Josh Beckett has been the ace of the Sox staff since 2007. When healthy he is as good a pitcher as you can face in the bigs.
According to the Red Sox website, the Sox & Beckett are looking to get an extension done in Spring Training, if possible. Given the recent Lackey & Burnett deals, the Sox will need to put a comparable offer on the table.
To me Josh Beckett is worth whatever the magic number is. He took over from Curt Schilling as the #1 guy & still has electric stuff. With Tim Wakefield nearing the end of his career & Dice-K coming towards the end of his first contract there will be room for new arms in the rotation. Casey Kelly & other guys will get their shot.
Beckett is special. He's a no-hitter waiting to happen. I say sign him & keep him in a Red Sox uniform for the rest of his career.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Mark McGwire Fesses Up to PED's
Mark McGwire finally owned up to taking performance enhancing drugs for the first time yesterday. He said it was done to get his body healthy from numerous injuries.
McGwire was very emotional about his public confession. It was something he needed to do before assuming the role of hitting instructor for the St. Louis Cardinals.
Watching his press conference I saw a guy who was looking for forgiveness. It looked to me that he still had trouble coming to terms with his actions. It took longer for him to come forward than other players like A-Rod or Andy Pettitte. We're still waiting for Sammy Sosa & Roger Clemens.
I'm ready to move on. Maybe McGwire can be an example to the young Cardinal players of why it doesn't pay to take PED's.
McGwire was very emotional about his public confession. It was something he needed to do before assuming the role of hitting instructor for the St. Louis Cardinals.
Watching his press conference I saw a guy who was looking for forgiveness. It looked to me that he still had trouble coming to terms with his actions. It took longer for him to come forward than other players like A-Rod or Andy Pettitte. We're still waiting for Sammy Sosa & Roger Clemens.
I'm ready to move on. Maybe McGwire can be an example to the young Cardinal players of why it doesn't pay to take PED's.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Kotchman Out, Hall In
On the same day that the Sox finalized their acquisition of Adrian Beltre they also finalized a trade with Seattle to obtain utility man Billy Hall. Casey Kotchman goes to the Mariners to become their everyday first-baseman.
Kotchman would have split playing time with Kevin Youkilis & Victor Martinez at first. He played well enough in the field last year, but never had any pop on offense. Billy Hall can fill the role of Jed Lowrie as a utility infielder if Lowrie is still hampered by injury.
It's a minor move, but it makes sense & should work well for both teams & both players.
Kotchman would have split playing time with Kevin Youkilis & Victor Martinez at first. He played well enough in the field last year, but never had any pop on offense. Billy Hall can fill the role of Jed Lowrie as a utility infielder if Lowrie is still hampered by injury.
It's a minor move, but it makes sense & should work well for both teams & both players.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Hollliday - 120, Bay - 65
Matt Holliday won the free agency sweepstakes of 2010. He takes over from Mark Teixeira who won with his multi-year contract from the Yankees last year.
Holliday accepted a 7-year, $120 million deal to stay with the St. Louis Cardinals. Most sports writers are scratching theire heads at the St. Louis offer since the Cardinals seemed to be bidding against themselves. No other teams were willing to go that many years or that many dollars.
Jason Bay, by comparison, signed a measley 4-year, $65 million deal with the New York Mets with a vesting option for a 5th year. Holliday gets an extra million per year & has 3 more years on his contract.
So Bay loses the free agent sweepstakes of 2010 to Holliday.
Holliday accepted a 7-year, $120 million deal to stay with the St. Louis Cardinals. Most sports writers are scratching theire heads at the St. Louis offer since the Cardinals seemed to be bidding against themselves. No other teams were willing to go that many years or that many dollars.
Jason Bay, by comparison, signed a measley 4-year, $65 million deal with the New York Mets with a vesting option for a 5th year. Holliday gets an extra million per year & has 3 more years on his contract.
So Bay loses the free agent sweepstakes of 2010 to Holliday.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Cameron - CF, Ellsbury - LF
Terry Francona advised Jacoby Ellsbury that he would be patrolling LF this year while Mike Cameron takes over his old spot in CF. Is this a good idea?
Ellsbury played a 99% flawless CF over the past few seasons. However, by some objective baseball measurements, Cameron has the better outfielder rating.
The talking heads say that moving Ellsbury to LF will keep him fresher from fewer sliding catches & result in a healthier body for the 162-game grind. Cameron is said to have a stronger throwing arm for CF.
Maybe we make too much of this. We will have 2 good outfielders. Does it matter where they play?
Ellsbury played a 99% flawless CF over the past few seasons. However, by some objective baseball measurements, Cameron has the better outfielder rating.
The talking heads say that moving Ellsbury to LF will keep him fresher from fewer sliding catches & result in a healthier body for the 162-game grind. Cameron is said to have a stronger throwing arm for CF.
Maybe we make too much of this. We will have 2 good outfielders. Does it matter where they play?
Adrian Beltre New Sox Third Baseman
The Red Sox have signed Adrian Beltre to a 1-year contract worth $9 million with an option for a 2nd year at $5 million. Beltre's signing officially signals the end for Mike Lowell in a Red Sox uniform.
Beltre has underperformed in Seattle. Some say it was due to arm & shoulder injuries which have been cleaned up. A Gold Glove defender at 3B, the Sox continue to bolster their defense which their pitchers will love. But the Sox will require better-than-average years at the plate from Ortiz, Drew, Cameron & now Beltre if they are to compete with the Bronx Bombers.
Theo has been right more than wrong, so I'm willing to see how it goes during the first half. You wonder if Adrian Gonzalez is still in the picture.
Beltre has underperformed in Seattle. Some say it was due to arm & shoulder injuries which have been cleaned up. A Gold Glove defender at 3B, the Sox continue to bolster their defense which their pitchers will love. But the Sox will require better-than-average years at the plate from Ortiz, Drew, Cameron & now Beltre if they are to compete with the Bronx Bombers.
Theo has been right more than wrong, so I'm willing to see how it goes during the first half. You wonder if Adrian Gonzalez is still in the picture.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Winter Classic A Hit At Fenway
I'm not a big hockey fan, but I will say that it was pretty cool to see 38,000 fans in a baseball stadium watch an outdoor hockey game between the Bruins & Flyers. The game was decided in the Bruins favor in OT. You can't ask for more than that.
After the game it was interesting to hear the players speak about the unique experience of playing in the backdrop of the Green Monster. I guess we sometimes take Fenway for granted.
Good job, Red Sox management, for bring a Bruins hockey game to Fenway.
After the game it was interesting to hear the players speak about the unique experience of playing in the backdrop of the Green Monster. I guess we sometimes take Fenway for granted.
Good job, Red Sox management, for bring a Bruins hockey game to Fenway.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)