From the Hub of Red Sox Nation.

Where does Daniel Bard fit best ?

Faneuil Sports — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 04:53:13 +0000

Epstein sends Cubs pitcher Chris Carpenter to Red Sox

Faneuil Sports — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 03:36:16 +0000

Following the 2011 season, Theo Epstein left the Boston Red Sox for a higher ranking position with the Chicago Cubs. The Red Sox were due compensation for allowing Epstein to leave with a year remaining on his contract and after almost four months a deal has been reached.

From Chicago Epstein had been working on the deal with his former assistant and new Boston GM, Ben Cherington. The Commissioners’ office threatened to decide the matter and was expected to do so, if the two could not come to an agreement soon. In a statement from the commissioner, Bud Selig said “I am pleased that the Cubs and the Red Sox have resolved this matter. It has always been my preference that clubs resolve matters like this amongst themselves, as they understand their unique circumstances better than anyone else could”.

The Cubs sent right-handed pitcher Chris Carpenter to the Red Sox….

Continue Reading on Examiner.com

Follow Brian on Twitter @BrianRabuffetti

At a Frozen Fenway work is done to shape the Red Sox roster

Faneuil Sports — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:24:17 +0000

By Brian Rabuffetti

While Fenway Park crews were removing the rink from the Frozen Fenway event, the Boston Red Sox front office was preparing for the upcoming baseball season. The 2012 roster is beginning to take shape for new manager Bobby Valentine. The Red Sox had their busiest week since hiring Valentine. Boston general manager Ben Cherington made some of his most notable moves since taking over as GM.

On January 21, the Red Sox dealt starting shortstop Marco Scutaro to Colorado in exchange for right-hander Clayton Mortensen. Scutaro’s stellar 2009 season in Toronto earned him a three-year deal worth $17 million to become the Red Sox starting shortstop in 2010. The 36-year-old had his second solid year for Boston in 2011 and was one of the few bright spots in September, but his high salary made him expendable.

Click here to continue reading on Examiner.com

Follow Brian on Twitter @BrianRabuffetti

Boston Red Sox introduce interesting Bobby Valentine as their new manager

Faneuil Sports — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 23:40:31 +0000

By Brian Rabuffetti

The Boston Red Sox announced the hiring of Bobby Valentine as their 45th manager. General manager Ben Cherington introduced Valentine as a strong voice, good communicator and passionate leader with a desire to win. In the question and answer portion, Cherington denied and notion that Valentine was not his choice and detailed the process of meeting and selecting him.

Valentine answered questions and mostly spoke of his desire and excitement to speak with and work with the players on a range of issues. He described his interest in the job and his readiness and philosophy to get it done. He mentioned a few times, he doesn’t have any checklists. Valentine told Heidi Watney, who is nearing an end to her time as a Red Sox reporter with NESN, that his first order of business is to put together his schedule and “get to work and get to work hard”.

The 61-year-old fiery ESPN analyst was a USC football and baseball star, a MLB player and professional manager in both the U.S. and Japan before joining the world wide leader in sports. Valentine was the only big-name candidate the Red Sox interviewed during the two-month search.
Continue reading on Examiner.com

Red Sox reporter Heidi Watney is leaving NESN

Faneuil Sports — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 22:25:39 +0000

By Brian Rabuffetti

The Boston Red Sox players and front office will be very different when spring training starts up in March. Now we are learning that the cast delivering them into our home will be different as well. Heidi Watney will not be apart of the NESN’s Red Sox coverage in 2012.

For the past four seasons, Watney reported live in-game updates from the field, complementing NESN’s coverage duo of Don Orsillo and Jerry Remy. She also worked on the networks pre-game and post-game show with Tom Caron and other studio analysts.

Watney is a University of San Diego graduated and was the 2002 Miss California runner up. The 30-year-old began here broadcast career in Fresno with local radio station, the ESPN radio affiliate and the local FOX television station.

Continue reading on Examiner.com

Follow Brian on Twitter @BrianRabuffetti

Saying Goodbye to the Red Sox ’04 and ’07 World Series Teams

Faneuil Sports — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 03:33:36 +0000

By Brian Rabuffetti

Growing up as a Boston Red Sox fan, I had my favorite players and wanted them to play their entire career with the Red Sox. I was upset to see Dwight Evans, Wade Boggs and Roger Clemens leave Boston. As much as I wanted them to stay back then, I now believe that all players should move on eventually.

Jonathan Papelbon (notes) was not heavily recruited to return to the Red Sox. Boston General Manager Ben Cherington didn’t attempt to match the offers Papelbon was receiving. With 219 career saves, Papelbon is the Red Sox all-time saves leader. He was the best closer on the free agent market, but I don’t think Boston’s front office values the closer position enough to pay what the Philadelphia Phillies did. Unfortunately to get a quality replacement, they will have to pay close to that amount for far less quality. I believe Papelbon was their one free agent to keep. They should have tried.

The Red Sox have another 2007 Championship star to consider.J.D. Drew (notes) had an amazing post season in 2007, however the majority of his five years in Boston were subpar for the amount of money he was paid. If Drew doesn’t retire, there is no reason to re-sign him. The Red Sox can bring in a needed right-handed batter to play right field at a cheaper price.Michael Cuddyer (notes) might be a good option.

There are only four players remaining from the 2004 World Series team. Three of them were keys to the team and are now free agents….

Continue Reading on Yahoo! Sports

Follow Brian on Twitter @BrianRabuffetti

Red Sox lose Papelbon to Phillies

Faneuil Sports — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 20:19:12 +0000

By Brian Rabuffetti

According to a report on CSNPhilly.com, the Philadelphia Phillies have reached a contract agreement with Jonathan Papelbon. Papelbon is the Boston Red Sox top free agent player and the best closer in a deep free agent market for the position this year.

The contract is believed to be for four years and close to $50 million. The 30-year-old Papelbon will take over the closer role from Ryan Madson, who is a free agent. Last week it was believed that Madson and the Phillies had reached a deal, but it was never announced and appears both sides will now move on. Madson will likely be one of the playersBostonwill target as Papelbon’s replacement.

Continue Reading on Examiner.com

Follow Brian on Twitter @BrianRabuffetti

Epstein says goodbye to Red Sox fans in Boston Globe ad

Faneuil Sports — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 23:17:54 +0000

By Brian Rabuffetti

Boston Red Sox former general manager Theo Epstein took out a full-page ad in the Sunday Boston Globe newspaper to thank Red Sox Nation, the team’s owners, players, his air apparent to the GM job and others. He also credited the “Fenway faithful” as being the driving force behind two World Series titles and thanked them for supporting the Foundation To Be Named Later.

The 37-year-old Brookline, Mass native officially resigned as the home-town team’s VP and GM to become the Chicago Cubs President of Baseball Operations. A press conference is scheduled in Chicago on Tuesday to announce his joining their organization.

Continue on Examiner.com with ESPN video and link to full letter.

Follow Brian on Twitter @BrianRabuffetti

Epstein to Chicago, Cherington set to take over

Faneuil Sports — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 17:36:24 +0000

By Brian Rabuffetti

Late Friday night on a World Series day off, Yahoo Sports, te am-owned NESN .com and numerous other media outlets reported on the completion of the deal to allow Theo Epstein to leave his Boston Red Sox GM position and become the Chicago Cubs new President of Baseball Operations. Epstein resigned his position inBoston on Friday and will be inChicago for their announcement on Tuesday, which is the next World Series off day.

The Red Sox are now without a Manager and General Manager with both Terry Francona and Epstein resigning. On Tuesday inBoston, the Red Sox are expected to introduce Ben Cherington as their new GM.

Cherington has been the de facto GM whileBostonandChicagomanagement has been working on a compensation package. The compensation still has not been agreed upon, but both sides decided to agree on an outline and allow things to move forward.

Continue Reading on Examiner.com

Follow Brian on Twitter @BrianRabuffetti

David Ortiz honored with Roberto Clemente Award

Faneuil Sports — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 02:34:01 +0000

By Brian Rabuffetti

Despite the reports of a dysfunctional clubhouse and thedepartures of Manager Terry Francona and GM Theo Epstein, a second Boston Red Sox player has won a postseason award. Last week Red Sox center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury, who by all accounts is in contention to win the league MVP, won the AL Comeback Player of the Year Award. On ThursdayBoston’s DH David Ortiz was named the recipient of the 2011 Roberto Clemente Award. Ortiz was presented the award prior to Game Two of the World Series.

The Clemente Award bears the name of the great Pittsburgh Pirates Hall of Famer, who died in a plane crash while en route to provide aid to the earthquake strickenNicaraguain 1972. The annual award is given to the player who best represents all of baseball on and off the field with sportsmanship and community involvement. Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield was the 2010 winner.

Continue Reading on Examiner.com

Follow Brian on Twitter @BrianRabuffetti