Thursday, December 31, 2009

Time for Managers to Stop Wearing Uniforms

OK, I realize that MLB has a rule which states that any team representative on the filed of play must wear a uniform, however there is a better way. The days of the manager also being a player are long gone, it’s time to make a change. No one wants to see and out of shape 60 year old guy in droopy pants come out to the mound. The game is evolving ans so too should the appearance. Basketball and Hockey coaches wear suits which I would connie-mac2be fine with (thank you Connie Mack) but for the best solution we only need to turn to the NFL. The NFL markets everything that players and coaches wear and have strict restrictions on what a player or coach can wear while on the sidelines. The coach isn’t wearing the same uniform as the players but is still sporting team apparel. MLB could market a whole line of apparel for coaches that the common man could buy to show their support for their team. This opens the door to all kinds of possibilities. The traditionalists won’t have to worry about someone tinkering with their iconinc jersey but can still buy something other than the traditional road greys or home whites. MLB makes their money, the coaches look more professional and the fan gets a whole new line of apparel. Win-Win-Win!

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Bay Departs Boston

Proving that it really is ‘only about the money,’ Jason Bay has signed with the New York Metropolitans for a reported $66 million for 4 years. The Red Sox had reportedly offered Bay $60 million for 4 years which he declined. I have a hard time believing that Jason Bay will put up similar numbers at a pitcher’s ballpark like Citi Field. Bay will no longer have the protection or see the same pitches that he saw while surrounded by guys like Ortiz, Youkilis, Drew and Martinez. The Mets were last in MLB in homeruns last year, while the Red Sox had 7 guys with the same or more homeruns than the Mets HR leader. The Red Sox hit more than 125 more homeruns and 200 more RBIs than the Mets last year. While the Sox did not fare well in the playoffs last season, they did, however, make it to the playoffs and appear to be poised to do so for the foreseeable future.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Is the Halladay Frenzy Over?

Roy Halladay appears to be headed to Philadelphia in a three-way trade with Toronto-Philly-Seattle. What does this mean for the Sox and Yanks? With the apparent signing of John Lackey to a 5-year deal, I think the Red Sox have one of the strongest rotations in baseball with Beckett-Lackey-Lester-Matsuzaka and Wakefield. With a healthy Matsuzaka and Wakefield providing double digit wins, this Red Sox rotation may even be better than their inter-division foe New York Yankees. The Yankees send the formidable trio of Sabathia-Burnett-Pettitte out at the front end of the rotation but then where do they turn? Joba has proven to be anything but reliable and who do you follow him up with? Sergio Mitre? Who? As a Sox fan, I’m ok with Halladay heading to the National League and out of the AL East. Although they won’t be facing Doc multiple times in the 19 games against the Jays, the Sox do make a trip to Philly in June. Now the Sox can focus on Mike Cameron to replace the soon to be departing (and therefore demonized) Jason Bay. Now what about third/first base?

Monday, December 14, 2009

Lackey in Talks with Red Sox

Reports say that John Lackey is taking a physical for the Red Sox which indicates that a deal must be close. Lackey would be a welcome addition to the Sox rotation however, he better be amazing in order to make up for the Sox’s losses in the lineup. With Lowell on his way to Texas and Jason Bay now likely to follow the money out of Beantown the Sox lineup will take a big hit. Talks between Boston and Adrian Beltre also seem to have hit a standstill leaving a huge hole in the outfield and at third. With the World Series Champion Yankees adding Curtis Granderson to an already stacked lineup and Boston appearing to be heading in the opposite direction, 2010 could be a long season. Hopefully Theo makes some big changes….and soon!

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Red Sox All-Time 9

MLB.com is letting fans vote for their all-time 9 based on one year’s performance, not overall career. For the most part, this is pretty easy. You have probably the 5 guys that you associate with the name Red Sox with Jimmie Foxx at first base, Carlton Fisk at catcher, Wade Boggs at third, and Ted Williams and Carl Yastrzemski in the outfield. That leaves shortstop, which unfortunately hasn’t historically been a strong suit for the Sox. Although Johnny Pesky gave him a run for the spot, I went with Nomar Garciaparra for his 2000 numbers. At DH of course, is David Ortiz. Second base also gave me a struggle, but Bobby Doerr edged out current second baseman Dustin Pedroia. And the final outfield spot was the hardest to choose. Guys like Dwight Evans, Mike Greenwell, Fred Lynn, Manny Ramirez, Babe Ruth and Tris Speaker gave Jim Rice a run for his money but ultimately succumb to Rice’s 1978 numbers. Rice belted 46 homeruns that year while driving in 139 and scoring 121 runs and hitting .315. Those are numbers anyone would call a career year. Go to MLB.com and pick your all-time 9.

Does Lowell Departure Make Room for Beltre?

The Red Sox dealt Mike Lowell to the Rangers for Max Ramirez (their third Ramirez in three days (Ramon and Ramon)). As it stands now it doesn’t seem to make a lot of sense unless the talks with Adrian Beltre are going well. The Sox will be on the hook for the majority of Lowell’s $12 million that is owed to him in 2010 and currently don’t have a third baseman. Surely they don’t make this trade for an unknown Max Ramirez without having something lined up. Sources say that Beltre is looking for $13 million a year for 4 or 5 years. Although Lowell is 35 and starting to show his age, the Red Sox are giving up a lot. Only a few third basemen could fill the void that will be left with Lowell’s departure, Beltre could be one of them.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Bay Remains Top Priority

Jason Bay is still atop the Red Sox list of priorities this winter. With winter meetings ongoing, the Sox still keep a close eye to their current outfield. While names like Holliday are viable replacements, Bay proved worthy last year to hold down a position in the heart of the lineup for years to come. Jason belted 36 homeruns and drove in 119 while slugging .537. Throw in 94 walks, 142 hits and 103 runs and that’s tough production to replace. With Bay you’ve got a known commodity that can handle the fans in Boston and the hostilities in the Bronx. I think the Sox need to get this inked quickly so they can focus on other needs during the off-season.

Friday, December 4, 2009

Scutaro to Sox

Amid talks of switching all-star second baseman Dustin Pedroia to shortstop due to an abundance of free agent second basemen, the Sox snatch up Marco Scutaro from the Blue Jays. Scutaro is coming off a career year where he hit .282 with 12 HR, 6- RBI and scored 100 runs. This should be a welcome addition to the lineup. Is this just the beginning for the Sox this offseason?

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Ramirez Returning to Boston?

It will be a cold day in hell before Manny Ramirez steps through the gates at Fenway but one-time Red Sox Hanley Ramirez is on the radar. Most fans won’t remember or even know that Hanley had 2 at bats for the Sox back in 2005 before being traded to the Marlins in the deal that brought Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell to Boston. Hanley would be a huge boost to a lineup that hasn’t seen any productions from the SS since the departure of Nomar Garciaparra in 2004. Sure Edgar Renteria did his part and Julio Lugo and Jed Lowrie held the position down for a while but with the departure of Julio Lugo, the Sox are looking to fill the void. Ramirez hit .342 with 24 HRs, 106 RBI and 101 runs scored. Numbers like this would have Red Sox faithful saying “Manny who?”