Boston Red Sox

Pitching wasn't exactly an issue last season for the Boston Red Sox, but as shown in years past, there's no such thing as having too much of it.

In 1961, the American League added the Los Angeles Angels and the Washington Senators to become a 10-team league. Finishing in eighth place no longer meant finishing last.

Ninth to First

Five years later, in 1966, the Boston Red Sox finished a dismal ninth, but they weren't as bad as they looked. The following season, they proved it by winning the pennant.

The Boston Red Sox became the first American League team to go from ninth to first.

The agent for relief pitcher Billy Wagner is reporting that his client may reverse his previous position and accept arbitration from the Red Sox, if offered.

This new stance represents a change of heart for the 38-year-old Wagner, who is just 15 saves from 400 career saves.

He waived his no-trade clause to accept a trade to the Red Sox prior to the trade deadline. In exchange the ball club promised they wouldn’t pick up his $8 million option for 2010—so he could pursue free agency this winter.

So it looks like a couple of long, long-time teammates will be teammates at least a little longer still.

The Boston Red Sox made a few moves today to ensure that most of their 2009 roster stays intact for 2010.

According to MLB.com, Boston has picked up catcher Victor Martinez's $7.1 million club option for 2010.

As expected, the Red Sox have exercised their 2010 option on C / 1B Victor Martinez while declining their option on SS Alex Gonzalez.

The ballclub now has Martinez—who was acquired from the Cleveland Indians at the trading deadline for RHP Justin Masterson and pitching prospects Nick Hagadone and Bryan Price—under contract at $7.1 million for 2010.

Martinez, 30, was a hit during his two-month stint with the Red Sox, batting .336, with eight HR and 41 RBI, in 56 games with the Sox. For the season, he hit .303, with 23 HR and 108 RBI in 155 games.

One of these men IS a Red Sox. The other WAS a Red Sox, having been made available by the Pittsburgh Pirates who failed to protect him off waivers, and then having been traded to the Cincinnati Reds for Willy Mo Pena.

One was a league MVP in 2008. The other has, at times, been kind of a marginal player in the game.

One of these men might unkindly, but reasonably accurately, be described as "pint sized." The other is a "hunk," over half a foot taller than the first.

The first set of attributes belongs to Dustin Pedroia; the second, to Bronson Arroyo.

After a World Series like this last one, we Red Sox fans take a lot of consoling. It's never been fun watching one's sworn enemies' jubilation. 

Where, oh where, can a Boston loyalist turn for some trace of comfort?

Try National Public Radio.