Posted by Teddy Panos, Sun Staff
Haven’t posted anything in a while, so I figured this would be a good time to clean out the junk thoughts cluttering up my mind:
1) Dustin Pedroia named MVP
What a great story isn’t it? The guy lots of us (I was one of the most vocal) thought could never make it as a major leaguer ends up winning the Most Valuable Player Award in his second full season. I mean, tell me you didn’t look at Pedroia struggling early in his rookie season of ’07 and think to yourself: he looks like the little brother who badgered his older brothers and their friends into letting him play, even though he looked so out of place.
Frankly, I would have voted for Kevin Youkilis, because I think his ability to shift between first and third base seamlessly gives the Sox more flexibility, not to mention the options he gives Terry Francona by being able to adjust to any spot in the batting order he’s placed in. Don’t forget, Youk carried the Sox for a while without Manny by slugging the bejesus out of the ball from the cleanup hole. Besides, I have a soft spot for former Spinners.
That said, Pedroia is more than deserving and I can’t find fault with anyone who voted for him.
2) Coco Crisp traded for Royals middle reliever Ramon Ramirez?
That’s it? That’s the best Theo Epstein could do for a Gold Glove caliber centerfielder who has been part of a World Series champion and be a pretty good third and a half outfielder on a championship caliber team?
Yeah, yeah, yeah! I’ve seen Ramirez’ numbers. He’s a pretty good middle reliever. But he’s no phenom. He’s a 27-year old who might have already reached his potential. You know how I feel about middle guys. They blow hot and cold from year to year, so to give up a semi-valuable piece for one is a gamble. Not that I think Coco is a great player (just enter his name into this blog’s search engine and you’ll see lots of negative things I’ve written about him). But I think he could have fetched more in return than a middle reliever that hasn’t proven a damn thing in a pressure environment.
What was the alternative? Bringing him back and having a nice little insurance policy in case of injury or continued Jacoby Ellsbury struggles?
3) How bout dem Bruins?
They look really, really, REALLY good right now. They’re playing well together, have a very nice core of young forwards who can actually put the puck in the net, are getting solid defensive play, and even the goaltending has been very good. They appear to have a legit shot at a high seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. So why am I still holding back on giving my heart completely to the Black and Gold?
Because they don’t have a legitimate #1 goalie, the kind who stands on his head in the playoffs and single-handedly steals you a series or two. I don’t care how well Tim Thomas and Manny Fernandez are playing right now, do you have faith in their ability to do what it takes come Stanley Cup time?
If Peter Chiarelli pulls the trigger on a deal to land a top of the line goaltender without giving up too much in return, I think this team has a chance at the title that’s eluded them since 1972.
That’s the view from here…how do you see things?
Good to have you back blogging Teddy! I have to agree with everything you've said about the Youk, Dustin and Coco. Weird huh? Congrats to Dustin, but Youk was a huge piece of this lineup with his versatility. Very unappreciated around the country in that manner.
As for Tim Thomas, I think he is similar to a former Bruin netminder Reggie Lemelin. He cuts down the angles and is a well positioned goaltender. He's the kind of goalie that's always doing well, is always counted out and doesn't get the respect he deserves. I actually like that there are people like you out there cause it may be what actually drives him to prove people wrong. Since he doesn't have the raw talent or pedigree of the type of goaltender you would prefer. It's not going to be easy or cheap to get a proven goalie. And what I mean by cheap is not worth giving up young talent, cause God knows the Bruins have more money than any other hockey franchise, besides Detroit & NY.
1. Predoia. Can't take credit for this but any time someone wins a trophy that's taller than they are it's a cool thing!
2. RE: Coco. Obviously management had a lot of "R-A-M-I-R-E-Z" letters around for putting together replica jerseys for the holidays and didn't want 'em to go to waste. Seriously- sounds like a live arm that will allow Masterson to go to the rotation and, hopefully, spare us from an AJ Burnett signing. Let the Yanks have him and CC. We lit up CC in the 2007 playoffs anyway and Burnett stinks against anyone but the Yanks and Sox...
3. I agree to a point on goaltending. When they put up a 7-spot like last night any old guy could be the goalie but in a tough playoff series it does help to have the guy who can win a 1-0 game. Problem is- who is out there that's available? Maybe Khabibulin but it's been a few years since he's been that type of goalie. Roloson got the Oilers there a couple of years ago but you'd still need to keep one of Thomas/Fernandez because Roli can't play every day (I would *love* to see him as a Bruin- especially if they are successful). Who else is even out there? I also doubt PC sees this as an issue and my bet is that Rask is already set to take over next season as the #1 anyway so it would have to be a rental and I just don't know who's available... I tried to tell anyone who would listen that the B's defense would pick up as soon as they shipped out the useless Andrew Alberts. LOL.
Agreed guys...that's exactly the type of move the B's need to make. A cheap, half year rental source that won't cost much at all. Rask will hopefully be ready next year, so don't give up much in an all-out effort to win this year. The core will be back.
I've seen Rask a few games now. No way is he ready for the show. Both Tovinon & Raycroft had worse teams in Providence and had better records. Give this kid another year in the A, before declaring him a bust.