Nick Maloney's Boston Red Sox fan blog

The Red Sox made an interesting move yesterday in signing outfielder Bobby Kielty to a non-guaranteed minor league contract. The move comes as a bit of a surprise considering the Red Sox already have a surplus of outfielders with Coco Crisp currently holding the role of fourth outfielder.

The Red Sox bench now includes first baseman Sean Casey, backup catcher Doug Mirabelli, switch hitting outfielder Coco Crisp and outfielder Bobby Kielty.

Kielty endeared himself to many Red Sox fans with his solo home run in the 8th inning of game four of the World Series in Denver. It proved to be the winning run.

The head scratching aspect of the deal is where it leaves Coco Crisp. He was all but gone in the trade for Johan Santana had the Twins chosen the Sox offer, but when that fell through it left questions regarding his role on the team.

Continue reading "Red Sox sign Kielty, Pave Way to Move Crisp?"

If you're using the fact that Spring Training begins less than two weeks from now as a way to get over that catastrophe of a football game last Sunday, I'm with you.

Pitchers and catchers voluntary report date is Valentine's day (awww), and it is a day that will hopefully help to mend the many broken hearts that the Giants walked all over.  No, Johan Santana will not be in the Sox rotation. No, A-rod didn't defect. Thank God.

Yes, you're stuck with Julio Lugo as your everyday shortstop. Yes, J.D. Drew is still your right fielder, though his granny in game 6 of the ALCS did a lot to cut him some slack. But another year of .260 batting and patience will wear thin quickly.

I still like the rotation of Beckett, Schilling, Dice-k, Wakefield, and Lester/Buccholz, but people's expectations for Clay are much too high based on his no-hitter last year. He's got enormous potential, but based on what they saw in September it seems as though people expect him to be lights out. He's going to have his growing pains. As will Ellsbury.

Continue reading "Hope Springs Eternal"