Link 3-24-2011: BA’s ranking of farm systems

Baseball America lists the Red Sox system at 17th, even after the loss of Casey Kelly and Anthony Rizzo this offseason, plus the uncertain situation of Ryan Westmoreland (that’s not too bad, considering). The Padres are notably 8th on the list.

One slightly worrying thing: three of the the top 5 farm systems are in the AL East, and Tampa Bay has stockpiled draft picks like no one else. I expect them to be back in force in a few years. The one that’s missing? Baltimore at number 22.

Links 12-14-2010: More about Crawford, Lee signs with the Phillies, Blanton?, Rule 5

The Red Sox signing of Carl Crawford was a pleasant surprise for the Nation. After telling reporters that he was done with his major acquisitions, Theo Epstein went and snatched Crawford, who was all but ready to sign with the Angels. Hard to remember that just a week ago, we were trying to decide between Josh Willingham and Magglio Ordonez. Here are his contract details. Maybe the happiest Red Sox is Jason Varitek, who doesn’t have to pretend to try to throw him out on the bases anymore. The Sox could do this deal because of all the money coming off of the books, and because they have the young talent and draft picks to remain sustainable for the years to come.

Red Sox Beacon thinks that the infield grass at Fenway will hurt Crawford’s ability to get infield hits. I think it will lessen the number of grounders that make it through, but I think it might actually help him on balls that roll dead in no man’s land.

Where will Crawford hit? He doesn’t really like to lead off, but he’s willing. If Jacoby Ellsbury can return to form, my guess is he’ll hit either third or fifth, since Dustin Pedroia is locked into the two hole (and Terry Francona likes going lefty-righty at the top).

I’m actually excited about Crawford playing next to Ellsbury in the outfield. That’s the fastest outfield in baseball. While people say that playing him in front of the Green Monster is a waste, it allows Jacoby to shift over towards right-center. It makes everyone better out there; not too many balls will fall in either alley as a result.

And then seemingly out of nowhere, the Philadelphia Phillies came in and swooped up one Cliff Lee yesterday, leaving the New York Yankees and Texas Rangers open-mouthed and empty-handed. Lee signed for less guaranteed money then either the Yankees or Rangers were offering, so perhaps he wasn’t psyched about playing in either place (count the option, and it’s actually better). And this is yet another piece of good news for the Red Sox. For a team that is loading up on left-handed hitting, it’s a godsend that Lee, one of the top lefties in baseball, will not be playing in our division or even our league. The Rays lost Crawford to us (plus half their bullpen), and the Yankees have few options with which to boost their rotation. This is a huge shift in the balance of power in the AL East.

11-19-2010: Crazy offseason scenario number 1

All of this Justin Upton talk has me thinking. The Red Sox need two bats to replace Adrian Beltre and Victor Martinez, and it’s generally thought that we will likely sign a free agent corner outfielder (Jayson Werth or Carl Crawford) and a corner infielder. What if, instead of blowing $100M on two good but aging players, we fill those spots via trade for good young players, utilizing our top prospects? Stay with me here.

Step 1. Send Clay Buchholz, Daniel Bard and Josh Reddick to Arizona for Justin Upton

I know, you’re saying WHAT? But hear me out.

Links 8-26-2010: Consensus building, Damon, Lackey and lefties, Reddick back

I’ve been saying it since Dustin Pedroia went back on the DL, but it appears that more and more people are priming their forks to stick into the 2010 Boston Red Sox. The playoffs are a tough sell at this point, but hey, anything can happen in baseball.

For every good thing that happens to the Sox, it seems that there is a black lining to it. Jon Lester was cruising along, but then he gets blown up in his last start. Josh Beckett is back, supposedly healthy, but he still looks shaky. Clay Buchholz has been dominating, but Patrick Sullivan reminds us that his numbers rest on a lot of “luck”. Hideki Okajima is being held at Pawtucket because of his last poor outing. They don’t want him to come to the Majors on a bad note.

There are some interesting names on the waiver wire, though I don’t expect the Red Sox to be able to land any of them. Scott Downs and Manny Ramirez are both out there. I’d like to add Downs, but no way would I claim Manny. The White Sox are reportedly interested in getting him, though. And guess what else? Man-Ram wants another contract extension. Surprise, surprise.

Unlike some, I was not at all surprised at Johnny Damon’s decision not to return to Boston. With the Sox on the very fringe of contending, what reason does he have to come here? The management refused to pay him what he thought he was worth, the fans have given him an icy reception several times, most of his “idiot” friends have moved on, and most of all he knows how this club works. If he came here, he’d be a part-time guy who would only play against righties. I don’t blame him in the least, though I think he could definitely help this team right now.

It appears that more than one observer has commented on John Lackey’s inability to put away left-handed hitters this season. Southpaws have hit .308/.381/.435 off of him this year, but righties hit him to the tune of .301/.353/.493 back in 2008. Splits can be tricky, because of sample size. We don’t know if this is a real problem or just a blip due to a bad year, and we won’t know until at least next year.

Links 4-27-2010: Dice-K Saturday, Lowell cleanup, Atchison demoted, Westmoreland out of the hospital

Daisuke Matsuzaka threw 69 pitches in a simulated game yesterday, and made a good impression on both Terry Francona and pitching coach John Farrell. Matsuzaka is expected to take the ball Saturday in Baltimore. He seems motivated to pitch well again, and that can only be a good thing.

David Ortiz sat again last night with lefty Dana Eveland on the mound, and Mike Lowell was inserted as the DH, batting cleanup in yesterday’s lineup. It’s becoming a very good thing that he wasn’t traded this offseason – it’s hard to argue with the production we’ve been getting out of him as a part-time player, and his numbers are simply increasing his trade value.

Scott Atchison knew that it was coming, but it happened a little sooner than we anticipated. After blowing through the bullpen in yesterday’s slugfest, the Sox sent him down and recalled LHP Fabio Castro. We’d expect Castro to be returned to Pawtucket once Matsuzaka is added to the active roster.

Links 4-12-2010: Ellsbury ok, Dice-K rolls, Lowell to retire?

After a pretty hard collision with big Adrian Beltre, Jacoby Ellsbury’s ribs are merely bruised and not broken, and he seems to be doing ok. One of the results of this is that we might see more Jeremy Hermida this series against Minnesota. And if J.D. Drew’s neck doesn’t get better, we may even see Bill Hall in an outfield corner as well. Nice to have these kind of options at times like this.

Daisuke Matsuzaka threw 5 scoreless in his start for Pawtucket on Saturday. It’s been a long time since I’ve written those words. He’s said that he still has some things to work on, so I’m glad he’s not satisfied with holding minor league hitters scoreless. If he can come back by early May, the Red Sox should be in very good shape rotation-wise.

4-4-2010: Opening Day, Sox down Yankees 9-7

Opening Day on Easter Sunday was quite the spectacle. I’m glad they brought in Pedro Martinez to throw the first pitch, and it was entertaining to have Steve Tyler and Neil Diamond sing (even if they weren’t so good). 5-year old Joshua Sacco’s reciting the speech from “Miracle” was entertaining, though I wouldn’t want my own 5-year old boy saying, “Screw ‘em!”.

Some notes from game 1 yesterday:

Links 03-23-2010: Mauer, Crawford, Westmoreland, roster shuffling

In case you’ve been living in a cave the past few days, Joe Mauer signed a prodigious 8-year extension with the Twins. That means Victor Martinez becomes the top free agent catcher after this year. To his credit, he says that the deal doesn’t change anything for him and that the ball in is in the Red Sox’ court.

While we’re on the topic of next offseason, it looks like if we want Carl Crawford, we’re going to have to outbid New York for him after 2010.

Ryan Westmoreland was able to leave the ICU last week after his brain surgery, and the prognosis looks good going forward.

Links 3-17-2010: Marlins fishing for Lowell?, Westmoreland update

According to this Miami Herald blog post, the Marlins may have interest in 1B/3B Mike Lowell. Their current depth starters at the corners include Jorge Cantu, who is a decent hitter but not much of a third baseman, and unproven first basemen Gaby Sanchez and Logan Morrison. The Sox have done business with the budget-conscious Marlins in the past, so a deal could conceivably be struck if the Sox eat $9M of Lowell’s salary or more. I wouldn’t get too excited yet, but they are a team in need of a corner infielder.

OF prospect Ryan Westmoreland had successful brain surgery yesterday, and is recovering at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Arizona. His friend and fellow Sox prospect Anthony Rizzo had some comments on the situation.

Links 3-16-2010: Westmoreland, Lowrie, more ST notes, Nomar, our offense, the farm system

Bad news this week: OF prospect Ryan Westmoreland has been discovered to have a brain malformation, and he has been placed on medical leave. He’s due to have surgery today in Arizona, so let’s all remember him and his family. SS Jed Lowrie is also undergoing tests after feeling weak and experiencing an accelerated heartbeat this week. What is going on with all these repeat injury guys?

Despite earlier claims that he’s better, Daisuke Matsuzaka continues to disappoint Red Sox Nation, as he was scratched from throwing BP today. He threw a 19 pitch bullpen instead. First it was the back, then the neck.. He has been rescheduled for Wednesday, and there is speculation that he will start the year on the DL. David Ortiz, meanwhile, dismissed questions about his Spring hitting and then proceeded to blast a home run against the Orioles today. Nice work, Papi.