Considering a Hodgpodge of Boston Sports Stories

I have a few free minutes, here are a few thoughts:

• Some media members are wondering why the Cardinals have a new manager already and the Red Sox don’t. When you lose your GM in the middle of things, it slows down the process a wee bit.
• 

  You mean his mouth closes?

  Who should be the new manager of the Red Sox? They had each candidate do interviews. In a market like Boston, known for aggressive media, this is an important consideration. Mackanin came off like Robert California from the Office. His playing both sides approach sounded to me like smoke and mirrors. Lovullo came across as the most secure and relaxed of the bunch. I was greatly disappointed when he left for Toronto with Farrell.  I would welcome him back, but I don’t think it will go that way. Sandy Alomar Jr. will probably become a very good manager one day- I just don’t think it will be in Boston.  Reading about Sveum, I think he should be the choice.  I don’t hold the whole 3rd base coach thing against him. Send ’em In Kim would be a different story. But I appreciated his approach, including defensive positioning. I see that as one of the things Tampa does really well. Their defenders are seldom out of position.  The last 2 years the Red Sox have not seemed in position very often except for Pedroia. He understand what each coach should do, since he’s done it all. He coached guys well. I share the hunch that he’ll be the guy unless the Cubs strike first. If so, Lovullo would probably make a great choice.

• I think we can kiss the NBA season good bye. I suspect it is the agents driving this train of mass suicide- think Heaven’s Gate or Jonestown. They are drinking the Kool-Aid. I think these owners are less likely to bargain after de-certification than the NFL. I think the season was just flushed.
• Brady is back. After a few games when he was replaced by a less accurate pod, he returned in time to shut Rex up. Don’t worry, Rex will start running his mouth again, but it was a(nother) humiliating mess for him last night. The Jets took away the rush from the Patriots, but Gronk proved too much.  Nice to see something out of Ocho Cinco, but I want to see lots more than that. The defense, the ever depleted defense, was tough. Nice to see pressure on Sanchez (where was this all season?). Perhaps it will continue to jell so they can make a serious Super Bowl run.
• The Bruins have returned from their extended vacation.  They are finally putting teams down. Tyler Seguin is turning into the dominant force I’d hoped before the 2010 draft.  Their hangover is over, and they aren’t afraid to put a hit on a guy, even goalies who wander too far from the crease.
• 

  Hasta la vista, Ocho Cino

  Back to the Red Sox. I wanted to keep Papelbon, and don’t wish him ill. But I wouldn’t have signed him, or any closer, for 4 years. Just to precarious a deal with closers. Riveria is a freak of nature. Maybe Papelbon will be too, but there are just too many guys who break down with that long contract. This is also the first time Papelbon won’t be playing for more money- that ruins some people. We’ll see if it ruins him.

• I wait on Ortiz. Let the market dictate his contract. Hard to demand 3 years, $30 million when no one offers you anything remotely close to that. I’d look for what is fair for Boston, and fair for him. But the market for DHs just doesn’t look like big money these days. Add a few million to what he’s offered elsewhere so he’s happy.
• Right field is a mystery. Yes, Kalish and Reddick want the job. I want to see what Cespedes can do. His right hand bat and power could make a big difference for Boston, allowing them to trade Reddick. Otherwise, if Linares is healthy again I’m tempted to platoon him with Kalish or Reddick. The guys out there right now are either left-handed, or want more money than I’d want to give them to play part time. If you lose Ortiz, then Beltran becomes more likely.