SoxSpace News

Epstein prepares for long haul at deadline by Mike Ghika
Sox acquire V-Mart for Masterson, Kotchman for LaRoche

The July 31st non-waiver trade deadline has come and gone, and the Boston Red Sox have made two deals (one major, one wash), leaving a bevy of possibilities still to play out on the major league roster.

Long before the 4pm deadline, the Sox acquired switch-hitting catcher/first baseman and three-time All-Star Victor Martinez from Cleveland in exchange for Justin Masterson and minor league starters Nick Hagadone and Bryan Price, as was first reported by Bob Nightengale of USA Today. After an injury-riddled 2008 season in which V-Mart appeared in only 73 games, he has bounced back to hit .284/.368/.464 with 15 home runs and 67 RBIs this year.

In a somewhat corresponding move to make room for V-Mart, the Sox sent newly-acquired first-baseman Adam LaRoche to Atlanta in exchange for former Angels prospect and fellow first-baseman Casey Kotchman, according to READ MORE!

Published on July 31, 2009 See Comment(s)

Say It Ain't So, Papi by Jared Carrabis
A nightmare come true in Red Sox Nation

I never thought I'd have to cover this story, but here it is.

When Alex Rodriguez was named as one of the 104 names who tested positive for steroids in 2003, I didn't mock him. I was asked several times if I believed David Ortiz could possibly be named on that 2003 list; I wouldn't answer. When Manny Ramirez was suspended for 50 games for testing positive for performance enhancing drugs, I didn't rub it in. I work at Sully's Tees, who printed a shirt that reads "Manny Being Suspended", complete with a a syringe. Even though I could get the shirt for free, I wouldn't wear it. Again, I was asked, "Do you think Ortiz ever used steroids?" Again, I wouldn't answer.

Thursday was a day that, as a fan, I have feared for a long time. Why? Because deep down, I knew the truth. When the most hated man in pinstripes was named as a steroid user publicly, I did not...READ MORE!

Published on July 31, 2009 See Comment(s)

Frustration Nation by Jared Carrabis
Sox drop another winnable game; a plead for Halladay

If Red Sox Nation were a house, I would kindly ask you to open a window to let some of this frustration out.

For the second time in two nights, the Red Sox suffered a frustrating loss at the hands of the Oakland Athletics. On Tuesday night, the Sox' bullpen had a meltdown that was capped off with a nightmarish three-run ninth that led to a two-run eleventh that sank the Sox. Less than 24 hours later, the frustration would resume, almost instantly.

With Brad Penny on the mound, Adam Kennedy built off of his career high five-hit night against Boston on Tuesday by launching the first pitch of the game over the Green Monster for a home run. A bases loaded double later in the inning by Rajai Davis brought all the green helmets home, as the A's provided themselves with a comfy five-run lead in the first.

"Tonight, they just beat us right from the get-go," said Red Sox left fielder Jason Bay. "There's really not much you can say about that. They played better than us. You can't rea...READ MORE!

Published on July 30, 2009 See Comment(s)

Where He Belongs by Jared Carrabis
Jim Rice honored with his number retired at Fenway Park

After 20 long years, Legend Status: achieved.

On Tuesday, Jim Rice became the eighth player in Red Sox history to have his number retired by the storied franchise. It was Johnny Pesky, the last player to have his number retired by the Sox, who raised the red banner to unveil Rice's number 14 for all of Red Sox Nation to see.

In his sixteen-year career, in which he spent all 2,089 games in Boston, Rice amassed 382 career HR, 1,451 RBI and a .298 career batting average. The right-handed slugger who took over for the legendary Carl Yastrzemski, collected 406 total bases in 1978. It was the first time anyone had rounded up over 400 bases since the great Joe DiMaggio had done so decades before. Rice would go on to win the American League MVP in 1978, while playing in all 163 games that season (including the one-game playoff against the Yankees).

After leading the league in total bases in his MVP season, Rice went on to lead the AL in total bases for three consecutive seasons ('78...READ MORE!

Published on July 29, 2009 See Comment(s)

The One That Got Away by Jared Carrabis
Sox bullpen melts down in extra-inning loss

The Red Sox sure could have used the 1978 version of Jim Rice in this one.

On a night that belonged to Cooperstown's newest resident at the Baseball Hall of Fame, the ending result was not nearly as memorable as the pre-game ceremonies.

In a game that very well might be the last start for Clay Buchholz in a Red Sox uniform, who was the subject of multiple trade rumors on Tuesday, the right-hander made his first start at Fenway Park since August 17 of last season. Buchholz wasn't lights out, but he kept his team in the game.

When Terry Francona popped out of the dugout to take the ball from his starter, Buchholz had tossed 107 pitches over 5.2 innings, giving up just two earned runs on nine hits. He walked two and struck out five in what was his 21st start in a Red Sox uniform, but it could also be his last, as is next start is slated for after Friday's trade deadline.

The Sox bats boomed in the bottom of the fifth when Kevin Youkilis' 25th double of the season brought hom...READ MORE!

Published on July 28, 2009 See Comment(s)

That's More Like It by Jared Carrabis
Sox break out the bats, Lester dominates O's...again

Now that's more like it.

After finally putting and end to their five-game losing streak on Friday night, the Red Sox looked to end their six-game streak of scoring three runs or less. With the help of a couple booming home runs, the Sox were able to end their offensive slump streak.

Entering this game with Jon Lester on the hill, it really wasn't a matter if the Red Sox were going to win or not, it was a matter of: could the Red Sox score more than three runs andwin?

Lester took the mound at Fenway Park and this thing was over before it started. In his career, Lester had been 8-0 with a 2.18 ERA in ten starts. In other words, he owns the Baltimore Orioles. After putting up a goose egg in the top of the first, the Sox' bats went to work in the bottom half of the frame.

With two outs and a man on, Jason Bay lined a single up the middle to move Dustin Pedroia, who walked, to third to put men on the corners for David Ortiz. Opposing pitcher Jeremy Guthrie had entered S...READ MORE!

Published on July 26, 2009 See Comment(s)

Bang For Your Buck by Jared Carrabis
Penny shines, Sox snap losing streak

Entering the first game of the home stand, Brad Penny hadn't won a game since June 17 and the Red Sox hadn't won a game since July 17.

Certainly this doesn't sound promising, right?

With the Sox offensive woes as the culprit for the teams' longest losing streak in over a year, it would take a lights out performance from Penny to send Boston back to their winning ways. It would be Dr. Penny to the rescue to cure the losing disease that has plagued the Red Sox and their fans for what has seemed like a month.

The Baltimore Orioles struck first with a run in the top of the second, but that one run would be all they would enjoy. Penny went on to mow down the birds into the seventh inning before departing after turning in 6.1 innings of work. The burly right-hander yielded just the one earned run on five scattered hits, while striking out four and issuing zero walks.

Penny headed for the showers in the seventh after hurling 108 pitches. The Boston starter was lighting up the gu...READ MORE!

Published on July 25, 2009 See Comment(s)

Sox acquire Bucs’ first baseman Adam LaRoche by Mike Ghika
Lugo also sent packing to St. Louis for outfielder Duncan

For a lineup that has scored just eight runs over the course of a four-game losing streak, the urgency to go and get offensive help has only increased since play has resumed after the All Star break. However, general manager Theo Epstein went out and got a bat Wednesday morning to hopefully spark a team that has hit a lowly .221 against right-handed pitching since June 25.

WEEI.com's Alex Speier reports that the Sox have acquired left-handed hitting first baseman Adam LaRoche, who has hit at least 20 homers in each of the last four seasons, from Pittsburgh in exchange for two prospects. Dejan Kovacavic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette was the first to break the story.

LaRoche, a 29-year-old who becomes a free agent following the 2009 season, will hopefully ...READ MORE!

Published on July 22, 2009 See Comment(s)

We Need Backup, Now! by Jared Carrabis
Time for Theo to deal in some reinforcements

I don't mean to cause a Nation-wide panic, but the Red Sox have a problem.

"We've hit a spot where we haven't been swinging the bats well," said Jason Varitek. "The good thing is that hopefully those days are in front of us. We can't really swing the bats any worse."

The Red Sox have now lost their last four straight games and haven't been able to score more than three runs in any of the four losses. Josh Beckett, who had been 6-0 following a Red Sox loss, was beaten by the Texas Rangers on Tuesday night after turning in a complete-game effort.

The last time Beckett got charged with a loss after hurling seven innings or more after allowing three runs or less was almost a year to the day, when the right-hander tossed seven innings against the New York Yankees on July 25, 2008, allowing just one earned run, but suffered the 1-0 loss to the Bombers.

It goes without saying that the Red Sox offense has struggled mightily as of late, but this is simply just a slump in unison. ...READ MORE!

Published on July 22, 2009 See Comment(s)

Avoid Temptation by Jared Carrabis
Halladay's performance teases RSN of what will never be

To all the Sox fans out there who think that Halladay is coming to Boston, you need to come to terms with reality.

To all the Sox fans who want Halladay even more than before after watching his start against Boston on Sunday, I hate to be the one to burst your bubble, but he's not coming here unless it's as an opponent. As a matter of fact, I don't think he's going anywhere; at least, not yet.

The chances that Halladay will be dealt to Boston are about as good as a player who's name doesn't rhyme with Jalbert Bluejohls winning the National League MVP; it's just not going to happen. It's not because JP Ricciardi isn't willing to deal his ace, and perhaps the best pitcher in the game, within the Jays' own division. My gut tells me that Halladay doesn't get dealt at all.

Why? Because I just don't see the Blue Jays getting what they're looking for. If it's two top prospects they're looking for, their chances of getting a contending team to part with two pieces of their potential...READ MORE!

Published on July 20, 2009 See Comment(s)

Adiós, Julio by Jared Carrabis
Red Sox designate Julio Lugo for assignment, a look at Theo's kryptonite

Since being named the Red Sox general manager in 2003, taking the place of Mike Port, Theo Epstein has brought his team to postseason play all but once, winning two World Series titles in that time.

Of his six seasons as general manager, the teams that he has assembled have made it to the American League Championship Series four times and have gone unbeaten in their two World Series appearances. The boy wonder hasn't given Red Sox Nation much to complain about. He's turned other teams' trash into a Red Sox treasure, for example, by signing David Ortiz to a 1-year, $1.25 million deal. But, the chinks in Theo's armor are shown vividly when you take a look at his track record at the shortstop position.

Since the monumental trade that sent Nomar Garciaparra to the Chicago Cubs and sent shockwaves throughout New England, the Red Sox have fielded an eye-popping eighteen shortstops since number five's departure.

With the exception of maybe two of those eighteen, none of the ...READ MORE!

Published on July 17, 2009 See Comment(s)

Simply The Best by Jared Carrabis
Beckett knocks down the door to 100-win club

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why Josh Beckett is an All Star.

Entering Sunday's series finale with the Kansas City Royals, Beckett had a lot riding on his final start before the All Star break. With a win, Beckett would secure his spot as the pitcher with the most wins in baseball heading into the break and a win would also open up the game to the 100-win club.

Beckett knocked down the door to the 100-wins club by spinning his most impressive outing to date. It took the right-hander 104 starts in a Red Sox uniform before he was able to spin a complete game shutout, and it only took four starts after that gem before he would do it again.

"It's pretty memorable," Beckett said of adding 100 wins to his resume. "It's cool. It means I've stuck around for a little while. Obviously, you try to win every game, but sometimes, things don't work out in your favor. Fortunately for me, this team scores quite a bit of runs. It's kind of jump-started me toward those numbers."

U...READ MORE!

Published on July 13, 2009 See Comment(s)

Smoltz Gets It Done by Jared Carrabis
Smoltz picks up first win in Boston, Sox homer four times

For the first time since April 17, 2008, John Smoltz was the winning pitcher at the Major League level and for the first time in his 20-year career, that win did not come with the Atlanta Braves.

Smoltz made his fourth start of the 2009 season on Saturday night in search of his first win in a Red Sox uniform. Red Sox Nation has been pulling for Smoltz to succeed ever since he agreed to come to Boston, but his first three starts haven't given Sox fans much to cheer about. Given his past, the fans, his teammates and Red Sox management have backed the Hall of Famer-to-be, as the right-hander has pitched well enough to win one of his past three starts, but a bullpen implosion wiped his decision clean.

The main culprit in Smoltz's Boston failures haven't been so much his lack of effectiveness, rather the owner of 3,000+ strikeouts has had a case of the "one bad inning" syndrome. The Red Sox offense is capable of putting up big numbers, as they displayed tonight, but when Smoltz has ...READ MORE!

Published on July 12, 2009 See Comment(s)

Can't Touch This by Jared Carrabis
Lester dominates KC (again), Pedroia wins it in the 8th

Jon Lester flat out owns the Kansas City Royals--scratch that--Jon Lester flat out owns the American League.

The last time Lester toed the rubber to do battle against the Kansas City Royals, the left-hander made history by tossing a no-hitter on May 19, 2008. He wasn't able to keep a zero in the hit column tonight, but he did, however, keep the zeros rolling along in the runs column.

While Lester's eight-inning, four-hit, eight-strikeout performance was masterful, the Washington native was nearly deprived of a hard-earned victory in this one. Kansas City's Brian Bannister matched Lester pitch-for-pitch through the first eight frames.

The closest this contest came to bending in the favor of one starter over the other came in the fifth inning when Jacoby Ellsbury charged home from third. The throw got to the plate around the same time as Ellsbury, but replays indicated that the Boston outfielder's foot touched home plate before Miguel Olivo's tag. Ellsbury spiked his helmet in...READ MORE!

Published on July 11, 2009 See Comment(s)

Debunking The Roy Halladay Rumors by Jared Carrabis
Why Roy Halladay won't see the home dugout at Fenway

In case you've been living under a rock in the sports world for the past 24 hours or so, yes, Roy Halladay may be on the move come July 31.

Toronto Blue Jays' GM, JP Ricciardi has received countless calls from several clubs inquiring about the ace pitcher, but none, so far, have come from the Boston Red Sox.

For all of you wondering if the Red Sox are going to make a move for Halladay, I can't give you a definite answer, but I will give you my educated opinion. The answer is no. Right now, the Red Sox are stacked with pitching, and the last thing they need to do is sacrifice their future for a 32-year-old pitcher.

Don't get me wrong, the guy has been one of the best, if not the best, pitcher in the past five-plus seasons, but when it's going to cost you Clay Buchholz, who's only 24 at this point, and Toronto will absolutely be looking for at least two top of the line prospects, it's just not worth it to the Red Sox.

The Red Sox will be heading into the All Star b...READ MORE!

Published on July 09, 2009 See Comment(s)

Like Wine, Wakefield Gets Better With Age by Jared Carrabis
T-Wake picks up 11th win, Drew homers, Ortiz drives in 4

Roy who? Tim Wakefield now stands alone with the most wins the American League and is tied for the most wins in Major League Baseball this season with eleven. Did I mention he was 42?

When Wakefield took the mound at Fenway Park on Wednesday night, it was his 38th time he stood on the mound to face the Oakland A's in his career. His opponent, Trevor Cahill, was facing the Red Sox for the very first time. In the bottom of the sixth, it appeared as if though youth was going to prevail over experience, but oh, how quickly things can change.

Clinging to a 1-0 lead, Cahill served up a leadoff bomb to JD Drew, who swatted his twelfth home run of the season over the fence in right to tie the game up at one. Dustin Pedroia followed up Drew's longball with one of his three hits on the night. A Kevin Youkilis walk put two men on for David Ortiz.

Ahead in the count, 2-1, Big Papi got a 91 MPH fastball that was right in his wheelhouse. The ball did not miss an inch of the sweet spot on ...READ MORE!

Published on July 09, 2009 See Comment(s)

Big Bad Beckett by Jared Carrabis
Josh Beckett picks up AL-best, 10th win

Tonight, 42-year-old Tim Wakefield welcomed Boston ace, Josh Beckett, into the 10-wins club.

"Huge," said Red Sox left fielder Jason Bay. "They couldn't be two more different guys. Wake has been our most consistent guy the whole time, and Beckett, other than the first few starts he struggled, he's been one of those ace shutdown guys. There aren't too many in the league and he's one of them when he's on -- and he's on."

Just 24 hours after Nomar Garciaparra re-entered the hearts of Boston fans far and wide, it almost went under the radar that the Sox had a complete game shutout thrown against them and needed to get back to their winning ways. Enter: Josh Beckett. In Beckett's last 12 starts, the right-hander has a record of 8-1 and his team is 10-2 in the last twelve games that Beckett stood on the mound.

"Josh, he's been our bulldog," said Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek. "When he's healthy, he can really do a lot with the baseball."

Entering Tuesday night's middle game b...READ MORE!

Published on July 08, 2009 See Comment(s)

Welcome Home, Nomar by Jared Carrabis
The legend of Nomar Garciaparra through the eyes of a fan

In the 1994 draft, the Red Sox used their first round draft pick (12th overall) on a model student-athlete out of Georgia Tech by the name of Anthony; Anthony Nomar Garciaparra.

After spending the first three years of his professional career in Sarasota, Trenton and Pawtucket respectively, Garciaparra made his Major League debut with the Boston Red Sox on August 31, 1996. The very next day, Garciaparra croaked a home run off of John "Waaaay Back" Wasdin. Garciaparra's first longball in the bigs was the very first hit in his soon-to-be legendary Red Sox tenure.

At the time of Nomar's burst to the big leagues, John Valentin was not only Boston's starting shortstop, but he was one of the premiere names on the Sox roster. Valentin had finished in the top ten (ninth) in the AL MVP voting the season just prior to Nomar making his big league debut. Just a year after Valentin had collected some MVP votes, he watched as Nomar Garciaparra took over the job of full-time shortstop in late ...READ MORE!

Published on July 07, 2009 See Comment(s)

Jerry Remy Update! by Jared Carrabis
Update on One Fan's Story: If This Hat Could Talk

On Jerry Remy's official website, The Remy Report, the NESN broadcaster provided his fans and concerned listeners with an update on his status. The update from Remy was first released on his daily newsletter, which you can subscribe to by clicking here.

"Many "Today in Sports" subscribers have been asking about my health and when I expect to return to the booth. I appreciate your concern very much.

I am happy to say that I am doing very well. In fact, I have even gone back to my gym routine. Most of the weight that I lost due to the pneumonia has been re-gained (looking pretty buff I might add!). To sum it all up, I am very fortunate to have no health issues at all. I have not set a return date yet, but I assure you that I am anxious to get back.

Thanks again,
Jerry"

Surely, Red Sox Nation is thrilled with this news that the Rem Dawg is feeling more l...READ MORE!

Published on July 03, 2009 See Comment(s)

He Stands Alone by Jared Carrabis
SoxSpace pays homage to the greatest closer in Red Sox history

On the night of October 27, 2004, Red Sox closer Keith Foulke stood on the mound in St. Louis, where he recorded the final out that sent Boston into a winter of ecstasy and bliss.

In 11 appearances for the Sox that October, Foulke was a force. He struck out 19 batters in 14 innings of work, racking up three of the biggest saves in Red Sox history to go along with a 0.64 ERA. While Manny Ramirez was named World Series MVP, many believed that Foulke should have gotten the honor...even Foulke himself.

"Do I think I should have been MVP?" said Foulke. "Absolutely. I mean, 'cause I did everything humanly possible that I could've done."

His October heroics took a strong toll on his health. His knees began to ache worse and so were the heads of Red Sox Nation as Foulke's ERA sky-rocketed over six during the 2005 season.With Foulke's health an uncertainty in the Red Sox organization, Theo Esptein added a pitcher by the name of Jonathan Papelbon to the Red Sox' 40-man roster on the d...READ MORE!

Published on July 02, 2009 See Comment(s)

Right Back At Ya by Jared Carrabis
Sox turn the tables on the O's, complete late-inning comeback

On May 13, 2007, the Red Sox hosted the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park. Josh Beckett was the pitcher that was on the hook when the Red Sox were trailing entering the ninth inning. Boston came all the way back, complete with Julio Lugo driving in the game-winning run, as the Sox secured a 6-5 victory.

Fast forward to July 1, 2009. Josh Beckett took the mound looking to build on his recent dominance of both the American and National League. However, the Orioles had other things in mind. The O's drew first blood, scoring in the first inning, followed by a solo shot off the bat of Luke Scott in the second to make it 2-0, Baltimore. The Sox would cut the O's lead in half in the top of the third after an RBI double by Dustin Pedroia, but the Orioles decided to add on two more runs in the bottom half.

After Ty Wigginton hammered a long ball to left, it was 5-1, O's. We were seeing shades of Philadelphia Beckett, not Atlanta Beckett. Beckett settled down and pitched scoreless frames ...READ MORE!

Published on July 01, 2009 See Comment(s)