Happy Fuckin' Friday

Maybe you've seen this video, maybe you haven't. Who the fuck knows. I figured it's a good way to kick off the fuckin' weekend. I fucking like Josh Beckett. He says fuck in press conferences.

In the Air

Ah, spring is finally in the air. Well, at least in Florida and Arizona where most players have checked in and reported to their respective clubs for Spring Training. Meanwhile, in Kansas City, it snowed and sleeted today and never got above 10 degrees with the wind chill.

There will be a battle a brewin’ in centerfield in the month of March. Coco Crisp plainly stated yesterday that if he does not start for the Sox in center he will want out of Boston. My stance is with Ellsbury waiting in the wings and poised to take the starting position and with SS Julio Lugo locked up for the next four years, I’d be inclined to make a trade if I were the Sox front office. But I'm not, and my opinion differs a bit.

This is not big news of course, trade talks for the speedy outfielder have been on the surface since the week after the World Series. I like the fact that he wants to start everyday. If he came into camp and said he would be happy sharing time with Jacoby, I’d question his motivation to be on the squad. I’m of the mind (and so is Terry Francona) that Crisp should start out of the gate unless Ellsbury can show that his playoff fireworks is something he can do consistently rather than it just being a hot streak. On the other hand, keeping him down may cost the Sox in the long run.

GM Theo Epstein is keeping a very diplomatic stance saying that Crisp was a major cog that propelled the Sox to their second World Series Championship in four years. Some of the plays that Crisp was able to make in the outfield were pretty spectacular and keep the Sox run prevention at the top of the league, so you have to give him his due in that department.

Guess who showed up to camp on time? That’s right, none other than Mr. “No Respect for the Game” himself, Manny Ramirez. Manny discussed a lot of questions very candidly. Most importantly, he addressed his future in Boston. The Sox have two options for retaining Manny for the next two years after the ’08 season is complete. That means that this could be his last season in a Sox uniform. I wouldn’t count on that being a possibility. The Sox will more than likely keep him through 2010 and cut him loose.

He can do one of two things. He can either retire which is what he has said he would prefer to do, ending his career in Boston, or he could finish out his years on another team. I’ve always been somewhat indifferent to Manny. I love his bat and yes, I even like his loose attitude. Sometimes it’s good, sometimes it makes you scratch your head. He plays left field like the average 10 year old, but during the last seven seasons at Fenway he actually looks like he knows what he’s doing out there while he’s playing at home. You take the good with the bad. They don't say "Manny being Manny" for nothing.

The Sox future is also currently on display down in Fort Myers. Prospects that could have been playing in Twins pinstripes are still within the Boston system and ready to prove their potential. Of course Clay Buchholz isn’t really a hidden gem any longer after his no hitter last September against the Baltimore Orioles, but he still has something to prove this spring. I’ve been pulling for him to be the fifth starter, but you may see him in the bullpen or starting the year out in Pawtucket. Justin Masterson, a player who was reported as part of the almost package deal for former Twins ace Johan Santana will show Boston fans why it was probably a good idea to hold on to him. Am I saying he’s better or will be better than Santana? No, of course not. I’m not that fucking stupid. I’m just saying that the Sox were just in the game to drive the price of Santana up so the Yanks would overpay. It’s my theory and I’m sticking to it. Masterson has a ton of upside and could find himself in the show in the next couple of years. More to come on other future players as Spring Training goes on...

I'm ready for this. The last several months have been hell. No baseball, shitty performance from my football teams and the endless nights of the NBA. Thank God my new cable provider has the MLB Extra Innings package.

Schilling's Rehab, Lugo Surprise!

I’d try to do some sort of lame Amy Winehouse “Rehab” intro for the story with Curt Schilling, but I hate Amy Winehouse and her music so I’ll spare you. Today Red Sox brass met with the injured vet regarding which path would be the best for him to take. Someone who encompasses vast amounts of reason informed him that rehabbing and coming back for what should be his last hurrah with Boston is the best way for him to go. I’m of the mind that Schil rehab and try to work himself into the rotation around the All-Star break. How realistic is this? Probably not very.

There was some speculation of ill will between the two camps as the six time All-Star did sign a new one year deal worth $8 million last November. This was quickly quieted when the players and media converged on Fort Myers, Florida, site of the Red Sox Spring Training facility. John Henry was quoted as saying he didn’t feel duped by Schilling. Likewise Schil said he didn’t feel forced into something other than season ending shoulder surgery. All I can say is that I hope they don’t think they can rely on Julian Tavarez filling the hole. When he showed up to camp the possibility was news to him. He didn’t even know he was considered for the fifth spot. I don’t know if I should respect him for not paying attention to the media, or disgusted because he seems to constantly have his head in the sand. I hope they stop babying Clay Buchholz and let him actually compete for the fifth spot in the ro’.

This past weekend the Sox signed SS Julio Lugo to a four year $36 million deal. I’m not a huge fan of the idea of Lugo hanging around for that long as he’s only batted of .300 one time in his career. Of course, it’s not a forgone conclusion that he can’t have a few seasons up around .280 or .290 with a few more steals than his career average.

My problem is that with the obvious issues with Schilling, who spent time on the 60 day DL last season and will sit for at least the first half this year and not playing, why they didn’t feel the need to go out and try and pick someone up at least for the first half of the year. I heard rumors of Barolo Colon, which is incredibly stupid given that his fat ass hasn’t done anything on the mound in the past two or three seasons. With Buchholz, Kyle Snyder and yes, Tavarez they should be able to weather the storm.

Just a quick ending tidbit...I've heard rumors of the Sox going after Cleveland Indians ace C.C. Sabathia now that this season could be his last in the Forest City. My take? Stop, just stop it. I give it about a 5% chance the Sox even think about going after him. Why? I don't think the Sox are looking to secure another starting pitcher with a bloated salary. Simple as that. Right now with Beckett and Dice-K the Sox are going to turn to their farm system to produce the next wave of young talent.

Let the Countdown Begin

What has the last week brought to me on the doorstep of Spring Training? Curt Schilling possibly out for the season with a shoulder injury in his pitching arm! Hurray. Now the most hated man, according to me, is in the mix to take over the fifth spot in the Boston rotation. That’s right, Julian Tavarez has just backed up into the starting rotation once again. So, thanks for that Schilling. The organization wants him to rehab so he can play limited ball this year and probably force him into retirement after the season. Schilling wants season ending surgery so he can play in 2009. We’ll see who budges first.

Kevin Youkilis and the Red Sox brass avoided salary arbitration by signing the first baseman to a one year, $3 million contract. Last year Youk went .288 and had 16 home runs with 83 RBI’s. I find it funny on a few message boards that I read where fans will tout GM Theo Epstein as a god because of his ability to avoid salary arbitration with his players. Real tough when you have the second largest payroll in baseball.

Should I say something about Roger Clemens? I’m thinking no, it’s completely played out and I’m tired of talking about it and even more tired of other people talking about. Clemens’ wife should break him in half over her abs.

Roger Clemens is as guilty as a gay guy with a wheelbarrow full of buttholes, but I'm happy to see his name get dragged through the mud because he's a Yankee. I didn't really like Clemens back in the day when he played for the Sox, I just never really like him. I was sort of happy when he went to the Blue Jays, even after his 20 strike out performance in '96 as he was on his way out the door. Hopefully this thing gets wrapped up and buried soon, but I doubt it.

April: Please, Please Hurry

Last night was the end of the National Football League’s season. I for one couldn’t be any happier. My fantasy season sucked and my team (49ers) took a step backwards from 2006. As soon as everyone made them the “sexy” or “trendy” pick I knew it was the kiss of death. Also see: Dante Culpepper’s last season in Minnesota.

The Super Bowl marked the first time the ninth or tenth best team in the NFL hoisted the Vince Lombardi Trophy. The Giants winning was nothing more than the St. Louis Cardinals winning the 2006 World Series. Bottom line, they just got hot at the right time. I can’t take too much away from them, but they did lose 17-to-41 to the Vikings. At home. They also went three and three in their division which included being swept in the regular season by the Dallas Cowboys. Of course they made up for this in the Divisional round of the playoffs by vanquishing the ‘Boys in Dallas. And what a price I would pay for rooting for that one.

This has been the Giants in a nutshell this year. You just never saw them coming and you never took them seriously. Eli Manning was responsible for more turnovers than any other player in the NFL this season by a pretty wide margin, but here we are, the day after the Super Bowl and another damn Manning is Super Bowl MVP. I’m officially in football hell. Eli’s not so bad (although I dislike him incredibly for putting an end to Nebraska's winning season streak, 38 seasons in a row, while at Ole Miss) it’s more Payton, but I’m still blaming Eli for being brothers with the biggest commercial whore since Sally Struthers. And that lame Oreo commercial. Fuck Peyton Manning, I'm surprised he wasn't on the podium when the Lombardi trophy was presented. Every time Eli does something, Peyton is there. Or his dad Archie.

I wanted the Patriots to win for two reasons. Number one was because it was Boston versus New York, and because my hatred for the Yankees runs so deep, it bleeds over into football teams that have nothing to do with it. Number two was because I’m sick of hearing about the fucking ’72 Dolphins. You know, the team that didn’t play a playoff team until they got to the playoffs that year. New England seemed to encompass everything that was great about a football team. If you buy into the SpyGate crap, you’re an idiot. Sorry, you just are. If you think Belichick and staff were the only one’s doing this, you’re an even bigger idiot. You aren’t a bigger idiot than the guy who was videotaping the Jets sideline and their coaches in the Meadowlands while wearing Patriots gear, however. So feel good about that. People talk about how it will be a long time before a team ever goes 19-0, especially in this era. I think it will take just as long for a team to achieve 18-0 again. It would make sense, since in order to 19-0 you need to go 18-0 first. Anyway...

So last night those old farts popped a few bottles of champagne and toasted to their success when offensive linemen were 6’1” and 240 pounds. Last night Don Shula was still the only coach in NFL history to guide a team to a perfect season, and Mercury Morris did some blow off Larry Csonka’s balls. Hurray for NFL football.

So, what have the Sox been up to? Glad you asked and I’m glad I don’t feel the need to write about football anymore. It's almost 70 degrees in KC today and I've got baseball on my mind.

The Sox are set for camp and there will be new faces and some familiar faces that won’t be seen during the 2008 campaign. Eric Hinske, who was a fan favorite because of his hard nosed style of play was cut in the offseason and is yet to find another team to sign with. I sort of liked Hinske when he’d come in and plow people over at the plate. The problem was he was so damn slow that 90% he’d be out at the plate. He’s also a player who needs to be in the lineup on a daily basis to be effective and get into a rhythm. Sort of like a Wily Mo Pena. Bobby Kielty was also let go after being picked up late last season. He had the “game winning” home run in Game 4 of the Series, but he basically picked up a free ring just because he rode the bench for two months. With Jacoby Ellsbury and Coco still in the fold, there isn’t enough room for him. Jesus Christ, just look at that guy…I’m glad he’ll be gone. Thanks for the homer, but good Lord.

So what about the guys you really know? The lineup isn’t going to see that big of a facelift, and as we saw last year it will change to Francona’s liking. So far this is what is projected for when Spring Training breaks.

2B Dustin Pedroia
1B Kevin Youkilis
DH David Ortiz
LF Manny Ramirez
3B Mike Lowell
RF JD Drew
C Jason Varitek
CF Jacoby Ellsbury
SS Julio Lugo (if he doesn’t get traded)

The starting rotation is probably going to look like this, again, not a big change.

1. Josh Beckett
2. Daisuke Matsuzaka
3. Curt Schilling
4. Tim Wakefield
5. Jon Lester

Did you catch it? No Julian Tavarez! Fuck yeah!

Oh yeah, there are also some new guys too.

As of last Friday, the Sox agreed to a one year $800,000 deal with veteran first-baseman Sean Casey. Talk about an appropriate name for a Boston player, he’ll be backing up Youk and Ortiz when needed. He’s basically replacing Hinske. He’ll likely play first when Youk is on third when Lowell has a day off and could even fill in for Ortiz at the DH spot. I like this addition if he blends well with all the personalities in the clubhouse. He’s a favorite among his past teams and seems like stand-up guy. His career numbers aren’t too shabby either right at 1,336 games he has a .301 average, 130 homers, 718 RBI’s and a .366 OBP. In his final season with the Tigers he contributed with a .296 average while driving in 54 runs with four homers.

In the next few days I’ll put up some of the other acquisitions up so I have something to write about before Spring Training gets going.