It's HERE! -- Peter

Well, Sox fans, it's finally that time again! Spring training begins today down in Florida! With the new acquisitions the Sox picked during the off-season, things are really looking good (no injuries, please!) for the coming season. Stay with us for the season and post-season all the way to the World Series! And, don't forget, if you have something to say about the blog, the Sox or anything Sox-related, please feel free to do so!

It's Almost Time!: Peter

Well, it's 2011 and it's getting closer to the start of the season. Sox have made a number of major acquisitions in the off season that should beef up the lineup and portend a great 2011 campaign--as long as we don't get hit by the injury epidemic of 2010. When does it start? February 14, 2011--reporting day for the spring--just 16 days off! Can't wait!

It WAS A Good Year, But....

Well, like I said in the head above, It was a good year, but Adrian Beltre is gone. Having only signed a one year deal with the Hose in the hopes that a really good year would yield him a super contract, he succeeded. After hitting .321 with 28 HR's and 102 ribbies, plus his only All-Star appearance in his career, Beltre has signed to play 3d base with Texas. Six years and $96mill did it, after he rejected the Sox offer of $10mill for a year.Looks definitely like Yooooukk will be at the hot corner in 2011.

Walt Dropo

Over the weekend a Sox star from another era (1950's) moved on to the Big Dugout in the sky. The 1950 American League Rookie of the Year, Walt Dropo burst on the league and quickly became a fixture at first base for the Hose. Tall and lanky in stature, he physically appeared a bit like a right handed batting mirror of Teddy Ballgame. After a brief end of season call-up in 1949, he started the season at first in 1950 for the Sox and was just unstoppable! In earning the AL Rookie of the Year, he compiled an enviable record for anyone for the year: he led the league in RBI's with 144, was 1st in total bases with 326, and hit 34 homers, finishing second in the league. His B.A. for the season was a robust .322, 8th in the league. He also was second in the league in total extra base hits at 70. After that start, everyone was excited by the prospects for a great career, but in '51 he tailed off badly, hitting just .239 with 57 ribbies and 11 homers. But the following year, splitting it between Boston and Detroit,he had a decent rebound to 97 ribbies, a .276 average and 29 homers, and 3d in total bases at 282. After '52, with the exception of an occasional good stat in one or another area (96 ribbies in '53), he gradually faded, finishing up a 13 year career with a .270 lifetime BA and 152 HR's.
i can tell you, I always enjoyed him riding a pitch out over the Monster. RIP Walt!

Possible Gem for the D: Peter

Well, in case anyone thought the Hose were standing pat on the defensive side of the game, they aren't! They just agreed to a two year $12 Mill deal with Bobby Jenks. Basically, Jenks is changing Sox (thanks, AP). The Pale Hose closer for most of the past five years, averaging high 30's - low 40's yearly in saves, he lost his job in late 2010 as he had injuries that limited him to "only" 27 saves. Assuming he's again healthy, the Hub Hose gain in a pair of ways. First, in the immediate future, he sets up Pap and/or Bard, occasionally getting a save himself. Second, if The Laser leaves after the coming season via the free agent route, he could step into the role himself. If he truly is again healthy, the Sox got a bargain. After all, he stepped into the role as the Chisox won their first Championship in 80 plus years in 2005, much as Pap assumed his place with our Sox for the 2007 Championship. So he's experienced in the heat of a playoff run. February's looking better and better every day!

Fantasy Ball for Real!: Peter

Well, this week, the Sox thank you, Theo) outdid themselves! I've never been a fan of fantasy baseball I mean, what's the point, other than to dream of what might be. It has no practical, real world effect. But this past week. the Hose made fantasy real! Imagine a lineup that runs something like this--and then wake up and realize that's EXACTLY what it is! Here we go: Ellsbury, Pedroia, Crawford, Gonzales, Youk, Papi, Drew, Scutaro and Varitek. The order can be changed a bit, according to your needs or preferences, but this is incredible (hoping we avoid a repeat of 2010's injury list)! Between them, the first three guys easily account for 140-170 steals annually! You have the league leader in three-baggers, and a pretty good amount of power before you even get to the meat of the order. Then, the table having been set, you have the big bombers to get them home and stick more than a few in the cheap seats--the second three in the order, not to forget that Drew, Scutaro and Tek can also drive the ball often enough to make things more interesting. Could things be better? Sure! While few catchers handle pitchers as well as Tek, he doesn't have the pop in his bat that the now departed VMart did, and he's not as proficient as Victor was in throwing out runners. So a top of the line catcher to split time with him, and succeed him after retirement would be a good pickup. But, one guy he won't have to worry about running is our new left fielder, Crawford.
So, let's enjoy the fantasy come to life, hope for no injuries and look for a return to ownership of the Trophy in 2011!

Gonzo's Here!:Peter

Well, after a long series of negotiations and a lot of back and forth the past few days, it's official--Adrian Gonzalez is the new Sox first sacker! Welcome, Adrian! Sox gave up three leading prospects to the Pads for the rights to Gonzo--and are very likely still negotiating with Gonzo and his agent, John Boggs, on terms for a long term extension of the power hitting player's contract. Main diffs reported in various circles are contract length and whether Gonzo wll get $24 or 25 mill per year. One mill per year doesn't seem like a big diff at these levels, but, hey--a mill is still a mill!
On other free agent fronts, another Sox target, Jayson Werth, late of the '09 World Champ Phillies,is now officially a Washington National. He got a huge contract, around $18 mill per for something like seven years. That leaves the Sox with two options for more/continued power on the team: 1.) nail down Crawford; 2.) or forget Crawford and resign Beltre to a long term deal. The first would mean Youk would be the 3d baseman, while the second possibility would mean that Gonzo covers first, Beltre repeats at third and Youk (you're going to love this suggestion)--plays the wall in left. It's not such a far-fetched idea when you consider how well he already plays two separate positions.
Theo appears to have done it again.

By the way, Theo also made a pretty good offer to one of the only two Yankees I'd ever want on my team, Mariano Rivera. But Mo finally resigned with the Stripes. The guy (along with Jeter) is one of the few true gentlemen on that team, and, while I might have to take time to get used to seeing him in a Sox uniform, he would be an asset wherever he goes. When we won in '04, he publicly congratulated the Hose. As for Jeter (who agreed to a new 3 year Yank deal today), I still remember him tipping his cap and saluting the Sox as they moved to a final closeout in Game 7 of that memorable '04 ALCS victory over the Stripes. That is true class!