In one of the longer, and in my opinion unnecessary, protracted MLB contract negotiations, Scott Boras has agreed to terms with the Dodgers on a two year $45 million contract for his client Manny Ramirez. The two sides spent much of this week disputing how much if any of the $45 million would be paid out as a deferred payment. Ramirez who was traded to the Dodgers last July at the trade deadline helped to lead the Dodgers to a playoff birth by driving in an average of one run per game.
In other news from fellow Red Sox alumni, Nomar Garciaparra is said to be very close to signing a one year deal with the Oakland Athletics. Garciaparra had said to be contemplating retirement but now it looks like he will suit up for at least one more season.
Showing posts with label Red Sox. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Red Sox. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Night Two at Fenway
2008 Alex Record: 1-1 (04/08 W5-0, 04/09 L7-2)
A few thoughts on my second visit to Fenway in as many days:
Mike Timlin is scheduled to come off of the disabled list either today or Friday and if last night’s performances were any indication of who might be sent down to replace him it would seem the field has been narrowed to two--Bryan Corey and Javier Lopez. Corey looked ineffective last night and was only able to record one out while surrendering two runs. Lopez didn’t fair much better in recording two outs and surrendering a ninth inning solo homerun. David Aardsma on the other hand looked quite affective as he submitted 1-2/3 innings of scoreless relief after replacing Lester with one out in the sixth. Aardsma in my opinion deserves to stay on the 25 man roster and if I was Theo Epstein I would probably option Lopez. I realize having Lopez’s presence as a lefty is important but I believe Corey can pitch in more types of situations and for longer outings if need be.
Sean Casey’s worth to the team became quite apparent last night as the wily veteran was able to come right off the bench after Mike Lowell’s hand injury and record two hits for the Sox. Casey clearly struggled a bit in his first appearance in Toronto but for the duration of a 162 game season it is this scribe’s opinion that he will continue to make crucial contributions throughout the season.
Similarly, Kevin Youkilis continued to show why his $4 million contract is one of the best bargains in baseball as he deftly switched corner infield positions without missing a beat both in the field and at the plate. Well he did switch gloves so maybe he missed a half a beat but who is keeping track?
There has been much talk of the effect of the Red Sox early travel on their performance and to me it is having the greatest impact on David Ortiz. Ortiz as a designated hitter requires more than any other player a routine and this on-again-off again start to the season has not helped him in any way. Ortiz gets four or five chances to contribute in a game as a DH and if he struggles at the plate he can’t make up for it in the field. The next couple of weeks for the Red Sox are jam-packed with games and my bet is that his sub .100 batting average will be at least .250 by May 1.
A few thoughts on my second visit to Fenway in as many days:
Mike Timlin is scheduled to come off of the disabled list either today or Friday and if last night’s performances were any indication of who might be sent down to replace him it would seem the field has been narrowed to two--Bryan Corey and Javier Lopez. Corey looked ineffective last night and was only able to record one out while surrendering two runs. Lopez didn’t fair much better in recording two outs and surrendering a ninth inning solo homerun. David Aardsma on the other hand looked quite affective as he submitted 1-2/3 innings of scoreless relief after replacing Lester with one out in the sixth. Aardsma in my opinion deserves to stay on the 25 man roster and if I was Theo Epstein I would probably option Lopez. I realize having Lopez’s presence as a lefty is important but I believe Corey can pitch in more types of situations and for longer outings if need be.
Sean Casey’s worth to the team became quite apparent last night as the wily veteran was able to come right off the bench after Mike Lowell’s hand injury and record two hits for the Sox. Casey clearly struggled a bit in his first appearance in Toronto but for the duration of a 162 game season it is this scribe’s opinion that he will continue to make crucial contributions throughout the season.
Similarly, Kevin Youkilis continued to show why his $4 million contract is one of the best bargains in baseball as he deftly switched corner infield positions without missing a beat both in the field and at the plate. Well he did switch gloves so maybe he missed a half a beat but who is keeping track?
There has been much talk of the effect of the Red Sox early travel on their performance and to me it is having the greatest impact on David Ortiz. Ortiz as a designated hitter requires more than any other player a routine and this on-again-off again start to the season has not helped him in any way. Ortiz gets four or five chances to contribute in a game as a DH and if he struggles at the plate he can’t make up for it in the field. The next couple of weeks for the Red Sox are jam-packed with games and my bet is that his sub .100 batting average will be at least .250 by May 1.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Paradise: Take 2
When I was little most nights between April and September were spent listening to Red Sox broadcasts on the radio. I probably spent more time during those years with Red Sox announcers Joe Castiglione and Jerry Trupiano than I did with most of my family and friends.
The dream then was always of winning a World Series. For a young boy it always seemed possible. Although try as I may I could never envision what a World Series celebration would look like. What it would feel like. How it would unfold.
Although yesterday’s Opening Day World Series Ring Ceremony was in fact the team’s second such celebration in four years, it was the first I was able to experience live and it was thus far the highlight of a lifetime of going to sporting events. And finally I was able to experience first hand the proper World Series celebration I had been dreaming about for most of my life.
Surely over the past four years there have been rolling rallies, playoff sendoffs, and playoff games, but to me any true Red Sox celebration must and should take place in the most storied ballpark in baseball.
From the first note of the Boston Pops, straight through the unveiling of the new championship banner, and right on through Bill Buckner’s first pitch it was pure and unadulterated heaven for Boston baseball fans. For those lucky enough to attend either the 2004 or 2007 championship celebrations—cherish each and every moment of those memories. For Boston fans lucky enough to be around in 2008 we are truly realizing every dream we could have ever wished for.
The dream then was always of winning a World Series. For a young boy it always seemed possible. Although try as I may I could never envision what a World Series celebration would look like. What it would feel like. How it would unfold.
Although yesterday’s Opening Day World Series Ring Ceremony was in fact the team’s second such celebration in four years, it was the first I was able to experience live and it was thus far the highlight of a lifetime of going to sporting events. And finally I was able to experience first hand the proper World Series celebration I had been dreaming about for most of my life.
Surely over the past four years there have been rolling rallies, playoff sendoffs, and playoff games, but to me any true Red Sox celebration must and should take place in the most storied ballpark in baseball.
From the first note of the Boston Pops, straight through the unveiling of the new championship banner, and right on through Bill Buckner’s first pitch it was pure and unadulterated heaven for Boston baseball fans. For those lucky enough to attend either the 2004 or 2007 championship celebrations—cherish each and every moment of those memories. For Boston fans lucky enough to be around in 2008 we are truly realizing every dream we could have ever wished for.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Free Ice Cream!
Thanks to the Boston Red Sox not only do many of us get to skip out of work today but we also get….fre ice cream too! This is all most too good to be true.
J.P. Licks is offering a free small ice cream to customers during business hours today, April 8, during business hours.
J.P. Licks stores are located at:
Jamaica Plain, 659 Centre Street, Jamaica Plain, (617) 524-6740
Coolidge Corner, 311 Harvard Street, Brookline, (617) 738-8252
Davis Square, 4A College Ave, Somerville, (617) 666-5079
Newbury Street, 352 Newbury Street, Boston, (617) 236-1666
Newton Centre, 46 Langley Road, Newton Centre, (617) 244-0666
Mission Hill, 1618 Tremont Street, One Brigham Circle, Boston, (617) 566-6676
West Roxbury, 661 VFW Parkway, Chestnut Hill, (617) 325-1516
Go Red Sox and go get a free cone, would you?
J.P. Licks is offering a free small ice cream to customers during business hours today, April 8, during business hours.
J.P. Licks stores are located at:
Jamaica Plain, 659 Centre Street, Jamaica Plain, (617) 524-6740
Coolidge Corner, 311 Harvard Street, Brookline, (617) 738-8252
Davis Square, 4A College Ave, Somerville, (617) 666-5079
Newbury Street, 352 Newbury Street, Boston, (617) 236-1666
Newton Centre, 46 Langley Road, Newton Centre, (617) 244-0666
Mission Hill, 1618 Tremont Street, One Brigham Circle, Boston, (617) 566-6676
West Roxbury, 661 VFW Parkway, Chestnut Hill, (617) 325-1516
Go Red Sox and go get a free cone, would you?
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Celtics, Champs, Chills, and More
Here are some thoughts that are rattling around my head this afternoon.
Kevin Garnett is officially back. He might have missed nine games with an injured abdomen but last night against the Detroit Pistons one could hardly tell he had ever missed a beat. Garnett’s intensity is so great that it has the ability to have an early March regular season game seem as though it is a playoff game seven. No matter what Al Jefferson ends up being as a basketball player it will be hard to argue with Ainge’s trade simply based on the life that has returned to Celtics games as a result of Garnett’s presence.
Steve Phillips of ESPN brought up the amazing fact in Thursday’s broadcast of the Red Sox spring training game against the Dodgers that 23 players out of the 25 players from the Red Sox 2007 roster are still around going into 2008 spring training. That is a 92% pretension rate. In the free agent era, I can’t remember when a championship team went into the next season with so many hold-overs.
The contrast of the 2007 retention rate was even more illuminated by the fact that the Dodgers starter Thursday was former Sox hurler Derrick Lowe. With the mass exodus of 2004 that was led by Pedro Martinez and Lowe it is hard to believe that the Red Sox are still under essentially the same exact ownership and management.
During the same ESPN broadcast the fact was brought up that every Red Sox home spring training game since 2003 has been sold out. Every game has been sold out at Fenway Park during this same exact time. It is hard to imagine this streak coming to an end any time soon.
And now for the creepy portion of this post--MSNBC had a special last night entitled “The Mind of Manson” chronicling the the life and times of Charles Manson. The program relied heavily on a 1987 Today Show broadcast which featured an interview with Manson and analysis from a former F.B.I. crime profiler. I have to admit that watching this interview was one of the most chilling, yet gripping, things I’ve watched in a while. People the likes of Manson often seem inhuman and beyond comprehension and while the program did nothing to completely remove this about Manson—it was fascinating to hear the psychological analysis of the interview that was provided throughout the program.
If anyone is looking for something to do this weekend they might want to look into the Harpoon Brewery’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration. The cover of $15 is a bit steep but it does include a free pint glass and hours of music. For anyone busy the actual St. Patrick’s Day weekend it might be a nice alternative.
One week until I leave for Florida and Red Sox Spring Training!
Kevin Garnett is officially back. He might have missed nine games with an injured abdomen but last night against the Detroit Pistons one could hardly tell he had ever missed a beat. Garnett’s intensity is so great that it has the ability to have an early March regular season game seem as though it is a playoff game seven. No matter what Al Jefferson ends up being as a basketball player it will be hard to argue with Ainge’s trade simply based on the life that has returned to Celtics games as a result of Garnett’s presence.
Steve Phillips of ESPN brought up the amazing fact in Thursday’s broadcast of the Red Sox spring training game against the Dodgers that 23 players out of the 25 players from the Red Sox 2007 roster are still around going into 2008 spring training. That is a 92% pretension rate. In the free agent era, I can’t remember when a championship team went into the next season with so many hold-overs.
The contrast of the 2007 retention rate was even more illuminated by the fact that the Dodgers starter Thursday was former Sox hurler Derrick Lowe. With the mass exodus of 2004 that was led by Pedro Martinez and Lowe it is hard to believe that the Red Sox are still under essentially the same exact ownership and management.
During the same ESPN broadcast the fact was brought up that every Red Sox home spring training game since 2003 has been sold out. Every game has been sold out at Fenway Park during this same exact time. It is hard to imagine this streak coming to an end any time soon.
And now for the creepy portion of this post--MSNBC had a special last night entitled “The Mind of Manson” chronicling the the life and times of Charles Manson. The program relied heavily on a 1987 Today Show broadcast which featured an interview with Manson and analysis from a former F.B.I. crime profiler. I have to admit that watching this interview was one of the most chilling, yet gripping, things I’ve watched in a while. People the likes of Manson often seem inhuman and beyond comprehension and while the program did nothing to completely remove this about Manson—it was fascinating to hear the psychological analysis of the interview that was provided throughout the program.
If anyone is looking for something to do this weekend they might want to look into the Harpoon Brewery’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration. The cover of $15 is a bit steep but it does include a free pint glass and hours of music. For anyone busy the actual St. Patrick’s Day weekend it might be a nice alternative.
One week until I leave for Florida and Red Sox Spring Training!
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
An Anniversary Worth Celebrating
Five years ago to this day Theo Epstein made an under the radar signing of then free agent and little regarded former Minnesota Twin David Ortiz. At that time, the Red Sox were looking to fill several positions throughout their lineup and hoped that by stock-piling bats they would be able to fill their needs.
Then Ortiz was a young, unproven, first basemen who had never got a chance to be an every day player in his five seasons in Minnesota. Five years, two World Series Championships, and countless walk-off memories later David Ortiz is now the face of Red Sox Nation and has etched himself into the rarified air of Sox legends such as Teddy Ballgame, Yaz, or Pudge. It is safe to say that Ortiz has met and exceeded not only the needs Epstein desired in the winter of 2003 but anything he could have ever dreamed of from the man we now call Pappy.
On the heels of another Patriots Super Bowl appearance, Boston fans should take a moment or two away from football thoughts to celebrate the five years they have shared with Ortiz and look forward to whatever unforgettable memories he has in store for us in the future.
Then Ortiz was a young, unproven, first basemen who had never got a chance to be an every day player in his five seasons in Minnesota. Five years, two World Series Championships, and countless walk-off memories later David Ortiz is now the face of Red Sox Nation and has etched himself into the rarified air of Sox legends such as Teddy Ballgame, Yaz, or Pudge. It is safe to say that Ortiz has met and exceeded not only the needs Epstein desired in the winter of 2003 but anything he could have ever dreamed of from the man we now call Pappy.
On the heels of another Patriots Super Bowl appearance, Boston fans should take a moment or two away from football thoughts to celebrate the five years they have shared with Ortiz and look forward to whatever unforgettable memories he has in store for us in the future.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Vote No on Santana
The discussions between the Red Sox and Minnesota Twins concerning Johan Santana are said to continue; however, a resolution does not seem imminent. The Red Sox seem to be staying strong with their two packages—one containing Jacoby Elsberry and the other John Lester.
The new wrinkle in the Santana talks have the chances of the Yankees landing the Twin’s ace diminishing and have the New York Mets joining the Red Sox as front-runners for Santana’s services.
The introduction of the Mets into the Santana talks may be the most beneficial thing for Red Sox fans to come out of the talks since their introduction over a month ago. Red Sox fans should be cheering for Santana to be wearing a Mets uniform for two main reasons.
The first reason seems to be shared by both Red Sox management as well as their fans. This is that they are both head-over-heels in love with their seemingly endless array of young talent. Names like Ellsbury, Pedroia, and Buchholz keep fans at the edge of their seat with their fresh faces and boundless energy while at the same time bringing smiles to the faces of management with their rookie minimum salaries. With Theo Epstein’s high success rate of placing prospects into careers as productive major leaguers, it would seem difficult to export four or more bargain-basement-priced prospects for Santana who is said to command a seven year contract for $20 million annually.
What the Mets introduction into the Santana talks allows the Red Sox to do is maintain a poker face at the trade table while keeping their fingers crossed under it that Santana quickly becomes a Met. The Red Sox’s best interest is for the possibility of Santana wearing a Yankees uniform to be eliminated. What a Twins-Mets trade would do is move Santana to a more permanent home in Queens as a Met and not allow for a high stakes game of poker to play out during the trade deadline in July.
It is the belief here that the Red Sox interest in Santana has always lie more in keeping him out of pin stripes and thus risk swinging the edge in the A.L. East south to the Bronx than it ever was in having him in a Red Sox uniform. The trade doesn’t make sense for a couple of reasons-one that Santana’s perceived demands for a seven year contract makes it harder and harder for them to stand strong during negotiations for free agents after handing out a six year $100 million plus contract to Daisuke Matsuzaka. The company line had always been four year contracts or less for high priced free agents and signing Santana to a potential seven year $140 million contract would likely hurt the Red Sox negotiating position in the future. Additionally, a seven year contract for Santana would leave the Red Sox on the hook for $20 million a year until Santana is 35 years old while on the other hand Matsuzaka’s contract expires upon him reaching the age of 32.
But in terms of the on-going cold war struggle between the Red Sox and Yankees, one team cannot show weakness publicly. The Red Sox have postured long enough in the Santana talks and they now have the perfect out—an interested party not wearing pin stripes. Furthermore, a Red Sox withdrawal from trade talks allows them to claim that they couldn’t stomach the cost of Santana and that they want to keep building their winning tradition from within. Both serve to strengthen the Red Sox image and distance themselves from moving ever closer to the spend thrift Yankees.
Epstein’s genius has always derived from his ability to receive equal if not superior returns on his investments whether they are via trade or through free agency. The risk of forfeiting three or four low cost, high yield, prospects in return for the services of a pitcher who you will have to pay $20 million up until his 35th birthday does not seem like one Epstein should or hopefully will make.
The new wrinkle in the Santana talks have the chances of the Yankees landing the Twin’s ace diminishing and have the New York Mets joining the Red Sox as front-runners for Santana’s services.
The introduction of the Mets into the Santana talks may be the most beneficial thing for Red Sox fans to come out of the talks since their introduction over a month ago. Red Sox fans should be cheering for Santana to be wearing a Mets uniform for two main reasons.
The first reason seems to be shared by both Red Sox management as well as their fans. This is that they are both head-over-heels in love with their seemingly endless array of young talent. Names like Ellsbury, Pedroia, and Buchholz keep fans at the edge of their seat with their fresh faces and boundless energy while at the same time bringing smiles to the faces of management with their rookie minimum salaries. With Theo Epstein’s high success rate of placing prospects into careers as productive major leaguers, it would seem difficult to export four or more bargain-basement-priced prospects for Santana who is said to command a seven year contract for $20 million annually.
What the Mets introduction into the Santana talks allows the Red Sox to do is maintain a poker face at the trade table while keeping their fingers crossed under it that Santana quickly becomes a Met. The Red Sox’s best interest is for the possibility of Santana wearing a Yankees uniform to be eliminated. What a Twins-Mets trade would do is move Santana to a more permanent home in Queens as a Met and not allow for a high stakes game of poker to play out during the trade deadline in July.
It is the belief here that the Red Sox interest in Santana has always lie more in keeping him out of pin stripes and thus risk swinging the edge in the A.L. East south to the Bronx than it ever was in having him in a Red Sox uniform. The trade doesn’t make sense for a couple of reasons-one that Santana’s perceived demands for a seven year contract makes it harder and harder for them to stand strong during negotiations for free agents after handing out a six year $100 million plus contract to Daisuke Matsuzaka. The company line had always been four year contracts or less for high priced free agents and signing Santana to a potential seven year $140 million contract would likely hurt the Red Sox negotiating position in the future. Additionally, a seven year contract for Santana would leave the Red Sox on the hook for $20 million a year until Santana is 35 years old while on the other hand Matsuzaka’s contract expires upon him reaching the age of 32.
But in terms of the on-going cold war struggle between the Red Sox and Yankees, one team cannot show weakness publicly. The Red Sox have postured long enough in the Santana talks and they now have the perfect out—an interested party not wearing pin stripes. Furthermore, a Red Sox withdrawal from trade talks allows them to claim that they couldn’t stomach the cost of Santana and that they want to keep building their winning tradition from within. Both serve to strengthen the Red Sox image and distance themselves from moving ever closer to the spend thrift Yankees.
Epstein’s genius has always derived from his ability to receive equal if not superior returns on his investments whether they are via trade or through free agency. The risk of forfeiting three or four low cost, high yield, prospects in return for the services of a pitcher who you will have to pay $20 million up until his 35th birthday does not seem like one Epstein should or hopefully will make.
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