FanHouse Mike Timlin

Footprints in the Snow is FanHouse's look at the paths to be forged by MLB teams this winter as they look ahead to 2009.

The Red Sox may have fallen short of the Rays in the AL East and in the ALCS in 2008, but despite the frustrating end to their season, they actually proved something quite significant and positive. The team that was once known mostly for a championship drought that spanned eight decades is now known as the premier franchise in baseball.

Boston has won the World Series twice since 2004 and been to the ALCS in four of the last six seasons. Perhaps more importantly, GM Theo Epstein has proven deft at mixing in new talent -- at providing stability while also keeping the roster fresh and young. Indeed, the Red Sox have won two championships with two almost entirely different groups of players.

That's going to be more important than ever going forward. The AL East has become a cruel beast and Tampa Bay, not Boston, has suddenly become the young, deep power in the division. With the Yankees looming as well, Epstein is going to have to keep working his magic. Get younger, Theo. Get better. Oh, and be a perennial World Series contender while you're at it.

Our MLB editor provides weekly dispatches from major league games in Notes From the Clubhouse.

Bad news for Boston fans Monday night. The Red Sox will place designated hitter David Ortiz on the disabled list after an MRI revealed the slugger had a torn tendon sheath in his extensor carpi ulnaris -- a muscle in the wrist. Ortiz is certain to miss at least a few weeks, though the Boston Herald has reported that he will miss at least a month and could face season-ending surgery.

Manager Terry Francona did not indicate the injury was quite that serious, though he will confer with Ortiz, GM Theo Epstein and the team's medical staff tomorrow in Boston.

Big Papi struggled in April, but he was his usual slugging self in May putting up a line of .318/.409/.617 (AVG/OBP/SLG) over the last month. No team in baseball is prepared to replace that kind of production, but the Red Sox are deeper than any other organization in the game and are prepared to make do while Ortiz gets healthy. Francona said after the game that reserve first baseman Sean Casey would likely see additional time while Ortiz is sidelined, but the most likely lineup Francona will put out there will probably feature Manny Ramirez at DH and Jacoby Ellsbury, Brandon Moss and maybe even Bobby Kielty or Kevin Youkilis splitting time in left field.

When asked about seeing more time as a designated hitter, Ramirez said "I love it. I love to DH," though he then went on to joke that if he played there too much it might hurt his chances at getting the Gold Glove he so covets. "It's nice to give him a blow and still keep his bat in the game," said Francona of playing Ramirez at DH.

If the Red Sox were merely losing Ortiz for a few weeks, there wouldn't be much to worry about, but Big Papi's injury is just at the top of a long list of concerns for the reigning champs.

Boston will miss Ortiz, but they'll do a very good job of filling the void in the short-term

Top of the 7th:

Hey look, the Red Sox are winning by so much, they're even letting Coco Crisp get in the game. Josh Beckett is still in this game. Why is this? I suppose he's only thrown 78 pitches before this inning.

And here's another strikeout. Studly. Troy Tulowitzki double. Only 13 more of those and it will be a game again. And hey, have you guys heard the one about how Tulowitzki idolized True Yankee Derek Jeter? Kid learns from the best.

Beckett survives another inning without surrendering a run. I think he's done for the night. Ashanti is sining "God Bless America." Where is Ja Rule?
Sorry, No Photos

So last night wrapped up another terrific ALCS comeback for the Red Sox. What makes this one different is the force with which they did it, outscoring Cleveland 30-5 in the last three games. They got it done and made sure Gagne wasn't going to have the opportunity to screw it up. Even after winning game 5 behind another gem from Beckett the country expected them to lose. You were close, but as you can see Papelbon has your cigar.

Since Papelbon is such an outspoken guy I think it deserves mentioning that his character in the Dugout was fostered by us only knowing that he was a phenomenal rookie. Since then, obviously, it's quite clear that he's one of the most eccentric and loved/hated players in the game. It really wouldn't be fair to have two Farnsworths hanging around a chatroom all day, so he's going to stay a kid for a little while.

The chat between the SOX and ROXies is after the jump.

The Red Sox entered camp with a huge question mark at the back of their bullpen. Was Joel Pineiro going to close? Mike Timlin? Julian Tavarez? Try "none of the above."

With Timlin opening the year on the disabled list and Pineiro and Tavarez refusing to grab hold of the job with a light's out spring, the Sox apparently decided they didn't need a new closer after all, moving Jonathan Papelbon back to the bullpen after an extremely brief stint in the rotation. From the Providence Journal:

The Sox are expected to announce after today's game with the Phillies that Papelbon -- one of the best relievers in baseball in 2006 -- was being reinstated as the team's closer. His spot in the starting rotation will be taken by Julian Tavarez, who pitched three innings in Sunday's 2-1 victory over the Orioles and was scheduled to pitch four innings in a minor-league game today.

That wind coming from the east is Red Sox Nation letting out a collective sigh. Seriously, the mere prospect of competing in the AL East with the likes of Tavarez taking the ball in the ninth inning is enough to take a few years off the life of a Red Sox fan. But wait, what about Papelbon's arm? To his credit, he thinks the strengthening program he's been on since last year should allow him to pitch in either role.

While the ProJo states that Tavarez is moving into the rotation, I have to imagine it won't be for long -- it's just a matter of time that Jon Lester moves into the starting five, and I honestly wouldn't be surprised if it happened the first time the teams needed their fifth starter.