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Should Justin Masterson start?

By Evan | December 4, 2008 | Fire Brand of the American League

Justin Masterson - Evan Brunell

The possibility certainly exists that the plan all along is to have Masterson as the No. 5 starter. Given Masterson's impressive debut and his propensity for ground balls, the Sox should look to him as a starter.

Did the Red Sox make those moves to market him as a starter in the trade market? His value would undoubtedly be higher as a starter and this may be a posturing move on behalf of the Red Sox to drive his price up.

Read more | 3 Comments | Tags: Boston Red Sox, MLB

Top Prospect Profile: Lars Anderson

By Evan | December 4, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Lars Anderson - Red Sox first baseman Age: 21Height: 6'4"Weight: 210Bats: LeftPosition: First BaseRelevant Statistics: Anderson, the Red Sox's best positional prospect, was promoted to Double-A Portland midway through the year and amassed 133 at-bats. He hit .316/.436/.526 with 5 home runs and many scouts feel he could play in the majors immediately. Scouting Report: Anderson possesses the classic power hitter's frame and has unlimited power potential. Some scouts have said that he will be a perennial 40-homer guy. He has an excellent eye at the plate but whiffs a bit too frequently, although he has made slight improvements in that area. There is no true drawback to his game. He runs as well as can be expected and holds his own in the field. Resume: Anderson was picked out of high school and bonus demands allowed the Sox to scoop him up in the 18th round of 2006. At...

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Pedroia Press Conference Recap via Boston.com Video

By Tim Daloisio | December 3, 2008 | Fire Brand of the American League

Here's a recap of Dustin Pedroia's press conference announcing his new 6 year contract extension with the Sox (video after the jump).

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Dustin Pedroia and the Red Sox agree to extension

By Tim Daloisio | December 3, 2008 | Fire Brand of the American League

Dustin Pedroia - flickr (Boston Wolverine)

There's been a common trend throughout Major League Baseball for teams to lock up their young talent early giving them more front loaded money in longer term deals, while effectively buying potential free agent years at a discount. This strategy allows a team to lock in young talent at reasonable annual dollar amounts over the long term. In Boston, you might say "they just "Nomar-ed" him into a long term deal".

While most teams have taken this strategy against players they have a "high degree of confidence" will be above average players over the life of the deal (i.e. Evan Longoria or Troy Tulowitzki), the Red Sox have the luxury of extending such an offer to the reigning American League MVP, Dustin Pedroia.

Thanks to a six year, $40.5 million dollar contract extension that will be formally announced at a 3 pm press conference today, Dustin Pedroia will be manning second base at Fenway Park for the foreseeable future. The contract, which has been in negotiation since mid-August, includes both a $1.5 million dollar signing bonus and a club option for the seventh year at $11 million dollars ($500,000 team buyout).

Read more | 13 Comments | Tags: Boston Red Sox, Dustin Pedroia, MLB

Lars Anderson can play left

By Evan | December 3, 2008 | Fire Brand of the American League

In my interview with Peter Gammons, he mentioned the possibility of Lars Anderson playing the outfield should the Sox sign Mark Teixeira. But did Lars have outfield experience? I asked him. He says: "I played left for two years in high school but they haven't mentioned it...I haven't really concerned myself with much of that talk this offseason."

Read more | 9 Comments | Tags: Boston Red Sox, MLB

Should Sox sign Teixeira?

By Evan | December 3, 2008 | Fire Brand of the American League

My article on why the Red Sox should not sign Mark Teixeira certainly got a bit of debate going. Paul over at Yanks Fan Sox Fan wrote a nice article rebutting my claims. Check it out.

Read more | 3 Comments | Tags: Boston Red Sox, MLB

World Famous StatSpeak Roundtable: December 3

By Pizza Cutter | December 3, 2008 | Statistically Speaking

How did it get to be December and no one told me? I need to get Mrs. Cutter a present. Anyway, the roundtable is still alive and well, although the gears broke down with our guest this week. (We were hoping to have Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, but some wires got crossed and he's not here... it's probably my fault) So, this week, enjoy the Four Stooges talking about Carlos Gonzalez, Jason Varitek, arbitration abnormailities, and whether we've become part of the establishment. Question #1: There has been a shocking number of teams declining arbitration on Type A free agents, and not the ones that are an embarrassment to the ranking system, either. Adam Dunn? Kerry Wood? Braden Looper? Is this a one-year fluke, or a portent of things to come? Brian Cartwright: Maybe things to come, at least for the short term. The upside is the...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Boston Red Sox, Carlos Gonzalez, Colorado Rockies, Jason Varitek

Tek, Byrd offered arbitration

By Evan | December 1, 2008 | Fire Brand of the American League

Jason Varitek and Paul Byrd were offered arbitration in advance of the midnight deadline. Varitek, a Type A free agent, will fetch two draft picks (first round and supplementary first round, unless the first rounder is in the top 15; then it will be the second round pick of the signing team) if he signs elsewhere. Peter Gammons believes there is a chance Varitek accepts.

Byrd is a Type B, which will be a supplemental round pick. There's no harm in Byrd accepting as it would put Masterson in the bullpen, give us a deep bullpen and depth in the rotation. It won't preclude any team from signing him as there are no draft picks for them to lose.

Read more | 14 Comments | Tags: Boston Red Sox, MLB

Top Prospect Profile: Lars Anderson

By Evan | December 4, 2008 | MVN Outsider

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Boom, Outta Here (Episode 2): KG's flop garners suspension; Obama hates on BCS; Lions excited about losing

By Staff Report | November 20, 2008 | MVN Outsider

MVN's first original sports talk television show "Boom, Outta Here" unleashes its second episode with criticism of the NBA's discipline for Kevin Garnett after an errant slap to Andrew Bogut's face. Discussion moves to President-elect Barack Obama's campaign for a college football playoff system and an important question: Is it more likely the Detroit Lions go winless or the Tennessee Titans run the table? Hosts Pat McSweeney and Brandon Rosage also give props to American League MVP Dustin Pedroia and lobby for his Red Sox to offer a deal before his head blows up, and finish with pessimism about Mark Cuban's future as a sports owner....Read more

Read more | 8 Comments | Tags: Boston Celtics, Boston Red Sox, Detroit Lions, Kevin Garnett, Mark Cuban, MLB, NBA, NFL, Tennessee Titans, video

Where could Mark Teixeira land?

By Evan | November 20, 2008 | MVN Outsider

ccho

As Thanksgiving approaches with the winter meetings not too far behind, Mark Teixeira is getting closer and closer to figuring out what ballpark he will call home next year.There has not been a ton of chatter surrounding Teixeira, but everyone knows the two big players for 'Tex' are the Los Angeles Angels and New York Yankees. There are, however, a couple other teams in the mix. Here's a ranking of who is most likely to get Teixeira...1. New York YankeesThe New York Yankees are going all out this winter, economy be damned. With the Yankees set to move into a new stadium that will send their revenue through the roof, they will continue to lead the field for a very, very long time in dollars spent.The acquisition of Nick Swisher seems to have tempered most people's expectations that the Yankees will chase Tex, but I don't believe it for a...Read more

Read more | 4 Comments | Tags: Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Angels, MLB, New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, Washington Nationals

MVN Awards: AL MVP - Dustin Pedroia

By Ryan Armbrust | November 14, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Boston's Dustin Pedroia, MVN's selection as the 2008 AL MVP. / photo by eürodäna (flickr)

As late as September 1st, the MVP race in the American League was a muddled mess. Josh Hamilton, Joe Mauer, Milton Bradley, Carlos Quentin and Grady Sizemore were all viable candidates. Then Quentin, the presumed leader, broke his hand on a bat.Within a few days, an overlooked candidate would emerge. Dustin Pedroia of the Red Sox.Pedroia was the glue that held Boston together, according to the fans and players. The short second-baseman never took a play off, and hustled his way to a few extra bases and runs. His defense was superb. His bat was formidable. His weaknesses weren't apparent. Pedroia didn't do any one thing historically well, he just did many things very well.Pedroia finished the season with sneaky good numbers:His .326 batting average was second in the AL, two points behind leader Mauer. He tied Ichiro for the most hits with 213. He scored the most runs in the league. He...Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Awards, Boston Red Sox, Carlos Quentin, Dustin Pedroia, Grady Sizemore, Joe Mauer, Milton Bradley, MLB, MVP

MVN Awards: Best Bench Players - Mike Fontenot, Sean Casey

By Ryan Armbrust | November 12, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Boston's Sean Casey, pictured on the far left, was the best bench player in the American League this season, as voted on my MVN's staff writers. / Photo by SoxyLady (flickr).

A baseball team is often referred to as "the home nine," referring, of course, to the nine starters on the field. Those nine players account for a large part of the success of the team, but a manager can't field a winner without some depth and quality on his bench. Baseball is a game of inches, and having a quality player ready to pick up the slack from an injury or take an important pinch-hit at bat is often the difference between making the playoffs and watching them from home.Both of the players that we at MVN have tabbed as the best bench player in each league come from teams that got to the postseason. Neither player had even 300 plate appearances. Both hit over .300. Each was invaluable to his club.--- -- --- -- ---In the National League, the Chicago Cubs' Mike Fontenot started the year slowly, hitting just .237...Read more

Read more | 1 Comment | Tags: Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Mike Fontenot, MLB, Sean Casey

Being the GM: 2009 Boston Red Sox

By Evan | November 9, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Jarrod Saltalamacchia - phillenium1979

What will the Red Sox do to get back to the top of the hill in 2009? On the docket is finding a catcher to replace Jason Varitek, getting Julio Lugo out of town and bringing in another Japanese pitcher...Read more

Read more | 6 Comments | Tags: Boston Red Sox, MLB

Friday's Hot Stove Dishes - November 7, 2008

By Brian Joseph | November 7, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Check MVN Outsider ever Friday for the ten hottest rumors during the Hot Stove League and a recap of all of the latest moves in Major League Baseball: Peavy's days numbered in San Diego. Chicago Cubs and Atlanta Braves highlight possible destinations. As San Diego Padres GM has stated, the Jake Peavy "train has kind of left the station." Since the Peavy rumors started, he has informed the Padres that he will lift his no-trade clause for seven teams -- the Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs, Houston Astros, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees. Of that group, the Braves and Cubs have emerged as the front-runners. The Braves seem to be dangling Yunel Escobar and young pitching but not prospect Tommy Hanson who the Padres have been rumored to be interested in. Also, the talk of Escobar being part of the deal has Peavy concerned about Atlanta's...Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Andy Sonnanstine, Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Coco Crisp, Colorado Rockies, Edwin Jackson, Hot Stove, Jake Peavy, Jason Varitek, Junichi Tazawa, Matt Holliday, MLB, New York Mets, Tampa Bay Rays, Texas Rangers

Who Will Win Tonight?

By EJ Fagan | October 19, 2008 | MVN Outsider

As a baseball fan, there is nothing better than a Game 7. Baseball is a game that naturally created drama - the anticipation of a pitch, the slow lead up to a rally, the time for a broadcaster to build suspense. All of this drama is magnified during a Game 7. The Tampa Bay Rays have their backs against a wall, and every single pitch is going to feel like its the 9th inning of a close game tonight.The Red Sox have two games worth of drama and momentum to go on, but momentum in baseball is only as good as your next day's starting pitcher. The Sox send their best pitcher, Jon Lester, to the mound. The Rays send their young star Matt Garza. Who is favored?Matt Garza is the rare blue chip pitching prospect who became effective at the MLB level without even a hiccup. He pitched 184...Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Boston Red Sox, Jon Lester, Matt Garza, MLB, Playoff Baseball, Tampa Bay Rays, veteraniness

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