http://www.yardbarker.com/content/player/41064 Recent articles about Michael Bowden en-us Business begins to pick up in the Texas Rangers' front office in the wake of a disappointing 7-5 loss to the Seattle Mariners. Tue, 29 Jul 2008 16:05:15 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/297621 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/297621 I understand that the cost of relievers over the past few years has skyrocketed, but this asking price is a tad bit ridiculous.. The Boston Globe reported last night that the Red Sox were in the mix for former National's reliever Jon Rauch. Rauch has a 2.98 ERA and was dealt to the Diamondbacks for Arizona's #6 prospect, Emilio Bonifacio. Here is where the story gets interesting, Washington asked for Jed Lowrie AND Michael Bowden from the Red Sox. Last year cost the Red Sox big-time (Kason Gabbard and David Murphy) to acquire Eric Gagne. Gagne was only a rental and his contract expired 2+ months after the trade took place yet the Texas Rangers now own 2 ex-Boston prospects for a few more years. This year the Rockies have asked for Clay Buchholz in a potential trade for Brian Fuentes. Fuentes would have been a rental as well and Theo Epstein seems to have decided that the asking price is way too high. If Buchholz for Fuentes was too high, how in the world did Washington think that Lowrie and Bowden for Rauch would be doable? Insanity. Fri, 25 Jul 2008 09:56:13 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/295423 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/295423 Sox dynamo prospect Michael Bowden was touched up last night in his AAA debut for the PawSox. In 4 innings of work, Bowden surrendered 3 earned on 7 hits (5 doubles) and struck out 4. He did not walk a batter. Michael seemed tentative, as the Clippers got to him early, scoring 2 in the first, and added another in the 2nd. Bowden began his AAA career by allowing three straight base hits, before striking out Columbus' cleanup hitter Yurendell de Caster, who has homered 6 times off righties this year. The big righty ended up settling into the game in the 3rd and 4th, but gave up a long double to start the 5th, and thats when he got the hook. Old friend Calvin 'Pokey' Reese started at second for the Clippers. He went 1-3 with a sac bunt that led to a run, kind of like the pass that leads to the assist. Pokey raised him average to a scorching .154 in AAA, granted its only 26 ABs. Bowden toes the rubber again on Saturday, July 26 vs. Toledo, whom the first place PawSox recently split a series in Rhode Island against. Toledo as a team leads the International League with 147 homers on the season, but Toledo's home field is statistically a pitchers park, allowing league lows in HR's. The Mud Hens are led by Mike Hessman, who has jacked 30 bombs this year, ranking third in all of the minors this year. Gametime is @ 7:05 EST. See you there, prospect stalkers! Tue, 22 Jul 2008 14:14:36 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/293896 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/293896 Michael Bowden was #3 on my pre-season list of Red Sox pitching prospects and number 94 on Baseball America's 'Top 100 MLB Prospects' list for 2008. So far this season he's done nothing but put together a good case to increase his ranking on both lists. How good has he been? Look for yourself.. Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:56:13 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/288708 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/288708 Earlier today starting pitcher Ben Sheets of the Milwaukee Brewers announced that he will officially test the free agency market at the end of this season. Would I like to see Ben Sheets in a Red Sox uniform next year? No question about it. Do I think that Theo Epstein will take a chance on signing him in the offseason? Maybe, but probably not. Despite what people say about CC Sabathia, Sheets will probably be the best free agent arm available this offseason. If the Brewers drop out of contention early, he could also be trade bait sometime in the next month or so. If this happens, I don't think Theo Epstein will trade for him this season nor do I think he'll make him an outrageously high contract offer next winter. Here's why.. Wed, 25 Jun 2008 17:08:52 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/282377 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/282377 Sox on Deck checks in with their monthly minor league update... Clay Buchholz could be on his way back to Boston, and Michael Bowden could be the greatest product of the Red Sox farm system ever... read more at The Bottom Line... Wed, 25 Jun 2008 13:53:39 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/282288 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/282288