V-Mart and Wake signed/ V-Tek declined

With the GM winter meeting's starting today the hot stove chatter is about to pick up. The Boston Red Sox today officially announced by GM Theo Epstein that they exercised the 2010 contract option on catcher Victor Martinez and declined to exercise team options on shortstop Alex Gonzalez which was announced by the media yesterday and catcher Jason Varitek, Tek now has four days to decide whether to exercise his $3 million option or become a free agent.. Additionally, the club signed right-handed pitcher Tim Wakefield to a two-year contract. The Red Sox did some cost-cutting with Tim Wakefield according to sources. Rather than pick up his $4 million option for 2010, they signed him to a $3.5 million deal. He also will get a $1.5 million deal for 2011 that includes incentives. This replaces the $4 million option Wakefield had. So instead of Wake costing $8 million over the next 2 seasons, it will be $5 million. The incentives could add another $2 million.

Sox decline option on Alex Gonzalez for 2010

The Red Sox have declined shortstop, Alex Gonzalez's $6 million option for 2010 according to boston.com, but the club still may have interest in bringing Gonzo back in 2010 on a lesser salary. News of the Sox’ decision to decline the option on Gonzalez comes just 2 days after the Milwaukee Brewers traded shortstop J.J. Hardy to the Minnesota Twins for outfielder Carlos Gomez. A different baseball source according the Boston Globe indicated that the Sox had been having ongoing discussions with the Brewers about Hardy since just before the July 31 trading deadline, but that Milwaukee’s interest was primarily in either starter Clay Buchholz or reliever Daniel Bard, neither of whom the Sox were willing to give up. Gonzalez, 32, had a huge impact on the Red Sox’ defense this year (just one error in 44 games) while batting .284 with five home runs. With Gonzalez now eligible for free agency, the Sox do not have an everyday shortstop on their roster. When the season ended, even general manager Theo Epstein all but acknowledged that Jed Lowrie’s injury history has cast doubt on Lowrie’s ability to handle the position on a daily basis.

The Sox trade for Hermida from the Marlins

Today the Red Sox traded for 25 year old outfielder Jeremy Hermida from the Florida Marlins for 2 left handed pitchers, Hunter Jones and Jose Alvarez. Hermida has lefty power and at this point and time in the off season seems to be the candidate for the 4th outfielder position for the Sox.

Also, today Jason Bay, Billy Wagner and Rocco Baldelli officially signed for free agency.

Sox Bench Coach, Brad Mills named Astros Manager

The Houston Astros have nameed Red Sox bench coach Brad Mills as their next manager. Houston television station KRIV was the first to report the news. Mills, Terry Francona's righthand man during his entire six-year tenure with the Red Sox, has no managerial experience in the majors, Mills has managed 11 seasons in the minor leagues with the Cubs, Rockies and Dodgers organizations. The 52-year-old completed a third round of interviews with Astros management on Monday, and was chosen over former Astros manager Phil Garner and interim manager Dave Clark, who replaced the fired Cecil Cooper on Sept. 21. Mills will be the Astros' fifth manager since 2002. Houston has missed the postseason the last four years after going to the World Series in 2005.

Japanese phenom Yusei Kikuchi opts to stay in Japan

Yusei Kikuchi, the highly regarded Japanese phenom who the Red Sox met on Monday, has decided to remain in Japan and enter the NPB draft rather than pursue a career in the United States. The Sox were one of eight Major League Baseball teams with whom the left-handed pitcher met with. Kikuchi has a fastball that sits at 89-92 mph and that touches the mid-90s. That, combined with a potentially plus-curveball, made him a talent who intrigued teams in the U.S. and Japan alike. Kikuchi, 18, could have signed as an international amateur free agent with an MLB team. He is more highly regarded than countryman Junichi Tazawa, who signed a $3.3 million major-league deal with the Sox as an amateur last offseason. He announced his decision in a press conference in Japan.

Assistant GM Jed Hoyer is headed to the Padres

According to Major League sources, Jed Hoyer will be named the San Diego Padres general manager. The 35-year-old Hoyer, who held the title of vice president and assistant general manager, has been a with the Red Sox' front office since 2002. It is not known when the Padres will make their formal announcement. Hoyer, a New Hampshire native who played baseball at Wesleyan, first gained recognition among Red Sox fans following the 2005 season, when he and Ben Cherington served as co-general managers during Epstein's 10-week absence after departing following a falling out with team president and chief executive officer Larry Lucchino. During Epstein's absence, Hoyer and Cherington, along with fellow front office members Bill Lajoie and Craig Shipley, made a couple of significant transactions, including the deal that sent shortstop Hanley Ramirez and prospects to the Florida Marlins for pitcher Josh Beckett and third baseman Mike Lowell. Hoyer's duties with the Red Sox primarily concerned major league personnel. He will replace Kevin Towers in the general manager's role in San Diego. Towers was fired earlier this month after being with the Padres 15 seasons as GM. Towers reportedly has a standing offer to join the Red Sox' front office staff. ESPN's Peter Gammons also reported yesterday that a similar offer has been extended to former Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi, a Worcester, MA native.

Sox outright Saito

The Boston Globe is reporting that Takashi Saito has been outrighted by the Red Sox off of their 40-man roster. This is means the Red Sox will not be picking up the 2010 option on his contract.

Wagner contemplating retirement

According to today's New York Post, Red Sox relief pitcher, Billy Wagner is in considering retirement. Wagner who has 385 career saves is just 15 away from the 400 milestone which only has the company of 3 toher players, Trevor Hoffman, Mariano Rivera and Lee Smith. The left handed closer is mulling over retiring rather than being signed by either the Sox or another club this offseason and to reach the milestone.
"I don't plan on talking to nobody," Wagner said, when asked by Post reporter Mike Puma which teams he might consider pitching for.

"Why wouldn't I [consider retirement]?" he added. "I've got nothing else to [accomplish]."
Before being acquired by the Red Sox, Wagner asked that the club not pick up his $8.8 million option for next season so he could become a free agent and become a closer elsewhere. The Red Sox granted his request.

Wagner's agent, Bean Stringfellow, said that he's not reading too far into the report.

“Those comments probably came right after the Red Sox lost, so I’d bet they were said in the heat of the moment, when he was very frustrated,” Stringfellow told the Boston Herald. “That’s probably not the best time to take comments like that as gospel.

“That’s not what Billy has told me or indicated to me about next year. That’s not to say that he couldn’t, but he’s given me no indication that he will retire. Certainly, I am moving towards him playing next year.”

In Theo we trust!

With the Sox out of the playoffs after a disappointing loss, to me that ranks up there if not the top loss easily in the top 2 along with losing game 7 back in 2003 to the Yankees. Sitting and watching the game in the bottom of the 8th inning I was almost positive the Sox would be playing for another day(which would of been today). With Jonathan Papelbon's track record in the post season it was almost a sure thing. For most of the season Paps didn't come into the game and not have or put guys on. So in the top of the ninth in yesterdays game was no different. I know a lot of Red Sox Nation is writing Papelbon off and want him gone. I personally am very disappointed that the season ended this way. But what can you do other than start building for next year. There is a lot to be asked. Will Jason Bay be back, you know he is going to test the market now for sure with the season he had. Mike Lowell, David Ortiz will be in their last contract year with the Sox. Jonathan Papelbon's contract is up, will he be re-signed or will he test the free agency market. Josh Beckett, Billy Wagner, Victor Martinez, Alex Gonzalez, Jason Varitek, Tim Wakefield, Takashi Saito contract is up but has a club option for 2010. Hideki Okajima's, Paul Byrd, Nick Green, Joey Gathright, Rocco Baldelli, Manny Delcarmen, Jacoby Ellsbury, Ramon Ramirez, Brian Anderson, Jed Lowrie, Clay Buchholz and Casey Kotchman's contract is up. So there is al ot to be asked and answered. Will the Sox pull off some trades to pull in a short stop, will they go after another big bat. The host stove season will be upon us soon enough and all I can say is... in Theo we trust!

Thats a wrap

The Red Sox 2009 season has come to an end! To make a long story short, the Sox go into the 9th inning with Papelbon on the mound to close out the game. Papelbon falls apart giving up 3 runs all with two outs to give the Angels the lead for good going ahead 7-6. Bottom of the 9th Sox go down 1-2-3 with fly ball outs.

Clay Buchholz goes 5 innings giving up 6 hits and 2 earned runs. He walked 1 striking out 3 in his first career post season start. Offensively the Sox bats showed a heart beat today compared to the 1st two games of the ALDS out in Anaheim. Mike Lowell was the only Sox player with 2 hits. Ellsbury, Pedroia, Martinez, Ortiz, and Drew each had a hit. J.D. Drew hit a 2 run HR the only dinger for the Sox, Drew's HR came in the 4th inning with 1 out. Dustin Pedroia and J.D. Drew had two RBIs each. Lowell and Martinez had an RBI.

Have to believe!

In less than a half hour the Sox take the field in a must win game.

Do or die

Today most of Red Sox Nation will be sitting on the edge of their seats watching today's game 3 against the Angels that starts at 12:07pm. The Sox are back in Boston down 2 games to none, the sox must win today in order to keep their playoff run alive and force a game 4 tomorrow.

Today Clay Buchholz is making his 1st career post season start on the mound. The Sox are playing at home where they went 56-25 during the regular season opposed to 39-42 on the road. The Angles it seemed it didn't really matter they had home field advantage going 49-32 at home and on the road they are 48-33. Today the Sox need to simply just hit. The Sox had 8 hits combined in the first 2 games of the ALDS out in Anaheim. The Sox are batting a measly .131(8 for 61) so far in the ALDS. Game 1 starter Jon Lester did not pitch that bad, he got himself in few jams, gave up a few runs. Same goes for game 2 starter Josh Beckett. Beckett to me for the first 6 innings was pitching quite well. The 7th inning definately did him in giving up 3 earned runs in the bottom frame of the inning. Both starting pitchers had run support. The Sox lead off hitter, Jacoby Ellsbury is the only Sox player to have a multi hit game and more than one hit so far to date in the Red Sox 2009 playoff campaign.

Today's starting line up

Terry Francona is keeping with the same line up other than switching Jason Bay batting 5th and Ortiz moved to the 6th spot.

1. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
3. Victor Martinez, C
4. Kevin Youkilis, 2B
5. Jason Bay, LF
6. David Oritz, DH
7. Mike Lowell, 3B
8. J.D. Drew, RF
9. Alex Gonzalez, SS

• On the mound: Clay Buchholz

Heading home down 0-2

The Red Sox are heading back to Boston today down 0-2, in the ALDS. The Sox will take the field and have to win to keep their playoff run alive. Offensively the Sox have been quiet for the first 2 games of the series with 8 hits with 1 run.

Last night Josh Beckett took the loss going 6 2/3 innings, giving up 5 hits, 4 earned runs, with one walk and had 3 strike outs. Jered Weaver held the Sox to 2 hits going 7 1/3 innings striking out 7.

The Sox got on the board first in the 4th inning when Jacoby Ellsbury hit a triple and then Victor Martinez singled to up the middle to shallow center field to plate Ellsbury. The Angels tied the game in the bottom part of the inning. The seventh inning was the inning that got away from Beckett giving up 3 runs.

If there is a game 4

Yesterday before Game 2, while talking to the press Terry Francona said if their is a game four they will most likely go with Jon Lester on 3 days rest and opt not to go with Daisuke Matsuzaka. In game 1, Lester threw 100 pitches. If their is a game 4 and Lester pitches that game and if they tie the series with Anaheim at home will allow Josh Beckett who pitched last night to pitch game 5.

“There’s a decent chance," manager Terry Francona said. "He threw 100
pitches. I think we’d like to bring him back. I’m getting ahead of myself, but
then we’d want Beckett to pitch Game 5. That’s what we’re hoping to do. But, try
to get through tonight, make sure Lester’s OK. If not, we’ll throw Daisuke. That
was kind of what we were thinking all along.”

Jon Lester has started on three days rest once. He allowed four runs on nine hits and two walks, surrendering two home runs, in a no-decision.