Swept By An Angel

In Memoriam: 2009 Boston Red Sox
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Spring Training is already so far away. That game was sure a stunner, but not necessarily a shocker. Not if you have watched this team this year and the lack of magic that surrounds this version of the Boston Red Sox, like the lack of magic that surrounded the last Sox team to be swept in a postseason series in '05. Even in the moment of truth with a readied closer that hadn't allowed a run in the postseason, the Sox folded by allowing 5 runs in the last two innings to prevent any chance of a postseason extension period. It was only about time that Papelbon payed for the tightrope act he put himself through a bundle of times this year. They showed me some fight like I wished, but the Angles just have "it" this year, and we definitely do not. Granted, it was a great feat to make the playoffs, even after that horrific August week in Tampa and in the Bronx and with Papi's batting average just hovering over the Mendoza without a homer well into the month of May. The Sox go through this back to the wall situation virtually every postseason they're in, therefore I could only help but to watch this game, like all the other cliffhangers, with a cautious optimism. However, there are only so many times that you can be trapped in the gutter and come out smelling like a rose. There are only so many times you can back yourself to the brink against a quality team and not pay for it with a ticket home. This wasn't one of those times. With this early exit, questions about the future of this team are starting to develop. The one answer that a playoff sweep provides to us: The current model definitely has a few glitches. In a way, I am kind of glad the Angels swept us, for it was a live display to Theo and the Trio that it is a necessity to dust off the ole' drawing board and get back to work once more.

Will the Captain be forced to walk the plank?
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As we dive into the offseason in a few more weeks, I hope Theo and the brass know that this team is broke, and it needs some fixing. As much as there are pieces in this team we might not wanna let go, it might be necessary in order to compete with clubs like the Angels, Rays (I still have my eye on them) and yes, the Yankees. It's imperative to keep our eye on the pinstripers not just because they are our bitter rival, but the are becoming the class of the AL, that 'generational' team that no one can ultimately compete with for years to come thanks to the Teixeira/Sabathia transactions. The catcher position may need an overhaul anyway, considering Prince Fielder could probably steal at least three bags a game with our catching unit. I love Victor Martinez's spirit and his bat, but is he that long term investment at the backstop (31 at the end of 2010)? After all, the Sox did give 'Tek his 4 year, $40 million dollar contract in the '04/'05 offseason at the age of 32, but the Sox probably have second thoughts of giving a long-term contact to a catcher at that age after seeing some of Tek's stats and defensive skills take a solid blow every year after that. His .209 with a .313 OBP in '09 doesn't win him any awards either, numbers which might explain why he didn't make one single appearance in this year's postseason. Players who wear the 'C' on their jersey have to be everyday players, a guy who goes to battle with his teammates every day, or that leadership title is put to question. Those with knowledge who have waning skills end up going the coaching route in the end, and I don't think Varitek will allow the Sox to exercise their $5 million club option on him if his role on the club will be limited. There is the Mauer option after the 2010 season, which rumor has it, the Sox absolutely have a man crush on him. However, I see a bidding war the likes of which haven't been seen on this planet. Oh, and expect the Yankees to be involved in it, considering they will have a 39 year old catcher with a year remaining on a 4 year, $52 million dollar contract at the end of next season. Plus, I'm not naive enough to expect Fransisco Cervelli to be taking over duties, not when there is a potential MVP out there for the taking. Beckett has a club option, which most likely be activated for next year. But as all we Sox fanatics know, Theo perceives nobody as an untouchable. Considering we now know the club's interest in Felix Hernandez from the last trade deadline, could a Hernandez-Beckett deal be a possibility? Could Boston change gears and decide to go for Holliday as their power source instead of Bay? Might Papelbon be thrown in as bait for possible trade partners? Is it the end of the road for injury prone Wake? We're starting to build that competitive, 'generational' franchise with the signings of Youk and Pedroia last offseason, but after witnessing this postseason, we still have to fix a few links in the chain. I have to phase this season out of my cloudy head, so I will try not to talk about this team on this blog for one whole week (shocker!), startiiiiiiiiing......NOW!

Didn't know UPS sponsored the Broncos.
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Apparently the old school Padres color scheme should actually be called the old school Denver football color scheme. No matter what color they wore Sunday afternoon, that loss stung a bit. This Pats team just confuses the hell out of me. In the opener, they go from a team with no rhythm in both sides of the ball to turning it on in the last 2 minutes. We win a tight game against the AFC favorite Ravens, then turn Kyle Orton into the Tom Bradys of the world by allowing a 98 yard drive down the field, which might not be a fair comparison at this point. The once super-clutch Brady has only completed 38% of his second half passes this year, not exactly the formula to maintaining late leads. Not for anything, but that knee injury may have been the start of the rusting of Tom Brady's shining armor. It might be blasphemy, but it appears he is slowly blending in with the majority of quarterbacks in the league. We go into a 4th quarter, and we have to worry about Tom Brady like 85% of the other franchises do with their QBs. The last thing I needed after a crushing ALDS defeat (O.K. Serious. Startiiiiiiing........NOW!) was an OT defeat from a team dressed as if the Waffle House reached them for a big promo. But I gotta give Coach McKid credit for keeping the team together and stringing out some thrilling victories despite the departure of the franchise player/cry baby QB with a wide receiver taking advantage of the fragile situation for his own gain. Being one of five undefeated teams going into today ain't too shabby either. This team is truly for real, folks. Maybe it was just one of those bad days that just has me in the midst of a pessimistic rant, days like this May 14th when the Celts blew a double-digit lead to the Magic in the playoffs, the Bruins got eliminated, and the Sox lost an extra-inning game to the team that would eventually sweep them 5 months later (aaaaaaaaaannnnd.....NOW!). I wish I was in Europe for yesterday like I was for that springtime Boston debacle. However in the end, it's still too early to push the panic button on anybody, especially when the Pats have the reeling Titans, Bucs and Dolphins slated for the next 3 weeks. After all, we need something to get our minds off those Sox (wait for it...........................NOW!).