Sox Out of Cereal Business--Peter

Well, two days in a row in the off-season! Yesterday, the MVP. Today, the Sox left the cereal business. They traded Coco Crisp to KC for an apparently good setup reliever, Ramon Ramirez, even up. Looking at Ramirez' stats other than the one year he was injured, he looks pretty good. Great opponents BA, especially against right handed batters. Also a great change that behaves like a splitter, as well as a better than average curve and fast ball.

Hate to see Coco go, particularly after this last season, but this will both free up some dollars for the free agent market and, hopefully, force Ellsbury into more consistency with the stick.

Coco was a great guy for the three years he was in the Fens. maybe not quite as good as the Hose had hoped when they signed him to replace Damon, but 20 steals a year for three years, great fielding, and a .270-.280 BA ain't bad. Good luck Coco--Welcome Ramon.

MVP DUSTY!!!!--Peter

Well, here it is! Another off-season VIP. That's both Very Important Pronouncement and Very Important Person. Just announced--Dustin Pedroia is the American League MVP for 2008. Well deserved and many congratulations for Dusty! Let's see now: two years in the Bigs and a Rookie of the Year and an MVP. What's next?

Ding Dong the Witch is Dead - Jenn

Dad and I promised to keep you faithful Sox fans informed of any and all goings ons during the offseason. So as promised here's your first bit of GREAT NEWS.

No, we still haven't signed Jason Varitek and the rumors swirling around a Lowell trade are still swirling. But the news came out today that MIKE TIMLIN WILL NOT BE BACK!

Here's what Epstein said he told Mike Timlin at the end of the season: "we came to a mutual understanding that Boston probably wouldn't be the best fit for him. By the way what a career that guy had. I think he was my first free-agent signing."

And a collective sigh of relief escapes Red Sox fans everywhere. (At least it escaped my lips.) I don't dispute the career Timlin's had and he did help the Sox win their first World Series in 86 years. But as I've said numerous times this past season, there comes a point when it's time to hang up your spikes. I'm glad Epstein and Timlin have finally realizes that point is now.

Anyway, I thought that tid bit deserved a little blog space. When more comes out about Varitek or Lowell or CC Sabathia, I or Dad will let you know. For now... Go Pats!