Red Sox Bench Unbeatable? Hard to Argue

It's hard to argue otherwise that the Red Sox have the best bench in the major leagues heading into the 2010 season. With Jason Varitek, Mike Lowell, and new acquistions Jeremy Hermida (right) and Bill Hall to upgrade. The Red Sox have other options as well, especially in the outfield, but this looks best. If Mike Lowell is traded in Spring Training (which appears likely) then I'm going to guess that Jed Lowrie will take over that role. In the outfield they have Hermida, Josh Reddick, and possibly Bill Hall but he is more of a utility man than an outfielder. Jason Varitek is declining rapidly so if he is doing really badly, despite his leadership, expect Dusty Brown, Mark Wagner, or Luis Exposito to take over the backup catcher role. Go Sox, all the way!!!!!

The Club is Back Together!!!

Yesterday the Red Sox had their first entire squad workout in the morning. Position players started reporting Monday but this was the first actual workout. I went to the Red Sox website and the first sight that greeted me was Adrian Beltre (right) and Mike Cameron in their respective Red Sox jerseys. J.D. Drew, who had been bothered by shoulder issues last year despite having his best season with the Sox (.279/24/68)is now apparently fully healthy which will be nice to see as he has been pretty injury prone since his arrival with the Red Sox. What really makes me excited though, is that it's only 7 1/2 days until the Red Sox play Boston College in their first Spring Training game. Go Sox, all the way!!!!!!!

Should we Expect Beckett's Best Red Sox Season?

2010 could be Josh Beckett's last season in a Red Sox uniform, I hope it's not, but it might be. In 2009, Beckett had his 2nd best season in a Red Sox uniform, going 17-6 with a 3.86 ERA along with 199 strikeouts in 32 starts coming off a disappointing 2008. Since this is Beckett's first free agency, he may try extra hard to be on the market and MLB.com has given him a pretty darn good prediction with a line of 19-6/3.49/192 which I would be very happy with, although unfortuantely, the Evil Empire would probably be pretty impressed as well and they have money, money, money, and- did I mention money? Beckett says that he and the Red Sox will probably work something out but his mind is on winning rather than negotiations. The whole team has its first workout on Wednesday! Go Sox, all the way!!!!!

Pitchers and Catchers- Nice to See You

Today, pitchers and catchers reported to Spring Training and guess what? Two weeks until Spring Training Game #1, as now pitchers and catchers are in Ft. Myers. The center of attention today was major free agent signing, John Lackey, whom the Red Sox signed to a 5 year, $82.5 million contract in December. Also coming were the many other Red Sox pitchers who they had signed such as: Joe Nelson, Brian Shouse, Jorge Sosa, and Fabio Castro. Also reporting were the Red Sox catchers including big name Victor Martinez who has had much news about him especially recently about his willingness to contribute in any way to win a World Series, along with Jason Varitek who will backup and their minor league catchers including Luis Exposito. I'm very excited about pitchers and catchers in camp and look forward to the ever nearer season!! Go Sox, all the way!!!!!!!!

More Problems For Dice-K?

Oh boy, not more of these, Dice-K has gotten himself injured again. Daisuke Matsuzaka had a spectacular 2008 season, when he went 18-3 with a 2.90 ERA in 29 starts. Since then, he has been nothing but trouble, in '09 he went 4-6 with a 5.76 ERA in 12 starts. This year (2010) he has been predicted by mlb.com to go 12-8 with a 3.79 which I would overall be happy with. Unfortunately, he has gotten himself injured and will miss throwing in the beginning of Spring Training, we think that he will be up and throwing to start the season, however as he is recovering from a sore upper back. The Red Sox have remarked on what good shape Daisuke is in, which is good, I hope he can go back to '08 form, but 12-8 with a 3.79 ERA would be pretty good too. By the way, tomorrow pitchers and catchers report!!!!!! Go Sox, all the way!!!!!

Will Daniel Bard be a Set-up Man?

After Daniel Bard appeared to have saved the game, but Papelbon failed to do so in the long run in Game 3 of the ALDS, it may have appeared that Daniel Bard is as good or better than Papelbon in clutch situations, this is not true. However, Bard is a very promising young relief pitcher and since the Red Sox lost Billy Wagner and Takashi Saito to free agency, he and Hideki Okajima will probably share the role of a set-up man. Papelbon has signed to a $9.35 million 1 year deal meaning he will be the closer in 2010, however, Bard will soon be good enough to surpass him. Bard's 2-2/3.65/63 line does not seem nearly as good as Papelbon's 1-1/1.85/76 line but you have to remember that Bard was brought up midseason. The question remains for me- how long before Bard is a closer.

Departure From Fenway

Yesterday the Red Sox departed with their equipment-from Fenway Park to lovely Ft. Myers (where they train for Spring Training). In the picture on the left, the Red Sox staff, along with their mascot Wally (the Green Monster) waving as the Sox' equipment leaves for Florida. Yesterday was when this truck started its' 1,741 mile drive down to Ft. Myers. This truck is the closest we've been to the end of this 4-month stretch of no baseball, it has been an exciting offseason (what with John Lackey, Marco Scutaro, Mike Cameron, and Adrian Beltre) but I think everybody will join me in longing for the season to start. Now, we have the Red Sox baseballs, equipment, and belongings heading south, and Yeah Baby! I'm excited!!!!! Go Sox, all the way!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Red Sox Making Final Touches on Roster

Yesterday the Red Sox switched out two minor league pitchers on their roster. They designated Robert Manuel (whom they had signed Nov. 20) for assigment and picked up minor leaguer Gaby Hernandez. He is only 23 years old, and will turn 24 in May. Last year, with Seattle's AAA team, the Tacoma Raiders, Hernandez went 10-9 with a 5.23 ERA in 26 starts, however, he did win his last five starts to earn him a pitcher of the week award from August 31- September 8. I think that this was a good pickup for a the Red Sox because I think he has a lot of potential and can intimidate hitters with a his size, 6'3" and 225 lb. He has not yet made an appearance in the majors, but that's Ok. Go Sox, all the way!!!!!!

Red Sox Feeling Anxious

Pitchers and Catchers report to Spring Training in approximately a week. Some players, however, have come early to work out in sunny Florida. These players are Kevin Youkilis (who came early last year as well), Jonathan Papelbon, and Jon Lester (right). The reason why I pictured Lester is that he is probably coming early because he has his sights set on being the ace of the Red Sox staff, which he probably will be judging on his '09 line of 15-8/3.41/225 rather than Beckett's 17-6/3.86/199 line last year. Lester is one of those pitchers who you can never count out, he's good enough to win a Cy Young, with a little luck, in fact, he had good stats last year despite having remarkably bad luck. Go Sox, all the way!!!!!!

Red Sox Offer to Japanese Reliever

The Red Sox are one of four teams that has offered a minor league contract to Japanese southpaw, Hisanori Takahashi. He is 35 years old and is known for his devastating screwball, as his fastball only reaches from 85-90 mph. The Red Sox would use Takahashi as a swingman (somebody who can both relieve and start) if they could sign him as he posted a 10-6 record, along with a 2.94 ERA last year in 144 innings pitched for the Yomiuri Giants in Japan. He has especially shown interest in working with former teammates: Hideki Matsui (Angels) and Hideki Okajima (Red Sox) which gives us an advantage over the other suitors (as the Angels do not appear to be involved). It is likely that he will choose one of these teams (that seem to be interested) soon: Mets, Dodgers, Red Sox, Giants, Pirates, or Padres. Go Sox, all the way!!!!!

Red Sox Announce Non-Roster Invitees

Theo Epstein has just announced the 20 non-roster invitees who will attend Spring Training with the Red Sox, this could affect how soon they get to the major leagues. One of these 20 is top prospect and their first draft pick in 2008, right handed starter, Casey Kelly (right). They invited 9 other pitchers including: Randor Bierd, Fernando Cabrera, Adam Mills, Edwin Moreno, Joe Nelson, Jorge Sosa, Ryan Weiland, Kris Johnson, and Brian Shouse. Also heading to camp will be catchers: Luis Exposito and Gustavo Molina, infielders: Lars Anderson, Yamaico Navarro, Angel Sanchez, and Gil Velazquez, and outfielders: Zach Daeges, Ryan Kalish, Che-Hsuan Lin, and Darnell McDonald. This will be fun to watch these games, I got tickets to an April 3 Spring Training game up in Washington. Go Sox, all the way!!!!!

1st Birthday!

From one February 3rd to another, this blog has been so fun for me to write! I've really enjoyed having commentary on the Sox and reporting things to my loyal Sox.Roxians. I hope you've had as much fun as me in the one year journey that this has been, from a guy who just wanted to start a blog and pay attention to the Red Sox to (probably) the biggest Red Sox fan in Gloucester, VA. If you remember the first sentence of this blog, way back in February, 2009, here it is: "Welcome to Sox.Rox!!! This is my

first post, and the birthday is February 3rd." This has been a wild ride in baseball, reporting the best: John Lackey and Victor Martinez coming to Boston, and the worst: The Yankees winning the World Series, and losing Jason Bay. I have on ething to say for everybody, and I mean it: Go Sox, all the way!!!!!!!!

Red Sox Agree to Deal with Joe Nelson

A few days ago, the Red Sox visited bullpen sessions for relieving free agents, Joe Nelson and Oscar Villarreal. Recently, they signed right handed reliever, Joe Nelson to a minor league contract with an invite to spring training. Last year, in 42 games for the Tampa Bay Rays, Nelson went 3-0 with a 4.02 ERA, overall, very respectable numbers for a 34 year old. His 2008 was even better than that, however, as he rebounded from a tough career by going 3-1 with a 2.00 ERA, very remarkable. Nelson, however is 35 years old and definitely declining in terms of skills. The Red Sox may have partially signed him because they have experience with him, he was in their organization from 2002-2004, including breaking into the majors in '04, going 0-0 with a 16.87 ERA in 3 games. Go Sox, all the way!!!!!!!