http://www.yardbarker.com/rss/team/4 Recent articles about the Boston Red Sox en-us The Red Sox reportedly picked up Victor Martinez's $7.1 million team option, declined Jason Varitek's $5 million team option, and tore up Tim Wakefield's team option and replaced it with a two-year agreement. Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:54:29 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Boston_Red_Sox_Tim_Wakefield_agree_to_two_year_deal/1532777 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Boston_Red_Sox_Tim_Wakefield_agree_to_two_year_deal/1532777 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Boston_Red_Sox_Tim_Wakefield_agree_to_two_year_deal/1532777 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/8/3/8342eb4fac2a874ea027c93b6222ac42e8722b59/small/PicImg_MLB_APR_15_b981.jpg The Red Sox reportedly picked up Victor Martinez's option for 2010. Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:33:37 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Boston_Red_Sox_reportedly_picked_up_Victor_Martinezs_option_for_2010/1532131 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Boston_Red_Sox_reportedly_picked_up_Victor_Martinezs_option_for_2010/1532131 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Boston_Red_Sox_reportedly_picked_up_Victor_Martinezs_option_for_2010/1532131 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/b/b/bb90f271463193e199d5496decc8e94a88ac9049/small/peavy.jpg by Ben Margot - AP Remember Javier Lopez? Turns out he's a free agent. View full size photo » The Over The Monster top prospects list should start being compiled fairly soon. We'll be using reader voting again, with a slightly different format which should make it so that "write ins" aren't necessary. Arizona Fall League Luis Exposito: 3-8, 2B -- .286/.324/.429 -Expo's numbers just ... Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:34:06 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Minor_League_Update_110909/1531956 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Minor_League_Update_110909/1531956 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Minor_League_Update_110909/1531956 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/9/4/94805102f207b9a02f5504376772e7e664135113/small/PicImg_MLB_APR_12_3c58.jpg Back on October 12th, we learned that the Boston Red Sox were going to pick up the option on the contract of catcher Victor Martinez. And today, Red Sox GM Theo Epstein made it official. According to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, the Red Sox have exercised the $7.5 million option on VMart’s contract. And [...] Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:15:38 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Red_Sox_Exercise_Option_On_Contract_Of_Victor_Martinez/1530610 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Red_Sox_Exercise_Option_On_Contract_Of_Victor_Martinez/1530610 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Red_Sox_Exercise_Option_On_Contract_Of_Victor_Martinez/1530610 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/b/b/bb90f271463193e199d5496decc8e94a88ac9049/small/peavy.jpg With the season over and the clock ticking towards the beginning of free agency, you’re going to see a lot of rankings of the available players. I would imagine that every single one of them will have Jason Bay slotted in as the #2 position player on the market, behind only Matt Holliday. [...] Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:00:07 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Bay_Vs_Cameron/1530002 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Bay_Vs_Cameron/1530002 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Bay_Vs_Cameron/1530002 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/b/8/b85ce92fc2cad3c8a11ce5d9fad03454b6631eef/small/3d.jpg MLB Trade Rumors posted its list of the 50 top free agents including where they think each one will end up.  They have Holliday going to the Mets, Lackey going to the Yanks and Bay returning to Boston.  They also include Marco Scutaro going to the Red Sox: Marco Scutaro - Red Sox. It's difficult to place Scutaro, because not many teams with shortstop vacancies will be willing to pay the three years and $18MM+ he'll likely demand.  The Sox would be getting the best available short... Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:58:32 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Is_Marco_Scutaro_a_Fit_in_Boston/1529763 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Is_Marco_Scutaro_a_Fit_in_Boston/1529763 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Is_Marco_Scutaro_a_Fit_in_Boston/1529763 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/f/2/f2d4c2479d3f158bf3b1dc8ba1ee1d94878cea49/small/PicImg_MLB_APR_08_93ef.jpg When I heard the Sox had declined Alex Gonzalez’ option for 2010, I’ll admit to being a little surprised. I figgered we’d do what we needed to do to keep the guy around another year, then let him slowly fade into the sunlight next autumn, like David Banner at the end of every episode of The Incredible Hulk. I was impressed with his 2009 glove work, though it may have just been the fact that he wasn’t Julio Lugo or Jed Lowrie. And for a guy who’s known to be “all glove, no offense love,” A-Gon... Mon, 09 Nov 2009 06:30:00 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Rick_Burleson_Greatest_Reclamation_Project_Ever/1529799 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Rick_Burleson_Greatest_Reclamation_Project_Ever/1529799 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Rick_Burleson_Greatest_Reclamation_Project_Ever/1529799 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/8/0/8047252961165b714fb1c93d936ba58f255fcfb1/small/Alex_Gonzalez_at_5779.jpg Right now, it’s not looking like he’ll be a member of the Boston Red Sox. According to Tony Massarotti of the Boston Globe, the Red Sox have declined the $6 million option on the contract of shortstop Alex Gonzalez. He does say the Red Sox would like to have him back at a lesser salary. By declining [...] Sun, 08 Nov 2009 23:05:21 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Where_Will_Alex_Gonzalez_End_Up_In_2010/1529476 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Where_Will_Alex_Gonzalez_End_Up_In_2010/1529476 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Where_Will_Alex_Gonzalez_End_Up_In_2010/1529476 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/8/4/84863ea1251d3ce67641816b3f48ba05a13c4aaa/small/GettyImageProxy.ashx_requestUrl_http_3a_2f_2fcache.gettyimages.com_2fxc_2f2631062.jpg_3fv_3d1_26c_3dEWSAsset_26k_3d2_26d_3d17A4AD9FDB9CF1930CAC8EAFC893BBEB12487D673F8DD85D.jpg It has been reported today that the Red Sox have declined Alex Gonzalez's $6M option for 2010.  They say that the Sox may still be interested in bringing Gonzo back, but for a lesser amount. Sighs.  Let me tell you how much I don't like this.  One, I like Gonzo.  I thought he brought so much to the club last year.  His defense was spectacular (one error while with the Sox) and his offense was surprisingly good.  Gonzo seemed like a perfect fit for SS, especially since we don't kn... Sun, 08 Nov 2009 20:31:48 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Red_Sox_Decline_Gonzos_Option/1526673 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Red_Sox_Decline_Gonzos_Option/1526673 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Red_Sox_Decline_Gonzos_Option/1526673 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/6/6/664cab591b41a28fcf1b7390331bb3db53ab3b91/small/Alex_Gonzalez_turns_b9cd.jpg Well its officially that time again. The time of, "who should the Red Sox sign, re-sign, drop, and trade for" time.There are, indeed, a lot of questions. Here's a quick breakdown:The obviousJason Bay and Jason VaritekThe not as obviousAlex Gonzalez and Rocco BaldelliIn questionMike Lowell and David OrtizThis was the 2009 starting lineup for the most part:1. Jacoby Ellsbury CF2. Dustin Pedroia 2B3. Victor Martinez C/1B /Kevin Youkilis 1B/3B4. Jason Bay LF5. J.D. Drew RF6. David O... Sun, 08 Nov 2009 20:23:00 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Lots_of_question_marks_for_2010_Red_Sox_starters/1526735 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Lots_of_question_marks_for_2010_Red_Sox_starters/1526735 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Lots_of_question_marks_for_2010_Red_Sox_starters/1526735 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/b/8/b85ce92fc2cad3c8a11ce5d9fad03454b6631eef/small/3d.jpg The Red Sox declined the option on Alex Gonzalez, leaving them for the moment without a starting shortstop: The Red Sox have declined a $6 million option on shortstop Alex Gonzalez, according to a source, but the club still may have interest in bringing the player back in 2010 on a lesser salary. … Gonzalez, 32, had a [...] Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:48:34 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Shortstop_Problems_Continue/1525816 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Shortstop_Problems_Continue/1525816 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Shortstop_Problems_Continue/1525816 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/8/0/8047252961165b714fb1c93d936ba58f255fcfb1/small/Alex_Gonzalez_at_5779.jpg More photos » by Elise Amendola - AP about 1 month ago: Boston Red Sox' Alex Gonzalez, center, celebrates with teammates Dustin Pedroia, right, and others after hitting a walkoff single to drive in the winning run for a 9-8 victory against the Los Angeles Angels in the ninth inning of a baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2009. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola) Browse more photos » ... Sun, 08 Nov 2009 16:23:13 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Red_Sox_Decline_SS_Alex_Gonzalezs_6M_Option/1525258 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Red_Sox_Decline_SS_Alex_Gonzalezs_6M_Option/1525258 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Red_Sox_Decline_SS_Alex_Gonzalezs_6M_Option/1525258 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/8/4/84863ea1251d3ce67641816b3f48ba05a13c4aaa/small/GettyImageProxy.ashx_requestUrl_http_3a_2f_2fcache.gettyimages.com_2fxc_2f2631062.jpg_3fv_3d1_26c_3dEWSAsset_26k_3d2_26d_3d17A4AD9FDB9CF1930CAC8EAFC893BBEB12487D673F8DD85D.jpg With all the controversy surrounding weather to bring back Johnny Damon or Hideki Matsui, many fans have brought up the idea of signing outfielders Matt Holliday or Jason Bay. To me, when you win a championship, you shouldn't really try to change your team all that much, unless there's a guy like Mark Teixeira or CC Sabathia out there on the market, which this year, there isn't. The top pitcher on the free-agent market is John Lackey, and the best power-hitters are Jason Bay and H... Sun, 08 Nov 2009 13:50:00 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Will_The_Yanks_Go_After_Bay_Or_Holliday/1524494 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Will_The_Yanks_Go_After_Bay_Or_Holliday/1524494 With all the controversy surrounding weather to bring back Johnny Damon or Hideki Matsui, many fans have brought up the idea of signing outfielders Matt Holliday or Jason Bay. To me, when you win a championship, you shouldn't really try to change your team all that much, unless there's a guy like Mark Teixeira or CC Sabathia out there on the market, which this year, there isn't. The top pitcher on the free-agent market is John Lackey, and the best power-hitters are Jason Bay and H... Sun, 08 Nov 2009 13:50:00 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Will_The_Yanks_Go_After_Bay_Or_Holliday/1524496 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Will_The_Yanks_Go_After_Bay_Or_Holliday/1524496 Via MetsBlog.com, Peter Gammons discusses the future of Josh Beckett with the Red Sox. But Beckett clearly is looking at the money the Yankees paid CC Sabathia ($161 million over seven years) and thinking he, too, can make between $15 million and $20 million. That will be a very tough call for the Red Sox, not [...] Sat, 07 Nov 2009 11:01:05 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/What_8217s_Beckett_Worth/1518641 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/What_8217s_Beckett_Worth/1518641 Last season the Red Sox spent more than $20 million less on their payroll than they did in 2007.  With the current economic climate the team does not have the income it had two years ago.  NESN viewership is down meaning ad revenue is down.  In addition John Henry's hedge fund is hemorrhaging money, so much so that he had to lay off a quarter of his staff.  He has entered into other areas like Nascar but money is even tighter there.  The Mark Teixeira negotiations may not have been a simp... Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:58:27 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Do_the_Red_Sox_Have_any_Money_to_Spend/1517193 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Do_the_Red_Sox_Have_any_Money_to_Spend/1517193 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/Do_the_Red_Sox_Have_any_Money_to_Spend/1517193 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/9/d/9dfb29981fabf6e4fcebcd8d7854b27c6bfea5a8/small/c5.jpg Yesterday, more than half of the eligible players jumped into the magic waters of free agency, like a horde of shoppers barreling down the halls of WalMart on Black Friday to grab the last Tickle Me Jim Croce. Not surprising to anyone, Jason Bay was among the first into the pool, looking to improve on the four years and 60 million clams we offered him. Theo has characterized negotiations thus far with Bay as "weird", which is never a good sign. But when the player you covet admits t... Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:39:00 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/A_Little_Traveling_Music_Please/1511454 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/A_Little_Traveling_Music_Please/1511454 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/A_Little_Traveling_Music_Please/1511454 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/b/8/b85ce92fc2cad3c8a11ce5d9fad03454b6631eef/small/3d.jpg With Josh Beckett set to become a free agent at the end of the 2010 season, it looks as though Beckett and the Red Sox are ready to start talking contract:"Josh Beckett, who was in Boston to be honored for his commitment to Children’s Hospital, told WEEI.com that he and his agent, Michael Moye, are planning to meet with Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein in the coming weeks to discuss the . pitcher’s future with the team.“We’re just letting things die down a little bit,” Beckett said. ... Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:45:00 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Hypothetically_Speaking_The_Josh_Beckett_Contract_Extension/1497517 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Hypothetically_Speaking_The_Josh_Beckett_Contract_Extension/1497517 http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/article_external/Hypothetically_Speaking_The_Josh_Beckett_Contract_Extension/1497517 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/c/7/c7b6ecbf752553bca2c04f9ad5fef0256e179a79/small/Beckett_throws_during_613f.jpg