10 Things I think I think...

Well, I’ve been a little bit MIA lately eh? I promise to never leave you alone on the trading deadline again. I left to go shopping with my mom yesterday morning and my cell phone was 100% dead, so, not realizing the significance of the day, I left it at home charging. A trip to Walmart, Homegoods, the dentist, Target, TJ Maxx, and Sports Authority later. I returned home to find a panic related voicemail from Katie telling me, “I really needed you to be at work today”, and about the Gagne deal. I will never again be away from the TV / internet on the 31st of July again.

Anyway, here are 10 things I think I think (again, sorry Mr. King) about the trading deadline, Celtics (yes, the Celtics!), Patriots and whatever topic I need to get to 10.

*I was surprised how disappointed I was to see Kason go. I was legitimately bummed out. The kid came up, pitched well, always kept us in it, and was very good looking. Everything I love in a starter. I wish him very good luck in Texas (except for the 9 games a year), and I would like to tell him, Kason, no matter what the bartender tells you in Texas, it is a not a “Texas Thing” to drink Jack Daniels, it’s an idiot thing. So steer clear of that. Also, steer clear of Clicks, and whatever you do, leave the Sooner’s flag alone. Oh, and try out the Cheesy Fries at Saltgrass.

*Welcome Eric. I am so happy to see you. It’s always a good thing when you can shore up a league leading bullpen. Gagne is a career closer, so having him for the 8th inning will be sweet. Think Papelbon will be a little bit more fired up to close out the game now that he has Eric in the bullpen breathing down his neck? I do. Also, I love how Gagne had a no-trade clause and an incentive laden contract and the Red Sox were able to get him here by saying, “We’ll pay all the incentives”. Loyalties run deep in MLB.

“So Paul, did you hear we got Simon Gagne,” Me
“Yeah, but I think you mean Eric,” Paul
“Yes, Eric Gagne, why do I keep calling him Simon?” Me

“I think he is some kind of figure skater,” Paul

*I am kind of disappointed we had to send Kason, and two minor leaguers to Texas for Gagne when we could have had him for the same money we paid Jo-it was fun while it lasted-EL. Happy Trails Jo-EL. Also, best of luck to Mr. Brendan Donnelly who will undergo Tommy John surgery.

*The biggest strengths and flaws of your team is always magnified in the playoffs. For example, the biggest flaws in the 2003 team was the inability to finish games and Grady Little, it showed in Game 7. The biggest strength of the 2004 team was the ability to come back, and it showed in the playoffs. The biggest issue of this 2007 club is the inability of the Sox to score with RISP. I swear it will kill me before this season is said and done.

*My fantasy team has been bit by the injury bug as of late and as of early. I currently have Curt Schilling, Joel Zumaya, Carlos Beltran, and Mike Napoli on the DL. I’m also down in the max number of innings for pitcher, so I decided to go out and pick up some probable’s to get some innings, so tonight I have Oliver Perez of the NYM and Boof Bonser of the Milwaukee Brewers. What could go wrong?

*After last nights two home runs, I can’t help but hope that Papi has maybe found his mojo. While David’s power numbers have been down but his average is up, you can’t help but miss that 9th inning feeling, when the Sox are down by two, and you start going the walk-off math in your head. Just so long as one person gets on, and then the next two strike out, we get to Ortiz. If the first batter walks, then the second person gets a fly ball, we only need a double from David and all will once again be right in the world.

*I can’t believe that Wily Mo is still a Red Sox, (although, how much fun was that catch / belly flop / face plant last night?). I am in shock really. I would have thought that we could have at least gotten a case of Gatorade for him. I mean, think how handsome he would have looked in a Kansas City / Texas / White Sox uniform.

*So the Celtics landed KG. I don’t believe it. I wonder if this was Ainge’s plan all along or if this just kind of fell into his lap. The press conference was jovial with the new, “Big 3” showing their smiles and uniforms. I hope that these three mesh as well on the court as they did in the press conference. I really hate to see Big Al go, but we have a chance to win now, and we had to take it. I really liked SG and Jackie Mac’s take on the deal. There is a buzz in Boston and it is about the Celtics, I didn’t think I’d see the day. I am not going to pretend to be a huge Celtics fan, but I’m a huge Boston fan. I am really excited for all those Celtics fans who are just plain giddy right now.

*Good luck Chad Scott with the rehab. This Patriots team has one huge ? and that’s the secondary, so it disappointing to see him go down. That being said, I don’t remember being much more excited for a Pats season. All is well in the New England sports world right now.

*Dear Asante,

I just wanted to write you a quick note to let you know that I am moving to North Carolina next week, which means I am an 8 hour drive from the Florida border then just a short 13 hour drive away from Fort Lauderdale.

I want you to know that I empathize with your plight for a long term contract, I do. NFL careers are fleeting. One neck injury could end it all. The thing is Asante, the Colts are the defending Super Bowl champs and this is completely, 100% inexcusable. We need to bring the Lombardi trophy back to our house, and you should want to do this for me. (And don’t think for a minute that I don’t understand what is like to be disrespected with a 7.2 million dollar offer, because, in the world of customer service and teaching, this happens a lot.) As your tattoo says, you need to, “Get Paid”. So really, I understand, I do.

But if you think that for one minute I’m going to stand by and watch you sit out till week 10 , you, my friend are mistaken. 7.2 million dollars is enough for your family to live comfortably for the rest of your life, and for the rest of your children’s life. So you are about to, “get paid”, so stop being a little bitch, sign the freaking contract, get to camp, talk to Gene Upshaw about getting the franchise tag removed from the next CBA and prove you are worth the $$. The thing is, I don’t think you are a franchise player. I think you miss tackles by always going for picks and I think that you are soft.

Right now, I’m speaking for myself, although Scott and Bill and I usually agree on things, so here goes. If you sit till week 10, we are using you at all this season, and we are franchising you again in 2008, and then if you don’t play till week 10, we are sitting you the whole season. Try getting a huge multi year deal on the open market with big guaranteed money after not playing for two years.

So go ahead, make a ½ million a game, win the championship sign with someone else in the off season and never so much as get a whiff of the Super Bowl again.

If you think I’m above duct taping you up, throwing you in the backseat and driving you to Foxboro myself, you are mistaken.

If all this seems a little bit over the top, I get a little testy when the Colts are Super Bowl Champions, okay?

Thanks for your time.

Sincerely,

Amanda

I should be back later with some massive links once I get a chance to read everything I missed the past few days.

Objects in rear view mirror may be closer than the appear...

This is going to be a rambling mess, but I haven't posted in a while and I have a about 29293 things running through my head right now. Proceed at your own risk.

Okay, I'm offically stressed out. Our in ability to hit with runners in scoring position is so freaking frustrating I can't take it anymore. David's single followed by Manny popping out last night just added to my tension. I'm wondering if we need to make a move for another bat (although if our lineup could just hit how we know our lineup can hit, all would be well in my world). July 31st is quickly approaching and I think Theo has a big move in store for us. Here is my things with trades. I don't think in terms of statistics or productivity or contracts. I think in terms of how much I love the player. Under those rules, Jon Lester, MDC, the Typo Twins (Jacoby and Kason) (Credits to Surviving Grady for that one), Mike Lowell and Wily Mo would not even be considered for a possible deal. (I didn't mention Jonathan, Tek or Papi here, because they are clearly not going anywhere). Anyway, the moral of my story is, I wouldn't trade any of those guys because I love them. Theo, obviously, doesn't go with this heart. Lenny Dinardo performed at Theo's Hot Stove Cool Music event and then got released just before opening day. And, if I was the GM of the Red Sox in 2004, I never would have traded Nomar, and we probably wouldn't have won the World Series with him. And we'd be on 89 years of futility and my whole life would probably be different. So, the moral of this story is well, I don't know, but hopefully Theo does.

One week from right now I will be running through the Newark airport trying to catch my connecting flight to Dallas, TX with the hopes of arriving with time to go to the hotel, check in, change, chug a White Russian (or 8) and be on my way to the Ballpark at Arlington for my first in person Boston Red Sox Experience of the season. One week and one day from now, I hope to be lying by the hotel pool with a giant hangover talking about how great it was hanging out with David Ortiz after the game. Also, I bought two Mega Millions tickets today, so when I win my 80 million dollars tonight, all of my loyal blog readers can come to Texas with me. (I already paid for my room at the Holiday Inn Express and millionaires don't stay there).

*From http://www.bostonsportsmedia.com/. "FSN announced today that they has signed Jonathan Papelbon to be Mohegan Sun Sports Tonight's weekly featured baseball interview for the 2007 season. Papelbon follows in the shoes of Kevin Millar (2004 & 2005) and Coco Crisp (2006) as the weekly player guest." That sounds like it will be a good time. Also, if anyone saw the back of the Herald today Jonathan looked VERY handsome.

*Gordon Edes has observations from Theo. ^

*Jeff Horrigan has Jonathan Papelbon's ankle fine after rolling it yesterday in an exhibition game and giving New England a panic attack. (oh, that was just me? never mind)

*Boston.com has a giant section today on Japanese baseball today if you're interested. Just go to www.boston.com. Too much to link to.

*Tony Mazz has a giant section on the Sox payroll. Some thoughts:

J.D. Drew makes a million more than Papi = bullshit.

Josh Beckett best earn his 10 million this year.

9 million for Lugo, ugh. I'm going to miss Alex, I know it already.

Only 8 Red Sox make more than Matt Clement. I just threw up in my mouth a little bit.

Is there a bigger bargin in baseball than Papelbon for 475,000? Prob. not.

*Alright, that is all for now, I'll check back in later if anything exciting happens.

Jonathan Papelbon, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways...

First off, I went to the B's last night. Let me tell you about the game. They lost 6-3 and sucked in the 3rd period...Onto the Red Sox.

I woke up this morning thinking happy Papelbon thoughts. Then I went outside, and it was warm. Then, I didn't miss the bus. Then, I got a perfectly made ice coffe with cream and sugar and chocolate stick from Dunkins. Then, I got my free Herald from my good friend at State Street, and it was filled with happy Papelbon thoughts. Then, I got to work, and well, the happiness kind of ends there. But, then I close my eyes, and I think happy Papelbon thoughts, and it all comes back.

All kinds of Papelbon greatness today. I'm really not sure what the best part of this story is. That Curt put the story on his blog before it was official. That Papelbon couldn't sleep at night. That he just had to tell "his captain Tek". That he wants to be the Mariano Rivera of the Red Sox (his words not mine, I would have compared him to Trevor Hoffman or something) and close for the next 10 years.

"For me, it just kept getting at me and getting at me until finally I went to our captain one day and I said, 'Tek, I'm not sleeping good at night. I've got to do something about it. Basically I told him, 'Man, I think I want to close, that's what I want to do.' Tito happened to be walking by. We came in and I told Tito, 'If you want to give me the ball in the ninth inning, I want it,' and that's basically it." #58 (how great is he?)

*The second cartoon down here is my favorite. The best part is definitely, "Bill: Hey, Mahty, have you heard the news? We've got a mofo closah. His name is Jonathan Papelbon. Perhaps you've heard of him? Now whose ass is sweatin'? Heh heh."

All kinds of fun this morning (mainly because Papi came to camp yesterday and he's always good for a ridiculous quote or two.

*Curt Schilling told WEEI this morning that he would file for free agency after the season after being told by Theo yesterday that the Red Sox would not be offering him a contract before the end of Spring Training. Now, I love Curt, I really do, but I'm sick of hearing his voice. It's great that he doesn't want a raise in '08 and will be willing to play for 13 million, but its not crazy to think that the Red Sox will be hoping any one of a number of young pitchers will be ready by then to take over the 3, 4, 5 slots in the rotation, with Dice-K and Beckett (hopefully!) holding down the 1, 2. Curt also said he would not pitch for the Yankees, but I've heard that some where before.

*The Red Sox present David Ortiz with a truck yesterday, which, I guess is a gesture of, "We know you are a bargin at 13 mil, hopefully this Toyota will keep you happy", but I still find it bizarre that you would buy someone making 13 million dollars a Toyota Tundra truck. Maybe I just think that because my dad hates Toyota trucks and people who buy them (except David Ortiz of course).

David isn't surpised the Sox didn't trade Manny, "It’s hard to find a player like Manny. When you go out there, Manny’s got to be one of the best hitters in the game, no doubt about it. It’s hard to trade Manny because of his salary. It’s hard to get somebody when you trade Manny. That’s what’s been the problem…get what you deserve. Manny is still crazy I’m still babysitting him. Same thing,” Oritz


David wishes he was Japanese? “I always tell people that everyone looks the same to me in Japan,” Ortiz joked. “Which is cool, man because I wish we could be like that in the Dominican, so we can hide.”

*Manny is going to be late because he is going to a car show in Atlantic City this weekend. That and cough cough, his Mama is sick.

*J.D. Drew is going to wear 7, and DelCarmen is going to wear 17. I guess when you give someone 70 million dollars and a long term commitment you should let him wear whatever number he wants, but quite frankly, I don't think anyone other than Trot should be roaming RF wearing 7 next year. It's like showing up to your wife's funeral with your new girlfriend.

*PacMan Jones had $81,000 in a trash bag with him at a strip club where 3 people were later shot. I mean, I obviously don't have $81,000, but if I did, I imagine I wouldn't walk around with it in a trashbag. Also, I read something yesterday, but I don't remember the source, that Jones told one of the boucers he was going to kill him, and that bouncer is now paralyzed from the waste down. (he could be pretty screwed I think).

*Dwyane Wade dislocated his shoulder last night...Dr. SoxGal says he's out at least 6 weeks, although the Heat haven't said anything yet. In my four years as a make believe sports trainer, the nastiest injury I saw was a dislocated shoulder. Also, a dislocated should was the cause of the loudest scream I ever heard on a sideline. (although, in fairness, a torn ACL was close).

*Delonte West has lady friend issues, as in, she tried to slit her wrists and bit him.

*Peyton restructured his deal to save the Colts some cap space.

*This is from Sports Illustrated Magazine from the "Go Figure" section I read on the bus this morning. "2030 - Year in which injury-prone outfielder J.D. Drew will receive the final payment of his five-year, $70 million contract from the Red Sox if he misses too many games by 2010." 2030! From the time my kids are 3 all they are going to do is field baseballs and hit in a cage from the time they wake up till the time they go to bed. I'm going to make Serena and Venus Williams, Andre Agassi, and Tiger Woods' Dad, along with every other psycho parent look relaxed. My kids aren't going to have time for elementary school.

Well, that is all the news from the reputable sources like ESPN, Boston Globe and whatnot, I'll update later after I have read all my daily blogs.

Oh, one more thing, I went to Dunkin Donuts this morning, and ordered an ice coffee because I've been craving one for a while and it wasn't that cold out. And they made it with hot coffee (does anyone else know what I am taking about here?). I hate when they make it with hot coffee! It's not nearly as good and the ice all melts. They should tell you in advance that they are going to make it with hot coffee, so people can change their minds.

Actually, two more things. This one I just got courtesy of Katie P. Give credit where credit is due, that's my motto.

The Marlins won 78 games last year, with a $19.7 million payroll for a cost-per-win of $252,564 apiece.

The Red Sox won 86 games last year, with a $120 million payroll for a cost-per-win of just under $1.4 million apiece.

Pap back in the pen?

From the looks of things below, Papelbon could be back in the pen for 2007. That would be a huge stress relief off my shoulders. Of all things I hate in sports, shaky bullpens are at the top.

February 20, 2007

The closer?

By Eric Wilbur, Boston.com Staff

Has the closing situation been solved already?

In an interview with the Globe’s Gordon Edes that will air on NESN tomorrow night, Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein hinted for the first time that Jonathan Papelbon remains an option to be the team’s closer this season, which would suggest that the medical staff likes how Papelbon's shoulder has reacted this week. And during their meeting with the media, owner John Henry and Tom Werner seemed even more confident that a decision had been reached.

Werner: Well, we don’t have one today, but hopefully we’ll have one soon.
Henry: I thought we had one today.
Werner: Well, you said we did.
Henry: We do have one, I guess we just can’t tell you who that is. It hasn’t been announced? No closer has been announced?...You can’t always believe what you hear.

We’ll post the audio from Henry and Werner’s press conference in a bit.

From the bottom of my broken heart...

DiNardo to A's

By Steve Silva, Boston.com Staff

Cross Lenny DiNardo off your list of potential Red Sox closers for 2007 because he's headed for Oakland. The A's claimed DiNardo off waivers today.
Lenny DiNardo was tipping his cap as he said hello to a friend when he came on to the field to work out this morning, but by the end of the day he would be waving goodbye, as he was claimed off of waivers by the Oakland Athletics. (Globe Staff Photo / Jim Davis)
The Red Sox announced that right fielder J.D. Drew, who signed a $70 million deal with Boston as a free agent on January 26, was officially added to the 40-man roster. Drew's deal had to be reviewed by major league baseball and the Sox needed to open a slot on their 40-man roster for Drew.
The 27-year old DiNardo went 1-2 with a 7.85 ERA in 13 games, including six starts, with Boston in 2006. He missed missed 92 games after straining his neck in May. The lefthander came back from the disabled list on Aug. 31 and made one start and five relief appearances for the Red Sox in September.
To make room for DiNardo on Oakland's 40-man roster, the A's designated outfielder Hiram Bocachica for assignment.

Okay, I am really confused.
First, Why did Theo need to trade one of me and Katie's favorites on Valentine's Day?
Second, Why did they have to relase him? Couldn't they have dedicated one of the babies to Pawtucket? I don't really know how roster moves work, but I would assume that pitchers like Hansen, Lester, DelCarmen, or Pauley can be moved off the Major League Roster, seeing I don't think any of them have enough big league experience to prohibit something like that, (certainly not Pauley who I think we saw in 2 games last year?) or players like David Murphy and Brandon Moss who are most likey going to start the season in Pawtucket would also be able to be removed from the roster.
Third, Wasn't pitching shown to be the most valuable asset this offseason? Wouldn't it have been worth it to keep good old Lenny around to see how his neck feels and what not?
Fourth, Thanks for ruining my Valentine's Day Theo.
Fifth, I am not enjoying the JD Drew era so far.