The Red Sox won a series this weekend! Yes, it was against the Blue Jays at home, but series-wins have been extremely difficult to come by this year, so I'll take them however I can get them. Now, on to the links!
- With the struggles of this team all season, the final month of the season was supposed to be about getting some playing time for the younger players, such as Ryan Lavarnway and Jose Iglesias. However, as Tim Britton points out, the Red Sox have failed even at this in September. (Tim Britton; Providence Journal)
- A few weeks ago, I wrote a piece on this very website speculating just how much it would likely cost to keep Ross around for the next year or two. Over at Fire Brand of the American League, Hunter Golden comes to a different answered after he explores the same question. (Hunter Golden; Fire Brand of the AL)
- On Friday, Bobby Valentine made headlines - shocking, I know - by saying that this current Red Sox roster is the weakest September roster in this franchise's history. Yesterday, he back tracked and explained what he meant by his comments. (Ian Harrison; ESPN Boston)
- An old friend of Boston's, Roger Clemens, has been making headlines of his own as he continues his comeback attempt. (Mike Clark; Hardball Times)
- I mentioned earlier that this month was going to be focused on getting playing time and seeing what the team has in some of its younger players. One of those guys, and arguably the most difficult to figure out, is Mauro Gomez, who is changing some people's minds that once thought of him as nothing more than a AAAA-player. (Rob Bradford; WEEI.com)
- One of the most underrated players in baseball, in this writer's opinion, is Yadier Molina. Most people are aware that he is outstanding at baseball, but I believe he's one of the top players in the game, and this would be better supported by stats if we had a better grip on how to judge catchers' defense. (Grant Brisbee; Baseball Nation)
- It's abundantly clear that this Red Sox roster is going to need some major rebuilding over the coming winter. John Tomase says the rebuild will not be an easy one. (John Tomase; Boston Herald)
- All season, it's been a competition between Boston and Philadelphia for the title of most disappointing team in baseball. Like the Sox, the Phillies had been on the outside looking in for the vast majority of the season. However, after a crazy-hot month or so, they find themselves right in the thick of the postseason chase. (Jay Jaffe; Sports Illustrated)