SoxSpace News

This Is His Team by Jared Carrabis
Sox, Varitek agree to one-year deal with an option for 2010

This is his team.

Since Jason Varitek first arrived in Boston in July of 1997, he made it his responsibility to help pave the path to a winning tradition. Since first entering the baseball spotlight in 1984 as a part of the Altamonte Springs, Florida Little League Baseball squad that made it all the way to the world championship game, Varitek must have felt as if this would be the pinnacle of his baseball career. What could top being in the Little League World Series in the mind of a 12-year-old?

Little did Varitek know that he had a whole lifetime worth of memorable baseball moments to come.

Being the brains behind a Major League record four no-hitters and two World Series titles later, Varitek has already stamped his place among the legends in Boston sports history. The captain (2005-present) of the Boston Red Sox has officially agreed to a one-year deal to return to ...READ MORE!

Published on January 30, 2009 See Comment(s)

Tek Tock by Jared Carrabis
The clock is ticking on the captain

Red Sox Nation looks on as Varitek's deadline looms.

This past week we have seen the most movement in the Varitek situation since he declined arbitration earlier in the offseason. WEEI.com first broke the story that the Red Sox had offered Varitek a two-year deal. The contract included $5 million for the 2009 season. In 2010, the contract was equipped with a $5 million team option and a $3 million player option. If you read in between the lines, this boils down to a two-year, $8 million offer to Varitek likely with incentives that could boost his pay a little higher. Had Varitek accepted arbitration, he would have made more money in 2009 than the total sum of money he would earn by accepting this two-year deal.

Since this news broke earlier this week, there have been many follow up stories to try and piece together the details. READ MORE!

Published on January 28, 2009 See Comment(s)

Sox Make An Offer To Tek by Jared Carrabis
Second year could be the X-factor in the captain's return

“It's not every day you're lucky enough to sign a player who embodies everything you want your franchise to be. When you have that player, you don't let him get away” were the words that came out of Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein’s mouth upon re-signing Jason Varitek on Christmas Day, 2004.

Here we are four years later and after Varitek’s four-year contract with Boston has officially expired, the captain is still without a home for the 2009 season. After foolishly declining arbitration from the Red Sox, Varitek must have been under the impression that there would be an offer coming his way that could have exceeded the $10 million or so that he would have been guaranteed had he accepted. However, under the guidance of his agent, Scott Boras, Varitek declined salary arbitration and in the process he would forgo a guaranteed contract with the Boston Red Sox along with a salary in the $10-10.5 million range.

After his declining of arbitration, the Red Sox no longer had any at...READ MORE!

Published on January 25, 2009 See Comment(s)

One Fan's Story: If This Hat Could Talk by Jared Carrabis
Carrabis' first book set to hit stores in April!

For those that are interested, the book that I have been working on for the past year and some change is done. I started the book back in December '07 and as of last night, I'm 100% done.

My goal is to release "One Fan's Story: If This Hat Could Talk" in April 2009. Being the motivated individual that I am, I don't see how this goal isn't within reach. Writing a book was definitely an experience that I underestimated. It takes a lot of time, patience, research, energy and lack of sleep. However, now that I am on the verge of putting the finishing touches on something I've worked so hard on, I can just tell it's going to be a very relieving feeling once it's complete.

The cover was done by the incredibly talented Chris Speakman of SportsPropaganda. com.
Basically the book is about my entire life experience as a Red Sox fan. I try to stress in the beginning of the book that literally every Red Sox fan has their story. Thanks to the greatest fans in all of sports, m...READ MORE!

Published on January 21, 2009 See Comment(s)

Paps Cashes In by Jared Carrabis
Papelbon receives record deal, Lopez gets raise

According to Boston.com’s Extra Bases, Jonathan Papelbon has agreed to a one-year extension to avoid an arbitration hearing.

In doing so, the Boston closer will be rewarded with the highest salary to any relief pitcher in their first year of arbitration eligibility. The three-time All Star closer will be paid $6.25 million in 2009, a $5.5 million raise from 2008. Last October, Papelbon set the Major League record for most scoreless postseason innings to begin a career when he racked up his 25th consecutive goose egg in the month of October.

Coming up to the Major League level on July 31, 2005 as a starter, Papelbon has since compiled 113 saves with a remarkable 1.84 ERA. If it weren’t for such a complete team effort en route to Boston’s second World Series title in four years, then Papelbon likely would have been a runaway for World Series MVP when the Sox claimed victory i...READ MORE!

Published on January 20, 2009 See Comment(s)

Sizing up the Sox after limited spending spree by Mike Ghika
Some odds and ends from recent one-year signings

Following the three headed monster the New York Yankees created in signing CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett, and Mark Teixeira to a combined 20 years at $423 million, it seemed as if the Red Sox’s 2009 hopes had taken a sudden hit, especially considering the fact that they were huge players for the first baseman, Teixeira.

However, with the signing of two justified veteran starters, a Japanese 39-year old former closer, two key pieces to a powerful bench, and a catcher, the Sox can now feel more comfortable with what could be a possible decrease in overall offensive production after bolstering practically every other dimension of the roster. The news that a Red Sox legend is on tap for Hall of Fame induction this summer only sweetens the seemingly wild and constant Sox news of late.

Sure, perhaps the Sox over-signed. And perhaps they already have the young talent in the organization. But the Sox paid just a guaranteed $10.6 million on six one-year deals to Brad Penny, John Smoltz, Rocc...READ MORE!

Published on January 19, 2009 See Comment(s)

YOOOUUUK! by Jared Carrabis
Sox extend Kevin Youkilis

According to the most reliable source in the game of baseball, Peter Gammons is reporting that the Red Sox and Kevin Youkilis have agreed on a four-year extension worth $40 million.

The contract that has been agreed upon has an option for a fifth season that could keep the Gold Glove offensive spark in Boston throughout the 2013 season. Youkilis first burst onto the Boston scene in 2004 starting in place of Bill Mueller who had found himself on the disabled list. The Boston infielder is one of very few remaining players that have two World Series rings with the Boston Red Sox and are still on the active roster.

Since making his presence felt during the historic 2004 season, Youkilis has since won a Gold Glove in 2007 all while setting the all-time record for most consecutive errorless games at first base, he was an All Star selection in 2008 (snubbed in 2007), and was the recipient of the Hank Aaron award this p...READ MORE!

Published on January 15, 2009 See Comment(s)

Strength In Numbers by Jared Carrabis
Sox Looking To Build On 2008 Success

With Spring Training just around the corner, the Red Sox have been arguably the busiest team in recent weeks looking to build another championship team here in Boston.

In 2008, the Red Sox strong point was their depth which came in handy as the club made it within three runs of their third World Series appearance in five years. In 2007, the Red Sox strong point was their lights out bullpen which aided the efforts to win Boston's second World Series title in four years. In 2009, thanks in part to the tremendous efforts by Theo Epstein, the Red Sox will be equipped with both depth in their bench and a bullpen capable of cutting down games to seven or eight innings.

Having already brought on board right-handers, Ramon Ramirez and Wes Littleton, the Sox signed relief pitcher Takashi Saito this past Tuesday. Saito will join the Black Pearl after inking a one-year deal with a club opt...READ MORE!

Published on January 14, 2009 See Comment(s)

Jim Rice Gets The Call To The Hall by Jared Carrabis
Former Red Sox slugger receives 76.4 percent of the vote

Beginning in 1974, Jim Rice began his amazing 16-season career with the Boston Red Sox. After 16 seasons of tearing the cover off the baseball here in Boston, Rice then spent fifteen years waiting for this day to come. On his fifteenth and final year on the Baseball Writers Association of America ballot, Jim Rice was elected into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame by seven votes. The left fielder who spent all of his days in a Red Sox uniform received 76.4 percent of the vote to merit his enshrinement. Out of 539 votes, Rice was voted to the Hall 412 times.

Rice may not have the career numbers that lift the velvet rope for a player in their first year of eligibility, but the former Boston outfielder is highly regarded as being one of the most, if not the most, feared right-handed hitters of his era. It was a time before the word "steroid" was associated with the game of baseball and yet Rice was launching fastballs further than the juice heads could muster in the late 9...READ MORE!

Published on January 12, 2009 See Comment(s)

The Depth Factor by Jared Carrabis
Sox re-sign Kotsay, Lowell update, Buchholz on lock

The key ingredient to the Red Sox success in 2008 undoubtedly was their depth. Well, as far as the 2009 team is concerned; the bench has gotten even deeper.

With the additions of John Smoltz and Rocco Baldelli on Thursday, the Red Sox have agreed to terms with free agent Mark Kotsay to bring him back to Boston. Kotsay, who was traded midseason to the Red Sox to strengthen the Red Sox bench was a key contributor in Boston’s postseason run that fell just one game shy of their third World Series in five years.

The one-year deal is for a drastically cheaper sum of $1.5 million compared to Kotsay’s $8 million earned in 2008. The pay cut seen in his pay can be attributed to slim market that Kotsay was looking to find a job in as a starter. Kotsay will rejoin the Red Sox as the ultimate utility man f...READ MORE!

Published on January 09, 2009 See Comment(s)

Bargain Hunters by Jared Carrabis
Sox add Baldelli and Smoltz for cheap

Fourth outfielder, check. Add to pitching depth, check.

It’s official former Rays outfielder and native of Rhode Island, Rocco Baldelli, has been brought on board as Boston’s fourth outfielder on a one-year deal. Baldelli will earn a base salary of $500,000 with includes roster bonuses that could escalate his paycheck another $1.75 million if he is to stay healthy and away from any time on the disabled list throughout the 2009 season.

On top of his roster bonuses, Baldelli can see his total pay rise to $5.25 million if he is to make 600 plate appearances. Although this many plate appearances is not likely unless something catastrophic happens to an every day starter in the Red Sox outfield, Baldelli can find comfort in knowing that there are escalators in his contract starting at a more realistic 325 plate appearances.

Baldelli’s biggest challenge in 2009 wil...READ MORE!

Published on January 08, 2009 See Comment(s)

Smoltz On Sox Radar by Jared Carrabis
The Latest On the Captain

Comfortable with the stability of the Red Sox 2009 starting rotation? Neither is Theo. The Boston Herald is reporting that the Red Sox are proclaiming that right-handed pitcher and life-time Atlanta Brave, John Smoltz, is their "top target".

I could see if Smoltz was at full health and maybe five or six years younger than he is, but to call Smoltz your "top target" after a subpar offseason like this has been surely doesn't spark any excitement around the hub. Smoltz is set to turn 42-year-old this May and is coming off a 2008 season that saw the 200 game winner and 150 save holder appear in just six games. The six appearances for Smoltz were the fewest of his entire career which began back in 1988. The 2008 season for Smoltz was cut short in June after he underwent surgery to repair the labrum in his pitching shoulder.

T...READ MORE!

Published on January 07, 2009 See Comment(s)

SoxSpace - 3 Year Anniversary by Jared Carrabis
Thank you Sox fans!

When Carrabis was just 16-years-old, he was handed a MySpace account plainly titled "Red Sox." The account had a decently sized platform to work with having just over 2,000 "friends" on it. Jared then went to work on the unoriginal page by adding stats, team history information, photos and various other decorative graphics to the site. After he was satisfied with the transformation of the page, Carrabis dubbed his newly created project "SoxSpace" on January 1, 2006.

The page started out as just a place for Red Sox fans to come and post their thoughts, read stats and look at pictures. But one after another, Red Sox-themed MySpace accounts started to sprout all over the network. Wanting to make SoxSpace different from the other accounts, Carrabis and a fellow Red Sox fan that he had met through the SoxSpace comment board (Jimmy) began posting news clips through bulletins to keep everyone on SoxSpace's friends list up to date. The two posted original blogs and even posted SoxSpace gu...READ MORE!

Published on January 01, 2009 See Comment(s)