Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
The outfield is in flux. Jacoby Ellsbury should be back — though a trade is not totally out of the question... How will Mike Cameron bounce back from serious abdominal surgery at age 38? And where does Ryan Kalish fit in?
So look for the Red Sox to shop their expensive 30-year-old pitcher this winter. Matsuzaka has $20 million and two years left on his deal, but depending on whether the Red Sox offer to eat some cash, they could get a prospect or another good player in return.
Let’s get this out of the way — there’s almost no way Jonathan Papelbon is leaving, so don’t bother thinking about it. No matter how “closer-ready” Daniel Bard is, the Red Sox need all the good arms they can get in the bullpen, and Papelbon is very, very good.
ProJo - Offseason could produce an entirely different team in 2011
That article from the Providence Journal is definitely interesting, and worth checking out. I don't think there's a genuine baseball fan out there that doesn't enjoy a rousing game of "how's next year's squad going to look".
But I point to it not to play the guessing game, but as a warning. This is where we're at now. You have literally months of the same article heading your way. Unfortunately this year we've gotten a head start on this nonsense.
It's going to be a loooooong winter folks. How many "Will the Sox Sign Beltre/Martinez/Ortiz" stories can you stomach? You're about to find out. Yuck.
On Page 2, Mike Lowell gets his very own night named after him.
The Red Sox announced Thursday that they will honor retiring infielder Mike Lowell in a pre-game ceremony on October 2 prior to their game against the Yankees. "Thanks, Mike Night" will see its festivities begin approximately 30 minutes before the game's first pitch.
Lowell, who came up with the Yankees in 1998, defeated his former club when he won a World Series with the Marlins in 2003. After six seasons in Florida, Lowell was packaged with Josh Beckett in a deal that sent the likes of Hanley Ramirez and Anibal Sanchez to the Marlins. He was named World Series MVP in his second year with the Red Sox, the 2007 campaign.
WEEI - Sox to honor Lowell at Fenway
Classy move by the Sox, and well deserved for Lowell.
Not sure if this is going to flush the bad taste Lowell has for Boston from his mouth, but it's an excellent gesture.
My feelings on Lowell have been well documented here in the annals of Ted's Army, and a "Thank's Mike" night is a great send-off, and most certainly well deserved.
Rest of the links:
Globe - Bard has shown fine penmanship | Herald - Papi’s problem | Five reasons to keep your Sox on | WEEI - Papi hopes Sox do their part on contract | ESPN Boston - Hall hones in on all-time HR mark for Sox part-timers | NESN - Ryan Kalish, Daniel Nava, Rest of Red Sox Rookies Wear Costumes for Final Road Trip (Video)
