Ideal 2018 Red Sox Opening Day Lineup

New Red Sox manager Alex Cora has his hands full with this Red Sox lineup in 2018. He has all of the talent he could ask for in his lineup. However, constructing it is going to be a very tall task. Now fused with young star-power, J.D. Martinez, and veterans, this lineup has a very high ceiling for the upcoming season.

LEADING OFF: MOOKIE BETTS

You can say whatever you want about how Mookie Betts should be batting third or fourth because he’s the best pure hitter on the team. Betts should be the first batter for the 2018 Red Sox. Mookie has everything you would want in a leadoff guy: power, quick hands, speed, and good base running skills. During his time as the Red Sox leadoff hitter, Betts had multiple leadoff home runs and hit much better than when he was in the third or fourth hole. He can be a big time spark plug and boost to the lineup from the lead-off spot, especially if he returns to his 2016 form.

HITTING SECOND: ANDREW BENINTENDI

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We all know the story of Andrew Benintendi- a top Red Sox prospect that tore through the system and debuted in 2016, instantly becoming a vital part of the lineup. A lot of people argue that your best hitter should be batting second, which might just be Benintendi. He has put on some weight to increase his power, which combined with his speed makes for a dangerous hitter. Benny Biceps in the second spot would be a great table-setter for the big boys in the lineup.

BATTING THIRD: HANLEY RAMIREZ

I know what you are thinking. Why would Hanley Ramirez be playing first base over Mitch Moreland after his disappointing 2017? Anyone who is going to criticize Hanley for his 2017 performance has to take into consideration that the guy played most of the season with “one arm,” as Hanley said himself. Not only that, but I am not worried about Hanley’s defense at first, because in 2016 he did very well there. Also keep in mind that in 2016, Hanley thrived at the plate while playing in the field.

BATTING FOURTH: J.D. MARTINEZ

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The King Kong of Slug. This was the guy that the Red Sox wanted, and they got him. After rejuvenating his career in 2014, JDM has been one of the best hitters in the league. He hit 46 home runs between Detroit and Arizona last season. J.D. Martinez should be in the cleanup spot for two reasons. One, no matter what people say about the third hole in the lineup, the best power hitter on the team should be batting fourth. And the second reason to build on that point is that J.D. would create opportunities for himself to start off an inning with a double or home run and get some momentum going, rather than coming up with two outs.

BATTING FIFTH: RAFAEL DEVERS

Rafael Devers was one of the main reasons why the 2017 Red Sox won their division. A highly touted prospect, Rafael was called up to take over the reigns of third base in the middle of a pennant race. He did not disappoint, hitting ten home runs in just 58 games. His most famous one, of course, being the game-tying home run off of Aroldis Chapman on Sunday Night Baseball. I expect Devers to have a great first full season, and will be a great lefty bat behind Martinez.

BATTING SIXTH: XANDER BOGAERTS

If I had been making the lineup two or three years ago, Xander would not be this far down. Bogaerts had a terrible 2017 season, large in part thanks to a hurt hand. He is looking for a bounce back season in 2018, and I think he has as good of a chance as anyone else to have a monster season. He will certainly have an opportunity to prove himself and move up in the lineup, but I think he starts the season in the sixth spot.

BATTING SEVENTH: CHRISTIAN VASQUEZ

Known throughout the Red Sox system for his stellar defense behind the plate, Vasquez showed how talented he is with the bat in 2017 during his platooning time with Sandy Leon. His defining moment of the season was his walk-off three run homer against the Indians. Vasquez is a great defensive and offensive catcher, and he should most definitely be playing over Sandy Leon on opening day.

BATTING EIGHTH: JACKIE BRADLEY JR

JBJ is most certainly the streakiest hitter in this lineup. He always has one month where he tears the cover off of the ball, but then other months where he can’t hit anything. Because of his stellar defense in CF and the power that he is, Jackie Bradley will be a regular in this lineup.

BATTING NINTH: EDUARDO NUNEZ

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Having Eduardo this low in the lineup is certainly not a knock on him, but rather a compliment. You could easily have him higher up in the lineup, which I would not have a problem with. But I do like him in the ninth spot. His ability to get on base and his speed allows him to be a great hitter to have in front of the best hitters in the lineup.

If I was filling out the lineup card for the Red Sox, this would be the order I choose. Alex Cora has so many combinations that he can play around with, but this is lineup could be very dangerous if everybody plays to their potential.

Czech This Out- the Bruins Are Back in Fighting Form

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Last night’s blowout win over the Pittsburgh Penguins cements the Bruins spot in the playoffs with some help from fellow Czech Mates.

At the end of 40 minutes, the horn sounded and the Boston Bruins were up 8-3 against two-time Stanley Cup champions Pittsburgh Penguins.

8-3. At the end of the second period. Let that sink in.

WILD NIGHT AT THE GARDEN

The air was electrifying last night at the Garden and the Bruins exploded, defeating the Penguins 8-4. Boston was ready to play and they played hard, leaving Pittsburgh floundering on the ice. With last night’s lopsided win, it may be time to admit that the recent trades are making an impact. Even though it’s early to say just how much each new acquisition will affect the team in the playoffs, there’s no denying that right now they’re doing their job. With the Bruins scoring five goals in the first period alone, there were two players in particular that made a lot of noise-fellow Czech mates, David Krejci and David Pastrnak.

CZECH MARK

(AP Photo/Winslow Townson)

There were many moments from last nights game, not excluded all the other goals from other lines, that made for a standout game. And for David Krejci, he saw his sixth career hat trick before ending the second period. Fellow Czech David Pastrnak saw a recent goal drought come to an end, scoring two goals as the first line continues to grind out and push towards the net.

As stated earlier, for any fan that had reservations about the trades can rest assure that Sweeney did well. And he didn’t have to up a whole lot to get a lot. In last night game, new players Rick Nash, Nick Holden, and Brian Gionta posted points and attributed assists in each of Krejci’s three goals. Rick Nash would even score again in the first, putting the Bruins up 3-1.

SOME QUICK STATS

Photo Associated Press

Last night’s game saw 12 Bruins post at least one point and six with two. Tuukka Rask took the win, despite a rough start in net. And for any Penguins fan reading this, yes I know your bottom defense pairing is just starting to play together, and Matt Murray is out with a concussion.

But to put things in perspective, the Bruins have started this season with multiple injuries, and are missing one of their most important players in Patrice Bergeron. With number 37 out while healing from a fractured foot, Coach Bruce Cassidy once again tweaked his lines and the Bruins are doing what the they have done all this season- their guys are stepping up. Cassidy has sent a clear message to that no injury will keep this team from winning.

So far, no line has disappointed, especially in last night’s game.

FINAL THOUGHTS

The Bruins continue to rack up points and play a more physical game. Boston will be beading into the playoff and Krejci has a power forward player in Rick Nash. There is no denying that in the last few games, the former Ranger has made an impact on the Krejci line. For fans, last night’s game was one for the ages- a hat trick, two goals and one assist from the Czech players. You also had a goal and assists from the new guys, some hard thrown punches, and a bloodied-up McAvoy.

Buckle up Bruins fans, this is going to be a wild month.

Photo by John Wilcox.

The Top Right Fielders Long-Term

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Right field is a very top heavy position. Not knowing yet how the Yankees will utilize their two sluggers, they both get included in right field as that’s where they have played previously. There is also a good chance they both play right field this season, rotating between there and DH. After a group of four superstars, the position has a steep drop-off. Who helps round out the top 10 for the best right fielders to have for the long haul?

1. Bryce Harper

Harper may not have been a consistent superstar to this point, but he is still only 25 years old. Harper has also put up superstar numbers for two of the last three seasons now while healthy. With his upside, and still being only 25, it is hard to argue against him in the top spot.

One of the most hyped phenoms of all-time, Harper broke in to the Major Leagues at the age of 19. Although it took a few years for him to achieve star numbers, he was good immediately. He hit 20 homers in each of his first two seasons and won the Rookie of the Year Award in 2012. Harper truly broke out in 2015 at just 22 years old. That season he won the MVP Award after leading the league in home runs, on-base percentage and slugging percentage. He batted .330 with a .460/.649/1.109 slash line, showing the world his immense upside. Although he “slumped” to an .814 OPS the next year, Harper bounced back last season before getting injured. He again had an OPS over 1.000 while batting .319 with 29 home runs over 420 at-bats.

The biggest concern with Harper’s productivity moving forward may be health. Harper has now missed a relatively large amount of time in half of his six Major League seasons. When healthy, Harper should threaten 40 home runs with a near 1.000 OPS for years to come.

2. Giancarlo Stanton

Stanton is another superstar right fielder who has struggled with injuries. Stanton has missed significant time in four of his Major League seasons. Despite all the missed time, Stanton’s 267 career home runs place him in the top 10 for most home runs through the age of 27. That number is more than Hank Aaron, Barry Bonds, Willie Mays and Babe Ruth. Imagine how many Stanton would have if not for the injuries. Heck, the last couple years he got hurt were fluke injuries. For his career, he has averaged 44 home runs per 162 games played.

In 2015, at the time of his beaning, Stanton was on pace for a 50 home run season. Last year he achieved it for real, bashing a league high 59 home runs. Now, leaving Miami, Stanton gets to play in a hitter’s park instead of a pitcher’s park. If he stays healthy, Stanton could see a couple more 50 home run seasons in his future. Health is the key for the man who hits the ball harder than anyone I have seen.

Stanton won’t be taking aim at this ugly sculpture anymore. (Getty Images)

3. Aaron Judge

Personally, I think we just saw Aaron Judge’s career year, but after what he accomplished as a rookie, it’s hard to put him lower than three. Judge never hit all that well in the minors, posting a high of 20 home runs in 2015. He also only batted better than .280 once, back in his first season. Yet, his first year in the bigs and Judge batted .284 with a league leading 52 home runs. Strange how things work out sometimes. Judge also led the league in walks, 127, and strike outs, 208. Judge then struck out 27 times in 13 postseason games. To keep his average up, he will certainly have to cut back on his strike outs.

Diving into his numbers, 25.9% of Aaron Judge’s fly balls traveled for home runs. That is an insanely high rate, as the league average is 9.6%. I have to think that number will come down, and probably below 20%. As for his strike out rate, which was higher than 30%, that definitely will need to improve for a repeat performance. A .357 BABIP, which places him in the top 10, helped him to his .284 average despite all the strike outs.

Now, all this isn’t saying Aaron Judge is going to be a bad player. I am merely pointing out his underlying numbers which tend to show he won’t be as good moving forward. If Judge drops to a .250 batting average, with the way he walks he will still have better than a .350 on-base percentage.

4. Mookie Betts

I would not be surprised if Betts provided more value moving forward than some guys ahead of him on my list. Coming off a “down season” it is hard to justify putting him higher than 4th. He is easily the best fielder of this bunch though and he was an MVP candidate two seasons ago. Betts also has the most speed of anyone to this point, giving him arguably the most well-rounded game of the group.

Betts strikes out far less than the average player, striking out in only 11.8% of his career plate appearances. That number has been right round 11% in back to back seasons now. Assuming his BABIP normalizes, he should bounce back to closer to the player he was two years ago. That season, Betts had 214 base hits on his way to a .318 batting average. He also hit 31 home runs, 42 doubles and stole 26 bases as he finished second to Mike Trout for the American League MVP Award. He didn’t benefit from a high BABIP (.320). But last season, Betts’ BABIP dropped all the way down to .268. He still hit 24 home runs and 46 doubles though, while once again stealing 26 bases. With a return to normalcy, Betts should be around the .300 mark again this season.

As for his defense, Betts has won two straight Gold Glove Awards while posting a 5.4 dWAR. He has saved more than 30 defensive runs above average in both seasons, totaling 63 between the seasons. His 31 last year were 13 more than any other right fielder had. At 25 years old, Betts should be an all-around star for years to come.

Boston Red Sox right fielder Mookie Betts hits a double against the Seattle Mariners during the sixth inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

5. Domingo Santana

This is where the position drops off, though Santana is still a good player. Given a chance to start for the first time last season, Santana hit 30 home runs. Not only that, Santana exhibited the ability to draw a walk, walking 73 times. This gave Santana an excellent .371/.505/.875 slash line. The on-base percentage placed him 4th among all right fielders and the slugging percentage was 6th. Not bad for a first full season.

Santana always exhibited ability, twice hitting over 20 home runs in the minors and another time posting a .999 OPS. He was a big piece of the Astros trade to acquire Mike Fiers and Carlos Gomez in 2015 for the stretch run. Playing half a season in the bigs in 2016, Santana hit 11 home runs and posted a .792 OPS. Yes, he was much better this past season, but it’s not like the season came out of nowhere. Also, young guys are supposed to improve, right? The ability is real, if anything drops some it will be his batting average after he benefited from a .363 BABIP this past year.

6. Nicholas Castellanos

After being a third baseman his whole career, Castellanos will call right field his home this season. He played 20 games there late last year to see if he could handle it. How he performs there is yet to be determined. As for the bat, that will play in right. Castellanos made Baseball America’s top 100 list four times, twice placing in the top 25. He then spent his first full season in the majors at the age of 22. It’s not a surprise it took him a few years to start producing, but he has now had two straight excellent seasons at the dish.

Castellanos took a big step forward two years ago, batting .285 with 18 home runs and an .827 OPS. Despite a slow start last season, Castellanos hit a career high 26 home runs and led the league with 10 triples. The numbers look sustainable, as his extra base hit percentage and home run rate have held steady the last two seasons. Castellanos has also improved his strike out rate in back to back years. Turning 26 in a couple of days, Castellanos should be entering his prime.

7. Andrew McCutchen

McCutchen has the superstar name, and certainly has been one, but he is on the wrong side of 30 now. His game has shown obvious signs of decline as he no longer has the speed to steal many bases or to play center field. McCutchen looks like he will play primarily right field for the first time in his career this season as he makes the move to San Francisco.

McCutchen may not be an MVP candidate anymore, but he still has a good bat. At 31, he isn’t so ancient that we should be expecting him to continue to rapidly decline. He still should have a few good seasons left in him. He isn’t the .300 hitter he was from 2012-2014, falling short of that mark in each of the last three seasons. However, he did bat .279 with 28 home runs last season. He probably will provide more value on defense as well playing in right field. He posted negative defensive value playing center in each of the last four seasons. However, McCutchen posted positive value in a 13 game stint in right field last year.

McCutchen will call San Francisco his home after spending his first 9 seasons in Pittsburgh.

8. Jay Bruce

Bruce will join McCutchen as a 31 year old shortly after the season begins. Although the age does him no favors in my long-term articles, it’s by no means a death knell. There is no reason why he can’t continue hitting into his mid-thirties at least. He ultimately may find himself moved to first base, a position he has played a little of before.

Bruce is a fairly one-dimensional slugger. Although he isn’t allergic to walks, he doesn’t walk too often. He doesn’t hit for a high average, he doesn’t steal bases, he mostly just slugs home runs. At least he seems to be a pretty good player again. From 2010-2013, Bruce batted .262 and averaged 30 home runs per year. He then had two very poor seasons, batting .222 without posting any real value. However, he is back to being the player he was before 2014 it seems. Bruce has hit .252 the last two seasons while hitting 69 home runs. He is coming off a career high 36 home runs last season. He looks like he should be a .250 30 home run hitter for a couple more seasons.

9. Yasiel Puig

Puig is a polarizing player, both on and off the field. He looked like a future star his first two seasons, batting .305 with an .888 OPS. His arm in right field was a weapon as well as his bat. Then his play fell off the next two seasons, batting just .260 with a .748 OPS. He hit only 22 home runs combined those two years and was sent to the minors in 2016. His attitude was considered to be a problem both on and off the field.

Still just 26 last season, Puig’s play rebounded. He still hit just .263, but he clubbed a career high 28 home runs. Puig posted an .833 OPS, his best in three seasons. His play in the outfield was arguably the best of his career, putting up 18 defensive runs saved above average. Runners don’t test his arm like they used to, as Puig had just 4 assists. But he’s still holding runners, and he only made one error.

So, which Puig will we see moving forward? Can he continue to be a force on the field or will his play regress again? Puig also carries the character concerns, meaning he could affect team chemistry even when going well. Still just 27 years old, Puig has plenty of time to turn his career around.

10. Nomar Mazara

Mazara was just 20 years old when he made the majors, and he has held his own. The number 21 prospect according to Baseball America in 2016, Mazara batted .266 and hit 20 home runs. Last season, he had his peaks and valleys, showing all the streakiness one might expect from a 22 year old. When all was said and done he had hit 22 home runs, doubled 30 times and driven in 101 runners. His average dropped a bit, while his other rate stats saw incremental gains.

I believe there is more in him waiting to show the world. He was a big prospect brought to the majors at such a young age. Still just 22 at the start of the year, Mazara has plenty of development left. He’s got plenty of power in his 6’4″ 215 pound frame, and I expect his skills to become more toned and consistent. I expect Mazara to post career highs across the board this season, except maybe runs batted in.

Honorable Mentions:

Steven Souza Jr., Avisail Garcia, Mitch Haniger, Gerardo Parra, David Peralta, Stephen Piscotty, Gregory Polanco, Josh Reddick, Scott Schebler, Randal Grichuk

Feature picture from Federalball.com

Bidding Adieu to Yawkey Way

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Wave goodbye to the past; moving on to…the past? Red Sox file a petition to the City of Boston to change Yawkey Way’s name back to Jersey Street.

We all know the reputation that Boston holds when it comes to the topic of racism. Unfortunate, because being of Cuban decent I love Boston. I would live there for the rest of my life if I could. The people of Boston have been about as open armed and welcoming every single time I have gone. To call the City of Boston racist as a whole is the incorrect take. The fact is, racism still exists everywhere in this country, and it is something that needs to be acknowledged. With the most recent story that came to surface in 2017, when Adam Jones was subjected to racial slurs while manning center field. To reiterate, baseball is an all-encompassing, multi cultural sport, and a celebration of many cultures coming together to play the greatest game ever.

How Does Yawkey Fit into This?

So where does Yawkey Way, or more specifically Tom Yawkey, come into play here? Well a background check on Tom Yawkey will reveal that his reputation is extensively shrouded in controversy and discrimination. Coined by Jackie Robinson (who got turned down by the Red Sox after a tryout in 1945) as “one of the most bigoted guys in baseball”.

The Red Sox at the helm of Yawkey were the last Major League team to integrate, when they promoted their first African-American player by the name of Pumpsie Green. Granted, at one point all teams were non-integrated and this was considered “the norm”. However, the fact that Yawkey deliberated for so long to include African-Americans into his Major League team says a lot. Thus, naming a street after himself in 1977 truly coincides with Robinson’s view on the former owner. He was a discriminate, egotistic, selfish person. He should be used as an example of how not to treat others in everyday life, let alone the sports world.

Photo Credit: Getty Images (2013)

The Red Sox have petitioned to change the name back to Jersey Street, which is what the famous street was called before Yawkey Way. To be honest, I’m not so sure of this move. Not changing it from Yawkey Way, but changing it back to a street name that was there since John I. Taylor bought the grounds in 1911 is not much of an improvement. In other words, the name Jersey Street was around for 66 years, and at least 54 of those years were during America’s segregation period. In a way, it also represents discrimination in a way that the name Yawkey Way has.

Possible Replacement Names

I have thought about this for a while and have come across great replacements for the street name. But I (as well as Jared Carrabis of Barstool Sports) cannot think of a better way to honor the Red Sox and Fenway Park than to name the street after Ted Williams, who took a break during the prime of his baseball career to serve in WWII and the Korean War. Williams, a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, is the best player the club has seen in its 110 year history. He’s a true legend of the game. Looking at the bigger picture rather than the game of baseball, he fought for our country, our freedom and our honor. In short, to have a tunnel named after him simply isn’t enough. It is something that should have been done decades ago rather than now.

This is not the be-all and end-all decision that will wipe racism from this country forever. However, it is definitely a step in the right direction. Could these fixes be improved further? Absolutely. But that’s the thing- it is important to keep the fight against racism continual and on-going. Also I admit, this move seems like something that the Red Sox were forced to do after the Adam Jones incident occurred. I guess late is better than never. As the famous Martin Luther King Jr. once said “The time is always right to do what is right”. And this is something that should be engraved into, not only Bostonians, but to everyone around the world.

Featured Photo Credit: Boston Magazine (2012)

The Other Ends of the New England Patriots Dynasty

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Bill Belichick’s cold-hearted business moves have turned the New England Patriots roster against him. Quarterback Tom Brady’s advanced age may mean that New England just wasted their last legitimate shot at a Super Bowl. A star player who was crucial to the teams recent run of success might not be back next year. Do these sentences describe the 2017 season, or the 2003, 2012, and 2013 seasons? The New England Patriots are at something of a crossroads, but they’ve been here before. Let’s take a look at the other ends of the New England Patriots dynasty.

The Other Ends of the New England Patriots Dynasty

2003: Lawyer Milloy Is Released

Lawyer Milloy in a Bills uniform still haunts the Patriots to this day…right?

Image credit: Boston Globe

The Patriots Dynasty initially ended before it was a dynasty at all. Coming off the heels of a disappointing 9-7 season, Bill Belichick did the unthinkable just days before the 2003 season opener. Longtime Pro Bowl safety and team captain Lawyer Milloy was released in order to generate cap space. Belichick felt that his current group of safeties was good enough to make Milloy expendable.

What Belichick didn’t consider is how this move would undoubtedly sink his team. Milloy was picked up by the Buffalo Bills, who beat the living tar out of the Patriots in Week 1. New England lost 31-0, and the Patriots season was over after just one week. The players hated their coach, and there was no way to fix this broken team.

The Patriots won the Super Bowl that year, and finished with a league-best 14-2 record.

2009: New England Gets Killed by Baltimore in the Playoffs

The 2009 Patriots were a flawed team, which Belichick knew during the season. However, the clock had officially run out on the Patriots dynasty at the end of 2009. The Baltimore Ravens slaughtered the Patriots, 33-14. This was Brady’s first year back from his 2008 ACL injury, and he looked like he lost something.

This was arguably the weakest of all the Patriots teams, but the Ravens loss truly showed how doomed the Patriots franchise was. Longtime stars Tedy Bruschi, Rodney Harrison, Richard Seymour, and Mike Vrabel, just to name a few, were gone. Belichick clearly wasn’t able to adapt to a new core group of players, and all hope was lost.

The Patriots have won a minimum of 12 games in every season since 2009. Tom Brady has played better since 2009 than before it, and New England built a new core around Julian Edelman, Rob Gronkowski, Devin McCourty, and Dont’a Hightower.

2012: Another Super Bowl Loss to the Giants

Super Bowl 46 was the last great chance the Patriots had of winning a Super Bowl with Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. Despite having a terrible defense, Brady, Gronkowski and Wes Welker led an offense that was hell-bent on finally winning ring number four.

Unfortunately, Eli Manning and the New York Giants stood in their way. For the second time, Manning stole a win from Brady with a last second scoring drive, and didn’t leave enough time on the clock for Brady to answer.

This was it. Tom Brady, now age 35, would never have as good a chance as this to win a Super Bowl. Sure, he could still be carried to one by a great team, but his days of single-handedly willing teams to championships were over. A lot needed to break right for New England to be in Super Bowl 46 to begin with, so realistically this was the best shot. Maybe he’d play in another, but most likely, Brady’s career will end with three rings.

Brady’s been to the AFC Championship Game every season since 2011. He’s gone to the Super Bowl an additional three times, winning two of them.

2014: The Kansas City Game

Tom Brady, alone on the bench, clearly realizing he’s reached the end of the road

Image credit: Boston Globe

On the heels of a relatively rough 2013, Brady and the Patriots stumbled out of the gate in 2014. They lost to the Miami Dolphins in the season opener before winning two ugly games against the Minnesota Vikings and the Oakland Raiders.

New England limped into Kansas City, and this game was over before the first snap. Kansas City was in complete control from the opening whistle, and the Patriots were beat in every single facet of the game. Brady in particular had a bad day, as the age 37 quarterback threw two interceptions and showed his age.

The dynasty was officially over. After not winning a title in ten years, Tom Brady never would again. He was old, slow, and no longer had his magic. Even the team around him wasn’t at an elite level. Injuries had sapped away what made Gronkowski special, and the Patriots just weren’t good anymore.

Since then, the Patriots have been to three of a possible four Super Bowl, winning two. Tom Brady has won regular season MVP once and Super Bowl MVP twice. The Patriots won an average of thirteen games over those four seasons, and the offense has always been in the top five of just about every major category.

2018: Internal Tensions

Make no mistake, there certainly are issues that need resolving at 1 Patriot Place. There’s a very real tension between Patriots owner Robert Kraft, head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady. Is it as big a deal as the media made it out to be? Probably not, but there is certainly a rift between the trio.

Compiling onto this is the uncertain status of Rob Gronkowski. The star tight end is openly contemplating retirement. His body has been through a lot during his eight NFL seasons, and it’s understandable if he doesn’t want to do it anymore. He was reportedly unhappy throughout the duration of 2017, and his thoughts about retirement date back to training camp.

This is a lot for a team to overcome. The three most important people to the success of the franchise are at odds, and there’s a very real chance they lose one of their best players this offseason. It won’t be easy to overcome, but the Patriots have done it before. Brady and Belichick both love winning too much to let any off-field drama stop them from tearing it up on the field. Gronkowski leaving would make the team worse, but this offense would still be brimming with talent.

Despite all forecasts of doom, this is not the end for the Patriots dynasty. As long as Belichick is still the coach and Brady is still the quarterback, New England will remain the team to beat in the NFL.

Cover Photo Credit: NJ.com

The History of the New England Patriots by Jersey Number #13-#14

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NUMBER THIRTEEN

Ken Walter was not a very good punter during the Belichick regime, but does have the distinction of being Adam Vinatieri’s holder for two Super Bowl-winning field goals. In Walter’s first Super Bowl appearance against the Rams, he punted eight times for a 43-yard average, so that wasn’t too bad at all. He was very inconsistent during the 2003 campaign. So, the Pats decided not to resign him for the 2004 season. He played four more games for New England in 2006 when Josh Miller went down with an injury.

The great Joey Galloway wore jersey #84 for all but three games in his 16-year NFL career. In 2009, however, he wore #13 for the Pats and made seven receptions.

Tommy Hodson wore #13 for the Patriots from 1990-93 and went 1-11 as a starter during the very down pre-Parcells, pre-Bledsoe era. For anybody who thinks Tyrod Taylor or Ryan Tannehill are bad quarterbacks, they will need to watch film of LSU’s Tom Hodson. Let’s move on from one of the Pats’ worst quarterbacks of all-time to one of the best.

NUMBER FOURTEEN

Quarterbacks

Steve Grogan will not go down in history as one of the great quarterbacks in NFL history. However, he was one of the team’s five best offensive players over their first 35 years as a franchise.

Grogan’s second season may have been his finest as the Pats battled the Raiders and Steelers in the tough AFC. The Patriots lost a very controversial 24-21 game in Oakland. In that 1976 season, Grogan rushed for an NFL-record for rushing touchdowns for a quarterback with 12. He led New England to four playoff berths as their starter and one as the backup. In 1985, he got into the Super Bowl after Tony Eason was embarrassed by the Chicago Bears defense. Grogan was much better and even led the Pats to a touchdown. However, there is probably no QB that has ever lived that could have defeated the Bears on that Sunday.

In all, Grogan played 16 seasons, all in New England. Hence, the Patriots chose him for the team’s Hall of Fame in 1995.

Speaking of longtime quarterbacks, the Patriots attained Vinny Testaverde for QB depth on the 2006 team. He threw a grand total of three passes in New England in his 21-year career. He had such a prolific career, we had to mention him in our memoirs.

Punters

Tom Yewcic was a member of the all-1960’s Boston Patriots teams of the AFL. He served a lot of functions for the Pats from 1961-66, but none more importantly than punting the football. He had an excellent season for the 1963 team that made it to the AFL championship. Guys like Yewcic simply don’t play anymore. He punted, threw passes, ran and even caught some balls over his six seasons.

Another famous Patriot punter to wear #14 was a guy by the unique name of Zoltan Mesko. Mesko was born in Romania, played college ball at Michigan and punted for New England in Super Bowl XLVI. His last game after three seasons with the Patriots was dismal as he struggled against the eventual Super Bowl champion Ravens in the AFC title game.

Wide Receivers

Two very brief members of the Patriots who tried to make it as wide receivers were Chris Harper and Michael Floyd. Harper’s season-altering fumble at Denver in 2015 was his most memorable play. The undefeated Pats were leading 21-7 in a crucial late season game in the snow. The Broncos turned the fumble into points and the victory earned them home field advantage for the rematch. Denver ended up winning the Super Bowl at the end of the 2015 season.

Floyd’s reputation is not an excellent one because of alcohol issues. However, he did get a Super Bowl ring at the end of the 2016 season. He had two wonderful plays in a season finale at Miami and a bad drop in a playoff game against the Texans. That about sums up his career as a Patriot. Floyd played for Minnesota in 2017.

Brandon Fazzolari is a Super Bowl expert…@spot_Bills

How Long Is the Celtics’ Window?

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The Celtics have been rebuilding ever since they traded their big three to the Nets. Danny Ainge has done a great job getting the Celtics back to an elite level. He used the Nets trade to eventually acquire Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Kyrie Irving. He also signed big name free agents Al Horford and Gordon Hayward. Brad Stevens has done a great job getting the most out of his players. The Celtics were the number one seed in the East last year, and they are on pace to get a top two seed this year. However, the Celtics are still not close to a championship and the window to win one might be closing. So why is that?

Talent Level on the Team

Even with all the talent they have, the Celtics might not be good enough to beat LeBron James and the Cavs. If they do, then they would have no chance against the superpower Warriors. Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward (when healthy) are superstars, and Al Horford is a consistent All-Star. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have developed nicely, but they still are not good enough to win it all. In the NBA, you usually need three superstars to win a championship. The Celtics have two superstars, Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward. Al Horford is a great player, but not good enough. The Celtics know this because the last championship they won was with Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and Kevin Garnett.

How to Get the Big Three

To fix this problem the Celtics have two options: wait or strike now. The answer might seem obvious, but it’s really not. The Celtics could wait until 19-year-old Jayson Tatum or 21-year-old Jaylen Brown develop into a superstar. The problem with this is that it is no guarantee that both or even one of them develop into a superstar. The Celtics could strike now by trading for another superstar. Pelicans superstar Anthony Davis and Spurs superstar Kawhi Leonard have been rumored to be on the trade block. To do this, the Celtics would most likely have to give up Tatum or Brown, Terry Rozier, and picks, or something along those lines. The problem is if Davis or Leonard flail out in Boston, while Tatum or Brown develop into superstars on another team. Personally, I would go with the strike now option. It is better to get a known commodity than a player you hope develops into a superstar. Danny Ainge has proven that he is willing to take risks, and he will take these risks to maximize the Celtics’ window.

Competition Around the League

The Cavaliers and Warriors have been the finals matchup for three straight years. LeBron James has been the main reason as to why the Cavs have been to the finals. He is a free agent this summer and is expected to leave. If he does, then the Cavs will rebuild. The Celtics should easily win the East because they are better than secondary teams like the Raptors, Wizards, and Bucks. In the West, the Warriors have been the powerhouse. It is going to be very hard to match them on a talent level, but the Celtics could do it if they make the right moves. Kevin Durant is a free agent this offseason, and he will most likely resign but anything could happen. If he leaves, then the Warriors will become much weaker. Klay Thompson is also a free agent this summer, and his departure would damage the Warriors.

So How Long Is the Window?

I would say the window for the Celtics to win a championship is three years. Kyrie Irving and Al Horford are free agents after the 2019-2020 season. Assuming the puzzle pieces fall in the wrong place for other teams, then the Celtics should win the championship as soon as next year. If the Warriors lose Klay Thompson and the Celtics add Anthony Davis, then the talent gap from the Warriors to the Celtics will be much closer.

Cover image courtesy of NBA.com.

Deadline Moves Make Boston Bruins’ Ceiling Much Higher

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The 2018 trade deadline has come and gone, and to the surprise of many the Boston Bruins made a big splash. Don Sweeney went out and acquired Rangers star forward Rick Nash. In exchange the Bruins sent back center Ryan Spooner, Matt Belesky, Ryan Lindgren, and a 2018 first round pick and a 2019 seventh round pick. The cost is a bit high, but there is no denying that this trade makes the Bruins substantially better. But how much better does this make the team, and what’s their ceiling now?

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Rick Nash’s Impact

It was on full display last night against Carolina- Rick Nash makes the Bruins a much better team. Nash potted his first goal as a Bruin as well as saving a goal with a great individual effort. Basically the Bruins traded Ryan Spooner for Rick Nash on their current roster. Anyone who watches the game of hockey knows that Ricks Nash is just an all around better player. Nash has always been a bit of a disappointment in his career, never really living up to the hype he had coming in as the number one overall pick. But on the Bruins Nash is not tasked with being the guy he is a second line winger. This could benefit Krejci more than anyone else, as he thrives when he plays alongside a big talented winger.

Maybe the biggest asset that Nash provides to the Bruins is his flexibility. Now Bruce Cassidy has a ton of flexibility up and down the lineup. If the Bruins get into a high tempo game, Cassidy can roll three offensive lines that can keep pace with the opposition. But if the game starts to get heavier, Krejci and Nash are more than fit to handle the grind it out atmosphere. On top of that, Cassidy can bump up Backes to the Krejci line to create a real heavy proven line.

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Ceiling

The Bruins acquired a few other smaller players at the deadline. Trading for Nick Holden, Tommy Wingels, and signing Brian Gionta. On the surface these moves like rather insignificant moves in the big picture. But each of these three players are proven veteran players with playoff experience. A team who intends on making a deep playoff run is bound to lose a few bodies to injury. Adding veteran depth instead of being forced to call up a player from Providence who would not be ready for the moment. Sweeney is ramping up for a deep playoff run and has made all the moves he can to help this team win.

Unfortunately for the Bruins they have a gauntlet that lie ahead of them. Toronto in the first round followed by a potential matchup against Tampa Bay. Who could be waiting in the conference finals? Washington, who has owned the Bruins, or Pittsburgh, the two time defending Stanley Cup Champions? The Bruins’ ceiling is way higher now then it was a week ago or even a few days ago. But the road to the cup is grueling. The Bruins ceiling is a Stanley Cup, but whether or not they can hit that remains to be seen.

Is Sandy Leon a Viable Option?

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Is Sandy Leon Really Any Good for the Sox?

There are a plentiful amount of MLB ready catchers within the Red Sox organization. Christian Vazquez, Blake Swihart, and Jake Romanski are just a few. So with all the depth, why is Sandy Leon still on the major league roster? Granted, he has a cannon that can throw out a lot of runners. However, the offensive and defensive production just isn’t there.

In his 2017 campaign, Leon was hitting .225 in 271 at bats this season. His seven homers and 39 RBIs are not something to brag about either. It doesn’t look like he can bounce back either. He has a strikeout rate of 23.1% through his first 221 at bats. If a player is under preforming his salary (a mere $1.5 million), then why is he still on the roster?

September call ups will prevent him from going back to the minors, but giving Swihart the opportunity to get a spot as the back up catcher next season would be wise. Vazquez deserves to be the starter in 2018, as he’s hot at the plate and defensively. While hitting .296 in 277 at bats, the four homers and 30 RBIs are lower than Leon’s, he’s getting more base hits and scoring due to his keen eye at the plate.

Swihart playing backup gives the Sox more depth in the outfield as well. It would also give the team a speedy boost from the catcher slot that hasn’t been seen in years. Last season, he hit an inside the park home run. That hasn’t happened since J.T Reinaldo did it back in 2013!

With every positive aspect of Leon’s game easily replaceable to the better extent, the team can make up for his absence should the organization let him go as a free agent after this season. While he has fond memories and some clutch performances, the team can truly be better off without Sandy Leon.

Back in Boston: Brian Gionta

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The Bruins signing of 39 year-old Brian Gionta to a one year, $700k deal means a former Boston College legend will be returning to Boston. The last time Gionta wore a jersey with Boston across the front was in 2001.

Offseason

Brian Gionta’s 1000 NHL games are the reason why he is a household name throughout the National Hockey league. Gionta last put in time in the NHL last season with the Buffalo Sabres. Gionta captained Buffalo for three straight seasons after signing a deal in July of 2014. During his time in upstate New York, Gionta solidified himself as a leader. The Sabres did not resign him this past offseason. Buffalo’s AHL team, the Rochester Americans, also the home town of Gionta, inked him to a practice squad contract. This let Gionta stay in playing shape.

The United States Olympic committee named Brian Gionta the Captain of the U.S. Men’s Olympic Ice Hockey team. Not being in the NHL allowed the Olympic Committee to put his name on the roster. Being a captain of an Olympic hockey team is an incredible achievement, not to mention it gave Gionta the chance to play with many young, talented hockey players. This includes possible future teammate, Ryan Donato.

Boston College

Brian Gionta’s path to Olympic leader began as a leader for the Boston College Men’s ice Hockey team. Gionta flew with the Eagles from 1997 to 2001. Jerry York, current coach of BC, guided Gionta into the legend he is today. Gionta acquired the skills and traits of a leader by playing on a team filled with leaders and future stars. Marty Reasoner, a native of the city Rochester like Gionta, mentored Gionta during his freshman season. With the guidance of Reasoner, Gionta put 30 goals in the back of the net and put up 62 total points. The University of Michigan Wolverines put an end to Gionta’s incredible season, defeating Boston College in the National Championship game in Boston.

Gionta continued to put up numbers at Boston College, scoring 33 goals with 56 points as a sophomore. The playoff woes still plagued the Eagles as the University of Maine Blackbears eliminated BC in the semi-finals of the Frozen Four. The phrase “the more things change, the more they stay the same,” is continuing to reign true for Gionta at this point in his BC career. Junior year for Gionta was more of the same. Continues to put the puck in the net and put up points with 33 goals and 56 points. However, once again, BC was not able to get it done in the playoffs with a loss to the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux in the national championship game.

Senior year for Gionta, the season all the pieces were falling into place. Gionta’s point total took a hit, but remained strong at five points. Not to mention he led the country in goals with 33. Amongst an Eagle roster crawling with talent, Gionta stood out as the leader. Vengeance for the loss in the National Championship game was even sweeter for Gionta and the Eagles. The won in overtime with a score of 3-2, in Albany New York no less. Not quite Rochester, but it is something.

Gionta continues to prove himself despite his age. His mentoring and leadership skills are extremely valuable to the Bruins and some of their emerging young talent.

Follow Matt McGurn on Twitter: @MickGurn

Cover image courtesy of The Boston Globe.