, and since 2004, it has been named after Martinez, the former star DH of the Mariners.

Perhaps one day it will be the Big Papi Award.

Ortiz is the first player to win the award five years in a row. Martinez is the only player to win it as many as five times. If Ortiz takes home the award again in 2008, he would be the first to do it six times.

While being a DH is a hard role for many players to get accustomed to, Ortiz has thrived by being a hitter only.

Few sluggers in the game instill more fear when they step into the box than Ortiz. In helping the Red Sox to their second World Series championship in four seasons, Ortiz appeared in 140 games last season as a designated hitter, hitting .338 with 33 homers and 113 RBIs. He also slugged .629 with 329 total bases, 111 runs and 51 doubles as a DH.

The voting for the award is done by team beat writers, broadcasters and American League Public Relations departments.

White Sox slugger Jim Thome finished second, followed by Toronto's Frank Thomas and Travis Hafner of the Indians.

Boston Red Sox Announce Personnel Moves In Baseball Operations

2007-12-04T23:25:00.000-05:00

The Boston Red Sox today announced a series of personnel moves in the organization’s baseball operations, player development, and scouting departments.

The announcement was made by Executive Vice President/General Manager Theo Epstein.

Raquel Ferreira has been promoted to Director of Minor League Operations after serving as Director of Minor League Administration since 2002. She is beginning her ninth season with the Red Sox organization. Former Red Sox minor leaguer Ethan Faggett joins the organization as Assistant Director, Player Development. Originally selected by Boston as an outfielder in the 1992 amateur draft, Faggett played in the Red Sox and Padres organizations from 1992-2000.

The Red Sox have also hired Jared Banner as Assistant, Player Development. Banner, a former baseball captain at Amherst College, originally joined Boston’s baseball operations department in June through the organization’s Fellowship program.

Jared Porter, who had been serving as Player Development Assistant has been promoted to Coordinator of Professional Scouting, where he will work with Red Sox Assistant to the General Manager Allard Baird. Ben Crockett, who spent the past season as an intern in the baseball operations department, has been hired to a fulltime position as Advance Scouting Coordinator.

David Howard has been promoted to the position of Special Assistant to the General Manager. Howard, who played nine major league seasons as an infielder with Kansas City and St. Louis, joined the Boston organization in 2004 as a minor league coach and has been a professional (2005-06) and major league (2007) scout the last three seasons. Kyle Evans has been added to the Red Sox’ pro scouting staff after two years as the team’s Advance Scouting Coordinator.

Baseball Operations Administrative Assistant Jean MacDougall was promoted to Manager, Travel Administration. The Red Sox also expanded Mike Reinold’s title to Rehab Coordinator/Assistant Trainer. Reinold joined the major league training staff in 2006 from the American Sports Medicine Institute.

In the amateur scouting department, Boston has hired three new full-time scouts:

Chris Calciano: Appointed area scout for the Mid-Atlantic Region (Delaware, Maryland, Eastern Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington, D.C.). Calciano joins the Red Sox after serving the last three years as head baseball coach at Georgia College & State University. He spent the previous four years heading the baseball program at West Chester University.

Matt Dorey: Appointed area scout in the Pacific Northwest Region (Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, Western Canada). Dorey, most recently the head baseball coach at Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham, Oregon, previously served as assistant baseball coach at Washington State University.

Chris Mears: Appointed area scout in the Midwest Region (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin). Mears begins his scouting career after pitching in the Seattle, Detroit, and Atlanta organizations. The righthander had a 1-3 record in 23 games with the Tigers in 2003 in his only major league action.

In addition, Matt Mahoney, who had been Boston’s Assistant, Professional Scouting, has been appointed as an area scout for the region that includes Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah.

In the International Scouting Department, Mike Lord has joined the organization as Coordinator of European Scouting. Lord has spent 30 years as a high school and college baseball coach, most recently serving as the head coach at San Diego Christian College. He was also with the San Diego Padres major league field staff for nine seasons. In the Dominican Republic, Pablo Lantigua has been promoted from an area scout to Dominican Scouting Supervisor.

Boston has also added a pair of consultants to work in its international operation. Denney Tomori has been hired to work with Vice President International Scouting Craig Shipley and Pacific Rim Coordinator Jon Deeble on Japanese matters. Tomori pitched 14 seasons for three Nippon Professional Baseball teams before signing as a free agent with the Red Sox in 2005. The righthander spent that season in Pawtucket and Portland. In addition, Javier Hernandez joins Boston as Assistant to Director of Dominican Operations Jesus Alou.

Red Sox Agree to 1 Year Deal With Timlin

2007-12-04T23:23:00.000-05:00

The Boston Red Sox have reached preliminary agreement on a 1-year contract with reliever Mike Timlin worth three million dollars. The deal, which is pending the results of a physical, was confirmed today by a person with knowledge of the negotiations who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The 41-year-old Timlin was 2-1 with a 3.42 earned run average in 50 games last season for the World Champs.

Ex-Sox manager Williams gains Fame

2007-12-04T23:20:00.000-05:00

Dick Williams, the manager of the “Impossible Dream” Red Sox team from 1967, was elected into Baseball’s Hall of Fame, the only one of five electees chosen by the Veterans Committee still alive.

Williams’ blunt and direct style was the winning combination for the unheralded 1967 Red Sox, who took the American League by storm before falling to the Cardinals in the World Series. The Red Sox were the first of three teams Williams took to the World Series. He won the championship twice with the Oakland A’s in 1972 and 1973, plus he took the 1984 Padres there.

“Times have changed quite a bit. Maybe I wouldn’t last a week as a manager now, but it was successful, and I did win a few pennants and a couple of World Series,” Williams said from his Las Vegas home. “I had no qualms about how I did it. I stepped on a few toes sometimes, but I had my toes stepped on, too, as a player.”

Boston remains favorite as suitors for ace appear limited

2007-12-04T23:17:00.000-05:00

By Tuesday night, the Red Sox remained hopeful of making a blockbuster deal for Twins ace Johan Santana, and still appeared to be the favorites in the derby.

But until every aspect of the transaction is complete, the Sox aren't going to start fitting Santana for that No. 57 jersey.

For the second consecutive day, Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein didn't refer to Santana by name in his session with the media. But on Tuesday, he did discuss the hot rumor-mill topic -- Boston's pursuit of the two-time American League Cy Young Award winner -- in broad terms.

"It's tough to tell," said Epstein. "It takes two teams to make a trade. I know there's been a lot of speculation out there that we're close to something big, but until we actually reach agreement, then we're not that close."

However, the field seemed to be shrinking. Perhaps it will come down to the Red Sox or the Twins simply opting not to trade Santana.

The Yankees -- stuck at an impasse because they wouldn't add Ian Kennedy to a package that already included Phil Hughes and Melky Cabrera -- are said to have backed out of the talks, at least for now.

Earlier in the day, there were rumors that the Angels -- who lost out to the Tigers in the race for stud slugger Miguel Cabrera -- were ready to swoop back in. But Angels general manager Tony Reagins denied having any talks with the Twins regarding the ace.

If other teams are in on Santana, they've kept an extremely low profile at the Winter Meetings.

Could it be that Boston is Minnesota's only dancing partner for a pitcher who many consider to be the best in the game?

"I don't know," Epstein said. "We're just focusing on what we're doing."

What the Red Sox have done is offer the Twins multiple packages. One reportedly included left-hander Jon Lester, center fielder Coco Crisp, shortstop Jed Lowrie, right-hander Justin Masterson and possibly outfield prospect Ryan Kalish. The other one consisted of center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury, Lowrie and Masterson. It is believed that the Twins -- looking to bolster their pitching staff with highly-rated prospects -- are more interested in scenario A.

The Red Sox, at least at this point, have been unwilling to include Ellsbury and Lester together in any proposal.

"Our approach in certain transactions is to be as flexible and accommodating and respectful as we possibly can be, while at the same time making sure we only offer things that we're very comfortable with," said Epstein. "I never really say that you've exhausted every avenue. There might be some other way to reach a deal that you haven't thought of just yet."

Ellsbury Offered for Johan Santana

2007-12-02T17:49:00.001-05:00

The battle for Twins ace left-hander Johan Santana is gaining more intrigue by the day. The latest wrinkle is that the Red Sox might now be willing to include top center-field prospect Jacoby Ellsbury in their offer to Minnesota as a response to the Yankees recently putting stud pitching prospect Phil Hughes in their package.

It was reported Sunday that Boston had backed off its refusal to include Ellsbury. But if Ellsbury is to be in the deal, the Red Sox will pull back left-handed starter Jon Lester.

With the Winter Meetings set to begin in Nashville, Tenn., on Monday, the Santana sweepstakes figure to take center stage.

The Twins will have to weigh which offer entices them more: Hughes, center fielder Melky Cabrera and an additional prospect from the Yankees or Boston's offer, which could include Ellsbury, Minor League shortstop Jed Lowrie and a pitching prospect such as Justin Masterson or Michael Bowden.

There are other teams who are also in the mix, including the Angels, Dodgers and Mets, although at this point, the Red Sox and the Yankees -- rivals always -- seem to be the most heavily involved.

The Yankees and Red Sox -- who traditionally have the two highest payrolls in the Major Leagues -- would also seem to be in the best position to sign Santana to a contract extension if a trade can be worked out.

Santana, who will be 29 next season, has a no-trade clause and is all but certain to seek a contract extension before agreeing to be moved.

Several reports have stated that Santana could seek as much as $150 million over six years.

Ellsbury rose to prominence for the Red Sox down the stretch in 2007, filling in for the injured Manny Ramirez and hitting .361 in September. Beginning with Game 6 of the American League Championship Series, Ellsbury supplanted Coco Crisp in center field and the Red Sox didn't lose another game. Ellsbury stepped up in the World Series, going 7-for-16.

The Red Sox were trying to trade Crisp instead of Ellsbury, but the Twins repeatedly rebuffed those attempts.

At the end of the day, the Twins could always mull over all the offers and decide they are better off keeping Santana.

Crisp, three others reportedly considered; Ellsbury excluded

2007-12-02T00:00:00.000-05:00

The Red Sox just won the World Series and they already have one of the top aces in the game in right-hander Josh Beckett. However, it appears that isn't stopping Boston general manager Theo Epstein from making a strong push for two-time American League Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana, who is being dangled in trade talks by the Minnesota Twins.

ESPN.com reported on Thursday that the Red Sox and Twins have discussed a potential deal in which center fielder Coco Crisp, left-hander Jon Lester and promising Minor League shortstop Jed Lowrie would head to Minnesota along with one other prospect in exchange for Santana.

The St. Paul Pioneer Press -- citing a "little birdie" -- had a similar report. In fact, that report stated that the Red Sox have become the favorites while adding that right-handed pitching prospect Justin Masterson would also be going to Minnesota.

Epstein has made a consistent habit of never commenting on trade rumors.

Recently, Epstein predicted it could be a quiet winter for his team. But he also added that things could always change.

"At the same time, we do want to be aggressive in looking for any opportunity to make the club better," Epstein said. "We know our 29 competitors are doing the same. We're never afraid of change. I think change in baseball is often necessary and oftentimes a good thing. But we're also not going to go out and seek change just for the sake of change."

If the Red Sox were to add Santana, they could send a jolt throughout Major League Baseball.

A Beckett-Santana 1-2 punch -- backed by Daisuke Matsuzaka, Curt Schilling and Tim Wakefield -- could be a dominant rotation.

Even if the Red Sox and Twins can agree to the framework of a trade, it would by no means make Santana Boston-bound. Santana has a no-trade clause and will likely seek a contract extension before waiving the clause. If the Red Sox and Twins did agree in principle to a trade, Boston would have 72 hours to negotiate an extension with Santana. That was the formula the Sox used to land Schilling in a Thanksgiving trade with the Diamondbacks following the 2003 season.

Several reports have suggested that Santana could be seeking a contract worth roughly $150 million over six years.

Adding more intrigue to the story is the fact that the Yankees -- the Red Sox's chief rivals -- are also in hot pursuit of Santana. The Angels are another team to have expressed interest.

The Yankees might give the Twins a choice of either Phil Hughes or Ian Kennedy -- two of their best pitching prospects -- as well as outfielder Melky Cabrera and another prospect.

After losing Torii Hunter as a free agent, the Twins desperately need a center fielder. The Red Sox aren't willing to part with Jacoby Ellsbury, their top position prospect. But they would deal Crisp, who has speed and a terrific glove.

Calm before the Winter Meetings storm

2007-12-01T23:56:00.000-05:00

One thing the Red Sox have never had during Theo Epstein's regime as general manager is a quiet offseason. In Epstein's first five Hot Stove seasons with the Sox, he made headline moves.

So as the Winter Meetings get set to convene in Nashville, Tenn., on Monday, might the Red Sox -- even as well-positioned as they are coming off their World Series championship -- make another blockbuster move?

The one big fish who appears to be out there for the taking is Johan Santana, the ace left-hander who has won two American League Cy Young Awards during his time with the Twins. The Red Sox are one club that the Twins have been talking to. Fittingly, the Yankees are also heavily involved, as are a number of other teams.

Epstein was fairly coy when asked if a major move might be in his near future.

"Whether or not anything gets done, I wouldn't feel comfortable hazarding a guess," said Epstein. "I think, as I've told you guys before, we're pretty pleased with the position that we're in. We think we have a really nice mix of veterans and young players at the big league level, and another wave or two of talented young players coming through our farm system that should make an impact. Baseball can humble you in a hurry and things can turn around in a hurry, and we don't take for granted the position that we're in, but there's reasons to be optimistic about our future."

As always, Epstein will explore every opportunity that's out there.

"Just because we think we're in a sound place right now doesn't mean we ignore opportunities that make us better, both in the short term and in the long term," Epstein said. "I think it's our job to explore those opportunities. Whether or not anything major happens, I can't tell you. I can tell you we'll be thorough in at least exploring opportunities that might make us better."

The World Series champions already completed two major orders of offseason business by re-signing third baseman Mike Lowell and right-hander Curt Schilling. As it stands now, the Sox have their entire starting nine -- perhaps with Jacoby Ellsbury replacing Coco Crisp in center field -- in place for 2008.

The starting rotation has everybody back from the team that won it all, and prospect Clay Buchholz -- the author of a Sept. 1 no-hitter against the Orioles -- perhaps knocking on the door for a spot in Spring Training.

If nothing happens on the Santana front, it actually could wind up being a rather tame offseason for the Red Sox.

"It seems like we might have one of our calmer offseasons in recent memory, which is not necessarily a bad thing," said Epstein recently. "I think it's happening for the right reasons."

The Red Sox are dealing from a position of strength this offseason.

"We're not in a desperate situation where we feel like we have to completely overhaul our present or our future," Epstein said. "At the same time, we do want to be aggressive in looking for any opportunity to make the club better. We know our 29 competitors are doing the same."

No deals for Mirabelli, Clement, Kielty, Hinske and Clayton

2007-12-01T23:53:00.000-05:00

Amid reports that the Red Sox have all but finalized a new contract with free-agent right-hander Mike Timlin, the club offered arbitration to the veteran reliever a few hours in advance of Saturday's 11:59 p.m. ET deadline.

Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein confirmed Friday that the club was on the verge of re-signing one of the free-agent players from last year's team, and it appears the player he was referring to was Timlin.

Though Timlin is 41, he continues to pitch at a high level. After an injury-plagued 2006 led to some rare poor numbers for Timlin, he bounced back in 2007, going 2-1 with a 3.42 ERA over 50 appearances. In fact, Timlin registered a couple of key strikeouts in Boston's clinching victory in Game 4 of the World Series.

The Boston Globe reported that Timlin's new one-year deal would be worth roughly $3 million, assuming it gets finalized.

The only other six-year free agent the Red Sox offered arbitration to was Eric Gagne, who struggled mightily in a setup role after being acquired from the Rangers on July 31. Though Gagne has until Dec. 7 to accept Boston's arbitration offer, it is highly unlikely he will do so. Gagne is all but certain to seek a closing job elsewhere, and the main reason the Red Sox offered him arbitration is so they can get a compensatory pick in next year's Draft.

The Sox declined to offer arbitration to right-hander Matt Clement, backup catcher Doug Mirabelli, outfielder Bobby Kielty, infielder Royce Clayton and first baseman/outfielder Eric Hinske. Boston will not get Draft picks if any of those players sign elsewhere, because they aren't Type A or Type B free agents.

But under terms of the new collective bargaining agreement that went into effect in 2006, the Red Sox can still negotiate new contracts with any of those players.

Kielty and Mirabelli, in particular, are players the Red Sox are still believed to have interest in retaining.

The Red Sox like Kielty because of his ability to hit left-handed pitching. But the club is waiting to see if Coco Crisp is dealt before making a final call on Kielty.

Red Sox could be major players or silent observers in Nashville

2007-12-01T00:40:00.000-05:00

One thing the Red Sox have never had during Theo Epstein's regime as general manager is a quiet offseason. In Epstein's first five Hot Stove seasons with the Sox, he made headline moves.

Epstein was fairly coy when asked if a major move might be in his near future.

As always, Epstein will explore every opportunity that's out there.

If nothing happens on the Santana front, it actually could wind up being a rather tame offseason for the Red Sox.

"It seems like we might have one of our calmer offseasons in recent memory, which is not necessarily a bad thing," said Epstein recently. "I think it's happening for the right reasons."

The Red Sox are dealing from a position of strength this offseason.

Travel may permit occasional extra rest for Boston's starters

2007-11-28T22:45:00.000-05:00

Yes, the Red Sox have had some internal discussions about going to a six-man rotation for certain portions of the 2008 season. But pitching coach John Farrell outlined on Wednesday why it's not all that realistic of a scenario for the start of the season.

"It's important to acknowledge that, yes, some informal discussions have been had on the six-man rotation, pros and cons to it," said Farrell. "But we also look at the schedule and the amount of off-days that we have, particularly with the international travel and when we come back with the off-day in Oakland followed by an off-day in Toronto, followed by an off-day here in Boston, there's a number of things to balance out.

"There are off-days that provide us the ability to bring guys along a little bit slower with that schedule in place. But I think most importantly, we want to keep all of our pitchers as healthy and as strong as possible moving into September and beyond."

Because the Red Sox have two pitchers over the age of 40 in Curt Schilling and Tim Wakefield -- not to mention another in Daisuke Matsuzaka who is more accustomed to extra rest -- the benefit could be there at times for Farrell and manager Terry Francona to slot in an extra starter.

But the Red Sox sound more inclined to go with a six-man allotment only on certain occasions, which, by the way, they did at times late in 2007.

"When the schedule doesn't provide for those natural breaks, then yes, we would like to insert a sixth starter at some point if individual pitchers are showing signs that an additional day of rest or maybe to skip them a turn is warranted," said Farrell. "I think we showed that in the second half of this past season. The one thing that we have is a very consistent and accurate communication between our training staff, what [general manager] Theo [Epstein]'s thoughts are and certainly what Tito's thoughts are and balancing those elements and at the same time, being the best team possible to compete."

Perhaps the Boston pitcher who would least need to be part of a six-man rotation is ace Josh Beckett.

"The concerns start to come in when you've got a young, healthy pitcher that has been accustomed to a five-day rotation, where he feels most sharp," said Farrell. "I think when you get past the five days of rest, you begin to take away some of the command and the sharpness that a pitcher can have. For instance, last year, there were times where, throwing in the outfield with Josh Beckett, and it was his [scheduled] day to pitch, his body was responding and telling him, 'Hey, I feel ready to go.' But because of either an off-day on the schedule or a recent rainout, when he got into that sixth or seventh day, it could take away from the touch or the feel, particularly with the secondary pitches."

Buchholz gaining strength: Clay Buchholz, as well as several other Boston pitchers, have been in town this week to undergo routine checkups.

Buchholz is a particularly interesting case, because the Red Sox opted to shut him down for the final few weeks of 2007 due to fatigue and a lack of strength in his right shoulder.

According to Farrell, Buchholz -- the top prospect who threw a no-hitter against the Orioles on Sept. 1 -- is progressing nicely.

"There have been gains from a physical standpoint," said Farrell. "In retrospect, looking back to what did take place, it was certainly the right decision to de-activate him, for lack of a better term, at the time. He is making progress. He's still got some work to do, particularly as we project 180-185 innings for him next year. There's still some work to be done to build that foundation, to endure that load."

Buchholz is working out this winter at the Athletes Performance Institute in Pensacola, Fla.

Is there room in the rotation for both Buchholz and Jon Lester?

"I think there's a lot of questions that still remain on how our ultimate five-man rotation will look coming out of Spring Training," said Farrell. "Certainly, there are going to be major contributors to that at some point during the season -- how we get through not only Spring Training but as we get into the season with the health of all of our starters. We feel very good about the depth that we have. And that's probably the most important thing at this point and time of the year."

Japan in the plans: Farrell has had plenty of discussions with Francona on how to best prepare the team for opening the season on March 25 in Japan with two games against the Oakland Athletics.

"We feel, and just mapping it out already, that prior to us going to Japan, each starter will have a minimum of four starts," said Farrell. "Two starters will have started five games. We'll get them up to five innings and 80 pitches before we break Florida. And then upon our return, there are going to be other starts to get them built up even further. Ideally, we get guys to 100 pitches at least once before the season opens, but that case isn't here this year.

"I think the one thing we have to keep in mind is that we're still preparing for 162 games rather than just two games against Oakland in Japan," said Farrell.

Lester nets award in Conigliaro's name

2007-11-28T22:38:00.000-05:00

Jon Lester held court in a media work room at Fenway Park on Wednesday wearing a backward 2007 World Series cap and donning a fleece pullover that had "World Series '07" stitched on it.

But the winner of the clinching Game 4 of the World Series for the Red Sox was on hand to receive an award that transcended not only his own pitching, but the championship accomplishments of his team.

Lester received the 2007 Tony Conigliaro Award, which is given annually to a Major League player who has "overcome adversity through the attributes of spirit, determination and courage."

Back on Aug. 18, 1967, Red Sox right fielder Tony Conigliaro was the victim of a brutal beaning that struck him square in the face. After missing the entire 1968 season, Conigliaro came back to hit 20 homers for the Sox in '69 and another 36 in '70.

Now, there is the story of Lester, whose rookie season of 2006 was cut short after he was diagnosed with anaplastic large cell lymphoma. Lester received six chemotherapy treatments before beating the cancer. And the end of his 2007 season was nothing short of storybook.

"It was great," said Lester. "Just with the struggles that I went through this year, just to regain confidence in my stuff and my command and mechanics and where I was at physically, it was great. You couldn't have asked for a better ending. It's always good to go out on top."

The Conigliaro Award started in 1990 -- the same year the slugger died following years of health complications.

Lester confessed not to know all that much about Conigliaro, but the names of past recipients of the award jumped out at him.

"Bo Jackson, Jim Abbott, obviously Mike Lowell is on there," said Lester. "Names like that. Obviously, Jim Abbott had a lot to overcome when he was pitching. It just fits. It's a good honor."

It is an honor that Lester will receive in even more public fashion when he attends the Boston Baseball Writers Dinner on Jan. 17 at the Westin Waterfront Hotel in South Boston.

The award is just one more reminder of Lester's human interest story. Still, Lester looks forward to the day when he's referred to more as a pitcher than a cancer survivor.

"I hope so," said Lester. "I think I'm always going to have that title behind my name. It's going to be a question that comes up regardless, but hopefully, I can just go back to being me and being a normal pitcher and go out and pitch every five days and not have to worry about that, and get questions about my pitching ability rather than what happened last offseason. I know it's going to be a question, but hopefully, it will get few and far between."

Because of everything Lester went through, the Red Sox started him off slowly in 2007 and didn't recall him from the Minor Leagues until July 23. He wound up going 4-0 with a 4.57 ERA in 12 outings, 11 of which were starts.

Lester now acknowledges that he was not always pitching with a full deck.

"I've always been able to throw my fastball by guys and do that, and now, this year, I couldn't do that because I didn't have that little extra at the end, and it showed because I wasn't striking guys out," said Lester. "[It was] more contact and pitching to bats. Hopefully next year I'll have that little extra like I did in September and October and be able to pitch a little bit better and go to my strengths more."

At the start of Spring Training, Lester was at 200 pounds, thanks to all the chemotherapy.

"It was just a constant, uphill battle to get that weight back, and like I said, the confidence in my body and my mechanics to feel comfortable out on the mound," said Lester.

This year's winter agenda is far more enjoyable than chemo.

"Eat -- a lot," said Lester, who is now at roughly 215 pounds. "That's kind of my main objective -- to eat a lot and gain some weight."

Loyalty not an act for this Red Sox fan

2007-11-28T00:00:00.000-05:00

Homeboy Matt Damon, who narrates the 2007 World Series DVD that had its premiere last night at the Wang Center, is proud of his bona fides as a Red Sox fan, one who showed up on David Letterman's show last summer wearing a Sox jersey to diss the Yankees his entire interview. But even the Oscar-winning screenwriter and accomplished actor was impressed by the story related to him by his old roommate at Harvard, Sean Kelly, one of the emergency room doctors from Beth Israel on duty at Fenway Park during the season.

"There was this 85-year-old guy in the bleachers who had driven down from Maine or New Hampshire with his two daughters," Damon said by phone yesterday from his home in Miami, where he'd returned after spending the Thanksgiving holiday here with family. "Anyway, the guy didn't feel well, and after some of the medics and nurses looked at him, it went up the chain to Sean. They realize the guy has had a heart attack, and Sean says, 'We've got to get you out of here.' "

The man had come to the park with a small oxygen tank but still refused to leave.

"The guy says, 'Big Papi is up, and I'm not leaving,' " Damon said. "He said, 'I drove all the way to see Big Papi, and I'm not leaving during his at-bat.' Well, the guy passes out. Sean's got the guy under the bleachers, with the paddles, doing the whole thing - 'Clear!' They save the guy, and he's still healthy. But is that guy a Red Sox fan or what?"

Damon didn't go to quite such dramatic lengths to track the Sox in their postseason run to the title this season. It actually was a little bit easier than in 2004. That October, he said, he was in Europe filming "Syriana."

"There were a number of nights I sat up all night watching games," he said. "The games started at 2. When we beat the Yankees in Game 7, I was in Geneva watching MLB.com on literally an inch-and-a-half computer screen from 2 to 7 in the morning. Then I went to work."

But there was no way he was sticking around in Switzerland for the Series.

"[George] Clooney was the producer," Damon said. "I'd never missed a rehearsal or anything, but I called him and said, 'I'm sorry, but I can't be here. You're going to have to make plans to shoot some other stuff.'

So how hot will this off-season's Hot Stove be?

2007-11-27T23:42:00.000-05:00

Right now, it's hard to tell. With Alex Rodriguez quickly off the market, crawling back to New York for less than he would've gotten had he dealt with the Yankees weeks ago, there hasn't been much of a free-agent flurry since the final pieces of confetti fell to the ground in the Rocky Mountains three weeks ago.

All eyes are on Mike Lowell, who spent some MVP time with his family at Disney World yesterday.

While Sox fans wait to see if the third baseman returns to Boston, here are a few things we're keeping an eye on as we stoke up the stove (shameless plug: NESN's Red Sox Hot Stove debuts this Monday at 5:30 pm. For the second straight year we'll be doing the show every Monday and doing it live during the week of the Winter Meetings in Nashville):

--Johan Santana. With one year left on his deal, it's hard to imagine the Twins won't move him for a package of prospects. Could the Red Sox land this phenomenal lefty? They could, but it will cost plenty (you can start with Jon Lester, Clay Buccholz, and Coco Crisp.)

--The Mitchell Report. With George Mitchell reportedly asking 11 free agents to speak to the commission, it's easy to understand why teams are treading lightly in signing available players. A team dedicating significant money to a free agent who gets suspended could set itself back for the better part of a whole season.

--Miguel Cabrera. Could the Marlins actually trade a man who hit .320 this season -- his lowest batting average in three years? For the right young players, absolutely. As usual, the Sox and Yankees will be in any conversations concerning this player.

--Coco Crisp. If the Jacoby Ellsbury era is to begin next spring, Crisp has more value to the Sox in trade than in a Red Sox uniform. He's still young, is a Gold Glove-caliber center fielder, and is locked up for a reasonable contract. Unless he's part of a megadeal (see Santana and Cabrera above) Crisp could really help the Sox retool their middle relief for 2008.

--Hank Steinbrenner. He's being quoted on everything from Alex Rodriguez to Global Warming. Suddenly, there is bluster in the Yankees front office again -- Hank seems determined to make up for his father's silence over the past three years. Steinbrenner's most recent quotes were about Mariano Rivera's wishes for a four-year contract. "If I didn't want him, we wouldn't have made that offer," said Steinbrenner.

So much for Brian Cashman running New York's baseball operations.

Who Is Responsible for Red Sox Draft Picks?

2007-11-27T23:38:00.001-05:00

There are so many people responsible that it's hard to single anyone out. From a leadership standpoint, Epstein declared as soon as he became general manager that the draft was going to become a vital part of the organization. The ownership has been very generous with budgeting a lot of money so that the Red Sox can have the best draft possible each year.

Jason McLeod is the director of amateur scouting, so he's had a lot to do with the way the club has drafted the last few years. And there are countless area scouts who have consistently found talented players for the Red Sox to draft. Also, once the players get drafted, the player development side -- led by Mike Hazen and Ben Cherington -- have excelled in getting these players ready to perform amid the pressure of Boston. The Red Sox have a lot of people to be proud of in this area.

Will Varitek Wait Till Next Season to Sign With The Sox Again?

2007-11-27T23:35:00.000-05:00

Though Scott Boras typically advises his clients not to sign contracts until they reach free agency, I wouldn't be shocked to see something done in this regard. Varitek is indispensable and the Red Sox know that. It wouldn't surprise me to see the sides quietly work something out before we get to next offseason. Either way, I don't think this will be Varitek's last year in a Boston uniform.

Do the Boston Red Sox Have Anymore Great Prospects?

2007-11-27T23:33:00.000-05:00

First of all, I don't think it's fair to expect guys like Dustin Pedroia and Ellsbury to emerge every year, especially with the October dramatics you saw in 2007. That isn't normal for rookies. That said, Jed Lowrie and Brandon Moss are two position players who could make an impact in 2008.

Will Mike Timlin Be A Red Sox Again?

2007-11-27T23:32:00.000-05:00

The Red Sox have had some quiet dialogue with Timlin. He's been an instrumental part of their bullpen for the past five seasons. Despite his age, he continues to prove that he can get people out. I wouldn't be surprised at all to see Timlin come back to Boston for another year.

Are The Red Sox Still Interested in Miguel Cabrerra?

2007-11-27T23:28:00.000-05:00

The Red Sox have their entire starting nine back from a team that won the World Series, so I don't see them mortgaging top prospects to go out and get a big bat.

Will Coco Crisp Stay in Boston?

2007-11-27T23:25:00.000-05:00

Crisp trade talks will be a focal point of what the Red Sox try to accomplish at the Winter Meetings, which begin Dec. 3 in Nashville, Tenn. Crisp and Ellsbury are both starting center fielders, so it would probably make for an uncomfortable situation for both of them to come to Fort Myers, Fla., for the start of Spring Training. As for what the Red Sox can get in a deal for Crisp, bullpen depth, catching depth and power-hitting prospects are some areas the club is likely to explore as compensation.

Red Sox Tickets On Sale Before Christmas

2007-11-27T23:22:00.000-05:00

Coming off another World Series championship and boasting a roster stacked with accomplished veterans and exciting young players, the Red Sox will again be a very hot ticket in 2008.

As part of the fifth annual Christmas at Fenway event on Dec. 8, select fans will have a chance to purchase Sox Pax and single-game tickets to 18 selected April and May games.

Because of the construction of the Year VII improvements at Fenway, the Sox won't be able to accommodate a large number of fans at the Park. Therefore, the bulk of single-game tickets will be available online at www.redsox.com beginning at 10 a.m. ET on Dec. 8. Fans can also order tickets through the touch-tone ticketing service at (617) 482-4SOX. Fans can also purchase Sox Pax at redsox.com.

For those fans who wish to buy tickets at Fenway Park on Dec. 8, it will come down to the luck of the draw. Attendees will be selected from a pool of fans who register at redsox.com between noon on Wednesday and noon on Dec. 3. Fans selected to attend the event will be notified via e-mail. All those who accept the invitation will be able to purchase tickets.

Some spots at the Fenway event will be reserved for citizens of Red Sox Nation, who will have their own drawing on redsox.com at the same allotted time as the other drawing. In addition, there will be special opportunities for members of Red Sox Kid Nation, which is presented by Hood. Those members will be notified directly with an invitation.

The Christmas at Fenway event will have select Red Sox players and alumni on hand to interact with fans. There will be roundtable discussions with club officials.

As for Sox Pax, each of them includes a ticket to four pre-selected games. Included are some beauties, including the April 8 Home Opener against the Tigers, in which the Red Sox are likely to collect their World Series rings. There will also be some Yankees games in Sox Pax, as well as Interleague games against the Cardinals, Diamondbacks and Brewers.

This is the fifth straight year the Red Sox have made single-season tickets available for select April and May games in advance of the holidays. The games that will be available are as follows: April 9-10 vs. the Tigers; April 18-20 vs. the Rangers; April 22-23 against the Angels; April 29-May 1 against the Blue Jays; May 2-4 vs. the Rays; and May 19-22 against the Royals.

Fans will be able to purchase up to eight single-game tickets. At the Christmas at Fenway event, fans can purchase up to two Sox Pax at a maximum of four tickets per package.

The rest of the single-game tickets -- including Green Monster Seats and Right Field roof seats -- will be made available in late January and February.

Season tickets are still capped at 21,500 full-season equivalents with a waiting list of nearly 7,500. Fans who want to join the waiting list can call (877) RED-SOX9.