The 2009 Boston Red Sox are going to resemble very closely the 08 version. What the Red Sox hope is that they will have very different endings. They made some upgrades here and there, with the signing of Rocco Baldelli, and John Smoltz, but no major changes. Varitek will still be catching the pitches, though he will be spelled by newbie Josh Bard perhaps a few games more than usual. Big Papi, Pedroia, Youkilis, and Jason Bay will still be smacking the ball around the park. The real difference you might see is a bit of urgency on the part of the team. They won nothing much at all last year, and they want that to change.

The evil empire that is the New York Yankees went out and signed everyone, and spent about a billion dollars doing it. The Rays upgraded an already awesome team with the signing of Pat Burrell from the World Champion Phillies. Boston liked their chances as is for the most part. That decision will play a large role in the results of this season. Will they move up by standing pat?

The Red Sox are blessed with plenty of talent across the board. They have solid players at pretty much every single fielding position and their starting pitching and bullpen is sure to be near the top of the line as well. Jacoby Ellsbury and his development may end up being the biggest key in the whole season for the Red Sox. They need him to step up and be a powerful force on the bases. Youkilis will need to duplicate the great season of a year ago, as will Pedroia.

The starters are counting on a bounce back season from Josh Beckett. Last year was a bit of a nightmare for him mostly, and they can ill afford for him to struggle this year. A great year from Beckett will virtually guarantee that Boston will be in the mix for the playoffs. You have to figure that you will get solid work from the rest of the starters.

Here is a look at the expected lineup for the Boston Red Sox and starting rotation:

Catcher – Jason Varitek
First Base – Kevin Youkilis
Second Base – Dustin Pedroia
Third Base – Mike Lowell
Shortstop – Julio Lugo
Left Field – Jason Bay
Center Field – Jacoby Ellsbury
Right Field – J.D. Drew
DH – David Ortiz
Starting Pitchers – Josh Beckett (R) Daisuke Matsuzaka (R) Jon Lester (L) Tim Wakefield (R) Brad Penny (R)
Closer – Jonathan Papelbon (R)

First of all, they are going to have to get even better pitching than last year. The Rays are in the same division with the retooled and powerful New York Yankees, as well as the Boston Red Sox. Additionally, the Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays are no pushovers anymore as both have strengthened their chances. The competition is the one thing that has changed for the Rays, and they must improve with it.

The Rays are largely the same team that took the field last year, with one important addition of note. They now have slugger Pat Burrell to take over the DH duties and his power and presence should pay dividends. The one catch with Burrell is that he strikes out far too often, and he does not hit for any average at all to speak of. What Burrell does do, however, is hit Home Runs and drive home runners. The slugger will be a potent force for the Rays in the 2009 season.

Carl Crawford is another key ingredient for the Rays. He has just not been the same the last couple of years, and the Rays could really use him getting back to the player he was a couple years ago. He still has the speed, and gets the stolen bases, but he has the talent to be so much more. You have to know that Crawford is due to break out soon. He is just too talented not to.

Evan Longoria provided one of the more memorable rookie seasons in MLB history last year, and this year he will need to avoid the sophomore slump. This year will be the year that he might struggle if he is going to. With the natural ability he possesses, this is highly unlikely. I expect that Longoria will be even better with Burrell in the lineup. Also the loss of Rocco Baldelli will demand that Longoria produce even more. Baldelli was hurt a lot, but when he was in he was a force to be sure.

The Rays are in prime position to repeat last seasons World Series run, and if the cards fall right, they could even improve and win it. The keys are going to be pitching, and the continued growth of their young players. If these things come together, the Rays might find themselves back in the Fall Classic and continuing their rise to the top of the baseball world.

Chipper has been about as steady as one could hope for given the longevity of his career. His statistics are sterling, yet he has struggled to stay healthy in recent seasons. Health was a large factor in the Braves allowing John Smoltz to go away. Now they must decide if the veteran Jones is going to be worth signing for another two to three years. Chipper wants such a deal, and has made it public. He said, “The Braves organization is the only one I’ve ever known and I want to play in Atlanta forever, …But, as we’ve found out, it doesn’t always matter what the player wants.” Chipper Jones is entering the final year of his contract, and is hoping that the Braves will extend it, though no moves have been made so far. The Braves are still trying to get the kinks of arbitration worked out at this point, and probably have not broached the subject yet. Surely, however, they have talked in private about what they will do with Chipper. Nobody knows which way they are leaning but them, including Chipper himself. The truth of the matter is that the Braves have taken one heck of a hit as far as fan reaction with the news of Smoltz leaving. Losing Chipper just might set off a riot in Atlanta, where Chipper is about as popular as a player can be. This might be the straw that breaks the camels back with fans if they decide that Chipper retiring as a Brave is not going to happen. For this reason alone, the Braves should extend Chipper’s contract. It is not as if they are signing a player that is not contributing. Even now, Chipper is one of the best hitters in the league. He nearly hit .400 during the course of last season, and he seemed as youthful and energetic as ever throughout the season.

The Braves would be a better team with Chipper than without him, and their is no reason to think that would change over the next two to three seasons. What is truly amazing about Chipper is his understanding of the nuts and bolts of the franchise. He knows that he can not expect a huge contract, and even though he likely could command big dollars in free agency, he wants to stay a Brave. That is class, and dedication to your team. That shows character, and the need to be a part of something that is bigger than himself. That is Chipper…old school all the way. It is also the very reason that the Braves should sign him to an extension….yesterday.

John Smoltz restructured his contracts, took less money, went to the bullpen, came back to starting, and anything else the Braves asked of him during his long tenure with them. Long after super Braves Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine had bolted for greener pastures, Smoltz was there and doing his job quietly and with class. When the ballclub was struggling, Smoltz was there steady and solid, and never caused a problem for the Atlanta Braves.

Now, in the twilight of a sure Hall of Fame career, Smoltz had an opportunity to win another World Series. How can you possibly blame the man for taking that chance to pitch in the legendary Fenway Park? To line up against the Yankees on a regular basis and get some of the attention that he deserves after his long and illustrious career? John Smoltz deserves this chance to be put on the grand stage.

When the Hall of Fame comes calling, and they will, you can be sure that he will go in as an Atlanta Brave. Nothing could stop Smoltz from being known as an Atlanta Brave. He is just to much of a recognized entity for them. That will never change.
Smoltz will help the Boston Red Sox in a number of ways that have nothing to do with ERA or strikeouts. Smoltz will bring class to an organization that could use it. The Red Sox are a wonderful organization, but they are in need of a wiley veteran that can hold the clubhouse together during adverse situations. Particularly with Captain Jason Varitek still unsigned and in doubt for 2009. Smoltz will provide just that.

Smoltz is known around the league as being a great influence in the clubhouse. His addition to the Red Sox will give them the advantage of having another coach on the field, or in the bullpen during his non-starting days. Also, Smoltz gives the Red Sox options in the staff. Not only can he start games, but he can close games in a pinch. If the Red Sox have closer problems, he is there. That is a golden ticket that could mean the difference for the Red Sox.

During the period of the eighties and early nineties, Henderson was an absolute beast on the baseball diamond. He could absolutely control a baseball game with his feet as he would often swipe second and third in a single inning. Nobody in the history of Major League Baseball has stolen more bases or scored more runs than Rickey Henderson. Henderson was no slouch at the plate, either. He was about as likely to pop a home run as to hit a slicing triple, and that gave his game an extra dimension during his best years.

It was these qualities that led to Henderson being voted in on the first ballot at a cool 94.8 percent. Henderson is the 44th player to be elected into the Hall of Fame on the first ballot. he will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on July 26th along with Boston slugger Jim Rice. Rice is entering the Hall of Fame on the final ballot, and made it by the skin of his teeth. Others that came up just short included Andre Dawson, Bert Blyleven, Lee Smith, and Jack Morris.

Henderson was easily one of the best leadoff hitters of all time. He would start a game off with a home run 81 times throughout his career, and nobody knows how many times Henderson would reach and steal second to start a game. He generated runs for a team at a record pace throughout his career, and made virtually every team he played for a much better one. In his long and illustrious career, Henderson stole more bases and scored more runs than any player in history. His stolen base record is nearly double the second place Lou Brock. Many feel that his records might not be broken. This includes the single season stolen base record of 130 that he accomplished during the 1982 season with Oakland.

Henderson’s Hall of Fame Resume:

Rice, who won an American League MVP award during the 1978 season, hit 382 home runs over a 16 year career. He batted .298 for his career, and also had 1451 RBIs during his career. Rice also made eight all star teams over his baseball career in the big leagues. Playing in the middle of a Red Sox order that featured Carl Yaztremski, Fred Lynn, and other greats of the day, Rice was still a star among stars. His respect and admiration around the big leagues over the years was palpable, and in particular in the Boston area.

When you played the Boston Red Sox, Jim Rice was the primary bat that you had to worry about. Rice had a way of commanding the plate against a pitcher, and he always seemed to get the hit that the Sox needed at key moments. Year after year, Rice lined up and strapped on the spikes. He was an incredibly durable player over the years as well. Of all the players from that day, Rice was as feared a hitter as their was. Nobody exceeded his ability to strike fear in the pitcher back then. Jim Rice was the Boston Red Sox, and still is to this day among many Red Sox fans.

Rice will be inducted into the Hall of Fame alongside another great star from that era, Rickey Henderson. Other players that ended up falling just short of the vote were Andre Dawson with 67 percent, Bert Blyleven with 62.7, and Lee Smith and Jack Morris with 44. Slugger Mark Mcgwire garnered only 21.9 percent, which is actually a drop from the last vote.

Congratulations to Jim Rice for his Hall of Fame induction. It is long overdue.

Red Sox owner John Henry issued a simple statement to the media.

“We met with Mr. Teixeira and were very much impressed with him,” Henry said. “After hearing about his other offers, however, it seems clear that we are not going to be a factor.”

So, if we believe this statement, the frontrunners are out of the bidding altogether.

Word is the Red Sox have an offer of eight years and about $180 million on the table. Some writers have speculated that the Los Angeles Angels have a similar offer while the Washington Nationals may be offering 10 years and more than $200 million.

Granted, the Red Sox do not need Mark Teixeira; he’d be a luxury. Moreover, they have an excellent firstbase prospect, Lars Anderson, on the way. But you have to wonder if this is a negotiating ploy by Henry and general manager Theo Epstein. Teixeira would fit into the Boston lineup beautifully and provide insurance in case David Ortiz or J.D. Drew hit the D.L.

Meanwhile, Torii Hunter, the Angels centerfielder, told reporters that Big Tex told him the Angels had blown everyone away in their bid to keep Tex. Being that it’s no secret how much Hunter is lobbying to keep Teixeira, it’s hard to take the statement at face value.

Despite, the media buying the Red Sox’ statement, the belief here is the Red Sox remain the frontrunners. The statement is nothing more than a negotiating ploy. Boston knows it has a solid offer that’s better than or as good as most of the others. They knew making a statement in time for the Friday newpapers would mean maximum coverage of their “bowing out” of the bidding. Their hope is that people keep talking about it all weekend and that the exposure puts pressure on Teixeira to look at what Boston can offer him.

It’s hard to argue that playing with the Red Sox would give Big Tex his best shot at a world championship. Winners of two of the last five World Series, Boston has a great big league team and a tremendous farm system. They are stocked with quality young starting pitchers and have one of the game’s premier closers in Jonathan Papelbon. What gives the Red Sox the advantage in the negotiations is the fact that they don’t need Teixeira. They refuse to portray themselves as a desperate team, because they aren’t. The Angels need Tex far more than Boston does. Essentially, the Red Sox are banking on the fact that their organization can sell itself and that Teixeira will chose the most successful team in baseball as his new home.

Boston is out of the bidding for Big Tex? Don’t bet on it.

Lowe is the model of consistency. A groundball-pitcher with an excellent sinker, Lowe has averaged well over 200 innings a year and has remained remarkably healthy. He’s won a championship and performed very well during his postseason appearances. Lowe strikes out just over six batters per nine and, at age 36, has improved his strikeout-to-walk ratio in each of the last three years. His 2008 season was a little above his norm, as his ERA of 3.24 was a bit lower than his expected ERA of 3.55. Still, Lowe is a very good pitcher. He’s not an ace, but he’s a great option as a number 2 starter. In an age where durability is almost as important as performance, Lowe is blessed to excel at both.

Lowe will certainly have several teams biding for his services. The New York Mets, the New York Yankees, the Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies are all interested. The Mets admitted on Monday that Lowe is their number one priority right now.

Lowe has said the average annual salary is more important to him than the number of years he is offered. With the market for Sabathia and Johan Santana, baseball’s most elite pitchers, at about $23 million a year, Lowe can expect somewhere between $15 and $17 million annually. A.J. Burnett, an inferior pitcher to Lowe, just received over 16 million a year for the next five seasons. Lowe’s agents are asking for five years, but look for a team to offer a four year deal worth between $65 and $70 million.

Oliver Perez is in many ways, Lowe’s counterpoint. He’s a powerful lefthanded starter who can dominate one game and not make it through the second inning the next. Last year, Perez walked 105 batters and struck out 180. Perez is reasonably durable, but he doesn’t pitch as deeply into games as Lowe does. At 27, Perez has age on his side. While he may improve, Lowe’s performance is as good as it’s going to get.

His agent, Scott Boras, has compared Perez to a young Johan Santana. While that is laughable, Perez does posses front-end-of-the-rotation talent. In addition to a robust strikeout rate, Perez enjoys a track record of performing very well in big games. His playoff performance in 2006 was outstanding as he nearly led the Mets to the National League pennant.

In the end, Perez is probably looking at somewhere between $13 and $15 million annually over four or five years.

The bet here is that the Mets will land one of these starters with both receiving hefty paydays. Both Lowe and Perez will continue to pitch at the front of someone’s rotation.

Sabathia, a 6’7” lefthander, gives the Bronx Bombers the ace they’ve been looking for. The Yankees sealed the deal by increasing their offer to $161 million over seven years and adding an opt-out clause after the third year. That provides Sabathia with a chance to leave if things don’t work out in New York and, more likely, a chance to extend the deal for more money in 2012.

Meanwhile, the Mets, owners of one of the major’s worst bullpens in 2008, added free agent closer Francisco “K-Rod” Rodriguez. The Amazins inked Rodriguez to a three-year deal worth about $37 million with a vesting option for a fourth year. Mets GM Omar Minaya didn’t stop there. On Wednesday, he traded Aaron Heilman, Joe Smith, Endy Chavez and three prospects in a three-team deal for Seattle Mariners closer J.J. Putz. Putz and Rodriguez give the Mets a lethal back end of the bullpen.

Some of the more notable names that didn’t sign include sluggers Mark Teixeira and Manny Ramirez and pitchers Derek Lowe and A.J. Burnett.

The market for Ramirez is remarkably low. The Dodgers, his former team, don’t seem inclined to offer any more than the two-year deal they have on the table. Ramirez is seeking at least four years and preferably five. Latest word is that the Los Angeles Angels may make a two-year offer worth about $50 million if they lose Teixeira.

Teixeira, on the other hand, has several suitors. The Washington Nationals have reportedly offered $180 million over eight years while the Baltimore Orioles and Angels have offered lucrative five-year contracts. Still, most experts believe “Big Tex” is heading for Fenway Park and the Boston Red Sox. No word on a firm offer from Boston is available, but the team has been in contact with Teixeira’s agent, Scott Boras.

AJ Burnett, a hard-throwing but often injured righthander, has offers on the table from the Yankees and the Atlanta Braves. Both deals are for five years and around $85 million. Look for Burnett to be signed to a deal in the next couple days, with the Yankees as the frontrunner.

Lowe has now become the hottest commodity among pitchers with at least five teams – including the Yankees, Red Sox, Mets, Phillies and Braves – looking into signing him. Lowe is known for his durability and excellent sinking fastball.

Other free agents on the market include Adam Dunn, Raul Ibanez, Randy Wolf and Rafael Furcal.

Dunn, who averages 40 home runs and 180 strikeouts a year, has drawn interest from just a couple teams. Many believe the Washington Nationals will make a strong push to add the slugger to their roster.

Furcal has several teams vying for his services, including the Oakland A’s, Kansas City Royals and Atlanta Braves.

Ibanez has been linked the Mets, Phillies and Angels, while Wolf has yet to receive any firm offers.

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