AGRI Biz

Peter Gammons, one of the singularly most respected and revered writers in baseball history, has announced his intention to leave ESPN after the conclusion of the winter meetings. Gammons, 64, began his career at the Boston Globe in 1969 and joined ESPN in 1989. He also worked at Sports Illustrated from 1976-78 and 1986-90. Gammons, a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame, released the following statement: "My decision to leave ESPN and ...

The Red Sox have a history of taking chances on talented pitchers with a history of injury, or who are in fact returning from injury.á Going as far back as Luis Tiant, and later Bret Saberhagen, the Red Sox have rolled the dice with pitchers on the comeback trail. More recently, the Red Sox made modest investments in pitchers such as Wade Miller (4 wins, 18 starts, 4.95 ERA), Bartolo Colon (4 ...

The news that Dustin Pedroia is willing to move to shortstop to accommodate the Red Sox is a sign of his selflessness. It is also a sign of his willingness to do whatever it takes to help his team win. But, naturally, questions have arisen as to whether Pedroia can actually play short, whether he has the range, and, particularly, the arm strength for the position. However, it's ...

You have to wonder if Theo Epstein knew Toronto was going to sign Alex Gonzalez and just let it happen, or if he was blindsided by it? With the move, one of the Red Sox best short term options is now off the table. The Red Sox were prepared to offer Gonzalez a one-year deal for $3 million. But the veteran shortstop wasn't going to wait around for a potential ...

á In my estimation, the Red Sox are in a precarious position right now, and could very well return with essentially the same team next season.á They weren't good enough to beat the Yankees this year, and that may not change next year. The Sox can only hope for the best from Mike Lowell and David Ortiz. Both player's salaries are essentially $12M in 2010, and both contracts expire at season's ...

The Red Sox released Kottaras today. The 26-year-old catcher was out of options and couldn't be sent to the minors again. Kottaras hit .237 last season in only 93 at-bats, an exceptionally small sample size. Playing once a week as Tim Wakefield's personal catcher gave him no chance to develop a rhythm and prove himself.á Then Kottaras was placed on the disabled list on August 2, after suffering back spasms. That happened to coincide ...

At the end of the 2005 season, Johnny Damon's agent, Scott Boras, wasáseeking a seven-year contract valued at $84 million for his client. That amounted to an average annual salary of $12 million. However, Red Sox officials (absent then departed GM Theo Epstein) made the strategic decision that Damon was not worth more than $40 million over four seasons. áThat was their best offer. But the Yankees placed a higher value on ...

Cuban pitching sensation Aroldis Chapman was scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Wednesday at Fenway Park. However, due to the weather in Boston, it is unclear whether he actually threw for Red Sox officials. Yet, according to Chapman's agent, Edwin Mejia, a meeting between Red Sox management and the pitcher still took place. Mejia reported that Chapman was impressed with the organization and called it a "very good visit." The ...

TeamáHoping History Is On Their Side Once Again á The Red Sox possessed the third most potent offense in the Majors this year. You'd hardly know it judging by the first two games of the ALDS. The Sox totaled just eight hits (four each game) and one run in the two games in Anaheim. They were simply handcuffed by Angel pitching. The Red Sox 5-0 loss in Game One was their first playoff shutout ...

One hundred fifty-seven games into the 2009 season, the Red Sox finally secured their sixth post-season appearance this decade. Well, they didn't actually secure it through their own accord; by losing to the Angels, the Texas Rangers eliminated themselves, allowing the Red Sox entrance into the October sweepstakes. The outcome sets up a rematch of last year's ALDS between the Red Sox and Angels. It's become something of an October custom; the ...