It’s saddening to see now former Red Sox center fielder Coco Crisp being traded to the Kansas City Royals. Come on, what starter will he flail his fists at in the AL Central? Boof Bonser?

In all seriousness, with Boston trading Crisp to the Royals for set-up man Ramon Ramirez, or “Ram Ram” as he can now be affectionately known by Red Sox Nation, both teams have improved their rosters for the 2009 season. Read more »

What a difference a year makes.

A year ago, MLB pundits and fans alike had the 2008 World Series locked before pitchers and catchers even reported to Spring Training. Most had the New York Mets and the Detroit Tigers in this year’s Fall Classic, with the Tigers winning it all after they made a big time splash by getting Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis from the Florida Marlins for six prospects. Read more »

“The sophomore slump”.

No one will ever actually admit to being a second-year player going through a mysterious curse that makes the best hitters and pitchers suffer tremendously following an impressive rookie year outing. Some say it’s just a lack of concentration, or raising the expectations too high for themselves, or just plain old nerves. Newsflash: Those three excuses are just better ways of saying, “I’m in the sophomore slump and I don’t think there’s any way out of it.” Read more »

Ninety years ago the greatest player in the history of Major League Baseball was traded. Crossing an arch rivalry, Babe Ruth cursed the Boston Red Sox for 86 years, before they were finally able to break it in 2004 and win the World Series. Now in 2008, perhaps another Boston great is trading his red socks for pinstripes.

Outfielder Manny Ramirez tops a free agent class filled with talented players like CC Sabathia, Mark Teixeira, Adam Dunn and A.J. Burnett. After an outstanding second half of the season and dominant postseason in a three-month stint with the Dodgers, Ramirez carries a big price tag.

“I want to see who is the highest bidder. Gas is up and so am I,” said Ramirez. Seeking a contract worth upwards of $25 million per year, Ramirez’s hefty salary will likely deter many teams from entering the bidding race.  Read more »

While the National League Champion Philadelphia Phillies have had their World Series rotation set for a few days now, Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon has still not set his rotation for the World Series. Game 1 is just a day away.

There are many reasons for why Phillies manager Charlie Manuel already has his rotation set. Begin with the fact that the Phillies eliminated the Los Angeles Dodgers almost a week ago and the time off has allowed for all of his starting pitchers to get some extra rest. You might even be able to reason that the Phillies starters have a bit of a psychological edge, knowing exactly when they will be handed the ball. Read more »

Joe Maddon’s veteran relievers were shaken. Most of them were already used as Maddon tried to work through an adventurous eighth inning. The two arms left were Grant Balfour’s right one, which gave up the first three runs in a seven-run comeback in Game 5, and rookie David Price’s left one, which had just 15 innings of Major League experience. Though uconventional, calling on the young lefty was the perfect move for Maddon.

Buster Olney points out that Price was an unknown for the Red Sox, the Rays’ only pitcher left who the Red Sox hadn’t seen and ultimately conquered. But, he was also an unknown for the Rays, who could have never known for sure that he would deliver a dominant, four-out appearance and propel his team into the World Series. Read more »

In 2004, the Boston Red Sox became the first team Major League history to come back from a three-game deficit and win the ALCS. Last season, they completed a similar task by overcoming a three games to one deficit to defeat the Cleveland Indians. Can the formerly cursed club do it again en route to another World Series Championship?

The Red Sox enter a Game 6 on Saturday versus the Tampa Bay Rays. Coming off an improbable seven-run rally to defeat the Rays in Game 5, anything seems possible. Read more »

The Tampa Bay Rays need some help.

They return to Tropicana Field with a 3-2 advantage in their best-of-seven American League Championship Series with Boston, but it sure doesn’t feel that way. After Boston frantically overcame a 7-0, seventh-inning deficit on Thursday night, the relaxed, confident Rays have reason to be rattled.

But, what’s done is done for them. They went out in Game 5, controlled the game for seven innings, and saw their reliable bullpen suddenly cough up a lead in grand fashion. Read more »

The most important thing baseball fans probably had on their minds last night, as the Tampa Bay Rays cruised to a 7-0 lead in Game 5 of the ALCS, was who would start Game 1 of the World Series for the AL Champions.

But the Red Sox rallied from seven runs down to win Game 5 and send the series back to Tampa Bay with the Rays now holding a slim 3-2 advantage.

Most fans probably can’t help but wonder now who’s going to start Game 7 for the Boston Red Sox in the ALCS. Would it be Daisuke Matsuzaka, last night’s starter, going on three days rest for the Red Sox if the series makes it to Sunday? You can’t count out future Red Sox ace Jon Lester, who, although he gave up four earned runs and took the loss in Game 4, is a big game pitcher no matter how you look at it. The man defeated cancer and essentially death. So, pitching in a Game 7, on the road in a hostile environment, is probably not a big deal to him. Read more »

Have you been watching this year’s ALCS and wondering who the heck that is wearing number 11 and playing first base for the Boston Red Sox? Why, that’s none other than former Atlanta Braves and San Diego Padres outfielder Mark Kotsay. Kotsay was one of those late-August waiver trades that contending teams make and others don’t realize it until that same guy smashes a bomb into the seats in right field in the middle of October; *see Stairs, Matt.

Okay, so you’re probably wondering, “If Kotsay’s on first, then who’s on third?” The Greek God of Walks, Kevin Youkilis, is proving that he can play both corners of the infield more than adequately with his play at third this postseason. Youkilis, the number 20 you might have seen at third base, has proven repeatedly that he can stick over at the hot corner. Read more »