Lots Of Medical Questions

Combine all the recent low-risk high-reward signings with the key injured players from last year and the 2009 Boston Red Sox may be better served setting up a M.A.S.H. Unit when Spring Training begins next month in Fort Meyers, FL. Needless to say, the Red Sox Team Doctors have their work cut out for them this year. Arguably Josh Beckett, Brad Penny, Mike Lowell, David Ortiz, Jason Varitek, Takashi Saito, and John Smoltz all had better years in 2007. However, if the Medical staff can help return these guys even to their 2006 form, the Sox could be vying for another World Series title in 2009...but that is a big "IF".

Brad Penny (Shoulder)
2008: W-L 6-9 ERA 6.28 - 2006: W-L 16-9 ERA 4.33

John Smoltz (Shoulder)
2008: W-L 3-2 ERA 2.57 - 2006: W-L 16-9 ERA 3.49

Josh Beckett (Oblique)
2008: W-L 12-10 4.03 ERA - 2006: W-L 16-11 5.01 ERA

Takashi Saito (Elbow)
2008: 18 Saves 2.49 ERA - 2006: 24 Saves 2.07 ERA

Mike Lowell (Hip)
2008: 17 HR 73 RBI .274 Avg. - 2006: 20 HR 80 RBI .284 Avg.

Rocco Baldelli (Mitochondrial Disorder)
2008: 4 HR 13 RBI .263 Avg. - 2006: 16 HR 57 RBI .302 Avg.

David Ortiz (Wrist)
2008: 23 HR 89 RBI .264 Avg. - 2006: 54 HR 137 RBI .287 Avg.

Julio Lugo (Quadricep)
2008: 1 HR 22 RBI .268 Avg. - 2006: 12 HR 39 RBI .268 Avg.

Jason Varitek (Head)
2008: 13 HR 43 RBI .220 Avg. - 2006: 12 HR 55 RBI .238 Avg.

So You Think You Had A Bad Week?!?

It wasn't all bad as Tyrese Rice and the Boston College Basketball team did manage to upset the undefeated and #1 ranked North Carolina Tar Heels and in Chapel Hill no less. However, for the other Hub Sports teams, the rest of the week was as gloomy as the January weather in Boston.

BOSTON CELTICS:

After beginning the season 27-2, the Celts lose their next 6 out of 8 games. Even though the Garnett, Pierce, and Allen played well early on and Rajon Rondo improved greatly from last year, it's apparent that they miss James Posey. Last year it was Posey, as much as Garnett, who set the tone for the Celtics. He was the leader of a bench unit that would routinely beat the first unit in practice and often pull out games when the starters weren't on their games. As this year progresses, teams are learning how to defend Rondo, taking advantage of the weak Celts' bench, and subsequently wearing down the 'Big 3'.

BOSTON COLLEGE FOOTBALL:

Not only does Boston College lose their first Bowl game after winning 8 in a row, but they lose to a (6-6) Vanderbilt football team which hadn't won a Bowl game in 53 years. To add insult to injury, second year BC Head Coach Jeff Jagodzinski is then caught soliciting NFL teams for interview requests after promising his boss (and friend), Athletic Director Gene DeFilippo, that he would stay at BC for the length of his contract. Coach Jags then interviews with the New York Jets even though he has little or no chance of landing the job and is subsequently fired by the DeFilippo. To make matters worse, this is all happening at the height of recruiting season.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS:

It wasn't enough that the Pats didn't make the playoffs when the Jets failed to beat Miami, but then the Jets fire Bill Belichick's former protege and now nemesis, Eric Mangini, only to see the Cleveland Browns hire him within the week. To make matters worse; the Pats could lose Scott Pioli and Josh McDaniels as both are still interviewing with other teams, former Pat Asante Samuel makes another pick-6 in the playoffs for the Eagles, and early reports say Matt Cassel will be offered the franchise tag which means that Tom Brady is having setbacks with his knee.

BOSTON RED SOX:

Mark Teixiera is officialy announced as a member of the arch rival New York Yankees and Bostonians finally learn the bitter truth that contrary to all the reports, the Red Sox were never his or his wife's first choice. After losing out on Teixiera, the Sox front office seems shell-shocked and with less than 5 weeks until Spring Training they are still struggling to find a starting Catcher, a fourth Outfielder, and support for David Ortiz in the line-up. Plus, their new division rival, Tampa Bay, manages to solidify their already potent line-up by signing free agent slugger Pat Burrell for pennies on the dollar.

BOSTON BRUINS:

After beginning the year with a remarkable 29-5 record and a recent 10 game winning streak, the team loses 2 straight games as the injuries and fatigue begin to mount. Milan Lucic and Aaron Ward can't shake their nagging injuries, Marco Sturm is scheduled for knee surgery, and Patrice Bergeron may be out the rest of the year with another concussion.

Transfer of Utilities?

My West coast moles tell me that the Red Sox have contacted free agent infielder and former Arizona State standout Willie Bloomquist. According to the Boston Herald's Sean McAdam, the Sox aren't planning on bringing back Alex Cora which leaves the the loser of the starting shortstop position battle between Jed Lowrie and Julio Lugo to be the utility infielder going into the season. However, if the Sox are still pursuing another middle infielder like Bloomquist, then Lugo or Lowrie may be part of a bigger trade that's brewing for either a hitting shortstop like Michael Young and Hanley Ramirez -or- a young catcher like Miguel Montero and Jarrod Saltalamacchia.

Sox Spending little with Penny & Green

So the Yankees sign Mark Teixeira, A.J. Burnett, and C.C. Sabathia for $423 million. The frugal Tampa Bay Rays spend over $16 million to solidify their potent line-up with Pat Burrell and the Red Sox pick-up an injured Brad Penny and Utility Infielder Nick Green for less than $6 million!

Woohoo! Who's next Theo...Willie Bloomquist ?!?

New Year Wishes For Boston Sports!

10.) Eric Mangini not getting another head coaching job in the NFL

9.) The Boston Bruins playing the Montreal Canadiens in the next NHL Winter Classic at Fenway Park

8.) Celtics’ GM Danny Ainge picking-up a valuable bench player before the playoffs begin

7.) The Boston Red Sox securing another big bat to support David Ortiz in the line-up

6.) The New York Yankees not making the playoffs with Mark Teixeira

5.) Mike Lowell, David Ortiz, and Josh Beckett all returning to their 2007 form

4.) The Boston Red Sox winning another World Series

3.) The Boston Celtics winning back-to-back NBA Championships

2.) The Boston Bruins winning their first Stanley Cup in over 35 years

1.) Tom Brady returning 100% healthy for the 2009 NFL season