Lowell first came to the Red Sox as a throw in. Besides giving up a package of prospects that included Hanley Ramirez and Anibal Sanchez, taking on Lowell’s remaining two years and $18 million was a necessary cost in acquiring then budding ace Josh Beckett. Considering Lowell was coming off the worst season of his career in which he hit .236/.298/.360/.658 with only eight home runs and 58 RBI, this was a very expensive risk. The club even acquired the immortal Hee-Seop Choi as insurance in case Lowell’s 2005 was a sign of things to come.

October 2, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Shane Victorino (8) advances to third on a triple in the seventh inning against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Lowell would prove the critics wrong, playing 307 games and hitting .305/.359/.488/.847 with 40 home runs and 200 RBI in 2006-2007. His swing was tailor-made for Fenway, he became known as a “doubles machine” (84 in those two seasons), and it all culminated with a World Series MVP.

In 2012, Shane Victorino had the worst season of his career (.255/.321/.383/.704 with eleven homers and 55 RBI’s). Those numbers are actually better than what Lowell put up in 05. Prior to that, Victorino was a dynamic player who’s capable of double digit homers and triples, 25+ doubles, 20+ steals. He’s only 32, the same age Lowell was in his first season with the Red Sox. Unlike Lowell, he’s already proven he can handle a big market. Now with his nagging hand injury behind him, as well as the stress of pending free agency, Victorino can get back to being the dynamic player he was with the Phillies. Here’s hoping Red Sox fans will be saying “Cody Who?” after 2013.

After this feel-good story, why such a long wait for Napoli? Well…

Sep 28, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers designated hitter Mike Napoli (25) bats during the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Rangers Ballpark. The Angels beat the Rangers 7-4. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

After he became a free agent after the 2007 season, Lowell would eventually re-sign with the Red Sox for three years $37.5 million. In the 2008 season, Lowell would start to suffer hip ailments. He tried playing through the pain, playing in 113 games putting up a .274/.338/.461/.798 with 17 homers and 73 RBI’s. But the pain would be too overwhelming. The Red Sox would shut Lowell down in the postseason where they would eventually lose to the Rays in seven games in the ALCS. He had a similar season in 2009, playing 119 games with a .290/.337/.474/.811 with 17 homers and 75 RBI’s. Lowell would play a reduced role in his final season in 2010, playing 73 games (only four at third base) with a .239/.307/.367/.674 line with five homers and 26 RBI before calling it a career.

The original deal with Napoli was a similar one to what Lowell got in the 07-08 offseason. When concerns over his hip came up in the results of his physical, the club sighted a recent player with a similar problem. They eventually would agree to a new deal for only one season. Wise move by the Red Sox in case Napoli’s hip condition doesn’t improve. Wise move by Napoli as well considering he would’ve gotten even less going back on the market as damaged goods.

You’re Ben Cherington and you’ve got the ball.  You always wanted to be the guy on the mound with the entire season on the line. You got what you wished for: to be the one who makes the choice at the moment of decision on the diamond: this will be the turning point in your baseball career.

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April 7, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher

Welcome to two worlds of Josh Beckett. The up and coming youngster for the Florida Marlins through 2005 and the once great – see his 2007 season – and now continuing to falter former ace of the Boston Red Sox. First, the news from today.

There’s no way to put lipstick on this pig; Beckett got hammered and looked wretched doing it.

The line looked like this (rose colored glasses and aspirin not included.): 4.2 innings pitched, 7 hits, 7 earned runs,  3 Ks, 5 home runs, 13.5 ERA.  Wow, that’s butt ugly. Propelled by Beckett’s breakdown, the Tigers continued to pour sugar in Boston’s tank and went on to win 10-0 in 2 hours and 53 minutes of sheer Red Sox ugliness. Worse yet, the rest of the team caught the collective funk. There were missed opportunities and errors of both physical and mental commission and omission. Pass the Pepto.

As a Florida Marlin Beckett was a .500 pitcher through the 2003 regular season who caught fire and turned into a Yankee slayer and 2003 World Series MVP. After another .500 season in 2004 Becket went 15-8 in 2005 and was traded in the off season to the Red Sox along with Mike Lowell and Guillermo Mota. In return, Boston gave up three minor league pitching prospects. Oh and some other guy named Hanley Ramirez.

In 2006 Beckett was 16-11, chewed up a lot of innings and struck out nearly nine batters per inning. In 2007 he was hands down the best pitcher in baseball. Beckett won 20 games and did strike out 9 players every nine innings (OK, 8.9 is close enough) The Red Sox stormed the competitions and swept the Rockies in four games to win it all. Since then, it’s been a distinctly different a disheartening story.

Injury, apathy , resting on one’s laurels and now, it appears, declining skills are putting the $68 million man in the crosshairs as he enters a career crossroads. While still winning at an average of around .600, it’s clear that Beckett is not the Beckett of 2007 or even the 17-6 Beckett of 2009.

If Beckett’s Saturday start is truly further indication of his ineffectiveness, this could soon turn into the summer of our discontent and the long stretch toward the end of his contract in 2014.

For all the latest news and analysis from BoSox Injection, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, or with our RSS feed.

The newest addition to the Red Sox, outfielder Cody Ross, officially joined the club yesterday and he tweeted that he will in fact wear the number 7 on his back; the number formerly worn by J.D. Drew.

It’s only fitting that the man brought in to essentially replace Drew in right field takes his number.  First he takes his job, then he takes his number.  What’s next, is he going to take his house and cars too? Not likely, Drew has too much money for that to happen. (more…)

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But a couple of adjectives you can surely use when describing Bobby V is respectful and honorable.  It’s both those words that Valentine is portraying when he chose to wear number 25 for his upcoming duties in Boston.

Mike Lowell was the last Red Sox player to wear 25, but Valentine isn’t wearing in honor of the 2007 World Series MVP. Rather, he’s wearing to honor his friend and Red Sox favorite, Tony Conigliaro.   (more…)

It was a must win game for the Red Sox on Tuesday night and they were ablel to pull it off and keep their postseason hopes alive.  Thanks to a dramatic 8-7 victory over the stubborn Baltimore Orioles, the Red Sox kept pace with the surging Tampa Bay Rays for the AL Wild Card.

As the game entered the eighth inning, the out-of-town scoreboard showed that the Yankees had once again lost to the Rays down in Florida, so for a brief moment, the Red Sox were trailing in the Wild Card. 

But there was no reason to panic.  The Sox were leading 8-4 and were six outs away from victory.  Cue the drama! (more…)

John Lackey arguably pitched his best game of the season on Sunday night and he put the Red Sox in a terrific position to win the game, in which they did.  No one expected this kind of performance from Lackey based on his season thus far. 

It was a fine outing as Big John went six-plus innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on just five hits while only throwing 86 pitches.  A fine outing indeed.

But once again when Terry Francona came to relieve Lackey in the seventh, it appeared Lackey did everything he could to  not reach out and stroke Tito.  After Lackey had given up a leadoff single to Eric Chavez, Francona decided it was time to go to his bullpen.  This time Lackey didn’t stare him down with his dagger eyes, but rather he chose not to look at his boss and swear and pout all the way to the dugout.  Was it directed at Francona?  It sure appeared that way. (more…)

Sincere apologies for the tardy posting of the Series 6 Pack.  My counterpart was more than a tad busy and I’m greatful he was able to answer the six pack, even after the first game of the series had been completed. 

Thanks to Scott from the Jays Journal for helping us out and answering this Series 6 Pack. 

For the brief mini two game series, we’re discussing Prince Fielder, the possible re-alignment in MLB and the postseason chances of the Red Sox.  Enjoy!

In typical Red Sox/Yankees fashion, the two teams are tied sitting atop the AL East in the month of August.  Just in time to break the tie is a three game set between the two bitter rivals that begins tonight at Fenway Park. 

Despite a red hot month of July when the Red Sox went 20-6, they only held a 2 game lead on the Yankees entering August.  That lead has now disappeared thanks to a Red Sox split against Cleveland and a Yankee sweep in Chicago. 

So the stage has been set for the weekend showdown and although we won’t see Beckett vs. Sabathia – round 4, the three games in itself will more than make up for not having the marquee showdown. 

A big thank you to Ricky from the Yankees Fansided network - Yanks Go Yard, for helping out with the Series 6 Pack.  Who says Yankee and Red Sox fans can’t get along? Enjoy.

Two weeks ago, Red Sox slugger David Ortiz took a left handed swing at Orioles pitcher Kevin Gregg that narrowly missed sending Gregg to the dentist chair. 

In the end, it was  alot of pushing and shoving, a few hundred foul words that can’t be repeated on here and a four game suspension for Big Papi.

In lieu of the Brewers and Red Sox upcoming series, I thought I would try something a little different for the series preview.  I collaborated with Lou from the Fansided “Reviewin the Brew” and we sat down and answered six questions regarding the teams we follow.  Below are six questions about the Brewers that Lou was kind of enough to answer. 

Let me know if you like this type format for a series preview and if so, it’s something that we will continue. Enjoy! (more…)

Chicago White Sox @ Boston Red Sox

Fenway Park

Boston, MA

Chicago White Sox

Regular Season Record: 24-31,  4th in AL Central (9.5 GB)

Boston Red Sox

Regular Season Record: 30-23, 1st in AL East (- GB)

Welcome home first place Red Sox.  You’ve done what we knew you could do, only much, much sooner. 

After a week long road trip that saw the Red Sox go 5-2 and vault into first place in the AL East, the Red Sox have little time for rest as they welcome the Chicago White Sox to Fenway Park for a three game series.

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The announcement of the Yankees players brought a chorus of boos.  You know (more…)

The oxymoron, High/under best suits Mike Cameron this spring.  The results this spring have been high while he has rarely made any headlines.  Then again, Cameron has never been a player in the spotlight.  The lone exception was the horrific head to head collision with Carlos Beltran while diving for a ball back in 2005.  Last year he signed a two year contract to be the starting centerfielder.  This signing pushed incumbent centerfielder Jacoby Ellsbury to Left field.  This move stirred up some lively debate last year.  It turned out to be a moot point when both Cameron and Ellsbury saw their season lost to injuries.  This spring has been totally different.  Cameron is no longer in any conversation for a starting position.  He lost his spot in the outfield the day the Red Sox signed Carl Crawford.  This left Cameron as a man with no island.  Instead of complaining, Mike accepted his new role as reserve and silently has had a very productive spring.    (more…)

With the start of spring training a week away, here are the players I feel are in the Hot Seat.

Josh Beckett – Josh has been a front of rotation starter throughout his career.  The emergence of Jon Lester and Clay Buckholz, however, may have pushed him to the number 3 starter in the rotation.  Beckett’s biggest problem has been his health more than his ineffectiveness.  Being on the “Hot Seat” doesn’t mean that he is in jeopardy of losing his place in the starting rotation. Red Sox management handed Josh a contract extension for four years last April.  This extension comes with high expectations – there is no reason to believe that he can’t bounce back from a down year in 2010 and become the stud on the mound he has demonstrated in previous years.  I’m sure when spring training starts that one of Beckett’s goals will to be the Sox opening day starter again, and how satisfied would that make Terry Francona?  Is it too much to ask for a flashback to his 2007 brilliance? (more…)

On Monday night, the Boston Red Sox held a Town Hall Meeting to allow management to answer questions about this upcoming Red Sox team. They discussed several burning topics, none more interesting than the David Ortiz situation. Many people have written about the slugger this off-season, because he is entering the final year of his contract, he has struggled in April the past 2 seasons and he has struggled against lefties recently. Terry Francona spoke to the fans about sitting Ortiz against lefties and was adamant against that general policy, taking the position that in order to have overall success and comfort at the plate, the big hitter needed to hit against most everyone. (more after the jump) (more…)

Over the past few years, I have been unhealthily obsessed with reading sports autobiographies, mostly Red Sox related. From Ted Williams to Mike Lowell to David Ortiz to Johnny Pesky, they all shed insight (some more than others) into the backgrounds and histories of the players we know and love. Recently, I have been looking for less autobiographies and more sport history books. When my father-in-law, Michael, told me about this great book he was reading, Seth Mnookin’s “Feeding the Monster” about a month ago, I was immediately intrigued. I finished what I was currently reading  and began reading it, only to find that I couldn’t put it down and was fascinated by the story, even the pieces I already knew. (more after the jump) (more…)