As the Red Sox disastrous 2011 season came to an end, Alfredo Aceves was one of the notable successes, besides of course the MVP-caliber performance turned in by Jacoby Ellsbury. Aceves made four starts and fifty-one appearances out of the bullpen, finishing with a combined 2.61 ERA in both roles. While his starts were nothing special (14 runs in 21 innings, although 8 of those came in one start) his body of work for the season was beyond what the Red Sox could have hoped for. At the time, much was being made about the club “stealing” Aceves away from the Yankees, who had released the swingman due to injury concerns before the season started. By the end of 2012 the goodwill was gone. A 5.36 ERA, 8 blown saves and fighting with the manager – even the embattled Bobby Valentine – will do that. Aceves rushed to join a brawl in the WBC and then began 2013 with an ERA approaching 9.

Aveces was recently optioned to AAA Pawtucket, but he may not be long for the Red Sox organization. If the Red Sox finally cut ties with the troubled right-hander, through trade or release, where might he find work? Continue reading Alfredo Aceves Needs A New Home »

Boston definitely has a new most eligible bachelor.

Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz revealed Sunday that despite his hot start to the season, he is going through a very personal issue. He and his wife, Tiffany, are filing for divorce after nine years of marriage.

“There are some situations in life that work out for a period of time and at some point they don’t work out anymore and you have to move on,” said Ortiz. “I’m moving on. She’s moving on. Hopefully everybody respects that.”

The couple raised three children together: daughters Jessica and Alexandra, and son D’Angelo. Continue reading David Ortiz, Wife Tiffany Filing for Divorce After 9 Years »

At first glance, the Red Sox didn’t look to be doing well out of the gate, but from the second glance onward, everything was fine, and the Red Sox dispatched the Houston Astros 8-4 to clinch the series and the best record in majors (17-7).

After all, when you start off the game by giving up a single, hitting a batter, throwing a wild pitch and walking two batters as Felix Doubront did, morale tends to run low. Houston immediately added a second run on a sacrifice fly, but at least there was an out. After yet another walk reloaded the bases, Doubront got out of the inning without further damage with a popout and strikeout.

With two outs in the 1st, Boston put runners at the corners, but Houston’s Brad Peacock struck out Mike Napoli looking with a tough curve to end that threat. He wasn’t so lucky in the next inning, however. Boston loaded the bases with one out when Jacoby Ellsbury singled in two runs. With the bases reloaded with two outs, David “Big Papi” Ortiz continued his impressive return, doubling in two more to give Boston a 4-2 lead. Papi also added a sac fly in the 4th to make the score 5-2.
Continue reading Red Sox Rebound After Tough 1st Inning To Defeat Astros »