The Only Guys On The Red Sox That Should Show Their Faces In Boston Before April

So after last season's meltdown, I felt the need to review every player that was on the Red Sox' roster when it all ended. After this season's long and slow death, I don't have the patience or desire to recreate that tedious exercise. Instead, I want to identify the small group of players that deserve positive recognition for various reasons. Above all, they mostly overachieved based on whatever small expectations we had for them.

Scott Podsednik-19 runs, 60 hits, 7 doubles, 12 RBIs, 8 stolen bases, .302 batting average, .322 OBP and .352 SLG in 63 games.
When they signed Podsednik off the scrap heap, naturally I laughed thinking that he had nothing left in his washed up body. He proved me wrong and at 36, he can still play in MLB.

Pedro Ciriaco-33 runs, 76 hits, 15 doubles, 19 RBIs, 16 stolen bases, 293 batting average, .315 OBP and .390 SLG, in 76 games.
He was the buzz in Spring Training and amazingly enough, a guy that was released by the Pirates turned out to be a diamond in the rough. It seemed like he always made something happen when he was in the lineup and he'll be a great utility guy off the bench.

Dustin Pedroia-81 runs, 163 runs, 39 doubles, 15 homers, 65 RBIs, 20 stolen bases, .290 batting average, .347 OBP and .449 SLG in 141 games.
Numbers wise, it was about an average season for Pedroia but I mention him since he played the last two games with a broken finger. If there was any doubt, he's still the heart and soul of this team and somebody we can all root for/be proud of.

Will Middlebrooks-34 runs, 77 hits, 14 doubles, 15 homers, 54 RBIs, .288 batting average, .325 OBP and .509 SLG in 75 games.
After tearing it up in Pawtucket, Middlebrooks was called up to Boston in May and promptly took Kevin Youkilis' job. One of the worst moments of this season was when he broke his wrist in Cleveland after getting hit by a pitch. His future seems limitless.

Cody Ross-70 runs, 127 hits, 34 doubles, 22 homers, 81 RBIs, .267 batting average, .326 OBP and .481 SLG in 130 games.
A blueprint of a player that can handle things in Boston. He had a great first season individually with the Red Sox. The rare baseball player that seems to be a good guy while also consistently productive. Any day now, he should get an extension.

Junichi Tazawa-37 appearances, 1 win, 1 loss, 1 save, 5 holds in 44 IP; 0.95 WHIP and 1.43 ERA.
It is hilarious that the player that was a complete afterthought has turned into a better pitcher than the supremely hyped Daisuke Matsuzaka, at this point in their respective careers. He should be a big part of the bullpen moving forward.

Scott Atchison-42 appearances, 2 wins, 1 loss, 5 holds in 51.1 IP; 0.99 WHIP and 1.58 ERA.
Who knows how much longer old man Atchison's bionic arm will stay attached to his body? He was great before his forearm injury but he shocked everyone by returning late in the season. Ride the wave.

Clayton Mortensen-26 appearances, 1 win, 1 loss, 1 hold in 42 IP; 1.21 WHIP and 3.21 ERA.
A mystery man, he was what the Red Sox received from the Rockies for Marco Scutaro. He was the mop-up guy but he proved that he is deserving of a better role than that.

Andrew Miller-53 appearances, 3 wins, 2 losses, 13 holds in 40.1 IP; 1.19 WHIP and 3.35 ERA.
We've all accepted long ago that Miller will never live up to his crazy potential. Still, this season was a step forward for him. He proved to be a capable lefty set-up guy.

Craig Breslow was good after coming over from the Diamondbacks but he only made 23 appearances and Jarrod Saltalamacchia hit 25 homers but he batted .222 with a .288 OBP plus 139 strikeouts in 121 games (yikes!).

Hopefully all these guys find themselves back with the Red Sox next spring, they all earned another chance and proved they were winners amid all the drama and losing.

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David Ortiz Is The Only Red Sox (We Think) Headed To The 2012 MLB All-Star Game

If you were surprised that designated hitter David Ortiz was the only member of the Boston Red Sox elected to the 2012 MLB All-Star Game then you really haven't been paying close attention this season. He is the only big name player that has not only played well but exceeded expectations. Dustin Pedroia, Adrian Gonzalez and Jon Lester are the main underachievers while Jacoby Ellsbury and Carl Crawford have missed most or all of 2012 so far with injuries.

It is the eighth time that Ortiz has made the midsummer classic and you certainly can't argue about his inclusion, even if he plays a dinosaur position that doesn't really have much competition anymore. Heading into this afternoon's series finale against the Mariners at Safeco Field (4:10 p.m., NESN), Ortiz has hit .305 with a .393 OBP and .613 SLG. He is unquestionably Boston's first half MVP with 21 home runs, 53 RBIs, 24 doubles, 86 hits and 57 runs in 78 games (282 at bats). Here's my favorite stat that show's how locked in he is: 42 walks and 41 strikeouts.

This is the first time since 2001 (Manny Ramirez) that the Red Sox have sent only one player to the All-Star Game. At least Ortiz deserved to be there and he wasn't MLB's sanctioned pick (every team has to have one guy). Then again, the joke contest is being held in Kansas City so who could blame them for not wanting to spend their only break during the season in that hot and empty wasteland? For what it's worth, six Red Sox went to the 2011 MLB All-Star Game.

There is always the possibility that a Red Sox player could be a replacement since it seems like half the elected players always chose to skip out with (cough) "injuries." In that case, I think the only realistic option is catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia (.254, 15 homers, 37 RBIs, .302 OBP) but he needs Mike Napoli (starter), Matt Wieters or Joe Mauer (Minnesota's only player) to go down.

It was fun for a while to pretend that reliever Scott Atchison (2-1, 1.54 ERA, 30 strikeouts, 1.00 WHIP) could make it too but journeymen relievers that generally pitch in non-pressure situations never make the All-Star Game (and rightfully so).

The MLB All-Star Game and its events come at the most dead point in the summer in terms of live sports so you don't really have any other choice but to watch if you care even a little bit about baseball. Players with local connections on the American League: Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre (a starter and former Red Sox) and Providence, RI native and White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko is a reserve. For the National League: Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon (former Red Sox) and Worcester, MA native and Cubs first baseman Bryan LaHair who is a reserve.

Ortiz declined to compete in the Home Run Derby on July 9 so we'll have to settle for a few at bats on July 10 in the All-Star Game. Don't forget the winning league still gains home-field advantage for its World Series representative. One of the most batshit insane rules in professional sports, haha gotta love Uncle Bud Selig. He doesn't care what you think, he'll make this glorified exhibition game mean way too much if he damn well pleases.

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Tell Me Again Why Felix Hernandez Is Still Wasting Away With The Mariners

There is nothing worse in life than wasted talent and that is precisely why I can't believe that Felix Hernandez is still employed by the Seattle Mariners.

One of the best pitchers in MLB is reduced to playing for a perennially mediocre team in a division (AL West) that they'll never win anytime soon since the Texas Rangers are loaded and the Los Angeles Angels aren't that far behind. Oh and the stadium was less than half full tonight as Hernandez showed just what the big market teams are missing by throwing a five-hitter as the Mariners (33-45, 14-21 home) beat the Red Sox (40-36, 19-15 away) 1-0 at Safeco Field.

With one out in the bottom of the ninth, pinch-hitter and former Ray John Jaso singled to right. Casper Wells had doubled and ended up scoring the winning run on the play even though he should have been out. Red Sox right fielder Cody Ross had a good throw to catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia who had time to brace himself for Wells. There wasn't a big collision yet Salty dropped the ball for some reason. The umpire called Wells out initially but once the ball popped loose, it was over. A truly awful way to lose this game and start a seven-game road trip in Seattle and Oakland.

King Felix (6-5) tied a career-high with 13 strikeouts in his fifth career shutout. He had one walk and threw a career-high 128 pitches (84 strikes including 22 swinging strikes which is silly).

The crazy part is that Boston starter Franklin Morales (7 innings, 3 hits, 0 runs, 2 walks, 7 strikeouts) has been lights out since he entered the rotation and he nearly matched the former American League Cy Young winner.

Andrew Miller had a 1-2-3 eighth on seven pitches but Atchison (2-1) wasn't able to send it to extra innings after Wells got the only extra-base hit of the contest.

The Red Sox squandered their only real chance to score, in the top of the ninth. With one out, David Ortiz singled and Salty walked. Hernandez finally seemed to be tiring and after a good at bat, Adrian Gonzalez flew out to center where Michael Saunders made an outstanding running catch. Will Middlebrooks could have put Boston ahead but he popped out to let Felix off the hook.

Aaron Cook (1-1) faces Hector Noesi (2-9) tomorrow night (10:10 p.m., NESN) in a game that the Red Sox really need to win. Tonight's game is the only one that they should honestly lose to the Mariners, who are one of the worst hitting teams in the AL.

Boston missed a great opportunity to move up on everybody else in the AL East last night as the Yankees, Orioles, Rays and Blue Jays all lost. What's more, if you look at the other teams at the moment, they are all messes. The Yankees rotation is in shambles, the Rays and Orioles have lost seven of nine and the Blue Jays are 4-6 in their last 10 with few healthy starting pitchers left standing as well. This all means that the Red Sox need to take advantage; they're playing better and they have a favorable schedule while all their main rivals are scuffling to varying degrees.

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The Kids Are Alright: Red Sox Edition Starring Will Middlebrooks

The Red Sox might be onto something: the youthful energy and enthusiasm of Daniel Nava, Ryan Kalish and Will Middlebrooks not to mention Felix Doubront and Jarrod Saltalamacchia is starting to carry them. Boston (36-33, 17-19 home) rallied twice to ultimately defeat Miami (33-36, 16-18 away) 6-5 tonight at sticky Fenway Park for a three-game sweep.

Don't look now but the Red Sox have won five straight and seven of their last eight games as they've tied a season-high at three games over the .500 mark.

Middlebrooks carried Boston's offense, going 3-for-4 with four RBIs. Down 3-0, his RBI single started the Red Sox' first rally, tied it at three with another RBI single then punctuated it with a two-run homer (his 8th of the season) to knot it at five. At this point, Kevin Youkilis might as well start looking into another career outside of baseball (only half kidding). It doesn't even matter what Boston gets in return for him, it's time to send Youk on his way out of town before the trade deadline (July 31).

The Daisuke Matsuzaka experience was in full effect as he has now started three games in 2012 without recording a win. As is his custom, he handed the Marlins three runs in the first inning then proceeded to retire 14 batters in a row. Like Youk and Josh Beckett, I wish the Red Sox could trade Dice-K but I've heard the key to trades is that other teams have to want the player in return. After 5.1 innings and 101 pitches, Matsuzaka was done. He allowed four earned runs on four hits with four strikeouts and a walk.

Carlos Zambrano also didn't factor into the decision which is fitting because he was neither good nor bad. In five innings, he allowed three earned runs on five hits with three strikeouts and four walks.

Greg Dobbs (2 hits, 2 runs, 2 RBIs, stolen base) had a two-run single and Omar Infante (2 hits, 2 RBIs, stolen base) produced an RBI single in the long top of the first inning.

Middlebrooks' first RBI single and a sacrifice fly by Mike Aviles cut it to 3-2 in the fourth inning. Even though he got jammed, Middlebrooks managed to dump another RBI single to right field in the fifth to tie it at three.

Dice-K's last pitch was a spicy wasabi ball (Japan's equivalent to a meatball) to Giancarlo Stanton (2 hits, 2 runs) that made it over the Monster in about 1.5 seconds. Infante added an RBI double later in the sixth against Andrew Miller.

Middlebrooks' two-run bomb (449 feet to center) against Edward Mujica tied it at five in the eighth and Daniel Nava (2 hits) had what turned out to be the deciding run on an RBI single in the same frame.

Scott Atchison continued his incredible season with a scoreless seventh and eighth. After 22 pitches, his ERA is 1.17 with a WHIP of 0.89 and 29 strikeouts. He honestly deserves to be an All-Star if he keeps this up. Too bad he'll probably get three total votes (from his extended family).

Alfredo Aceves had a 1-2-3 ninth (haha on seven pitches!) to collect his 18th save of the season. You think Ozzie Guillen and Co. were eager to get out of here?

Interleague play ends this weekend with the Atlanta Braves (37-32, 3rd in NL East) at Fenway for three games. Jon Lester (4-4) faces Jair Jurrjens (0-2) tomorrow night (7:10 p.m., NESN), Franklin Morales (0-1) takes on Randall Delgado (4-7) Saturday night (7:15 p.m., Fox) and Clay Buchholz (8-3) opposes Mike Minor (3-5) on Sunday afternoon (1:35 p.m., NESN).

In 2012, the Red Sox are 9-3 during interleague and they've won all four series thus far. Taking at least two out of three against the Braves would be a nice cap to their dominance of the National League.

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Red Sox Celebrate Memorial Day With A Win Vs. Tigers At Fenway

All you have to know about the Red Sox is that Felix Doubront has been their undisputed best starting pitcher thus far in the 2012 season.

Boston (24-24, 11-13 home) got back to .500 for the fifth time this season thanks to his solid outing in a 7-4 win over Detroit (23-25, 12-13 away) in the series opener this afternoon at Fenway Park on a picture perfect Memorial Day.

Two things overshadowed the final result: Tigers manager Jim Leyland was ejected in the third inning for arguing a completely bogus call (Mike Aviles struck out but the umpire said the ball hit the ground first so he got another chance and delivered along with two other two-out runs) and Dustin Pedroia hurt his thumb in the sixth and left. Bobby V wasn't very clear on Pedroia's injury after the game but it sounds like he's at least expected to miss tomorrow's game.

Doubront (5-2) was backed by a Red Sox lineup that banged out 13 hits. In six innings of work, he allowed two earned runs on four hits with six strikeouts and a walk. His only blemishes were a pair of solo homers to random bums.

Doug Fister (0-3) is a good pitcher but he's off to a rough start this season for the Tigers. Today probably didn't help his confidence either since in five innings, Boston tagged him for six earned runs on 11 hits with two strikeouts and a walk.

The Red Sox scored in the first inning as David Ortiz (2 hits) had an RBI double. Delmon Young (3rd of the season) responded with a solo homer over the Monster in the second but Boston tacked on three in the home half of the second on Aviles' (2 hits, 2 RBIs, run) RBI single, Daniel Nava's RBI double and Pedroia's RBI single.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia (9th of the season) hit his second homer of the long weekend, an opposite field shot over the Monster in the third which opened up a 5-1 Red Sox lead.

Gerald Laird (2nd of the season) had a solo homer in the fifth to cut it to 5-2 but Will Middlebrooks had an RBI single in the sixth and Aviles added an RBI double in the eighth.

Jhonny Peralta (3rd of the season) crushed a garbage-time two-run bomb over the Monster in the ninth against Alfredo Aceves. No idea why Valentine put Aceves out there in a non-save situation a day after he blew a save.

I also have to mention Scott Atchison's routinely excellent relief. He had two scoreless innings with four strikeouts, lowering his ERA to 0.93. Ryan Sweeney was 3 for 4 with a double and two runs in his first game back from a concussion.

It will be Boston's sixth chance to get over .500 tomorrow night (7:10 p.m., NESN) and if you believe in reverse locks, this is your moment. Justin Verlander (5-2) faces Daniel Bard (4-5). Verlander is the top starting pitcher in baseball (just ask his MVP award from last season) and Bard has been a mess lately. So clearly Bard will pitch well and the Red Sox will knock around Verlander.

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For A Change, The Red Sox Give Winning A Chance

Well it was bound to happen at some point, the Boston Red Sox mercifully won their first game in 2012.

Things were looking good for the Toronto Blue Jays (2-2) in their home opener at the Rogers Centre tonight as they led 2-1 going into the top of the ninth and had closer Sergio Santos (0-1; 2nd blown save) enter for the save. He wasn't able to get finish it though as Boston (1-3) rallied for three runs and a 4-2 win.

Adrian Gonzalez tied it with a sacrifice fly that scored Dustin Pedroia who led off the ninth with a roped double. Ryan Sweeney's (2 hits) single scored pinch runner Darnell McDonald although the Red Sox had some good luck on the play as Jose Bautista's throw was on target but catcher J.P. Arencebia dropped it. Finally, Cody Ross came home on Santos's wild pitch.

The best aspect of it for the Red Sox was that Alfredo Aceves returned to the hill a day after blowing a save in Detroit and he was able to get a 1-2-3 ninth for his first save of the season. He didn't allow a hit and had a strikeout. The key was that he threw first-pitch strikes to all three hitters that he faced.

Felix Doubront only went five innings for Boston before he reached 101 pitches but the young lefty showed plenty of promise. He allowed two runs (both earned) on four hits with three walks and six strikeouts.

Reliever Scott Atchison (1-0) was the unsung hero as he pitched three scoreless innings, only allowing one hit with no walks and three strikeouts to pick up the win.

Blue Jays rookie Henderson Alvarez looked good too, he went six innings and allowed one run (earned) on four hits with a walk and two strikeouts.

Toronto scored its only two runs in the third on Kelly Johnson's fielder's choice and an RBI single by Edwin Encarnacion. The Red Sox should have tagged Colby Rasmus out at home on Johnson's grounder but Jarrod Saltalamacchia was too far in front of the plate to reach behind in time. Yunel Escobar scored on Encarnacion's hit.

Pedroia sparked Boston's offense with a solo homer in the sixth inning, his first of the season, which cut the Blue Jay lead to 2-1.

Daniel Bard makes his first career start tomorrow as he tries to bring Boston to the .500 mark with its second win in a row. Toronto counters with young righty Kyle Drabek. I have no idea what to expect from Bard but at least Aceves got the job done tonight so we don't have to speculate about making Bard the closer for one outing.

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Alfredo Aceves Reaches An Agreement With The Red Sox, Avoiding Arbitration

With spring training only a few weeks away, the Boston Red Sox have signed all their arbitration-eligible players now except one.

Alfredo Aceves reached a deal today with the team, getting a one-year deal for $1.2 million. The Red Sox avoided arbitration with the versatile pitcher that I would argue was their most valuable arm last season.

Aceves' contract includes incentives worth up to $100,000 in performance clauses based on starts or appearances. He was 10-2 last season, his first in Boston, with a 2.61 ERA in an absurd (since he flipped back and forth from the bullpen to starting) 55 appearances.

This means that the only player left (who is arbitration-eligible) for the Red Sox to sign is David Ortiz.

Big Papi told ESPNDeportes on Saturday: "I'm just working hard and working out to get ready for the spring. I really would like to get this over with so that we don't have to go in front of the judge and I can stop having to talk about this," Ortiz said.

Let's hope the team and Ortiz can get it done and there will be no distractions heading into their new spring training home in Florida. Time for this team to get a fresh start.

Go Patriots!

UPDATE 2/6: Pitcher Scott Atchison, who was designated for assignment on January 26 cleared waivers and he's been outrighted to Pawtucket. He also got an invitation to spring training. In 2011, he had a 3.26 ERA with 17 strikeouts in 30 1/3 innings for Boston. So yeah, expect him to be called up and sent down a million more times this year.

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New Closer Andrew Bailey Agrees To 1-Year Deal With The Boston Red Sox

The list of players eligible for salary arbitration with the Boston Red Sox gets shorter by the day.

It was new closer Andrew Bailey's turn to get paid today as he agreed to a one-year deal worth $3.9 million. In penny-pinching Oakland last season, he made $465,000. He asked for $4.7 million and the Red Sox offered $3.35 million.

The 27-year-old Bailey can earn an additional $100,000 in performance bonuses: $50,000 for finishing 50 games and another $50,000 for finishing 55 games.

You'll remember that Bailey was acquired before New Year's in a deal with the A's. Boston got him and outfielder Ryan Sweeney in exchange for outfielder Josh Reddick, infield prospect Miles Head and minor league pitcher Raul Alcantara.

Now it comes down to David Ortiz and Alfredo Aceves who are the only remaining members of the Red Sox that are eligible for salary arbitration.

UPDATE 1/26: The Red Sox officially signed Cody Ross today and designated reliever Scott Atchison for assignment.

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