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Red Sox Observations

What a deep pitching staff. I love Jon Lester, but I actually think Josh Beckett will come cheaper and be the better value. He induced a lot more ground balls last year to go along with the outstanding command. Daisuke Matsuzaka is the other guy who should earn a profit - he had a couple good starts down the stretch.

I don't like Jon Papelbon this year. His fly ball rate was way up, and he walked more hitters last year. Remember, almost no one has Mariano Rivera's career, and Papelbon won't come at a significant discount.

Dustin Pedroia's numbers last year were remarkably similar to his MVP one, save for a drop-off in BABIP. But the walk rate jumped, and he's still just 26. I don't see a whole lot of daylight between him and Chase Utley. Adrian Beltre is likely to be a good value after getting out of Safeco. Mike Lowell (if his thumb is okay) can still hit and should wind up somewhere - worth bidding a few bucks on in an AL league.

I love Jeremy Hermida's chances to break out at age 26 and now that he's out of Florida. Between Mike Cameron and J.D. Drew needing off days or getting hurt, Hermida should see 350 at-bats at a minimum. I like David Ortiz this year still - he came on strong in the second half and is still just 34 years old. Jacoby Ellsbury I don't know what to make of. At 26, and coming off a 70 SB season, he should be a top-five AL player. But I don't feel like paying the $34 or whatever he'll cost in LABR for some vague reason. Just have a bad vibe about him, and I'm not sure why. You should probably ignore that.