en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/696860 Comments by Shane http://firebrandal.com/2010/02/16/extending-victor-martinez/#IDComment57116523 Thank you for the comment, Gerry. HOF voting on 1990's steroid era players is going to get more and more interesting as the years go on. I believe it needs to be black and white -- if you cheated and were caught you don't deserve to be in. However, just because one played in the era does not mean that they deserve to be punished for the impropriety of others. Thus, it should be innocent until proven guilty. Although a guy like Jeff Bagwell was never caught for steroids, many believe that he was a user. But, since he was never proven guilty he deserves the benefit of the doubt. The problem is he may not get that benefit. Time will tell. Mon, 11 Feb 2013 02:27:25 +0000 http://firebrandal.com/2010/02/16/extending-victor-martinez/#IDComment57116523 http://firebrandal.com/2010/06/01/is-matsuzaka-still-injured.html#IDComment78392406 "Although his skills are not ever going to let him be anything more than a number five pitcher" Really? Only a five? I'm not saying he's not pitching that way this year, but I'd think his skills give him to potential to be a number #3 Thu, 3 Jun 2010 17:45:31 +0000 http://firebrandal.com/2010/06/01/is-matsuzaka-still-injured.html#IDComment78392406 http://firebrandal.com/2010/05/31/temporary-and-permanent-rotation-fixes-lowell-to-anaheim/#IDComment78038426 Who would they give for Cliff Lee? Either the team will be fine come the trade deadline, or they'll be out of the hunt. Either way extending Cliff Lee is out of the option, so what's the point of renting him for a couple of months? Tue, 1 Jun 2010 14:04:19 +0000 http://firebrandal.com/2010/05/31/temporary-and-permanent-rotation-fixes-lowell-to-anaheim/#IDComment78038426 http://firebrandal.com/2010/05/21/is-mike-napoli-the-right-piece-for-the-future.html#IDComment76552349 I agree with Iannetta being a better option. Napoli has never really impressed me. Fri, 21 May 2010 19:25:22 +0000 http://firebrandal.com/2010/05/21/is-mike-napoli-the-right-piece-for-the-future.html#IDComment76552349 http://firebrandal.com/2010/04/27/adrian-gonzalez-takes-another-step-away-from-the-sox.html#IDComment70903977 I'd be more worried if other big money teams (Yankees/Angles) didn't seem to have 1B locked up. The Mets and Mariners might be a challenge, but I can't think of anyone else with the resources to trump the Howard deal. Tue, 27 Apr 2010 19:00:23 +0000 http://firebrandal.com/2010/04/27/adrian-gonzalez-takes-another-step-away-from-the-sox.html#IDComment70903977 http://firebrandal.com/2010/03/31/five/#IDComment65292317 First, welcome back Andrew. Second, I think that even though fans have a greater appreciation for the patient selective hitter, it's all about results. Nomar puts up the numbers he did his rookie season, he'd be loved. Thu, 1 Apr 2010 20:27:35 +0000 http://firebrandal.com/2010/03/31/five/#IDComment65292317 http://firebrandal.com/2010/03/18/more-evidence-for-a-healthy-ortiz.html#IDComment62985571 Have you ever torn a tendon? And if so did you have to put tremendous stress on it day in day out? These things can take a very long time to get back to full strength, if ever. Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:47:11 +0000 http://firebrandal.com/2010/03/18/more-evidence-for-a-healthy-ortiz.html#IDComment62985571 http://firebrandal.com/2010/03/18/ellsbury-and-the-devil.html#IDComment62794643 Also, isn't the farm full of OF talent? Are Reddick and Kalish corner OFs only? Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:24:35 +0000 http://firebrandal.com/2010/03/18/ellsbury-and-the-devil.html#IDComment62794643 http://firebrandal.com/2010/03/16/tim-wakefield-returns-to-the-bullpen.html#IDComment62388629 Isn't the fact Daisuke hasn't started a game in ST yet bode well for Wake starting the year in the rotation? Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:42:42 +0000 http://firebrandal.com/2010/03/16/tim-wakefield-returns-to-the-bullpen.html#IDComment62388629 http://firebrandal.com/2010/03/11/josh-beckett-contract-models.html#IDComment61482494 I agree. As long as the deal isn't wildly different than Lackey's, I'd say the Sox have a strong starting rotation locked up for the next few years at a a good rate. If he walks, the Sox still can have a strong starting rotation locked up for the next few years at a good rate. They team won't be made or broken with just one pitcher, and that's a good thing. Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:37:19 +0000 http://firebrandal.com/2010/03/11/josh-beckett-contract-models.html#IDComment61482494 http://firebrandal.com/2010/03/10/this-thank-you-is-huge/#IDComment61394808 No post about Nomar today? Thu, 11 Mar 2010 03:43:01 +0000 http://firebrandal.com/2010/03/10/this-thank-you-is-huge/#IDComment61394808 http://firebrandal.com/2010/03/10/this-thank-you-is-huge/#IDComment61206810 I think with Jeter and Rivera you have a unuiqe situation. These are two players that have not been slowed down by injury or age and are icons of the franchise. I'm not sure they'll pull in the same average annual salary they've been getting, but I think the Yankees will over pay (in therms of on field performance) to keep them because they have value off the field and don't' forecast to suck anytime soon. Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:48:03 +0000 http://firebrandal.com/2010/03/10/this-thank-you-is-huge/#IDComment61206810 http://firebrandal.com/2010/03/05/evan-brunells-2010-mlb-predictions-does-boston-win-it.html#IDComment59977107 I've got to say, I'm not going to believe in Saltalamacchia until he does something at the major league level. Plus, is it certain he'll be the everyday catcher? Don't they still have Teagarden? Sat, 6 Mar 2010 02:53:58 +0000 http://firebrandal.com/2010/03/05/evan-brunells-2010-mlb-predictions-does-boston-win-it.html#IDComment59977107 http://firebrandal.com/2010/03/05/evan-brunells-2010-mlb-predictions-does-boston-win-it.html#IDComment59908146 No way in hell this Sox team isn't 1st or 2nd in the AL east. Yes, if their is injury all bets are off, but as you said "you can’t make projections on such drastic things occurring". I'd say the offense is as good as last year, just more spread out, the defense is much better, and the pitching should be light years better. The Rays will for the most part be a very similar team to the year before. Yes they could be very good, but they are young and have yet to sustain success. Fri, 5 Mar 2010 17:00:31 +0000 http://firebrandal.com/2010/03/05/evan-brunells-2010-mlb-predictions-does-boston-win-it.html#IDComment59908146 http://firebrandal.com/2010/03/04/casey-fien-addition-worth-another-look.html#IDComment59775103 It has to do with what you are used to as well. In 10-15 years people will complain how the new stats don't tell you anything better than good old UZR and FIP Thu, 4 Mar 2010 19:01:30 +0000 http://firebrandal.com/2010/03/04/casey-fien-addition-worth-another-look.html#IDComment59775103 http://firebrandal.com/2010/03/02/michael-bowden-looks-to-make-an-impact-in-2010.html#IDComment59403146 I agree, I think he's wasted in the pen. Tue, 2 Mar 2010 19:42:03 +0000 http://firebrandal.com/2010/03/02/michael-bowden-looks-to-make-an-impact-in-2010.html#IDComment59403146 http://firebrandal.com/2010/02/16/extending-victor-martinez/#IDComment57176545 Do they say he breaks down defensively or offensively? For his career he's better with the bat in the second half. Wed, 17 Feb 2010 03:59:33 +0000 http://firebrandal.com/2010/02/16/extending-victor-martinez/#IDComment57176545 http://firebrandal.com/2010/02/10/reasons-to-let-beckett-reach-free-agency.html#IDComment56182800 I will say, I'm not sure how Webb will bounce back from injury, but if healthy I'd love to see him with the Sox. Wed, 10 Feb 2010 14:28:43 +0000 http://firebrandal.com/2010/02/10/reasons-to-let-beckett-reach-free-agency.html#IDComment56182800 http://firebrandal.com/2010/02/02/all-aughts-team-of-the-decade-honorable-mention-vote.html#IDComment55187072 I voted Roberts, I think Foulke should be in at RP over Embree. I know there was an only one closer rule, but I think that was silly and Foulke deserves more than Honorable Mention. Wed, 3 Feb 2010 13:35:34 +0000 http://firebrandal.com/2010/02/02/all-aughts-team-of-the-decade-honorable-mention-vote.html#IDComment55187072 http://firebrandal.com/2010/01/25/contingency-planning-for-an-ortiz-on-the-ropes/#IDComment53883203 I could see his option being declined, but then coming to a different $ amount for a year. As this year has shown, it is a tough market for DHes. Tue, 26 Jan 2010 03:31:38 +0000 http://firebrandal.com/2010/01/25/contingency-planning-for-an-ortiz-on-the-ropes/#IDComment53883203