By Jeff Louderback Bryce Brentz, who plays the game in a Dirt Dawg style reminiscent of Trot Nixon, was mysteriously absent from the recently released list of Red Sox non-roster invitees to spring training. Now it is known why he was not part of the group. The 24-year-old Brentz, who won an NCAA Division I [...]

By Jeff Louderback The Red Sox retained another power reliever when Chris Carpenter was outrighted to Triple-A Pawtucket. The 27-year-old right-hander, who was acquired from the Chicago Cubs as compensation for Theo Epstein last offseason, was placed on waivers last month when Mike Napoli was added to the 40-man roster. A third round pick of [...]

By Jeff Louderback Needing a left-handed bat to platoon with the right-handed hitting Mike Napoli at first base, the Boston Red Sox signed 36-year-old Lyle Overbay to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training on Thursday. According to multiple media reports, Overbay can opt out of the contract if he is not [...]

By Jeff Louderback The life of a top prospect is sometimes defined by the peaks and valleys of a stomach-churning rollercoaster. Few players reach the majors in swift and smooth fashion like Mike Trout and Bryce Harper. In the Red Sox organization, high-ceiling prospects like shortstop Xander Bogaerts; center fielder Jackie Bradley; right-handed starting pitchers [...]

By Jeff Louderback Featuring a well-stocked farm system with multiple names who are Major League ready or almost prepared for their big league debut, the Red Sox have six minor leaguers who are among the top 100 prospects in baseball, according to MLB.com. The rankings, which are authored by Jonathan Mayo, include shortstop Xander Bogaerts [...]

By Jeff Louderback Highly respected catching instructor Gary Tuck announced his retirement as Red Sox bullpen coach, creating an opening that some media members speculated would be filled by longtime catcher and team captain Jason Varitek. That is not likely to happen, though, according to WEEI.com. The 40-year-old Varitek was named special assistant to the [...]

By Jeff Louderback Once a top prospect in the Red Sox system and still considered to have a promising Major League future, Ryan Kalish is facing yet another rehabilitation stint after undergoing successful surgery on his right (non-throwing) shoulder on Wednesday. The 24-year-old Kalish, who is a left-handed hitter and can proficiently play all three [...]

By Jeff Louderback Once a top prospect in the Minnesota Twins organization, 30-year-old right-hander J.D. Durbin‘s 13-year professional baseball career has included stops in the minors, two brief stints in the majors, stays in Japan and Mexico and two seasons with the independent league Lancaster Barnstormers. The Twins second round pick out of high school [...]

By Jeff Louderback Earlier in the offseason, Red Sox president Larry Lucchino told the media that the club would build “deep depth” for 2013 after a rash of injuries depleted the roster last year. That goal has been accomplished with the array of transactions during the Hot Stove League, and there is no deeper area [...]

By Jeff Louderback Confronted with the news that 24-year-old outfielder Ryan Kalish will have right shoulder surgery and miss spring training plus part of the 2013 season, the Boston Red Sox signed Ryan Sweeney to a minor league deal on Friday. Kalish,  who two years ago was one of the top prospects in the Red [...]