According to a source close to the negotiations, J-Pap has a one year deal in place with Boston for a reported 9.35 million. Theo and the Sox apparently waited until just before the arbitration deadline to lock up the Sox closer for 2010.
This, as well as more Red Sox news, insight, and semi-rational opinion can be found at www.insidethemonster.com

First Wagner, now Saito.

David Ortiz is in fairytale land and playing GM again. The just turned 34 year old spoke out yesterday, providing the media with his thoughts on Boston’s off season needs:

The great recession you say? What of it? Swept out of the ALDS in crushing fashion? Who cares. Ticket prices at America’s most beloved ball park are going up next year. One year after freezing prices, the average seat at Fenway will rise again in 2010….although it appears the most significant increases will be felt by the pink hats, which is fine by me….

Immediate disclaimer: I want the Phillies to beat the bag out of the Yankees in the World Series as much as you do.
As good as the Philadelphia Phillies are, they are undoubtedly underdogs in the upcoming world series. The Yankees have steamrolled through the playoffs and appear more hungry than ever in their quest for a 27th title. Enter Jimmy Rollins:

ITM’s three writers scrambled this evening to meet the AL MVP voting deadline.  We still have differences in the exact order of the top ten, but the list below represents a little bit of compromised on all sides.  Perhaps the biggest difficulty was keeping Jason Bay off the list, and listing two Yankees ahead of Youk…..our attempt at “fair and balanced”.
1. Joe Mauer
2. Mark Texeira
3. Kendry Morales
4. Miggy Cabrera
5. Derek Jeter
6. …

As a team, the ITM writers are not ready to post about the ending of the Red Sox season. We’ve sent along multiple emails, confirmed that we’ve all gone back to work and are continuing our somewhat normal lives, but any Red Sox related post out of us at this point would still be completely irrational and full of anger.
That said, as a member of the Baseball Bloggers Alliance, ITM, …

Come join Inside the Monster for a live game day blog @ www.insidethemonster.com
Go Sox.

This was not how it was supposed to go.  All year, we maintained this team was built for the playoffs, and they still might be, but as of now, the 2009 Red Sox have a lot of convincing to do.
They’re coming home from the make-believe land of Southern California, tail between their legs, but not totally defeated.  The players are saying the right things “it’s not over, we’ve got a …

Okay, so that title’s not entirely accurate. It’s more of an ITM anxiety preview. I’m worried. I’m sitting here with a glass of whiskey neat – what should be a warm treat on a crisp October night. But undeniably, this is just medicine for my nerves. There’s nothing pleasurable or autumnal or old-fashioned about this drink. It might as well be robitussin going down my throat.
This, as well as more …

So they’re in. After 5 straight losses (that last one is on Vicino) and a week of pitching concerns, the Sox clinched a playoff spot after a 5-2 Rangers loss. Which means baseball, truly the sport of averages, of evening out, will once again, as though 162 games were just meaningless forms, pit the Angels against the Sox to kick off October.
This, as well as more Red Sox news, insight, …

Okay, so ITM stalled yesterday, but really it shouldn’t go unmentioned, even though we all know it already. The Yankees clinched a playoff appearance Tuesday night with the Texas loss. Hopefully you were aware of the scenario and didn’t just wake up this morning to catch a glimpse of that nasty little “z” that sprouted up over night in the standings box like a malignant mole. But there it is …

I’m pretty sure I just learned how to properly pronounce Junichi Tazawa’s name about two weeks ago. Just in time to learn the rookie pitcher from the Japanese Industrial League was placed on the 60-day disabled list with a left groin strain, ending his season……Honestly, I think Tazawa deserves a Boston salute (no, not the middle finger) for his out of the blue surprising service this season. Coming into the …