Active Winter for Boston Red Sox

This time is known as the off season for the teams of Major League Baseball. This week and winter so far has been very active for the Boston Red Sox.

Dustin Pedroia (pictured on left) was named the American League's Most Valuable Player Award (MVP). This on top of a Gold Glove, and a berth on the Silver Slugger team.

This following a 2007 season in which Pedroia helped the Red Sox to a World Series championship and won the American League's Rookie of the Year Award.

Dustin has come a long way since a very slow start that had many wondering what the Red Sox coaching staff was thinking. Management stuck with him, riding out the complaints from fans and sports commentators.

Now Pedroia is racking up the Awards, and has become a key member of the team. We wouldn't have the success we have enjoyed without him. I hope he stays in Boston for a long time to come. He is an exciting player to watch.

According to Redsox.com, "By prevailing in the Baseball Writers' Association of America voting, Pedroia became the 10th Red Sox MVP winner and the first to cart home the coveted award since Mo Vaughn in 1995. The previous winners from Boston were Jimmie Foxx ('38), Ted Williams ('46 and '49), Jackie Jensen ('58), Carl Yastrzemski ('67), Fred Lynn ('75), Jim Rice ('78) and Roger Clemens ('86). "

Also this week we said go bye to Coco Crisp in a trade for right-handed pitcher Ramon Ramirez from the Kansas City Royals.

Jacoby Ellsbury is Boston's center fielder for the present and future, Crisp was thought to be expendable

From Redsox.com,"Crisp's value as a defender and a baserunner, Epstein chose to hang on to him in 2008. It paid off, as several injuries to other members of the Red Sox -- not to mention some inconsistency by Ellsbury offensively -- enabled Crisp to have 361 at-bats.

The switch-hitter batted .283 with seven homers and 41 RBIs, stealing 20 bases."

Coco Crisp came to the Red Sox after a trade with the Indians in 2006. At the time, the hope was he would replace Johnny Damon in center field and top of the lineup.

We wish him the best of luck in Kansas City.

On the other side of the trade, Ramon Ramirez is very excited to be the newest member of the most storied team in the MLB. He will have a change to help get a World Series ring.

Ramirez will have to prove himself and that he not just hype. I have a feeling he soon with be a favorite among the Fenway faithful.