- When looking at the list of upcoming free agents for this Red Sox team, one name jumps off the list. That name, of course, is David Ortiz. As a fixture in this lineup for the better part of the last decade, he is not used to playing on a team that is struggling for talent as much as this team is. However, he still very much sounds like a guy who wants to stick around here for the rest of his career. (Rob Bradford; WEEI.com)
- Ortiz is a guy who has always been known for killing the Yankees, most notably in the 2004 ALCS that none of us will ever forget. Nowadays, we seem to be watching another Yankee-killer in Pedro Ciriaco. (Joe McDonald; ESPN Boston)
- There are many things that fans can knock Bobby Valentine for. His bullpen management have been atrocious at times, as have his lineup constructions. However, one thing you cannot knock him for is self-confidence. Even after this dismal season in which he's been placed under more fire than anyone since Grady Little left Pedro in the game in 2003, he still believes he's the right man for this job. (Scott Lauber; Boston Herald)
- With the end of the season comes a lot of talk about awards and who deserves to win said awards. Though it is one that typically frustrates everyone, I happen to be a big fan of the Comeback Player of the Year. Because of its noted vagueness in the description, many people disagree on who should take home the trophy. I happen to love the debate. Here's a list of possible contenders for the 2012 award. (Baseball Prospectus)
- Though there have been many things to complain about on this Red Sox team this year, there have been many pleasant surprises in the bullpen. One of those surprises has been Junichi Tazawa, who's living up to the promise he showed while pitching in Japan. (Brian MacPherson; Providence Journal)
- Yesterday, the 2013 MLB schedule was released in its entirety. David Schoenfield takes a look at ten notable aspects of the whole slate of games. (David Schoenfield; ESPN SweetSpot)
- Two nights ago, the Red Sox began a series against the Yankees with a thrilling walk-off victory. As this is being written, they're losing 5-1 with one out in the seventh, but are threatening for more. As Sean McAdam points out, they would like nothing more than to transfer their misery from this year to the Yankees. (Sean McAdam; CSN New England)
- In a season filled with controversy and negative story lines, it was nice to go on a national baseball website and see an article about a positive team meeting for the team. It's obviously too little too late as far as 2012 is concerned, but a positive story is a positive story, and I'll take it! (Craig Calcaterra; Hardball Talk)
I'd also like to send out my personal congratulations and well-wishes to Dustin Pedroia, who just left the game in order to be with his wife, who's in labor with their second child.