The State of Sports Jan 28th

-Baseball

-Worth the Riske?
After what seemed like a week out of the ice age, it just seemed to last forever. Constantly checking Dirt Dogs for even a shred of evidence as to whats going on with the trade. Sitting in front of my computer checking away messages on AIM and playing Tiger Woods golf. It was like I had nothing better to do all week. Of course there's class, lunch and work. But when you're a die hard everyone else, you just look everywhere for a story. I have done more reading this week on the possible Coco Crisp deal than I have for reading this semester.

But, now Crisp is coming to Beantown. And just like that Boston now has a center fielder. Even better than that they have a leadoff hitter that just might be able to get on base. The offense is critical for this. This is because you need someeone who can get on base at the top of the order, so Ramirez and Ortiz can just do their thing. It doesnt help to get on base at the bottom of the order either for Crisp to move runners over. The Sox also just filled a hole the size of the San Andreas fault in centerfield.

In what seems like years ago, when I first heard about the deal, I liked that David Riske was in it. I spent the better part of a half hour on Monday researching the numbers on Riske. His numbers indicate that he would be better suited as a leftie-righty specialist more than anything else. He has held lefties to a career .205 average and rightys .244 average. Last season he held lefties to a .213 batting average (in 29 IP) and rightys to a .204 average (in 43 IP). The role he had last year was as a setup man for 60 year old closer, Bob Wickman. He also doesnt give up many walks or gets strikeouts, he just gets outs. Its what the Red Sox really need in the back end of the bullpen.

They also got this kid named Josh Bard, who batted .196 in 36 games last year. Hardly a backup catcher worth putting on the roster for a spot, I think you will be seeing him at Pawtucket for a majority of the season. He's not worth adding to the roster when you have veterans John Flaherty and Ken Huckaby competing for a roster spot. If anything, hes going to play out the year as trade bait in a midseason aquisition. Or maybe hes just insurance in case something were to happen to any one of the other three catchers. You can just ask the Astros, you always need insurance.

The Sox gave up prospect Andy Marte. Who knows how the 22 year old infielder will turn up? He could be a Albert Puljois, a Julio Franco, or a complete bust. You just dont know with prospects. The highly touted Marte, will wind up being the third baseman for the Indians next year. The Sox also gave up Kelly Shoppach to add backup value for a catcher that was never going to replace team captain Jason Varitek.

The Sox also are giving up Mota. The 3 million dollar headache that has been the buzz over the last few weeks. The Sox admitted on Friday to have just viewed the medical reports and not gotten a physical for the players. I think the reason for this was because the front office worked really hard on this deal, and it was around the time of Thanksgiving. But this approach may have almost cost them Manny Delcarmen. To make up for their lack of intelligence, they are paying off 1 million off Mota's salary and giving them a minor league player to be named later.


When you look at the trade, the Red Sox just look so much better, than the Yankees and Blue Jays do on paper. With a lineup that will be tough to beat, a veteran rotation, and a solid bullpen, they could contend in their division. Of course it isnt even spring training, but I am very optomistic.

The State of Sports Jan 22nd

-Baseball

Theo and The Front office
Chris Snows article on the Red Sox front office is what I call riveting. Snow has had some excellent coverage in the last month, and it shows here when he interviews Blue Jays GM J.P. Riccardi, Damon and Varitek agent Scott Boras, and Padres GM Kevin Towers. Its long, but a good read and I highly suggest you read it.

This article backs up what ive been saying all along. People think that Epstein is going to use Ben and Jed as puppets, and he is going to run the background of the front office. I for three months have been saying otherwise, and Snow basically says that Epstien still would have made the same moves.

The sooner people begin to understand this the sooner they begin to relize that Epstien will be annonced as a consultant to somebody next week. But O'Shaunnessy, Olney, and Pete "The Meat" Sheppard will still cry murder over the fact that Epstien is the man behind the mask of the Red Sox front office. I emplore you to watch the stories come out saying that whatever role for Epstien that is given, he's just going to run the office. I emplore you to watch how people are going to say that Epstien should be the Red Sox President of Baseball Operations.

I love how the Globe has the following poll on its website. What should Theo's role be, is with his return? The number of responses is 24,945 people.
-53.3 percent of the people think he should be the President of Baseball Operations
-24.8 percent of the people think he should be the new GM
-17.4 percent of the people think he should have Lucchino's job
-4.6 percent of the people think he should be a consultant
Thats what people think, and thats what people want to hear. And I predict we will be hearing more of it.

If anything is not positive about the article, is that Towers thought the process in talking to the Red Sox about possible deals, is it took time. But things like that happen in an organization. People need to get caught up to speed and deliberation must be made on what the next move is going to be. While this may be a drawback in the Sox front office, it is nothing like how unorganized the Baltimore Orioles are described to be.

Playoff Preview
I think Carolina isnt going to get the job done today. They have Julius Peppers and Deshaun Foster out today. Not only that, but Nick Goings is thier starting running back. He could come out of nowhere like Samkon Gado did, but I highly doubt it. The reason why the Panthers beat up on the best defense in the league is because thier running game was so good. The Bears gave up a season high 434 yards. This is because they pounded the ball down a defense that I think just got worn out. Even though they were coming off a bye, the Panthers kept the defense on the field all game. And Delhomme got the job done in the air with AP Comeback Player of the Year Steve Smith.

Another reason the Panthers were so good last week is because of Julius Peppers stopping the run. Peppers is so good at what he does for this Carolina defense. The Panthers must have depth, but their run defense is going to be at the mercy of Shaun Alexander. I'm going with Seatle in a blowout.

Pittsburg is just a team that never gives up. I hate the Steelers with a passion, but think they stand a chance against this the Denver Broncos. Unlike the Patriots, Pittsburg doesnt turn the ball over much. The Patriots just didnt have a good game, and turned the ball over a lot. I also think the Pittsburg has a better chance of stopping Denver's lethal running game. I pick Pittsburg in a low scoring 20 point (for both sides) game.