Kuzul

Yankees C/DH Jorge Posada has decided that he will hang up his cleats and retire from Major League Baseball, ESPN reports. This is relevant to Red Sox fans, since Jason Varitek is currently in the same situation that Posada found himself in.Jorge Posada has been a staple in the New York lineup since being drafted in 1990. This past season, injuries and poor performance caused a shift in the starting catcher role, which was filled by Russell Martin. Posada only played the field in 16 games in 2011: 14 of them coming at first base, one at second base and only one behind home plate.The fact of the matter is that Posada was no longer in the Yankees' plans, and even though he is a New York icon, they couldn't really do much for him. They already have a starting catcher in Martin, and surging prospect Jesus Montero will fill ...

On Wednesday, the Boston Red Sox rookie GM Ben Cherington pulled off a trade with the Oakland Athletics for All-Star closer Andrew Bailey, according to ESPN.  As part of the deal, the Red Sox traded OF Josh Reddick along with two other prospects to Oakland in exchange for Bailey and OF Ryan Sweeney.The trade—the first signature move for recent hire Cherington—was done in order to replace former Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon, who signed with the Phillies earlier in the offseason (via ESPN).The acquisition of Bailey is yet another stellar move by a Red Sox front office—though it has changed in personnel recently—is constantly willing to make high-profile moves that can really improve the club.The loss of Papelbon to the Philadelphia Phillies seemed to be an enormous loss for an already shaky Boston bullpen, but Bailey looks to be an upgrade at the position of closer over Papelbon.Here's why:First, Bailey is a much cheaper ...

Theo Epstein, Tito Francona, Jonathan Papelbon, Jed Lowrie, Kyle Weiland, Josh Reddick. None of these names will be with the Red Sox on Opening Day 2012.That list will undoubtedly grow over the coming weeks, but one name stands out as perhaps the most difficult to replace of all.Heidi Watney.As NESN's on-field reporter for all Red Sox TV broadcasts, the lovely and sexy Ms. Watney was bright enough and capable enough to overcome the initial "eye candy only" snickers. Yes, she is stunning to look at, but she was also a National Merit Scholar and went to the University of San Diego on an academic scholarship, graduating with honors in 2003.While there, she became Miss San Diego, and was the first runner-up in the 2002 Miss California pageant. Prior to joining NESN, Watney was a weekend sports anchor for KMPH in Fresno. She was also a sports talk radio host for 1430 ESPN Radio KFIG Fresno.At NESN, she hosted The Ultimate Red Sox Show and The Red ...

Well unfortunately, my fantasy football season is now over. But that's OK, because now I can focus on the more important things. Like the Boston Red Sox, and the epic collapse they had not even three months ago. Remember? It was late in September and the Red Sox had a series against the Baltimore Orioles to end the season, and all they had to do was win two out of three games to make it into the postseason. Am I jogging your memory now?Jonathan Papelbon comes in to close the last game of the year...against the Orioles. He lets up an inning-ending pop fly to send the game into the top of the 10th...and then Carl Crawford lets the ball hit the Earth.Yeah, I think you know what I'm talking about now.Now I'm not trying to relive this traumatizing moment that all of Red Sox Nation was forced to experience. But I ...

Given the way their 2011 season ended, you'd think the Boston Red Sox were going to tackle the offseason with a sense of urgency.But nope. Ever since the Sox parted ways with Terry Francona and then saw Theo Epstein depart for the Chicago Cubs, things have been pretty quiet in Boston.In fact, they've been too quiet. Considering the Sox have quite a few holes they still need to fill, that's not a good thing.To be sure, Nick Punto and Kelly Shoppach are good additions, and you have to tip your cap to Ben Cherington for the Mark Melancon trade. All three new additions will help the Sox in 2012, and hopefully beyond as well.But the team's biggest needs remain unfilled. The starting rotation consists of Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz and two question marks, a replacement for Jonathan Papelbon has not yet been found and it would be a ...

If the Red Sox are going to get back to the playoffs and seriously compete for a World Series, they need to bring in a closer. Right now, there's no better one on the trade market than Andrew Bailey. Yesterday, Jim Bowden of ESPN tweeted that the A's and Red Sox were close on a deal that would send Bailey to Boston. Obviously, the Gio Gonzalez trade has already happened, so there's some foundation to that thought. The Red Sox now need to pull the trigger on a deal for Bailey and bring him across the country. The combination of injuries and playing in Oakland has significantly hurt Bailey's save numbers over the years. Still, in three seasons, he's locked down 75 games. That's an average of 25 saves a season, that can easily go up by 10 to 15 playing on a team that's in position to win more, like the Red ...

For lack of a better word, the Boston Red Sox's offseason has been quiet. Scratch that, it has been dead silent. For a team that was so aggressive in 2011, yet so disappointing in September, Red Sox Nation has been waiting for something big.The Mark Melancon trade was nice, and the Nick Punto signing adds depth, but those moves are tiny chisels in the rock. It is time Ben Cherington pulled out the jackhammer and went to town. The Boston Red Sox have been inquiring on starting pitchers, specifically Goo Gonzalez. They also looked into Oakland Athletics closer Andrew Bailey but balked at the asking price of top prospect Will Middlebrooks. As they should have. I do not think it is a secret that Kevin Youkilis is not the long-term solution at third base. Youkilis, or "Youk" as dubbed by fans, made the move to the hot corner in 2011 ...

The Boston Red Sox do not have a major league "ace" on their pitching staff.  At least that is how it would appear after a dreadful collapse during the 2011 season.  Josh Beckett gave up.  Jon Lester was just good, and Clay Buccholz was injured.There are very few teams in baseball that actually do have an ace at the front end of their rotation.  The Yankees do in C.C. Sabathia.  The Giants do in Tim Lincecum.  The Seattle Mariners do in Felix Hernandez.The Red Sox do not.According to an interview he had on WEEI, Larry Lucchino is not ruling out any major trades this year, and I feel that the time may be right to do such a thing.Having said that, here are five reasons why the Red Sox should make a deal for Felix Hernandez.Begin Slideshow

With baseball's winter meetings poised to begin in Dallas on Monday, the rumor mill is already heating up. Michael Silverman of The Boston Herald is reporting that the Boston Red Sox have scheduled a meeting with agent Bob Garber. Garber is the agent who represents both C.J. Wilson and Roy Oswalt. Oswalt and Wilson are two of the highest profile free agent pitchers on the market this winter.The Red Sox promise to be among the most active of teams in the coming weeks. The recent hiring of Bobby Valentine as manager brings a final completion of the restructuring of the general manager and managerial position.With those positions filled, the Red Sox can begin the process of trying to find answers for the numerous questions raised both by the poor play last September and the spate of rumors involving clubhouse discord and apathy that emerged in the aftermath of the team's collapse. ...

Now that the drama involving a new manager has been solved for the Red Sox, General Manager Ben Cherington still has a lot of work to do.While busy interviewing managerial candidates, the Red Sox witnessed their star closer, Jonathan Papelbon, skip town and sign with the Philadelphia Phillies.It seemed as though during the press conference announcing Bobby Valentine as their new manager, another closing candidate was swept out from under them as Heath Bell signed a three year deal with the Miami Marlins.To this point the Sox remain a fragmented team. They are only a few minor moves away from being ready to take the field in 2012. Here are five realistic offseason moves they should consider.Begin Slideshow