Author Archives: @JamieGatlin1217

2018 Outlook for Drew Pomeranz

Boston Trades for Drew Pomeranz

In July of the 2016 season the Red Sox acquired Drew Pomeranz from the San Diego Padres. The Sox gave up Anderson Espinoza, their top pitching prospect who had received comparisons to Pedro Martinez. At first it seemed like Dombrowski made a mistake as his new pitcher struggled. Pomeranz was in the midst of breakout season with San Diego, but in 14 games with Boston he had a 4.59 ERA. Last year he rebounded by winning 17 games with an ERA of 3.32. Pomeranz will be looking to build on that success in 2018.

Photo Credit: Michael Dwyer/ Associated Press

Pomernaz’s Breakout 2017

In 2010 Pomeranz was taken fifth overall in the MLB draft. Since then he’s pitched for four teams, including the Red Sox. Last year was the first season of his career in which Pomeranz was able to stay healthy and pitch to his potential. However, last season was not entirely great for the former fifth overall pick, as for the early part of 2017 he continued to struggle. Through for the first two months of the season he had an ERA of 4.24. From June on he was a different pitcher and became the second best starter Red Sox. Boston needed this badly, as David price was injured and would not return until the playoffs. The question for Pomeranz is can he repeat the success he had last year.

Photo Credit: Ap Photo/ Charles Krupa

Expectations for 2018

Last season was not a surprise for Pomeranz based on his potential when he was drafted. If the Red Sox are going to make a championship run, they will need the 2017 version of Pomeranz. Down the stretch he showed fatigue last year as he pitched the most innings of his career. Pomeranz is projected to slot into the third spot of the Sox rotation behind Sale and Price. This will take some pressure off him as the team won’t be relying on him as much as last year. The Sox offense is also expected to be better, which will not help just Pomeranz but all of the Red Sox starters. Pomeranz may not win 17 games again this year, but he should be a solid number three with an ERA under 4.00.

Photo Credit: Bob Chiara/ USA Today Sports

Final Thoughts

Pomeranz like many other Red Sox starters will be highly motivated. He will be a free agent after this season. He is also coming off a playoff start against the Astros, in which he lasted only two innings. Those two factors should push Pomeranz as this season as he could be in for a big 2018.

Bruins Acquire Holden from Rangers

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Bruins Acquire Holden

Yesterday the Bruins acquired a defenseman from the New York Rangers, but his name is not Ryan McDonagh. The Bruins traded for Nick Holden from the Rangers in exchange for Rob O’Gara and a third-round pick in the 2018 draft. So far this season he has three goals and nine assists. O’Gara didn’t seem to have a future with the Bruins. He has spent the majority of the season in the AHL and has only appeared in eight games for the Bruins.

Photo Credit: Brad Penner- USA TODAY Sports

Rangers Fire Sale Begins

Holden is not the number one defenseman Bruins fans wanted. In a letter to fans the Rangers management hinted at a rebuild. They are expected to explore trades for some of their top players including Rick Nash and McDonagh. The Bruins were seen as a landing spot for McDonagh, but the cost would have included talented forward Jake Debrusk. By setting the market at a third-round pick for Holden the Rangers could get more for their other players. While Holden struggled in New York this year there is hope he could rebound in Boston.

Photo Credit: John Wilcox

How Holden Fits on the Bruins

In New York Holden was used as a top defenseman. In Boston he won’t be asked to fill that role, which could make him more effective. He is expected to be used on the third defensive unit. Last year Holden had a career year finishing with 11 goals and 23 assists.

The Bruins made this move to improve their depth. Last year the Bruins lost Torey Krug and Brandon Carlo to injuries at the end of the season. As a result they had to play Ottawa in the playoffs without two of their top four defensemen. Holden isn’t game changer, but he provides the Bruins with needed depth that they didn’t have last year.

Photo Credit: Bruce Bennett/ Getty Images

What Else Will the Bruins Do?

With the NHL trade deadline five days away, teams will be busy. The Bruins have needs but will be reluctant to part with their young players. They shouldn’t be expected to make big moves but small ones to improve depth. In the offseason Sweeney trusted the youth. Now that the kids have arrived, and surpassed expectations Sweeney will be cautious to break up this team’s chemistry. The Bruins sit one point behind the Tampa Bay Lighting for the top spot in the Eastern Conference and won’t sacrifice the future for the present.

Al Horford- Underappreciated Big Man

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How Al Horford Came to Boston

The Celtics signed Al Horford to four-year max deal prior to the 2016-2017 season. Since then Horford has been everything the Celtics were expecting. So far in his Celtics career he has averaged 13.7 points a game, while improving his three-point shooting. Horford hasn’t been the best player on the planet, but that’s not what the Celtics pictured. This year he made his first All-Star game as a Celtic, but many have said he is overrated. Al deserves an All-Star nod and has been crucial to the Celtics’ success the last two seasons. There are many reasons why Horford has had such a big impact.

Photo Credit: Kim Klement- USA Today Sports

Horford’s Signing Was Huge for Celtics

Before Horford signed with the Celtics there was a notion that big names wouldn’t sign in Boston. In the summer of 2016 the Celtics were attempting to land both Horford and Kevin Durant in free agency. Durant chose Golden State and many people saw Horford as a good signing, but not the superstar Celtics fans had been expecting. Horford has been better than many people give him credit for. His singing was in many ways signaled that the Celtics were back to being contenders.

Photo Credit: Dan Zanine- USA Today Sports

Horford’s Performance

Horford creates problems for defenses because of his shooting ability. Since joining the Celtics, he has shot 39 percent from three-point range. That’s five percent better than when he was in Atlanta. He is averaging five assists a game with the Celtics, a huge increase from his 2.7 average in Atlanta. Horford has also been elevating the play of Boston’s young stars Jaylen Brown and Terry Rozier, as well as Kyrie Irving. He is very good at setting picks and maintaining contact as long as possible. This allows his teammates to get open shots or drive to the basket of his screens. The Celtics are a very young team making Horford’s consistency even more important.

Photo Credit: Christopher Evans/ Boston Herald

Expectations for Remainder of the Season

Horford is not going to put up numbers like Kyrie. He isn’t that type of scorer and the Celtics don’t need him to be. Horford has been extremely effective because he affects the game on defense and offense. Al may not have godly stats but Horford is a big reason for the Celtics Success over the past two seasons.

2018 is a Critical Year for Rodriguez

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What a Healthy E Rod Would Mean

When the Red Sox acquired Eduardo Rodriguez for Andrew Miller, he was a top prospect. In his first year in Boston he impressed, going 10-6 as a rookie. In his MLB debut against the Texas Rangers he threw seven and two thirds scoreless innings. The Sox were in the middle of a lost year and he was seen as the future. Since that season Eduardo has struggled with health and performance. He’s shown flashes of the talent that once had him projected as a top of the rotation starter, but has not been consistent. This upcoming season will be big for Eduardo as he looks to prove people wrong.

Photo Credit: AP Photo/ Steven Senne

Rodriguez’s Early Days

Once the Sox acquired the lefty from Baltimore, he became their best pitching prospect. On the same day the Red Sox acquired Rodriguez they traded John Lackey and fan favorite John Lester. The Red Sox were rebuilding, and Rodriguez immediately became a key part of the future. Eduardo was solid and his rookie year was promising. Like any other rookie he went rough his growing pains particularly with framing his pitches. Rodriguez made the necessary adjustments and finished the season strong. 2016 was a different story for Rodriguez.

Photo Credit: Boston Globe

Rodriguez Struggles

In 2016 Eduardo battled injuries and struggled with his performance. His ERA rose from 3.85 in his rookie season to 4.71. He finished the season with three wins and seven losses. The once talented prospect from a stats perspective took a major regression. The season was not a lost cause, however, as during the second half of the 2016 season he rebounded. In the second half he pitched to a 3.24 ERA compared to his first half ERA of 6.89. His strikeout rate also improved in the second half of the season to 9.2. This was what made him so successful in the minors. Going into 2017 hopes were still high for Rodriguez.

Photo Credit: AP Photo/Colin E. Braley

2017 Season and the Lefty’s Future

In 2017 the story was the same for the former top prospect. He struggled to stay on the field as he battled knee issues. Going into next season he has one more chance. The Sox have Price, Chris Sale, and Drew Pomeranz at the top of the rotation. This means Rodriguez does not have to be the savior he was once seen as. If he can pitch to his potential, then the Sox could have another ace in the back end of the rotation. Rodriguez still has electric stuff he just needs to stay healthy. The Sox haven’t given up on him and in 2018 Rodriguez will look to reward their faith.

Mitchell Could Make a Big Impact in 2018

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2018 Preview

Going into next season the Patriots will be more motivated than ever after Sunday’s Super bowl loss. They are the favorites to win it all next year and will see the return of key players who were injured all this season. This list includes Donta Hightower, Martellus Bennett, Julian Edelman, and Malcolm Mitchell. After an excellent rookie season in 2016, Mitchell’s return could be big and would make the Patriots even deeper.

Photo Credit: Tyler Sullivan

Mitchell’s 2016 Season

The Patriots drafted Mitchell out of Georgia in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL draft. As a rookie Mitchell adapted to the Patriots system and earned the trust of Tom Brady. He struggled in the first half of the 2016 season but had a tremendous second half. This was impressive as receivers have struggled learning the Patriots offense. Mitchell seemed to be the exception, especially at critical moments. He averaged ten yards a catch in the Patriots 2016 Super Bowl run while hauling in seven catches. In Super Bowl LI he had six catches for seventy yards as the Patriots completed an epic comeback against the Falcons. He was a big part of the Patriots comeback and looked poised for greatness.

Photo Credit: Stuart Cahill

Malcolm Mitchell Injury

Mitchell’s season ended in 2017 before it could get started. In the preseason, the sophomore wideout injured his right knee and the Patriots placed him on injured reserved. Mitchell was expected to become a bigger part of the offense and build on his rookie season. He brought a unique element to the Patriots offense as he is an every-position receiver. He’s not a deep threat but he was not solely a slot receiver. The Patriots current group is not as versatile. Hogan and Cooks are burners while Edelman is a slot receiver.

Photo Credit: Bob Donnan- USA TODAY Sports

Return Won’t Be Easy

While Mitchell showed a lot of potential, his comeback won’t be easy. The Patriots are deep at the receiver position with Hogan, Cooks, Amendola, and Edelman, who will return in 2018 from a torn ACL in his right knee. Mitchell will have a lot of competition next year so he will have to prove himself again. If he can show the promise he did in 2016, then the Patriots will find a spot for him. Not many people are talking about Mitchell in terms of making a big impact next year. If he can stay healthy,the former Bulldog will surprise people. That’s a problem the Patriots won’t mind having.

Grzelcyk Quietly Having Great Rookie Season

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Grzelcyk as a Prospect

So far, this season the Bruins youth movement has been on full display. One rookie who’s been very good but hasn’t been talked about is Matt Grzelcyk. The BU product has quietly played very well for the Bruins this season. He was not highly regarded like fellow rookie defenseman Charlie McAvoy, but he has impressed scouts. Grzelyck has shown quick feet and good offensive ability. If he keeps playing like this, then by seasons end he will not be flying under the radar.

Photo Credit: Charles Krupa

Grzelcyk’s Performance So Far

Grzelyck has had two stints in Boston this season. In the second, he replaced Adam McQuaid and he has given the Bruins more than expected. McQuaid returned from his injury just before Christmas, but Grezelyck has not been sent down. This is a testament to how well the rookie has played. In 29 games this season he’s notched one goal and five assists. He is undersized but that has not affected his game and he has not seemed over-matched. The Bruins have received at least a point in seventeen straight games with Grzelyck a big contributor. Cassidy has also shown his trust in the rookie by placing him on the second power-play unit.

Photo Credit: Boston Bruins.com

Second Half Expectations for Grzelyck

Tonight, the Bruins play the Anaheim Ducks in their first game since the All-Star break. Going forward as the playoff push begins, these games will become harder and more tiring. This will be a big test for Grzelyck and his fellow rookies as fatigue sets in and points will be at a premium. Grzelyck has been exceptional so far but as rookie at some point he will struggle. When or if that happens, he will need to to minimize his struggles. He’s shown that he can play at the NHL level but now he must show that he can step up in a playoff push.

Photo Credit: Maddie Meyer/ Getty Images

What a Solid Ending Could Mean

The Bruins have high expectations for the BU product. Lile McAvoy is expected to help anchor the Bruins blue line for the foreseeable future. For the Charlestown native that would be a dream come true. So far, this season he’s lived up to the hype and much more. He may not have the same ceiling as McAvoy but the Bruins could do a lot worse.

Options Left for Red Sox in Free Agency

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Brewers Make a Statement in Free Agency

Until Friday the MLB offseason had been remarkably boring. Of the top ten free agents only two have signed. On Friday the Brewers signed Lorenzo Cain to a five-year deal and acquired Christian Yelich from the Miami Marlins. With a little more than two weeks left until Spring Training these free agents will start to sign and the Red Sox have needs to fill. Their needs include an impact bat and relief help. They have many options remaining in both free agency and through trades.

Photo Credit: Rob Foldy/Getty Images

Options for Offense in Free Agency

All offseason the Red Sox have been linked to J.D. Martinez. He is the best hitter on the market and would make the Red Sox offense much scarier. The only problem is that his agent is Scott Boras. He is known for being getting his players big deals. So far, the highest offer the Sox have given Martinez has been for five years and around one hundred and twenty-five million. Martinez wants a seven-year deal, but the Sox are hesitant to commit to him for that long. Recent deals like the Pablo Sandoval, Carl Crawford, and Rusney Castillo deals have not worked out. The Red Sox could look elsewhere. Eric Hosmer still remains but the Sox signed Mitch Moreland to a two year deal. The Sox do not have the prospect depth to pull off a big trade. Martinez may be their best option, but they will have to offer more money.

Photo Credit: AP Photo/ Ross D. Franklin

Bullpen Options

The Red Sox are returning most of their bullpen from last year. That isn’t a bad thing as the Sox bullpen had the second-best ERA in the American League last year. The only subtractions from the staff is Addison Reed, who signed with the Twins as a free agent. There are not a lot of options remaining meaning any addition would like to come from within the organization. If the Sox do make an addition it could be an experienced shutdown lefty.

Photo Credit: Kathy Willens/ AP

Bench Options

The Sox are expected to begin the season without Dustin Pedroia. They will need someone to replace Pedroia at second until he returns. The Sox have options internally like Brock Holt, but he struggled with the bat last year. The Sox have options in free agency such as Eduardo Nunez and Neil Walker. The only problem is once Pedroia returns they would not be the starters. The Sox could find spots for Nunez as unlike Walker he can play shortstop and third base.

Photo Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

Final Thoughts

The Red Sox need to improve their offense. Last season the Sox ranked towards the bottom in home runs. Martinez would provide a big boost and Nunez would make the team deeper. The Sox could also add Logan Morrison or Lucas Duda who both hit thirty home runs last year. With Spring Training less than a month away the Sox have plenty of options and should make a move soon.

Claude Julien’s Impact on Boston

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Claude Julien’s Legacy in Boston

Last year Claude Julien’s ten year run as the Bruins’ head coach ended midseason. The team was struggling and looking like they would miss the playoffs for the third straight year. Julien’s tenure in Boston didn’t end well. Since then as the Canadiens’ coach he hasn’t had much success against his former team. This year the Bruins won all three games against their arch rivals and former coach. Even though Julien’s tenure ended unsuccessfully he still had a run of success in Boston that won’t be seen for some time.

Photo Credit: Kevin Paul Dupont

Claude’s Success

During his ten years in Boston Julien won 419 games while losing only 246. Julien has the most wins as a coach in Bruins history. In ten years his teams made the playoffs seven times. He guided the Bruins to the Stanley Cup twice, winning it all in 2011. Before Julien came to Boston the Bruins were struggling. His hiring saw a new era for the Bruins in which expectations were raised. Before Julien came to Boston the Bruins missed the playoffs for two straight years. Once Julien came aboard the Bruins didn’t miss the playoffs until the 2014 season.

Photo Credit: Kevin Harriman

His Faults

Even though Julien was extremely successful in Boston he had his faults. Young players tended to struggle under him. Julien emphasized defense over offense unlike current Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy. Julien preferred the dump and chase method while Cassidy encourages his forwards and defenseman to be aggressive. As the NHL has become faster paced Julien attempted to combine his methods with the new style of play. He was unsuccessful and as a result he faced a lot of criticism from Bruins fans. As Julien and the Bruins struggled it became clear a move needed to be made.

Photo Credit: Bruce Bennett/ Getty Images

Final Thoughts

Julien’s tenure in Boston didn’t end as it started. That does not change the success he had and how he changed the franchise. From 2010-2013 the Bruins were one of the best teams in the NHL. They appeared ready for multiple championship runs under Julien but fell short. That does not change the success Julien had in Boston and how he changed the expectations of the franchise

2018 Outlook for Blake Swihart

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Early Days

Blake Swihart was once a prominent prospect for the Red Sox. He made his MLB debut in 2015 and was seen as the catcher of the future. Fast-forward three years later and he is now at a crossroad. The once top prospect has dealt with numerous injuries. With the emergence of Christian Vazquez, it looks as if Swihart may no longer be the catcher of the future. This Spring Training is crucial for him as he has no options left and must prove himself to earn a spot.

Photo Credit: Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

How Swihart Got to This Point

In the minor leagues Swihart had more upside due to his offensive ability. Vazquez did not have much offensive upside but received comparisons to Yadier Molina due to his defense. In 2015 Swihart made his debut and impressed with the bat. Despite his offense he struggled defensively. In Spring Training of 2016, the Red Sox tried to utilize his athleticism in the outfield. On June 4th, 2016, he crashed into the outfield wall, badly injuring his ankle. Since then he has struggled to be the player that made him the Red Sox’s top prospect.

Photo Credit: AP Photo/ Patrick Semansky

What Now for Swihart?

For Swihart his chances of being the starting catcher may be gone. This is due to the injuries he has suffered and Vazquez’s breakout season. Last year Vazquez showed that he could hit MLB pitching, something people doubted before. The Sox have tried Swihart at different positions such as third and first base. His best option may be using his athleticism to become a super utility player. This would create more depth for the Red Sox and give him more trade value. The team has been hesitant to trade him because of his potential. If the right deal comes along however the Red Sox will not hesitate.

Photo Credit: Winslow Townson

Outlook for 2018

This year will be very important for the once top prospect. He must show that he can stay healthy and still be a good hitter. If he can do that than the Red Sox will try to get his bat in the lineup. With all the injuries he has suffered Swihart would be a great comeback story for the 2018 season. The Red Sox haven’t give up on him yet and he will be more determined than ever.

Boston: The City of Champions

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City of Champions

In recent years Boston has been called the City of Champions. It has inherited this name due to its sports teams winning an incredible ten championships since 2000. Each professional team has won at least one championship, while the Patriots have won the most with five titles. Even when the quartet of teams that includes the Bruins, Celtics, Red Sox, and Patriots don’t win it all they’ve still been successful. This year has proven to be no different.

New England Patriots

Over the past eighteen years, the Patriots have been the most successful franchise in football and all of sports. They’ve won five titles and made the playoffs fourteen times. They have arguably the best coach and quarterback in the history of the game. Every year they are competitive, and unlike other teams have not needed to rebuild. They are the most controversial team in sports, but that’s what happens when you’re good for eighteen straight years. Today they play the Tennessee Titans to begin their playoff run. They are again favorites to win another championship, which would give them three in a four-year span.

Photo Credit: AP/ Photo Darron Cummings

Boston Celtics

The Celtics have struggled at times over the years. That does not mean that it’s all been bad. In 2008 after acquiring Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to join Paul Pierce, the Celtics won their first title since 1976. The Big three made back to the finals in 2010 but lost in seven games to the Lakers. They were unable to win another championship before the blockbuster trade that changed the franchise in 2011. The Celtics, however, have used that trade to build the current roster and speed up their rebuild, which only took two seasons. For the past three years, the Celtics have made it to the playoffs but have been unable to advance very far. This year the Celtics are primed to win a title and have a core in place to keep them competitive for the foreseeable future.

Photo Credit: Tim Cato

Boston Bruins

Boston is said to be a hockey town at heart and that was apparent when they won the Cup in 2011. Since 2000 the Bruins have made it to the playoffs eleven times and the Stanley Cup Finals twice. Last year they made it to the playoffs for the first time in two years. This season they have been one of the best which has come as a surprise to many. Like the Celtics, they are full of young talent and primed to be good for years to come. The Bruins have struggled at times over the years but have made the playoffs the majority of the time. Their future looks bright and they are primed to win a title with this core before the end of the decade.

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Boston Red Sox

The Red Sox like the Patriots have been very successful since. They’ve won three titles and made the playoffs nine times. They’ve provided the city with some of its most thrilling postseason moments. In 2004 they came back and stunned the world against their arch-rivals. Some seasons have been tough, but the Red Sox have been able to recover without going through extended rebuilds. They’ve lifted up the city when it needed them the most such as in 2013 after the marathon bombings. In what is a common theme among Boston sports teams they are rich with young talent. Going into next year the Red Sox are not the favorites, but they aren’t that far off from being champions again.

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Why Boston Fans Should Be Thankful

For the past eighteen years, Boston fans have been spoiled. Unlike any other city, the teams are almost always good and at least one team is always a favorite to win a championship. Some sports fans never see their team win a championship. In Boston, it’s considered a failure if these teams go two years without a title. That excellence is rare, and all these teams are filled with young talent. This impressive run won’t end anytime soon meaning Boston will be considered the city of champions for a while.