Hey folks,

My apologizes for OTM's downtime the last couple of days. SBN has had some major issues that seemed to be me trouble than originally thought. I'm not sure exactly what the problem is, but it looks OK now.

We'll get all caught up soon and back to regular coverage today.

Thanks for your patience.

via d.yimg.com

The 2007 World Series MVP is on the shelf for a little bit. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list before last night's game prompting the Sox to call up prospect Jed Lowrie from Pawtucket. With that, how's this Sox lineup supposed to shake out?

The Red Sox have veteran Sean Casey on the bench for these type of situations. With the mobile Kevin Youkilis able to shift over to third base, it seems like a no-brainer to just slide Casey into the lineup. But does anyone else feel like we need to give Lowrie the bulk of the playing time with Lowell is on the disabled list?

We know what Casey can do; he doesn't need to prove anything to Sox fans or baseball fans. Lowrie, though, has a prime opportunity right now to get his name out there and make a big splash.

If we look at this position-by-position, I'd take Lowrie defensively over Youkilis at third base. Youkilis is a great gloveman but he is much more valuable at first base than at third base. Youk can play third, but we know his specialty is digging the balls at first. If we had the luxury, I'd never move him from first base ... ever (Remember the outfield fiasco awhile back? That was ugly).

Lowrie has range at third base. He's actually a middle infielder (shortstop, second -- choose your poison) with a pretty strong cannon for a little guy. I have no doubts he could be a successful third baseman at the major league level.

At first, Youkilis wins the job defensively hands-down. Casey isn't a slacker over there, but c'mon -- we all know Youk is the best of the best at first base. If we have the best of the best, we need that guy to actually be there, too.

The issue comes down to offensive production. Casey has a long career behind him of solid production for MLB teams. Lowrie, not. But like rookies before him, Lowrie could come up and set the world on fire. And if it's only for 15 days then I think the rook can do it. Even if he doesn't go on a 15-game hitting streak after his callup, I want to see what he can do in Fenway Park and other big boy ballparks.

I cast my vote for Lowrie at third base and Youkilis at first base until Lowell is healthy enough to come back. Do I hear a second?

Oh-my-god! I nearly fainted when I walked into the Red Sox Clubhouse! That place is huge! I’ll try to get some pictures for you guys, but that might be kind of hard. Security is tight in that place, as you can imagine!

 I got a chance to talk to quite a few players, and really enjoyed it. I only asked 5 of the questions you guys submitted but I promise to those who didn't get their question answered, I will answer them the next time I ask for questions to ask Red Sox players and personnel.

The press didn't get much time to talk to Theo but I did manage to ask him one question. So, without further ado, here are the answers to some of the questions the community of Over The Monster asked the Red Sox players.

Do you think that Cash is going to be able to handle your knuckler with the same poise that 'Belli did in years past?

"I have been working with Kevin a lot lately and I feel extremely comfortable with him behind the plate. I definitely think he can control my knuckleball".

Has Papelbon's spanish improved at all since you completely butchered the language in that one commercial?

"(Laughs). I really don't like to think about that but, yes I actually have been working on my Spanish".

What does Papi think of Manny this year?

"Three letters: M-V-P".

Where in their travels have Daisuke and Hideki enjoyed the most not including Boston and New York?

(They answered this question together). "We really enjoyed going to Toronto and taking a psecial trip up to Niagra to see the Niagra Falls. They were amazing".

If Buchholz does not work out, and with Schill out, are there any plans to trade for a big-name starter?

"We feel that Bucholz will be able to hold the 5th Starter job for us until Curt is healthy enough to return. Curt is making great strides in rehab and we are very excited for his return".

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I'm currently working on my first article for the newspaper while I am typing this up. If you guys want, I could post it here for you guys to read sometime tomorrow. It's up to you.

I'm sitting in my hotel at my laptop, looking out of my window into downtown Boston. I have my brand new press pass right next to my computer. My press pass is like my ticket to heaven. I am so excited for tomorrow that words can't even express it right now.

Before I go take a dip in the pool, I would like to ask you guys a question: are there any questions you would like me to ask a specific Sox player for you? Feel free to post them in this thread and I will pick a few tomorrow before I go to the game to ask the players.

Don't forget; game time tomorrow is 2:05 PM ET.

According to RedSox.com, Kyle Snyder left the clubhouse today "dejected" after being told he was going to be designated for assignment to make room for Josh Beckett, who starts tomorrow's game against the Jays.

No official roster move was made following Boston's 10-2 loss to Toronto, and Snyder did not address the issue with reporters after the game. The Sox right-hander did look visibly upset as he left the clubhouse, though, and a report on the Boston Globe's Web site indicated that he had in fact been designated.

[...]

The Sox need to make a move prior to Sunday's game against the Jays in order to activate Beckett off the 15-day disabled list in time to make his start.

The 30-year-old Snyder is out of options, and therefore cannot be sent to Triple-A Pawtucket. He was 0-0 with a 27.07 ERA in two appearances with Boston this season.

Although I like Snyder and I think he's better than some other options in the bullpen right now, it makes completely sense for him to be the odd-man out. He and Julian Tavarez have been serving the same role for the past year now. No team needs two long relief pitchers.

Now Bryan Corey can breath a sigh of relief after he struggled today. Glad to see the Sox haven't dumped David Aardsma yet, either. I see a lot of potential in him. I just hope the Sox give him a fair chance to shine.

Since it seems pointless to post the exact same post twice, please head on over to Bluebird Banter to take a look at some photos I've uploaded of my new house in Orlando, Florida.

In other news, I'll be flying to Boston on Monday to prepare for my first game covering the Red Sox as a Beat Writer! I am very excited, as you can probably imagine.

I have over a week of free time down in Orlando and I was thinking of hitting up Disney World and Universal Studios. Good idea? I am a thrill ride enthusiast and I was thinking it would be a good way to kill time. What are your thoughts? Are there any other must-see attractions in the Orlando area?

I'm not going to have any fancy pictures like Allen for my predictions. I'm just a straight shooter, ya' know? (C'mon. Cleveland from Family Guy for the Indians? Pfft!). I figure I'd add my predictions to the the pot. Tell me I'm crazy -- that'd be fun.

AL East

1. Boston Red Sox
2. New York Yankees
3. Toronto Blue Jays
4. Tampa Bay Rays
5. Baltimore Orioles

You knew the list was going to look like this ... or did you? Yup, Red Sox and Yankees on top followed by the other teams. I haven't seen many other predictions regarding the A.L. East except Allen's, so I'm not sure where people are slotting the Rays. I think they could be good enough to finish 4th. I would say they could finish 3rd, but the Jays stacked up too much in the off-season. I like the Jays adding Scott Rolen and David Eckstein to their lineup. However, pitching is still a concern. The O's ... well, they're the O's. They lost the one thing they had going for them (Erik Bedard). I like the talent they picked up in return, but I don't see them competing this year.

AL Central

1. Cleveland Indians
2. Detroit Tigers
3. Minnesota Twins
4. Chicago White Sox
5. Kansas City Royals

This is a harder group judge. While I don't think the Tigers are going to win the division, I really don't think the Indians are going to be as good as they were last season. Their pitching is great, but I just don't think the staff will replicate last season. The Tigers loaded up in the off-season but I don't think they're going to light the world on fire like everyone thinks they will. And Dontrelle Willis? Really? He's going to struggle in the A.L. If he can't do it in Florida, how's he going to do it in Detroit? People think he can bounce back, but I don't. The bottom three are almost interchangable. I'll put the Twins above the White Sox despite losing their key to glory, Johan Santana. The Royals are bad. Very bad.

AL West

1. Seattle Mariners
2. Anaheim Angels
3. Oakland A's
4. Texas Rangers

The Mariners are going to win the division this year because of two reasons: Bedard and Felix Hernandex. I think this will be King Felix's breakout season. And as long as Bedard pitches even close to last season, this pitching staff will rock. Add JJ Putz to close games and they're pretty solid. I don't really see the Angels doing any better or worse this season. They've got good young players to get them through, but they also have old players that could really slow them down. The one interesting thing to watch about the Rangers is how Josh Hamilton plays. I'm just curious to see if he can live up to last year's hype.

NL East

1. New York Mets
2. Philadelphia Phillies
3. Atlanta Braves
4. Washington Nationals
5. Florida Marlins

Here's an interesting division. The Mets look to be a clear favorite after grabbing Santana in the off-season, but I'm not sure if they're the total package. We'll have to watch for injuries. The Phillies are always going to be good as long as they have that lineup. Their pitching is the question, but Cole Hamels is going to be a stud.

NL Central

1. Houston Astros
2. Chicago Cubs
3. Milwaukee Brewers
4. St. Louis Cardinals
5. Cincinnati Reds
6. Pittsburgh Pirates

I don't really have much to say about this division. Reach your hand in the pot and pull out a winner. It's the biggest crapshoot in major league baseball. However, I do like the Astros. Their lineup could absolutely smash the ball this season.

NL West

1. Arizona Diamondbacks
2. San Diego Padres
3. Colorado Rockies
4. Los Angeles Dodgers
5. San Francisco Giants

This is going to be an exciting division to watch this year. There's a lot of talent from the top to bottom, but I think the Diamondbacks are going to be great this season. Their pitching staff and their youth are going to propel them far into the National League playoffs. It was hard choosing between the Padres or the Rockies, but I just don't think the Rockies are going to be as good as last season. Any team with Jake Peavy, though, has a shot. The Dodgers and the Giants round out the bottom. Will the Dodgers ever play to potential? Maybe, but not this season.

Oh, and I lied about the fancy pictures thing:

via img220.imageshack.us

Look out next week for my predictions for individual awards. I'll give you a hint: the A.L. MVP this year will NOT be Alex Rodriguez.

Red Sox dot Com

Moss was optioned to AAA today following his two starts in place of J.D. Drew. One can only assume this means that Drew feels up to playing during or after the exhibitions in Los Angeles.

Update [2008-3-19 13:1:8 by Randy Booth]: The Red Sox/Jays game is back on with the first pitch scheduled at 1:10 p.m. No word on if any agreement was made. Matsuzaka will not be pitching.

Update [2008-3-19 12:47:40 by Randy Booth]: Still no progress has been made. The Red Sox and Blue Jays game scheduled for 12:05 has been delayed. Daisuke Matsuzaka, who was scheduled to start this game, will instead pitch in a minor league game that I believe is going on right now.

After a unanimous clubhouse vote, Red Sox players agreed to not travel to Japan unless coaches and staff are paid for the trip:

Terry Francona found out his staff wasn't going to get paid after speaking with a coach from Oakland's staff who said they weren't getting paid.

More from coaches and players on the topic:

It really seems like Major League Baseball dropped (pun intended) the ball here. First of all, you can't just screw over teams like this. It's not right. Secondly, MLB meets the demands the Red Sox have and then renegs them before heading off to Japan? That doesn't make sense considering the MLB is who wants the teams to play in Japan, not the teams. The MLB is throwing gasoline on the fire because traveling to Japan is already a pain in the ass for these guys, add to the situation that most of them aren't getting paid and I don't blame the Sox for boycotting.

The Sox also threatened to boycott today's 12:05 game with the Blue Jays. We'll see how it all plays out through the course of the day.

Extra Bases has the low-down on which Red Sox players are heading to Japan:

No real surprises. It's nice to see Bryan Corey make the trip. The Sox bringing 3 catchers isn't a real surprise, but bringing Dusty Brown over George Kottaras is kind of a head-scratcher. The Sox front office is showing how much they really like Brown.

In related news, Kottaras, Chris Carter, Lincoln Holdzkom and Craig Hansen were optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket. Oh Hansen, how we hardly knew ye'...