Author Archives: @mickgurn

About @mickgurn

I am a sophomore at Providence College and I am a huge Boston Sports Fan. Writing for Boston Sports Extra is a dream come true, I have always had aspirations of covering local teams. I am a big fan of both college hockey and minor league hockey and baseball. You can always find me cheering on the Paw sox, P-Bruins, or the Friars!!!

David Price Opt Out is For the Best

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David Price’s career in Boston can be described as shaky at best. There are Price lovers and Price haters, most fans can agree that Price has not been all that. Fighting with fans, Hall of Famers, and the media, Price cannot handle the pressures of playing in Boston. David Price’s 7 year/ $217 million contract came a year after Jon Lester was offered a 4 year/ $70 million contract. Lester is a good pitcher who can perform in the playoffs. However he was 30, and according to John Henry the Red Sox refuse to sign pitchers over 30.

Before Boston

Price is sensitive, and cannot handle big games. Dave Dombrowski and the Red Sox still still gave him one of the biggest contracts ever given to a pitcher. Before Price was verbally assaulting Hall of Famers, he was attacking Red Sox fans on Twitter. Price is about as tough as a plastic bag in a tree. He also went after David Ortiz for the unholy act of admiring the two home runs he hit in the playoffs. David Ortiz again proved himself the bigger man by burying the hatchet. It seemed that Price would never sign here, and if he did it would be a huge mistake. Like Carl Crawford, Price went blind at all those zeroes.

2016

Price was “Ace” going into the 2016 season. He was “saving all his postseason wins for the Red Sox”. At the end of the season his ERA was 3.99, which is not good at all. Price is making the same amount of money that Clayton Kershaw is, and that’s how he turned out? Kershaw had a 1.69 ERA in 2016. Many would argue and say it is unfair to compare Price and Kershaw, but why is that? Price is making that much money and supposedly one of the league’s top pitchers. Why can he not perform like the league’s top talent?

Price started 35 games that season and threw 230 innings. He also ended with a record of 17-9. All that is impressive, but Price can’t have an ERA that high. Price was rocked in the playoffs, giving up 5 runs in 3.1 innings pitched. After the season, Price was critical of reporters for having the audacity to point out that he has never won a playoff game as a starter.

2017

Price started the season with an elbow injury in spring training. This caused the former Cy Young Award winner to miss significant time this past season. Even though Price was not on the mound all season, he was certainly in the news. During a rehab start in Pawtucket, Price’s play was not good, and the boo’s fell down on him. Price missed his scheduled interview with the media and quickly drove away. His record: 6-3 with a much lower 3.38 ERA in 74.2 innings pitched. Price, to the delight of his cowardly teammates, went after Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley on a team flight. This season was one headache after another. Price was outstanding coming out of the bullpen in the playoffs, but the Red Sox need starters to show up in the postseason.

Going Forward

The best-case scenario going forward is that Price either dominates or is at least decent this season. The Red Sox need production from their starters, and Price needs another big contract. Price will be 32 this season and his performance will continue to go down. His elbow is still in question. The Red Sox get what they can from Price, let him opt out, and move on. They would save themselves $119 and a whole lot of headaches.

Follow Matt McGurn on Twitter: @MickGurn

Media Credit: www.bosoxinjection.com

What to Make of the Mitch Moreland Signing

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Mar 21, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox first baseman Sam Travis (59) is tagged out by New York Yankees third baseman Ronald Torreyes (74) as he tries to steal second base in the third inning of a baseball game during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports

The Red Sox’s biggest splash of the off-season thus far has been signing Mitch Moreland to a 2 year, $13 million-dollar deal. The former Gold Glover hit .246 with an OPS of .769. “Mitchy 2 Bags” became a fan favorite and seems like a great guy to have in the club house. Fans are up in arms because of Dave Dombrowski’s “failure” to add a bat like Giancarlo Stanton or Eric Hosmer in this offseason. However, there is more than meets the eye with the extension of Mitch Moreland.

Eric Hosmer

Eric Hosmer is a name the Red Sox keep hearing this offseason. Many fans would love to see him added to the roster this season. Unfortunately, Hosmer is a Scott Boras client and will likely demand over $100 million-dollars, and could possibly receive $200 million. Do I believe Hosmer deserves that much money? Yes and no. I believe he deserves around $100 million, but $200 is far too much. Hosmer was the dictionary definition of consistent this season. He hit .318 with an OPS of .882 while playing in every single game. Hosmer capped it all off with a Gold Glove and a Silver Slugger.

Hosmer is a better player than Mitch Moreland. There is no debate, but is he head and shoulders above Moreland? I don’t think so. While Hosmer is able to drive in more RBI’s and hit for a higher average, they both hit over 20 homers and play Gold Glove worthy defense. They are both grinders who play through injuries. They are both very similar players with very different price tags. Dave Dombrowski is saving $14 million dollars a year by signing Moreland instead of Hosmer.

Scott Boras

Both Dave Dombrowski and Red Sox fans are familiar with Scott Boras. Boras makes his clients money, most times more than what they deserve. Multiple Red Sox players have Scott Boras as their agent, including Rick Porcello, Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts, and Jackie Bradley Jr. Boras got Porcello $20 Million/ 4 years before Porcello even picked his number for the Red Sox. You can bet your bottom dollar that Boras will be getting above top dollar for Bogaerts and Betts. He might have to settle a little bit with Bradley, but that is a story for another time. Boras is already demanding $200 million for free agent target J.D. Martinez, and he will likely do the same for Hosmer.

Boras is no friend to the Red Sox or Dombrowski. Dombrowski inked Prince Fielder to a 9 year, $214 Million deal. Playing less than 90 games in two of the five years he served and being forced to retire makes that contract hard to swallow. Boras brings Boston into bidding wars that only the Yankees can win. He was able to secure big Red Sox contracts, such as Daisuke Matsuzaka (6 year/ $52 Million), J.D. Drew (5 Year/ $70 Million), and Jason Varitek ($ year/ $40 Million). Boras has led clients such as Johnny Damon, Jacoby Ellsbury, Mark Teixeria, and Alex Rodriguez to the Yankees.

All of those names, besides Johnny Damon, did more harm for the Yankees than good. As well as those contracts, Scott Boras has also manufactured overpriced contracts for Jayson Werth, Barry Zito, and Shin-Soo Choo. While it will be impossible to not deal with Scott Boras, having one less player to deal with is not such a bad thing.

Sam Travis

This season, Red Sox fans got a glimpse of Sam Travis in the majors. For anyone who frequents McCoy Stadium or Spring Training, like myself, they know how well Sam Travis can hit the ball. Before tearing his ACL last season, Travis looked like he was the clear-cut future of 1^st base for Boston. He certainly came back strong, but the future is a little murky. Just look at him mash this ball.

In the brief 83 plate appearances this season, Travis slashed a line of .263, .325, and .342. Travis’ lack of homeruns was the most notable part of his call up. However, in his minor league career, Travis has only hit 29 long balls. Sam Travis could become a 20 homerun a season type of player if he could play everyday. By passing on Hosmer, the Red Sox are going to look to platoon Moreland and Travis at 1^st base together. They are grooming Travis to be the future first basemen. Having a class act like Mitch Moreland as teacher is a great position to be in.

Follow Matt McGurn on Twitter: @MickGurn

What is Going on with Boston University Hockey?

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With the history and tradition that surrounds the Boston University Terriers’ Hockey program, a “down” or “rebuilding” year are out of the question. The students, alumni, season ticket holders, and higher-ups expect and demand greatness, and every game the team endures “Sucks to BU” chants where ever they go.

Coaching

David Quinn has been given the unfortunate gift of taking the helm of the Terriers from Jack Parker. This is perhaps the most unenviable position to be in College Hockey, Quinn has taken the Terriers to some success. Coach Quinn has taken the Terriers to a record of 83-53-17. They are 44-29-13 in Hockey East action. Comparatively, this is a good record for a hockey school, but Boston University is no ordinary hockey school. Coach Quinn’s reign as produced the only one down year, the 2013-2014 season when the Terriers finished 10-21-4. They went 5-12-3 in Hockey East games. In light of this season, the Terriers bounced back the following season which saw them finish first in Hockey East and end runner’s up in the NCAA Finals. Coach Quinn has led the Terriers to two first place finishes in Hockey East Standings.

This Season

Currently the Terriers stand at 8-10-1. They are 6-6-1 in Hockey East Games. The Terriers are not in the Top 20 in NCAA. Playing .500 hockey in Hockey East this season good enough for third place in the standings. The main stay between the pipes this season is Sophomore Jake Oettinger. The first round Dallas Stars pick has appeared in 17 games this season and boasts a 2.91 GAA and a .902 SV%. These numbers are too “average” for a Boston University goalie. Sophomore Patrick Harper leads the team with 21 points this season. The Nashville fifth round draft pick has 8 goals this season. The team leader in goals this season for the Terriers is Bobo Carpenter, with 9 goals.

Problems

These numbers are the root of the Terriers’ struggles this season. They lose too may close games and get blown out far too often for a team that should be competing. Some the defense and goal tending shows up, the offense sputters, and other games the offense is firing on all cylinders, the defense and goal tending cannot stop anything. The 2017-2018 Boston University Terriers are the worst thing you can be in sports, inconsistent.

Going Forward

The Terriers season is far from over and the chance for them to succeed is very high. The schedule is weaker than what the Terriers went up against during the first half of the season with multiple games against Merrimack, Vermont, and Arizona State. There are multiple chances for Boston University to win. Only 2 games under .500, the Terriers are not out. Hockey East is a tough conference and in order to survive, consistency is key.

What Kind of Return Could Tuukka Rask Net?

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Claude overseeing the changing of the guard from Tim Thomas to Tuukka Rask is a move that Bruins fans to this day are still thankful for. While Rask delivered the Bruins to the promised land in 2013, a tough Blackhawks team stole Lord Stanley’s cup away. While since then the Bruins have experienced some regular season success, including a President’s Trophy win, quick trips to the playoffs and flat-out missing them are the norm.

This Season

Despite what the Bruins and the media might tell you, a goalie controversy is brewing in TD Garden. Tuukka Rask struggles continued at the start of the season. Anton Khudobin is flying high this season coming out with a 2.53 GAA and a .922 Save%. This season’s numbers are right on par with Khudobin’s career numbers of a 2.46GAA, and .917S% respectively. Although Rask’s play of late is an encouraging sign, as of writing this he’s won his last 4, including 30 stops in a 3-1 Bruins’ victory over the Islanders, his future in Boston seems up in the air.

Possible Suitors

Before us armchair GM’s pack Tuukka’s bags for him, we must first find a possible destination for him. Don Sweeney and the Bruins should be on the phones with, and that is the Calgary Flames. The Flames are floating along in the pacific division with 34 points. Mike Smith is currently giving adequate numbers with a 2.68GAA and .918Sv%. What could bring Calgary over the hump is a hype goalie like Tuukka Rask. The Bruins need to do something to complement our young forwards and defensemen to take the Bruins into the future.

Return

Jon Gillies, National Champion and former Providence College Friar, is an up and coming player in the Flames system. During the 2016-2017 season, Gillies played one game with the Flames and gave up 1 goal on 28 shots. This season he has only played in one game and gave up 3 goals on 9 shots. 2 games in the NHL is not enough to go on, his numbers in the AHL and Providence College are the most impressive. Gillies is set to become an unrestricted free agent soon so his value will diminish a small amount.

Rask’s commitment and sometimes long absences leave a bad taste in many, including myself and other Bruins fan’s mouths. Since the beginning of the season, Rask’s play has drastically turned a corner. Rask has a high value and Calgary should be willing to depart with at least a 2^nd round pick. Depending on how the goal tending does in Calgary for the rest of the season, Calgary could become desperate. This could give the Bruins the opportunity to ask for a first rounder.

Future

While Khudobin is playing great season, he is not the long-term solution for the Bruins. As we’ve seen from Malcolm Subban, the Bruins are not always the best at developing goalies. I believe it is too early to give up on Zane McIntyre. His stats in the NHL are awful, (3.93GAA and .858Sv%) his play in Providence is quite good. The former University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux was instrumental in helping bring the P-Bruins to the Calder Cup Finals. However, as we’ve seen with Matt Murray in Pittsburgh, a goalie could fall right in our laps.

The Enigma That Is College Hockey

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History of College Hockey

New England College Hockey is a treasured luxury to complement our brutal winters. Other than back-breaking shoveling, what provides New Englanders with a sense of pride is college hockey. The Hockey East Conference, which was established in 1984, is home to amazing teams, legendary hockey-minded coaches, and NHL Hall of Famers. In no other sport do coaches last if they do in college hockey. Jack Parker, Jerry York, Dick Umile all had 20+ year coaching careers, all with the same team. Jack Parker coached the Terriers for 40 seasons. That is unheard of in other sports. Maybe college basketball comes close, but in college hockey, coaches are loyal to their programs.

Current Members

There are currently eleven teams in the Conference following Notre Dame’s exit for the Big Ten. BC, BU, UMass Lowell, UMaine, UNH, Northeastern, and Providence were all founding members in 1984. Merrimack joined in 1989, UMass Amherst in 1994, UVM in 2005, and UCONN in 2014. BC and BU have certainly dominated the conference, winning 11 and 8 Hockey East Championships respectively. UMaine, UMass Lowell, UNH, Northeastern, and Providence have all been multiple time winners. Sorry Merrimack, UMass Amherst, and UVM. Hockey East Schools have won 8 NCAA Championships, most recently the 2015 Providence College Friars.

Fans

It is not even winning the Hockey East Championship that matters to New England College Hockey fans. While fans want to see, their team succeed and go on to win National Titles, most fans watch college hockey for the spectacle of it. When you attend a college hockey game, you will see a wide vary of fans. There are little kids whose parents attended one of the schools playing, watching the mascot the entire game. The loud, obnoxious, drunk college kids, and the old season ticket holders wearing an old autographed jersey are a must see. These fans add to the spectacle of New England College Hockey; without them it would just be a hockey game. The crazy game day promotions also make up the spectacle. From bobbleheads to cowbells, fans will line up an hour before the game in the freezing cold just to get one.

Cycle

Many College Hockey fans can live every part of the cycle of a college hockey fan. We are born in and die in New England and are damn proud of that. Our parents bring us to games, now we’re the drunk, fun-loving college students. Until one day we’ll be the old season ticket holder, rocking the throwback, autographed jersey.