WEEI.com’s Lou Merloni reports that Nomar Garciaparra will sign a one-day, minor league deal with the Red Sox and then announce his retirement as a member of the organization. Garciaparra will then commence a career as a baseball analyst for ESPN.

Garciaparra was selected as a first-round pick by the Red Sox in 1994, and reached the majors late in 1996. The next year, his first as a full-timer, he won the American League’s Rookie of the Year Award by hitting .306 with a .342 OBP, .534 slugging mark, 30 homers and 22 steals.

He went on to spend parts of nine seasons as a member of the Red Sox, hitting .323 with a .370 OBP, .553 slugging and .923 OPS. He was a five-time All-Star in Boston, and ranks fourth in franchise history in batting average, fifth in slugging and sixth in OPS. He won back-to-back batting titles in 1999 and 2000, hitting .357 and .372, thus becoming the first right-handed hitter to win consecutive batting titles since Joe DiMaggio in 1939-40.

The Red Sox are holding a 10:30 a.m. press conference in Fort Myers at which Garciaparra will announce his retirement.

http://www.weei.com/sports/boston/this-just-in/217481/nomar-retire-red-sox

Game 1: Ellsbury, LF; Hall, 3B; VMart, C; Ortiz, DH; Lowrie, SS; Anderson, 1B; McDonald, RF; Lin, CF, Velazquez, 2B. Kelly starting.

Four of them to be exact.

21st – Ryan Westmoreland of
24th – Casey Kelly rhp
75th – Josh Reddick of
87th – Lars Anderson 1b

Anderson has lost a little of the glimmer that shined on him after last season.  You can read about all of these guys and more in the SoxTeaParty Minor League System review!

Dan Shaughnessy is good at pissing people off.

And he looks like Sideshow Bob.

This isn’t the NESN photo I was looking for but it’s still the same shades. People already hate this guy, but he just keeps making it worse.  I always wondered if he realized how annoying he was, but he doesn’t.  I talked to him once in the Pro Shop and I told him that me and my friends think that he actually hates the Red Sox.  His response was that he was a fan of the ’story’ between Boston ad New York.  He is full of shit, but he knows exactly how to play the fiddle in Boston so it will be more of the same from him this summer.  I’d prefer we got more Peter Gammons than Shaugnessy in general, but those two will probably represent good vs. evil this season on TV.

What’s worse than Shaughnessy is that Ron Borges still has a job covering sports in Boston.  He is poison in the water and lives off of being a stain anywhere he can.  Go look at his stupid, smug Boston Herald photo.  He is looking at the camera like, “Yeah, screw you Boston.” The worst.

Who do you dislike more?

- Ron Borges

- Dan Shaughnessy

Vote in the comments section!

Elite-elite speed.

And a full opportunity to run. That is the story of Jacoby Ellsbury — a kid who is an adjustment  away from super-stardom and leads off the Boston Red Sox batting order.

Assuming he stays healthy, you can expect 650+ ABs with Ellsbury. And with his excellent contact skills and full-time green light from Terry Francona, Ellsbury will easily push 65 stolen bases in 2010.

The only thing left for the former first round pick from Orgeon State is better plate discipline and pitch selection. It’s not that he’s bad, he’s just still under-average. By improving his walk rate into the double-digits, he will create more opportunity to steal. Right now he is probably capped at last years SB total. If Ellsbury can mix additional OBP with his contact skills, he could easily swipe 80 bases or more.

As it stands, he is close to being a legitimate .300 hitter and should break 100 runs for the first time this season. Add it all up and you have yourself a roto stud.

In real life, Ellsbury is a spark plug for the Red Sox. With Dustin Pedroia, Victor Martinez and Kevin Youkilis hitting behind him, Ellsbury is a guy that teams are going to need to pound inside with fastballs and try to force him to ground out on the right side of the infield. Keeping Ellsbury’s wheels off the base paths is priority #1. Leaving pitches out for him to hit might induce a groundball, but he can beat them out.  He doesn’t have the power to scare you, but he can make something out of nothing. He does it all the time.

If he gets on (and he does 35% of the time), he is probably going to either steal or score. Sometimes, (maybe a lot more in 2010) he is going to do both.

From a defensive perspective, Ellsbury will man left field at Fenway Park and will be responsible for covering the Green Monster. I imagine that Ellsbury will play shallower than even Manny Ramirez did, knowing full well that flyballs over 315 feet are going to bounce off the wall anyway. In 2010, prepare for a lot of Ellsbury snaring line drives off the grass in shallow left when right-handed batters are up. I have a feeling he is going to steal away a lot of singles and frustrate some people in the meantime.

After the 2009 season, UZR (Ultimate Zone Rating) gave Ellsbury a less than favorable score defensively. Others publications dispute the data and charge a lack of accuracy with the analysis. Whatever the case, Ellsbury’s defensive responsibilities and expectations are completely different in left-field, so you can throw your ratings out the window.

Quick Trivia: Who was the last Red Sox left fielder that threw left-handed?

It’s been awhile, so it’s hard to remember, but it was Troy O’Leary.

Ellsbury will be the first left-handed throwing LF in Boston since 2001. After O’Leary left, it was the big show with Manny for seven seasons and then eventually two seasons of Jason Bay. Ellsbury does not have the prodigious power of his predecessors, but he is on the verge of super-stardom anyway.  Speed kills and Ellsbury has lethal levels.

#2 in the Score Book…

This spring, the Red Sox allowed Ellsbury to change his jersey number from ‘46′ to ‘2′. He will wear the number previously held by bench coach, Brad Mills.  This will certainly spark a new run of jersey sales for the speedster.

Last year The Oregonian reported:

Across the way [outside Fenway Park], in the organization’s main souvenir shop, a clerk in charge of jersey sales explained, “(Dustin) Pedroia is our best seller … except with women. Nobody outsells Ellsbury with women.”

Jackpot.

Nothing has changed either. Ellsbury jerseys aren’t owned by men, but he dominates with the ladies. This means tons of new #2 Ellsbury jerseys to be sold, while nostalgic females hang on to the old ones.

Also, ‘46 and 2′ is one of the best songs written by the band TOOL and I can’t help but wonder if Ellsbury knows the tie-in. Maynard fan? Doubtful.

All that aside, I think Ellsbury is in store for a big year. Although I doubt he steals 70 again, I still think you should still expect the following:

Jacoby Ellsbury 2010 Projection:

650 AB
.299 BA
8 HR
60 RBI
105 Runs
65 SB

Run ‘ em up!

Oh look, it’s Adrian Beltre.

What is to be made of this guy? I really don’t know yet. He was awful in Seattle. UZR, blah, blah blah.

If you aren’t are at least a starter in 12-team fantasy leagues, then people know how that bodes for your real-life performance. Fantasy baseball is a pretty good indicator of your value.

Today, however, Beltre is being lauded publicly in Boston for his defense. His flashy and amazing defense, which went largely unnoticed, is suddenly attaching new value to this guy. He also silenced the Adrian Gonzalez trade talks.

(If a run saved is truly equal to a solo home run, then Beltre is going to be a stud.)

This is where fantasy baseball has a blind spot. By and large, fantasy leagues do not include defense metrics in their scoring systems. Fans who were apathetic towards the signing of Beltre, suddenly have perked up. The Sox organization is finding undervalued commodities and continuously evolving. If the offseason acquisitions of high-end defensive players like Beltre and Mike Cameron, pay off then no one will be longing for a 40 home run hitter. If the defense is flat or average, then fans will throw their hands up in disgust with the philosophy.

Beltre’s offense should see a really positive rebound in 2010. He is a player who needs to amass plate appearances to have positive value, so he needs to log at least 575 ABs. The guy doesn’t walk. So he’ll be relying heavily on his 85% contact rate and a short left-field line. Last year, Beltre had trouble staying on the field. Between shoulder surgery and two separate bruised-testicle injuries, he missed 69 days. Two bruised testicles. I wonder how the hell that happened?

We have all heard about Safeco Field and it’s sapping of right-handed power, but Beltre was still able to hit 25 HRs three straight years prior to 2009. Beltre’s 2009 power outage was more likely due to shoulder and injuries to his balls, rather than any park effects. He probably will never touch 40 HRs again because he doesn’t have that raw of power skills at this point, but he should flirt with 30 this year.

I think most Red Sox fans would be more than happy to see a Beltre-line similar to 2007. Something that looked like: .270/25/90/90. I think that could be his floor playing at Fenway. His pull-happy approach should net him at least 30+ doubles and 20+ home runs. If Beltre stays healthy (his only DL-time in the last five seasons was 2009) then he is a Top-7 third baseman in fantasy baseball.

If he can’t stay on the field, then he probably won’t be worth a roster spot in your league. No matter what though, Beltre will flash the glove and save some runs this summer.

Here’s to hoping he peppers the Wall at Fenway!

Is this trouble?

 JD Drew had surgery on his left shoulder according to WBZ’s Dan Roche.  The team was aware of the surgery and both the organization and the player expect to be ready for Opening Day. You may remember a contract stipulation that says if Drew has shoulder surgery, then the team can void his contract…

According to Theo Epstein, last November, the clause in Drew’s contract allows the Red Sox to opt out if he spends 35-plus days on the disabled list in 2010. But that clause pertains to his right shoulder issues, not left, Epstein told the Boston Herald that he considers Drew’s offensive, defensive, and baserunning abilities an “integral part of the lineup.”

Most underrated player in the American League!

In our 5-piece AL East series, we have reached the 4th stop in the division.  Checking in with Craig Maduro Williams from New York City.  Craig posted his responses to my nine questions over at THE BLOG THAT RUTH BUILT.

Here is Craig:

Today, we go nine with Darryl Johnston and our arch rival Boston Red Sox (I promise, I’ll be as unbiased as possible).

1.  The Red Sox organization has aggressively shifted philosophies towards run prevention.  As an AL East opponent, does this make you more or less confident to face them and why?

• I am more confident facing the Red Sox with the current construction of their roster.  I understand that preventing runs is just as important as saving them but, I am just so used to having to watch the Yankees pitchers (a generally poor crop prior to last year) try to navigate a behemoth lineup.  Even last year, while weaker than in years past, the lineup was still stout with Kevin Youkilis, Jason Bay and Victor Martinez in the middle.  I’m not saying this year’s Boston lineup is weak but, on paper, it is not what it was last year and certainly is not what it was two-plus years ago.  I could definitely be sleeping on the overall effect that their improved defense will have but, for right now I’m happy the offense is thinning out a bit.

2.  Explain how you think the Red Sox will finish the 2010 season.  Is this team a division winner?  Wild Card?  Will the perceived lack of offense bounce them from the playoffs?

• I do not see the Red Sox winning the AL East in 2010 but, I would be silly to predict them to finish out of the playoffs – perceived lack of offense or not.  They – or whoever does not end up winning the division – will definitely have some strong competition for the Wild Card.  If the Red Sox do find themselves in that situation, they have plenty of experience and talent to clinch a playoff berth.
  

3.  Some Boston fans feel that old stalwarts like Tim Wakefield and Mike Lowell ‘deserve’ to play and be starters at their respective positions because of their longer-term contributions to the team.  Wakefield has been in Boston since 1993 and Lowell was the 2007 World Series MVP.  The team has relegated Lowell to a spare part who should be traded soon and Wakefield is a spot-starter.  Are they being treated unfairly?

• It is easy for me to sit here and say “No, it is time for them to move on”.  However, I’ll be facing some of the same questions before too long.  Adrian Beltre is already going to take over third base and while his overall bat is not as good as Mike Lowell’s, he’ll probably provide just as much – if not more – power and his glove should be just as good – if not better.  I understand Tim Wakefield is a fan favorite and a reliable innings eater but, it is time for Clay Buchholz to ascend to ace status.  Unless fans are willing to bump Daisuke Matsuzaka, then I think it is time for Wakefield to move on.
  

4.  In respect to Fenway Park, what is your opinion with regard to a new stadium?  Should Boston build a new Fenway or stick with the tradition that has sat on Landsdowne since 1912?

• No, they should not build a new stadium.  As much as I, or any Yankees fan, can hate the Red Sox, there is no way you can hate Fenway Park.  It is a baseball icon and – along with Wrigley Field – one of only two classic stadiums remaining.  Now, John Henry has run his mouth plenty regarding the financial advantage that the Yankees have with their new stadium and we won’t discuss that here.  It brings up an interesting issue though.  Fenway is maxed out seating-wise and I would guess that they are lacking some of the extra money-making amenities that some of the newer stadiums have (I can’t be sure about that though).  So, I think there will come a time when the Red Sox – as a business – will want to seriously explore the idea of a new stadium.  Of course, like New Yankee Stadium, they’d just have to keep everything the same.
  

5.  Manny Ramirez is in Hollywood and David Ortiz is in the waning years of his career. Those two Red Sox hitters provided one of the best 3-4 combos in the history of modern baseball.  Today’s lineup is markedly altered. Who in the Red Sox lineup concerns you the most in 2010?

• Clearly I’m not as scared of the lineup as I was back in the Manny-Ortiz era but, there are definitely still some guys I don’t enjoy facing.  With runners on base, I definitely don’t like seeing Dustin Pedroia or Youkilis up to bat.  They aren’t the league’s premier power threats but, it always seems like they put the ball in play with authority, they’re both tough to strikeout and neither one tends to chase too much.  Victor Martinez is very similar to those two and deserves the same recognition – not to mention that he’s a switch hitter.
  

6.  Red Sox fans travel well and often will ‘take over’ a visiting park.  This tends to unsettle the locals.  I have been to both Philadelphia and Baltimore games where the seats where filled with predominantly Red Sox travelers. What is your honest opinion on Red Sox fans?

• Well, honestly, when I watch a game and look in the stands of Fenway I can’t help but find myself saying “God, I hate those people”.  Of course, as a Yankees fan, I can’t really complain about them aside from being the fans of my team’s most hated rival – otherwise I’d be throwing stones at a glass house.  When I take a step back and stop lumping every single Red Sox fan into a general image, it’s easy to just see people as who they are and not who their team is (now I sound like some sort of anti-prejudice activist).  But to recap a long winded answer to a simple question: I say I hate Red Sox fans when it’s a bunch of them in one concentrated area (as I’m sure many people feel towards Yankees fans) but, individually, I’ve met a lot of cool people who pull for Boston.
  

7. Was the Daisuke Matsuzaka acquisition a failure for the Red Sox organization? Boston paid a large posting fee to acquire his services.  Matsuzaka has a lot of flash, but tends to struggle and his detractors in Boston are vocal.  Was the Japanese phenom worth the investment or was this a organizational miscalculation?

• It depends on how much you think he contributed to the World Series title in 2007.  Do you think they would have won without him?  I, personally, would say ‘yes’ they would have won without him but you have to take my opinion with a grain of salt because I’m biased and I hate him.  I really don’t think he’s very good (lots of luck and WAY too many walks) and I didn’t buy the hype about him being “indestructible”.  When you’re throwing complete games on back-to-back days as a teenager and generally being utterly abused by today’s standards, there are bound to be some problems on the horizon.  And, as we all know, Matsuzaka suffered some shoulder issues this season.  Again, I’m saying that it was a poor investment UNLESS you come to the conclusion that he was instrumental in a World Series banner.  You will definitely want to check what some of the other AL East bloggers have to say on this issue though before reading too much into my opinion.
  

8.  If you had to make an argument for any current Red Sox as a future Hall of Famer, who would it be and why?

• I’m going with Jon Lester.  I think 2009 was the first really good season of many to come for the young lefty.  Wins are obviously too difficult to predict but, considering his stuff and the likelihood that he will always have a solid team behind him, it’s probably safe to say that he’ll rack up a decent amount – I don’t know how much he’ll threaten 300 but he should definitely win his fair share.  He’ll also have boat loads of strikeouts to go along with clean peripherals.  He’s already got a no-hitter, decent postseason numbers (correct me if I’m wrong) and a World Series ring under his belt.  The resume is being built, and the rest depends on his health and how long he’ll be able to pitch at a high level.  With physiological and medical advancements, it could be common for players to remain dominant well into their mid – and maybe even late – 30’s.  If that does happen to be the case, I like Lester as a HOFer.
  

9.  The Red Sox will face your team 19 teams in 2010 with many long and drawn-out battles.  When October finally comes, what will your team’s record be vs. Boston?

• The Yankees will finish 11-8 against the Red Sox this season.  However, there will be no 8-0 start by either team, nor will there be a 9 out of 10 stretch.
  

That concludes the looks at our division foes.  Like I’ve said on numerous occasions, it’s good to keep your friends close but, keep your enemies closer.  Keep up with what our No. 1 enemy is up to over at Sox Tea Party.  Stay tuned for the final recap which will be coming in the next couple of days.

The writers of the Baseball Bloggers Alliance would like to announce that they are taking to the airwaves.

Beginning Tuesday, February 16th at 11 pm Eastern, BBA Baseball Talk can be found at Blog Talk Radio.  This one-hour show will discuss the big stories of the day in major league baseball and other baseball-related topics.  Callers are welcome to chime in at 347-884-8690.

Your hosts for the first edition will be BBA founder Daniel Shoptaw, who writes at C70 At The Bat, and Ron Kaplan of Ron Kaplan’s Baseball Bookshelf.

Hosts will rotate on a weekly basis and the time and date of the show may move depending on the requirements of that week’s hosts.

The Baseball Bloggers Alliance is a confederation of 132 blogs working together for collaboration and discussion possibilities.

The Big Hurt.

Frank Thomas has decided to retire and it ends a very powerful and productive 19-year career. Easily one of the greatest right-handed hitters of the modern era, Thomas made his mark in Chicago when the Midwest city was fawning over the great Chicago Bulls.

When a player like Thomas retires, it immediately begins the Hall of Fame discussion. Is he a HOFer? To me, it’s not a question. But for others, it is.

Some will argue that the Big Hurt spent too much time as a designated hitter. Now, no one is going to mistake Thomas as a Gold-Glove first baseman, but he did maintain a .991 in 971 career games at first. Thomas played 42% of his career at the position, so it wasn’t like he was a career DH. Yes, he was slow and without range, simply a big target for the other infielders to throw to.

The other argument is that ‘if Mark McGwire doesn’t get in, then you have to question everyone from the 90’s’

I don’t think it’s fair to brush stroke the entire decade by tagging every great hitter as cheaters. McGwire is a unique case in that he became the poster child for steroid abuse after seating himself center stage in 1998. When it was all said and done, a lot of people viewed that mesmerizing summer performance as artificial and a scam.

Granted, I think a lot of the writers with HOF votes have their own agendas (See: Roberto Alomar), so it’s an imperfect system., but McGwire’s exclusion will set the precedent for the following generation of HOFers with steroid connections (re: Manny Ramirez, Alex Rodriguez).

Big Hurt career notes:

- Career .300 hitter
- 521 Home runs
- 2 MVPs (’93 and ‘94) He should have one it in 2000 as well, but Giambi stole it with a drug-induced performance.
- Hit .340+ in three separate seasons. The ‘94 strike robbed him in some respects, but who knows if he could have kept that pace up.
- 5 All-Star Games, 4 Silver Sluggers
- Top-25 All time in RBI
- Thomas is in an elite group with Mel Ott, Babe Ruth, and Ted Williams. These are players who have hit at least .300, 500 home runs, 1,500 RBI, 1,000 Runs and 1,500 Base on Balls.

Note: There are only three other players in this group.

The question isn’t whether Frank Thomas is a Hall of Famer, but rather – is he a first ballot?