Where's the Power Hitters?

Here's a follow-up to the last post on Adrian Beltre. If the Sox don't re-sign Beltre, do they have anyone in the farm system, a power hitter, that they can bring up to the big club?

I found only two possibilities. Both players were with the Portland Sea Dogs last year. Nate Spears had 20 homers & 82 RBI in 136 games. Anthony Rizzo had 20 homers & 80 RBI in 107 games. Neither player has been mentioned by the Sox as ready to make the jump to the big club.

Unless the Sox have money left after re-signing Victor Martinez, we may see Youk back at 3B & a Victor / Saltie combo at 1B. Or you could see Jed Lowrie at 3B.

3B is just one of the many interesting positions for the Red Sox this off-season.

Does Adrian Beltre Fit in 2011?

There is no question that Adrian Beltre was "the" guy on offense in 2010. He's the guy you wanted to see up there with 2 outs & runners in scoring position. Beltre had a career year after 4 mediocre, subpar years in Seattle. Maybe playing in Seattle can do that to a player when the Mariners are constantly losing. Or can we expect Adrian to be less productive in the future?

If you're Theo, how do you go about making an offer to Beltre? With Boras as his agent Beltre will be looking for $12 million to $15 million a year for 4 to 5 years. I think it's the number of years that will be the sticking point for Theo. He doesn't want another JD Drew contract.

And what about re-signing Victor Martinez first? How much money will be left in the pot after a new deal for Victor?

And what about Ortiz? Do the Sox renegotiate an extension & at what price?

And how about locking up Buchholz & Bard like they did Lester?

Lots of decisions coming up after the World Series. We start getting answers soon. I would think by Thanksgiving we will know about Beltre.

Sox Players in Arizona Fall League

The Red Sox have some of their best prospects playing for the Peoria Javelinas in the Arizona Fall League. The Javelinas are made up of players from 6 different MLB teams.

Players include:

Seth Garrison, 25, Pitcher

Casey Kelly, 21, Pitcher

Eammon Portis, 25, Pitcher

Jason Rice, 24, Pitcher

Daniel Turpen, 24, Pitcher

Ryan Lavarnway, 23, Catcher

Jose Iglesius, 20, Shortstop

Juan Carlos Linares, 26, Outfielder

Watch for these names in the coming years. Ryan Kalesh played in the AFL last season as did Steven Strasburg from the Nationals.

John Farrell to Toronto

John Farrell moves from Boston's pitching coach to become the new manager of the Toronto Blue Jays. I don't think that this move is a bad one for Farrell or for the Red Sox.

Farrell inherits a team that played over .500 all year & had one of the most explosive offenses in the AL. The Red Sox get to bring in someone with a new set of eyes & new ideas to work with the pitching staff.

In baseball you see hitting coaches & pitching coaches change teams every 3 to 5 years. You can only tell players the same things so many times before the law of diminishing returns comes into play. It's good to get new ideas from new staff.

Good luck to Farrell. We'll see him 18 times a year.

Patriots Win Ugly

The San Diego Chargers were horrible yesterday as their offense coughed up the ball time & time again. It was only fitting that a final 5-yard penalty contributed to a missed field goal that hit the crossbar & would've tied the game. Pats win 23-20, but more correctly the Chargers lost 23-20.

The Pats have had 2 shaky wins in a row, but as Parcells used to say, your record is your record. Ugly wins are better than pretty losses. 4-1 keeps the Pats tied win the Jets at the top of the division.

Brett Favre & Randy Moss return to Gillette next week. Talk about a media frenzy!

It's Giants Versus Rangers

The mighty have fallen. Both the New York Yankees & the Philadelphia Phillies could not deliver a World Series of favorites to boost ratings for Fox Sports TV.

Congrats to the SF Giants & Texas Rangers for knocking out the favorites. It should be a fun World Series of 2 newcomers to the fall classic.

Having 2 teams from western divisions is the last thing that Fox wanted. Ratings will be down due to limited east coast viewers. Most Red Sox fans still can't get over Fox using Bret Boone as an announcer in 2003 when brother Aaron was playing for the Yankees. Joe Buck won't be able to slight the Red Sox this year. Good luck with those ratings, Joe.

A few more weeks & we will be into the hot stove. Until then, I guess I would root for the Rangers since they have never won a World Series. Plus they beat the Yankees for us. Go Rangers!

Evil Empire Gone

As Yoda said, you do or don't do. There is no try.

The Evil Empire got their butts whipped by a hot Texas Rangers team. Darth Vader resided at 3B in the person of A-Rod who was cold the whole series & seemed not to care about taking strike 3 for the last out in Game 6. I'd say that the previous at-bat by Robinson Cano showed someone not hustling down the line for out #2. The Yankees knew it was over.

There's plenty of blame to go around. Underperforming, high paid athletes that can't get it done in the post-season when it counts. Burnett, Teixeira, & A-Rod lead the list. Girardi made questionable player moves. The Yankees are old & they played like old guys.

Jeter, Rivera, Pettitte & others are up for free agency next year. The Yankees have no choice but to bring them back because they have no one ready to step in.

Cliff Lee is rumored to be heading to New York, but don't think that Nolan Ryan & his ownership group are going to let Lee walk out of Texas without putting up a fight.

If the Yanks don't get Lee, they remain stuck with poorly performing investments - like Wall St.

There's A New Sheriff in the AL

The Texas Rangers came to the east & boy did they clean house. The Rangers defeated the AL East champs Tampa Bay Rays in 7 games & last night they sent the Bronx boys packing in 6. And, almost poetically, the last out was A-Rod looking at a called strike 3.

So, over the 1st 10 years of the 21st century, I believe that the scorecard for World Series wins is:

Boston - 2

New York - 1

Red Sox Nation can rest easy now. The Yankees are eliminated. All is right with the world. Thank you, thank you, thank you Texas Rangers!

Where 2010 Went Wrong

We heard about all the injuries to the starters -- Ellsbury, Cameron, Martinez, Varitek, Pedroia & Youkilis. No doubt that injuries played a big role in the Sox not making the playoffs.

But I look at the San Francisco Giants lineup with a 23-year old kid hitting clean-up & think why are they in the playoffs. The answer is pitching. And while we say injuries kept the Sox out of the playoffs, it was really the poor pitching of John Lackey & Josh Beckett.

Maybe it was the big contract signings that got them off their game. Beckett was out with a mysterious back injury most of the season & ineffective when he was on the mound. Lackey made excuses about cheap hits, but he never mentioned how runners got on base before those cheap hits happened. Too many poor performances & lost leads in late innings, especially in important games.

We can only hope that Beckett & Lackey get it figured out for 2011. The Sox have bet the farm that these two will be better-than-average for the next 4 years. I hope they don't turn into J.D. Drew's -- a/k/a big money for mediocrity.

Going, Going, Almost Gone

The New York Yankees are almost gone from the playoffs. If they get eliminated by the Texas Rangers, it would mark the 9th time in 10 years during the 21st century that the boys in pinstripes fail to win it all with the largest payroll in baseball.

The Yankees are being outpitched & outhit by a younger Rangers club. CC Sabathia, who got rocked in Game 1, goes tonight. Even if the Yankees pull out a victory, they know that Cliff Lee is waiting for them in Texas.

A loss in front of the home crowd tonight would be devastating for Yankees fans to see a 3rd home playoff loss in a row. And after elimination the NY media would be after Burnett & others who are underperforming.

Life is good for Red Sox Nation!

How About Cliff Lee?

Cliff Lee would look very nice in a Red Sox uniform. He beats the Yankees. He wins post-season games. Wouldn't that be worth spendind a few dollars to Theo & Red Sox management? Throw out Dice-K & Wake. Give Lee a spot in the starting rotation.

Yes, unfortunately the above paragraph is nothing more than a dream. The Red Sox had bigger holes to fill at catcher, third base & the bullpen. We spent our pitching pot of gold on Beckett & Lackey. Instead of watching Lee beat the Yankees next year, he will probably be a Yankee beating up on the Red Sox with Sabathia instead.

Too bad. Cliff Lee in a Red Sox uniform is a nice dream.

Patriots Win in OT

OK, I'm going off script again. But if it's a choice of writing about the Patriots or Yankees, I'm taking the Patriots.

Huge win by the Pats in OT yesterday. They keep pace with Miami & the Jets who also won close games.

Welcome back, Deion Branch. Brady to Branch sounds like the good old days. And a tying & winning field goal brings back memories of the Vinaterri days.

Nice win. Everyone goes to work on Monday with a smile on their face.

Now if Texas would just eliminate the Yankees...

Victor Key to Catching Corps

With the aging of Jason Varitek the Red Sox most vulnerable position has been at catcher. (Now we can throw the bullpen in there too.)

The 2011 roster at catcher will be defined by whether or not Victor Martinez stays or goes in his free agency year. If Victor stays, the addition of Jarrod Saltalamacchia as back-up catcher seems to work. Both are switch hitters. Both can play first as a secondary position. Both could DH or pinch hit. Lots of versatility in that duo.

If Victor signs somewhere else, the Sox could add a veteran catcher like John Buck or keep Varitek for another year if Saltie is not the everyday guy. Kevin Cash is a great receiver, but no bat. Dusty Brown was unimpressive. And the younger catchers still need more time in the minors.

I think the Red Sox will use their pot of money to sign Victor first, then see if anything is left in the pot for Beltre & other free agents.

5 Days After the World Series

No free agent signing can happen before the allotted 5 days after the end of the World Series. A few more weeks & we'll be there.

Is Andre Ethier coming to Beantown?

Is Victor Martinez staying?

Does David Ortiz get re-signed?

Is Andrian Beltre gone?

All of these questions & more will get traction in November. The waiting is almost over.

Go Texas Rangers!

It's the Texas Rangers versus the New York Yankees in the ALCS for 2010.

The Texas Rangers have inherited millions of new fans from around New England & the country. No one wants to see the Yankees in the World Series again. All of Red Sox Nation is pulling for you, Texas.

Go Cliff Lee, CJ Wilson, Vladie & Kinsler!

Four Days In October

I hear that the ESPN special called "Four Days in October" is quite a good watch. We get to relive the magic of 2004 once again. My niece taped it & will let me borrow it next week.

We can all use some good cheering up, now that the Yankees are in the ALCS. It seems like all signs point to the Yankees & Phillies in the World Series. Maybe the Rays can pull off a win at home to compete against New York. I think the Rays pitching will match up better than the Rangers. But the Rangers do hit the ball.

It really doesn't matter. Let any team other than the Yankees win. Anyone...

Yankees & 2004

The New York Yankees sweep the Minnesota Twins - again. The Twins just can't beat the Yankees in the playoffs.

With the Yankees waiting for the ALCS to start against Texas or Tampa Bay the boys in pinstripes look like the odds on favorite to repeat in the World Series. I'm sure Fox is glad to have the Yankees continue & keep their TV ratings up.

Wasn't this the same scenario in 2004? Just when you least expected it the Boston Red Sox pulled off the most improbable & biggest comeback in sports history. And the Yankees were crowned with the biggest collapse, a/k/a choke, by any team in sports history. I may watch the Red Sox DVD today where Denis Leary rants on about the Yankees " moumento collapso."

I just had to pull out this memory. Don't count Texas or Tampa Bay out against the Yankees.

Randy Moss and David Ortiz

The New England Patriots parted company with Randy Moss, an aging veteran who is looking for another big dollar contract at the end of the season. Will the Boston Red Sox part company with their aging slugger, David Ortiz?

Probably not is my guess. Ortiz' name means too much to this franchise. Saying that, however, I dont see the Red Sox overpaying to keep him. The Sox can pick-up the option on Big Papi & pay him his $12 million for 1 more year. Or they can re-negotiate a multi-year deal & look to average out $6, $7 or $8 million a year.

Look for Big Papi to be in a Red Sox uniform for 2 or 3 more seasons at lower dollars.

Patriots 41, Miami 14

OK, I'm going off script here. But the New England Patriots absolutely destroyed the Miami Dolphins in Miami with a huge 35 point second half. It was a big win, a statement win as they say, to keep the Pats in contention within their division.

Miami shot themselves in the foot time after time in the 3rd & 4th periods. Special teams gave up a touchdown, a blocked punt & a blocked field goal. It seemed like QB Henne completed more passes to the Pats secondary than to his own receivers. And all this came after a 1st half where you thought Miami could have 21 points on the board if not for 2 pass interceptions.

Nice to see the Patriots get a rare win on the road in a historically tough place to play. Reminded me of the Red Sox playing at the Trop in Tampa Bay.

Great effort & nice win, Pats!

The Case for Jason Varitek

Is Jason Varitek's time in a Red Sox uniform as captain over? Probably. The curtain call for him on Sunday was a nice touch. Varitek is a free agent at the end of this season.

The Captain could be back as a back-up catcher, like this year, in the event that Jarrod Saltalamacchia is not healthy. He could also be back if the Sox do not sign Victor Martinez. Dusty Baker & other catchers in the Sox system just don't seem to be ready yet.

Prior to his injury, Vartikek was catching a game or two a week & hitting the ball pretty well. His throwing arm remains a problem. Josh Beckett still likes having Varitek as his catcher. Jason also speaks a little Japanese which helps with Dice-K.

One comment on the Sox website mentioned Varitek coming back as a catching coach. That could be an interesting option as the Sox could activate him as a player should the injury bug happen again.

Any team with a young pitching staff could benefit from having Varitek as their catcher. The real question is -- does Varitek want to go anywhere else, or should he retire like Mike Lowell?

Jason Varitek is one of many Red Sox stories this off-season. Will the Red Sox offer this aging star - a guy who helped the Sox win 2 World Series & has caught 3 no-hitters - a role with the 2011 version of the club?

My thought, as of today, is no. Time to move on.

We Win!

A Red Sox victory in game #162 on Sunday spells the end of the Yankees run for AL East crown. The Yankees lose 2 out of 3 at Fenway & find themselves the Wild Card team that starts the playoffs on the road in Minnesota. Tampa Bay wins the division & plays Texas at home.

Neither New York nor Tampa Bay has played particularly well down the stretch. It wouldn't surprise me to see the Twins & the Rangers in the ALCS. For me, like you, as long as anyone but the Yankees wins the World Series I'm OK with it.

So 2010 ends on a positive note. Beating the Yankees is fun any time of year. Too bad it didn't mean anything to the Sox, other than being spoilers. We'll take it.

The Red Sox got to showcase much of their young talent, particularly during the last month. Several youngsters could be packaged in deals to bring new players to the Sox 2011 roster. Relief pitching, a corner outfielder, another big bat are just some of the conversations waiting to happen over the next several weeks.

The fun part of the next year starts on Monday.

Mike Lowell Day

Aside from being spoilers, one of the few things left to the 2010 season is Mike Lowell Day.

Lowell is the oldest looking 36 year old you might ever see. His beard is scruffy & gray. He can't run very well anymore. And he is retiring in a Red Sox uniform.

Mike has achieved a lot. 2 World series rings - one with the Florida Marlins in 2003 & one with the Red Sox in 2007. One World Series MVP in 2007. A win over cancer in his personal life. And he leaves with the respect of the Boston fans & his teammates. He is a classy guy who will be missed.

And Lowell becomes the first change to the Sox roster from 2010 to 2011. Many more to come.

Lester Misses # 20

Jon Lester missed his chance to be a 20-game winner. It kind of goes with the year the Red Sox have had - close at times, but no cigar.

Lester & Buchholz have become the #1 & #2 pitchers on this staff. Lackey, Beckett & Dice-K have all dropped back. I hope Eck is right when he said that he expects Lackey & Beckett to bounce back next year.

Let's be spoilers this weekend for the Yankees run at another AL East flag. 2010 is almost over.