Bleacher Report - Articles by Billy DeCosta

Ian Kinsler Wont Be an All-Star

Billy DeCosta — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 02:21:12 -0400

As an avid Boston Red Sox fan, I should be happy that Dustin Pedroia is the starting AL Second Baseman.

But, after learning that Ian Kinsler fell short of Brandon Inge for the final all-star vote, the whole all-star thing about fan vote and snubs has really started to bother me.

Regardless of what you think the All-Star game is, whether it's a classic game between the league's best players, or just an exhibition between the most popular players, you would hope that with a player who is clearly the best player at his position would be there somehow.

As a Sox fan, I don't take much pride in the amount of All-Stars we have.

Look, Kinsler, who is a five-tool talent who plays with awesome defensive prowess, is the AL's answer to Chase Utley.

I know Pedroia is the reigning MVP. I know he's a gold glover.

But if you asked me who's the best second-baseman in the majors, I would say Kinsler.

And, that's what really gets me about the fan vote. Every year, you're gonna have players on the cusp. Guys that could or could not be there and both would make sense.

But you hope the top three players at a position would be represented.

I'm not totally against the fans having a say. I mean, there the ones playing to watch the exhibition.

However, letting fans have control over the starting lineups has obviously made the All-Star game more akin to a Junior High school election than a game between the league's best players.

Not just with Kinsler, every year we see some definitive All-Star not make it.

I want Major League Baseball to do it like the Pro Bowl.

One-third fans, One-third coaches, one-third players. That way we can ensure that sure fire all-stars will play in the mid-summer classic.

If the MLB wants to make the All-Star game mean something, they should make sure the best players are there.

Aroldis Chapman, Cuba, and How Politics Can Change Baseball

Billy DeCosta — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 23:31:38 -0400

Baseball junkies are rejoicing after hearing news that Cuban super-prospect Aroldis Chapman has defected from the Cuban National Team and is planning to play in the Unites States.

Chapman, who's only 21, is a left-handed fireballer who can hit 100-plus on the gun and some say has above-average secondary stuff.

Chapman will be one of the most coveted free agents in the upcoming offseason.

But, that got me thinking.

See, Cuba produces some of the world's most talented baseball players, yet, because of our relationship with the island, we never see their talent.

However, since President Obama was elected, clear steps have been taken to warm relations between the U.S. and Cuba.

If these steps do eventually progress to the point (and that could take some time) where Cuban players are free to sign with MLB clubs, the landscape of baseball would change forever.

Think about it.

Cuban children grow up on baseball. The country is a major player in all international competition. A flood of new talent coming into the major leagues, as politics intersect sports, would be great for Major League Baseball.

We've seen how much Dominican players and Latino players have impacted today's game.

Raising the talent level of the entire league can only benefit every team.

The ramifications from hundreds of new free agents (that haven't had the chance for much scouting) flooding the markets could be rough at first.

But, after the system is established, a flock of Cuban talent will only benefit baseball in the long run.

Today, we can gleam over Chapman.

But someday it will happen, and baseball better be ready for it.

Cincinnati Reds: A Bright Future Awaits

Billy DeCosta — Sun, 24 May 2009 11:45:26 -0400

The Cincinnati Reds really haven't been very good for a while now.

They seem like a franchise that is always rebuilding, yet never contending. A perennial cellar-dweller in one of baseball's most competitive divisions.

But fans in Cincinnati are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. A young lineup core with Jay Bruce, Joey Votto and Brandon Phillips are one of the most under-rated trio's in the major leagues.

Johnny Cueto and Edison Volquez are brilliant young studs that can anchor a rotation for years to come.

However, what should excite Reds fans isn't just the names on the lineup card.

Most consistently bad baseball franchises get enough early draft picks that they will develop very good players. But because the majority of these teams are small-market, they can never afford to hold on to their futures.

The Marlins have worked away around that, they trade their young talent away for younger talent, develop those guys, and contend again a year or two later.

In contrast, the Padres are basically forced to trade one of the best arms in baseball in Jake Peavy because they simply can't afford his contract. Soon enough, their going to have to trade Adrian Gonzalez. They probably won't get players of their caliber in return.

But Cincinnati, at its heart, is a baseball city. While it's true that the Reds have made some bad moves which contributed to their lack of success this decade, if Reds management can put a winning team on the field, notably one with a long-term future, they could easily fill that stadium.

Since Jay Bruce was drafted in 2005, he was annually considered one of baseball's best prospects. He came into the big's with a bang last season, blasting 21 home-runs in just over 400 at-bats.

So far this season, Bruce has knocked out 12 and while not a high-average guy, he will gradually improve on the .238 he's hitting now.

Joey Votto and Brandon Phillips create a dynamic right-side of the infield. Votto is a professional hitter who can hit 30 HR's with a .300 or better average. He also leads the team in slugging percentage.

Phillips is a speedy second baseman who at only 27, is horribly under-rated at his position. He has everything you want. Power, speed and the genuine ability to hit.

The pitching staff too, with solid veteran stand-by's in Harang and Arroyo as well as great young pitchers in Cueto and Volquez. The promise of their young-guns is enticing.

The point I'm trying to make is that with a talent pool like this, Cincinnati will make some noise in the next couple of years. Baseball will flourish again in that city, which in turn is great for the game.

Because of that, the Reds will be able to keep their key guys for a long time.

The fans of this beleaguered franchise have reason to hope again.

Adrian Gonzalez: The Best Player Nobody Talks About

Billy DeCosta — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 22:41:28 -0400

Let's face it, San Diego is baseball's official doormat. The average fan might be able to name two or three players on their roster.

However, among this baseball graveyard is the best player nobody talks about.

Padres first baseman, Adrian Gonzalez.

Call it some strange obsession, but when I see a team like the Nationals or the Padres that are clearly a bad team, I become intrigued and look into who makes up that roster. That's why for all his off-the-field issues, I love Elijah Dukes.

Now, it's kind of strange that I point out Gonzalez, a former No. 1 overall pick and the first infielder picked first since Alex Rodriguez, as a player who flies under the radar.

But along this man's journey the glamour of the first pick wore off, he suffered a wrist injury after which the Marlins, the club who drafted him, thought the injury would hinder his career and traded him away to Texas.

Texas used the young first baseman sparingly, eventually trading him to the low-profile baseball world of San Diego.

Gonzalez finally burst onto the scene during his first season there. He slugged 24 home runs while posting a .304 average. He slugged .500 and showed great defensive prowess.

During the past two seasons, Gonzalez has proven he's here to stay.

Both of those years, he posted 30+ home runs, 100+ RBI, and over 100 walks, showing how efficient he's become at the plate. While he's not a speed demon by any means, he runs the bases intelligently, posting his career-high 48 doubles in 2007.

His defense continued to get better as well, and last season after earning his first all-star selection, Gonzalez got his first Gold Glove.

Gonzalez will turn 27 next week, and has already started this season on a torrid pace. He smashed two bombs in the Padres' loss to Colorado last night.

So far, his stat line: .329 AVG, 9 HR, 19 RBI, .711 SLG, and 1.150 OPS.

Those are early MVP numbers, but with that, I stress the point of this article.

Only the closest followers of baseball really know how good this guy is.

In a city who's baseball bright spots are few and far between, with a half-empty new stadium and major revenue problems, Adrian Gonzalez is a player that any team would love to have. He's a ballplayer's ballplayer, both on and off the field.

Take notice, Major League Baseball. Adrian Gonzalez is reaching stardom.

Denver Broncos: Do the Right Thing and Get Jason Campbell

Billy DeCosta — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 13:29:01 -0400

Regardless of what Jay Cutler said last night, it seems pretty apparent that the Broncos are going to get rid of the 25 year-old pro bowler. Reports suggest more than 10 teams have already shown their interest.

Chicago, Detroit and Tampa Bay are among those who have already placed a call to the Broncos front office.

But Josh McDaniels knows he's in hot water with Denver fans. If he takes just picks, whether that be the first pick from Detroit or from somewhere else on the board and he has to take a rookie QB, he can count on a down year at Mile High. He can't afford that right now with the fan base and even Belicheck disciples know the fan base controls your job status.

He needs a young QB that has at least proven himself to be a viable starter right now and a at least one high pick and probably at least a third rounder. That's where the Redskins come in.

Put aside that Dan Synder always wants the hottest commodity on the market, the Redskins could pull off a deal just like the one I dreamed up and it would make good sense for both sides.

Jason Campbell could immediately replace Cutler as the Broncos' starting quarterback. It's also worth pointing out that the Redskins have the 13th overall pick in this years draft, as well as a mid-third rounder and the option is always there to stick one of next years picks into the deal.

But Denver needs to get this done just as much as Dan Synder thinks the Redskins need to do get this done.

One thing you have to give Josh McDaniels, like him or not, is that he knows how to get the most out of his quarterbacks. He's getting a serious talent in Jason Campbell.

Campbell has a major league arm and fits the perfect mold of an elite QB at 6'5", 235.

One major knock on Jay Cutler is that he gets picked-off too much. I think Josh McDaniels' offensive system would have eradicated that but now that he's forcing his way out of Denver you have to look at how his replacement fits in that same system.

Jason Campbell started the first eight games of the season without throwing one interception. He completed the same percentage of his passes that Jay Cutler did.

We have to remember the way Josh McDaniels calls a game. He emphasizes ball control by spreading out defenses and hitting short passes underneath. This keeps his QB's from making a lot while at times setting up the long pass better than a consistent pounding of the ball up the middle.

Campbell has the smarts to execute the short pass plays while having the arm strength to make the big throw downfield. He would have the receivers in Denver to make that all work too. Brandon Marshall looking for the big play, Eddie Royal getting the intermediate throws to keep the defense from putting all their attention on Marshall and slot receiver Brandon Stoakley, who fits the slot position perfectly.

Campbell and Cutler are very similar talents, Cutler is only regarded as better because he put up big numbers in a pass-heavy system. I'm not saying he's overrated, but passing numbers, especially total yards, are just as much a reflection on the offensive system the quarterback runs than on the base talent of the QB himself.

Hence the reason that Campbell's stat line, who has the nearly the same physical abilities as Jay Cutler but played in a run-heavy system compares to Cutler's like this.

Campbell: 3245 yards, 62.3% Comp, 13 TD's, 6 INT's, 84.3 QB Rating

Cutler: 4526 yards, 62.3% Comp, 25 TD's, 18 INt's, 86.0 QB Rating

Now, if Denver can manage to grab Jason Campbell from the Redskins they would have an immediate replacement who's still only 27 years old and would shine in Josh McDaniels offensive scheme. His stats would improve dramatically.

Beyond that though, Denver would get draft picks they can use to help rebuild their defense while their offense would really lose none of the dynamic firepower it showed last season. The Jay Cutler thing will go away, Dan Synder will get his latest man-crush and in not too short a time, people in Denver will forget all about this saga.

Major League Baseball's Most Cohesive Lineup

Billy DeCosta — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 13:38:11 -0400

I began toying with this idea the other day: What if I could build the most cohesive lineup Major League Baseball could assemble?

Not just the top slugger at every position on the field, but a lineup whose pieces compliment each other. It would be a card that would be built to win as many games out of 162 that it could.

Finally, after work last night, I put it all together.

1-(RF)-Ichiro Suzuki-(.310-213 hits-43 stolen bases)

Ichiro is the best leadoff man in baseball, bar none. He gets on base more and strikes out less than Hanley Ramirez and Grady Sizemore.

He's the one player who seems to consistently turn ground balls into singles. When you're looking for a catalyst at the top of the order, Ichiro is just that guy. He's also a brilliant baserunner who is always a stolen base threat. He's even a Gold Glove outfielder.

2-(2B)-Dustin Pedroia-(.326-17 home runs-86 RBI-20 stolen bases)

I had a tough choice here between Pedroia and Ian Kinsler. I wanted a middle infielder with pop and good baserunning skills, but not necessarily a 40 stolen base guy. I went with Pedroia because he's more proven.

Pedroia has Rookie of the Year, Gold Glove, and an MVP accolades already to his name. In theory, he would be there to move Ichiro over and get himself on base. The people behind him in the order are there to bring him home but Pedroia is very good at manufacturing runs.

3-(SS)-Hanley Ramirez-(.301-33 home runs-67 RBI-35 stolen bases)

Hanley Ramirez is one of the most exciting players in the game today and by far the best shortstop. His RBI numbers are low because he has been a leadoff man his whole career.

However, a move to the three hole with another big bat behind him would lead Ramirez to a statistical explosion. He plays solid defense and can steal a base. He's a danger to the opposing pitcher every time he steps up to the plate.

4-(DH)-Ryan Howard-(.251-48 home runs-146 RBI-92 walks)

In order to make the best lineup, I wasn't going to try to find pitchers that can hit. Ryan Howard would be the perfect designated hitter, a middle-of-the-order big bat. No one has had more big flies in the past two years than Howard. If at the DH spot, he wouldn't have to worry about fielding anymore.

Howard also walks alot and draws a lot of intentional passes. When your cleanup guy can't give you a big fly, a walk isn't a bad consolation prize.

5-(1B)-Albert Pujols-(.357-37 home runs-116 RBI-104 walks)

In case you've been on the moon the past five years, Albert Pujols is by and large the best offensive player in the game. He's a career .331 hitter, he averages about 40 home runs and 115 RBI a season, and is an excellent defensive first baseman.

There are no flaws in his game, no holes in his mechanics and while he isn't a stolen base threat, he knows how to run the bases. Not many teams are going to want to walk Ryan Howard if Pujols is coming up next.

6-(CF)-Grady Sizemore-(.268-33 home runs-90 RBI-38 stolen bases)

There probably isn't a better all-around center fielder than Sizemore, who even in the role brought home 90 runs. He's a Gold-Glover, hits for power, and his average probably won't be going lower than .268 for a while.

Sizemore is key here because after facing the murderer's row of Ramirez, Howard, and Pujols you want a guy who can get on base and be aggressive on the base paths.

7-(3B)-David Wright-(.302-33 home runs-124 RBI-15 stolen bases)

Notice a trend? Wright fits the mold of what I'm trying to do with the back of the order. He's a gamer who plays his position as well as anybody, has serious pop, and runs bases efficiently.

He hits well with runners in scoring position and fits this lineup better than Alex Rodriguez who is probably the only third baseman you could make a case for being better than Wright.

8-(LF)-Carlos Beltran-(.284-27 home runs-112 RBI-25 stolen bases)

We're moving away from power now a bit and going toward all-around offensive play and defensive excellence. Beltran fits both of those molds. He hits for average well, has power, drives in a lot of runs, and can steal bases. He's a Gold Glove winner and one of baseball's steadiest performers.

9-(C)-Joe Mauer-(.328-9 home runs-85 RBI-176 hits)

He's one of the league's biggest guys with no home run power, but that's not Joe Mauer's game. He's the game's elite backstop, who gets plenty of hits, drives in runs at key moments and flat out gets on base.

In a lineup like the one I dreamed up, he would be the most prototypical hitter out of the nine-hole baseball has ever seen.

Now, I know people have their own ideas for what the perfect MLB lineup would be, so let me here it. Make the pieces fit together and tell me how I did.

Jay Cutler, If You Want To Polish Your Resume', Stay In Denver

Billy DeCosta — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 12:57:25 -0400

So much had been made of the recent riff between Bronco's head coach Josh McDaniels and his star quarterback Jay Cutler.

We know the story, McDaniels dangled Cutler in an attempt to grab Matt Cassel, so now Cutler wants out.

But if Cutler really does want out of Denver and wants to make more money doing it, he should settle the differences and learn to work with his new head coach.

There is no denying that Cutler is one of the more physically gifted QBs in the NFL. He's got a cannon for an arm and Pro-Bowl already to his name.

However, Cutler's best career move is staying put in Denver.

The kid should remember he has only three years left to play on his contract. He has just been given one of the most talented offensive minds in football to call his plays. Learning to work with McDaniels could turn one of the league's most promising young players into one of the league's elite signal callers and earn him a big free-agent contract in the process.

The one big knock on Jay Cutler is that he's too much of a gunslinger. He takes too many chances downfield and he tries to put the ball where he doesn't belong. With 18 picks last season, he trailed only 39-year-old Brett Favre for the league lead.

Both McDaniels and former coach Mike Shanahan give Cutler a pass-happy offensive scheme. There is one major difference though.

Shanahan's offense was more prone to Cutler's mistakes. He used that vaulted zone-blocking run game on first down. Then he opened up the book for Cutler to make the big play down field on second and third. All too often, this led to the big mistake and a turnover.

Josh McDaniels loves to pass the ball too, but in a much more controlled fashion. Some will say this is a product of having Wes Welker but it's not about the player, it's about the system.

He emphasizes the short four and five-yard pass on first down, even while spreading the field with 4 and 5 wide sets. Not only does this keep the front seven in the box, but keeps the backfield playing tight on their men. If run correctly, this philosophy sets up the long play down field even better than pounding the ball up the middle, because it leaves the corners and safeties more prone to get burned.

Not only will this increase Cutler's passing numbers but it will also limit his mistakes. Can you imagine the demand Cutler will have if he can put up a stat line like 4500 yards, 30-35 TDs and only 8-10 INTs? McDaniels even has the receiveing pieces in place for that to happen with the likes of Brandon Marshall and Eddie Royal.

Cutler needs to settle his differences with McDaniels, it's only gonna pay off for him in the long term.

World Baseball Classic: What Americans Are Missing Out on

Billy DeCosta — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 09:43:02 -0400

Sure, it's only the second go-around of this tournament, yet it is fair to say the World Baseball Classic is an after-thought in the United States.

In 2006, I too thought the WBC was a waste of time and a danger to the major league stars who participated.

This time however, I see things a bit differently.

I consider myself a baseball purist. It's a game I've loved my whole life and regardless of who is playing, I love good baseball.

For those of you who haven't been tuning in, the World Baseball Classic is spectacular baseball.

All of the nations participating, even the ones who have already been eliminated, have rosters filled with major-league talent. It amazes me to see the fans of team Puerto Rico or the fans of the Dominican Republic team go as crazy as they do for these games. The players play with pride, the fans support them raucously. The atmosphere at a game that pits Team Puerto Rico and Team Venezuela is crazy and devoted. Watching these games reminds me just what I love about baseball.

And then we see the United States play the Netherlands. The only team in the tournament with an all major-league roster and the host of the event could barely get 10,000 people to show up at their second round game. For all the passion and craziness that was at that Puerto Rico- Venezuela game, the U.S. match-up was the polar opposite.

It's a shameful sight to see. Team USA, a team filled with star-power and the country with the richest baseball history, couldn't fill up a quarter of Dolphin Stadium; a park located within it's own boarders. Two days later, fans from both Puerto Rico and Venezuela traveled hundreds of miles, filled up that same stadium and turned it into a war-zone.

How often are we asked to tune in and support our country? Even more so, it's not Olympic swimming, it's for America's past-time. What kind of message does it send when the same amount of people go to a WBC game that go to a New England Revolution soccer game?

The World Baseball Classic is a spectacle that has caught the attention of the world, but has avoided the country who created it. I know that here, it's all about major-league baseball. But I know there are plenty of people who, like me, just love good baseball.

This is good baseball...

Mark Teixeira Signs With Yankees

Billy DeCosta — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 08:32:21 -0500

When Alex Rodriguez was traded to the New York Yankees, he said, "I felt like I had one foot in a Red Sox uniform." Mark Teixeira must feel the same way.

ESPN's Buster Olney is reporting that free agent first baseman Mark Teixeira, the most coveted position player this offseason, has agreed to an eight-year deal worth $180 million dollars with the Yankees.

Red Sox GM Theo Epstein had been in hot pursuit of the talented 28-yea- old since season's end. The Red Sox, Angels, Orioles, and Nationals had all put offers in front of Teixeira, while up until recently the Yankees had not, nor had they shown great interest in the free agent.

When the Red Sox went to Texas to meet with Teixeira, his agent Scott Boras told them that their offer, an eight-year, $170 million dollar one, wasn't good enough. He told them he had better deals lined up.

Sox CEO John Henry said that was as high as they would go. He said if that's the way Boras wanted to play, the Red Sox weren't going to be a part of it.

The Red Sox called his bluff. Looks like he wasn't lying.

Signing Teixeira has raised the amount of Yankee offseason spending to around $400 million when you factor in the signings of CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett.

So much for trying to cut payroll. The Yankees just got a $22.4 million dollar luxury tax bill from Major League Baseball. They can expect an even bigger one next season.

Believe it or not, the Yankees can afford another $180 million. A combination of slashing contracts and their new stadium have kept New York unaffected by current economic conditions.

It would be safe to say that Teixeira is the safest of New York's recent pick-ups. He's a solid 30-100 guy who gets on base and plays stellar defense. He's only 28 years old.

CC Sabathia is an innings eater, but he has a lot of mileage on him. He is a bona fide ace, but there are question marks about how long a guy with a body like his can keep his stats up.

A.J. Burnett has been consistently mediocre his entire career, despite his great stuff. The Yankees paying him $85 million is a very risky move, their most bang or bust signing so far this winter.

As much as it pains me as a Red Sox fan, the Yankees have gotten the best of Theo Epstein this offseason.

Bill Belichick Has Proven His Doubters Wrong

Billy DeCosta — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 04:23:42 -0500

When Tom Brady went down with a season-ending knee injury in the first week of the season, experts from all over said that the Patriots are done. That they were a .500 team at best, and Bill Belichick would have to be a genius to produce a winning season.

Things didn't get any easier from him, either. The man who replaced his All-Universe QB hadn't started a meaningful game since high school.

Laurence Maroney, Adalius Thomas, and Tedy Bruschi have all suffered season-ending injuries. His whole team has been banged up all season.

But as is the way with Belichick, none of that matters. He has produced a very good football team through all the adversity.

You could even call him a genius.

He's proved that the system he established in New England isn't dependant on Tom Brady, Tedy Bruschi, or any other single player. It's a system of picking up and drafting the right players, giving the starters a cast of more than adequate backups and excellent game-planning.

Both his offense and his defense are complex and they change with every game the Patriots play. But Belichick runs a tight ship.

When they go out to get a free agent or when they use their picks in the draft, Belichick and Scott Pioli choose players that can fit into Belichick's mold. Talented, driven, smart and coachable.

They want every player on their roster to know their job and do it successfully, no matter what that job is.

All of this adds up to a system of team management. One that can take its lumps during the season and still manage to be a solid football team. He simply doesn't get enough credit for that.

Belichick catches a lot of heat from players, coaches, and fans around the league. He's not well-respected like a Tony Dungy or a Bill Cowher, but he doesn't strive to be.

Bill Belichick wants only one thing: He wants to win football games. And he doesn't care whose feelings he hurts in the process.

People from all around the league often have very few nice things to say about Bill Belichick the person.

Yet, I dare you to show me a franchise that wouldn't want to have Bill Belichick roaming their sidelines right now. From choosing his players to his weekly planing, he is a winner in every aspect of the game. Nothing more, nothing less.

Love him or hate him, Bill Belichick is one of the league's greatest football minds

The job he has done this season has proven his doubters wrong.

Boston-Chicago: Kendrick Perkins, Ray Allen Shine In Dominating Victory

Billy DeCosta — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 15:07:19 -0500

Kendrick Perkins had 25 points, Ray Allen dropped 27 and Rajon Rondo notched 15 assists in a convincing 126-108 victory over the Bulls in the midst of a blizzard in Boston.

The win propelled the Celtics' to their 17th straight victory, giving them a 25-2 record for the season.

Once again, Boston established they are clearly the best team in the NBA.

Perk was 12 for 15 from the field while pulling down eight rebounds, just missing his fifth double-double in nine games. His 25 points established a new career high and he had scored a season-high 17 points by intermission.

Allen found some good looks, going 5-for-9 from behind the arc en route to a game-high 27 points. Kevin Garnett added 17, with Paul Pierce dropping 16 even though all the starters minus Allen were out by the fourth quarter.

Garnett passed "The Admiral," David Robinson, for 28th on the all-time scoring list with his efforts.

In this game, the Celtics' showed that the back-court and turn-around jumpers by Garnett aren't always the key to victory.

As Perkins gained confidence, the team rode his hot hand and Rondo was feeding him the ball.

Normally going unnoticed, Perk has been developing into a key piece for Boston's starting line-up. The progress he has been making over the last two years is regularly shadowed by "The Big Three" as well as the recent emergence of Rajon Rondo.

Tonight, however, he put that development on full display, establishing himself as a force down low. It just goes to show that there is more to the defending champions then just "The Big Three."

On Sunday, the Celts' face-off with the Knicks in Boston. They will have a chance to tie the franchise record streak of 18 victories against New York.

Celtics-Hawks: Boston Just Keeps on Rolling, Winning 88-85

Billy DeCosta — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 16:10:15 -0500

Man, these guys are good. Real. Good.

The Boston Celtics won their 16th straight game tonight with a 88-85 victory over an up-and-coming Atlanta Hawks squad.

The Celtics have won these games in a variety of ways. In six of their last 16 victories, they have put up 110 points or more. They have won games by large margins, showing just how dominant they are.

Tonight was just the opposite. Atlanta was up by three points going into the fourth quarter. Then K.G. laid the hammer down, scoring 10 of his team-high 18 points (Paul Pierce also had 18) in the final period.

The Celtics defense showed why they are the defending champions by limiting the Hawks to 30 percent shooting in that final quarter.

But this is what great teams do: No matter how the game is being played, they find a way to win.

I wrote an article not too long ago about the emergence and importance of point guard Rajon Rondo, and over this recent tear Rajon is validating everything I said. When he plays well, this team plays well.

Rondo has transformed the Big Three into the Fantastic Four with his All-Star caliber play so far this season. Tonight he put together another very solid performance with 15 points, seven assists, six rebounds, and four steals.

But Rondo isn't the only reason the Celtics are this good; he's just a part of the equation.

We all know how good Garnett, Pierce, and Allen are. Yet, what continues to amaze me is their coherence. Everybody plays their roles. Everybody has a job to do.

All three of them are stars, but none of them are superstars. They don't want to be anymore. They just want to win basketball games. That's the key part of this recent streak—no one man tries to do everything.

Even Kendrick Perkins, the often overlooked "other" starter in Boston, is getting it done. He's had four double-doubles in the past eight games. His rebounding ability and post presence is instrumental to the Celtics' style of play.

He doesn't have to be excellent, nobody is asking him to be. He just needs to play his role, and he's doing that effectively.

We haven't even talked about the bench, which has done a serviceable job with Leon Powe, one of my favorite players, leading the way.

I don't know just how long this streak can go on, but one thing has been made clear to the rest of the league: The Boston Celtics are by and large the best team in the NBA.

Mark Teixeira, It Would Be Wise To Weigh Your Options

Billy DeCosta — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 14:37:03 -0500

The latest buzz surrounding the Mark Teixeira sweepstakes tells us that the 28-year-old first baseman will soon pick his new home, with a hefty paycheck to go with it.

The Angels, Red Sox, Yankees, Orioles and Nationals are all apparently in the running.

ESPN's Karl Ravich reported today that while the slugging switch hitter is nearing a decision, he has "an enormous attraction to the Orioles," the team the Annapolis, MD product grew up watching.

But Mark Teixeira should heed this warning. Be careful what you wish for.

Teixeria strikes me as a player that while he is going to get somewhere near $20 million a year, he isn't all about the money. He strikes me as someone who wants to have a chance to contend year in and year out while firmly staying put in one location.

I mean, who wouldn't want that.

But with that being said, let's take a look at his potential suitors and what those franchise could offer a player of Teixeira's caliber.

Baltimore Orioles

Every kid grows up wanting to star on his favorite team. And Teixeira is a Maryland native who grew up watching the O's. Seems like a match made in heaven, right?

Not exactly.

While Baltimore can support the kind of contract Teixeira will demand, which very few cellar-dwellers can do, 18-20 million over seven years will be a major burden on their payroll.

The O's do need a big bat and a young, signature player but Baltimore is much farther away from playoff contention than just Mark Teixeira.

They play in the toughest division in baseball. The Sox and Yankees will be perennially good, the Rays made it to the big dance this season with young talent and Toronto always seems to put together a respectable .500 or better team.

Signing Teixeira will restrict what kind of role talent Baltimore can surround the first baseman with. They have a great young stud in Nick Markakis, but even when you look at their farm system, the O's have no great starting pitchers.

Teixeira's $18-20 million won't allow the Orioles to get a top-flight free agent pitcher or another big bat in the future. To compete in the AL East, you need a few great starters and a solid line-up one through nine.

If Mark decides to go to Baltimore, the prospects for success seem rather grim.

Los Angeles Angels

The Angels don't want to lose Teixeira. They really can't afford to lose his big bat in the middle of their order. Also, he seemed to enjoy his time in Anaheim.

L.A. can pay Teixeira his $18-20 million and might have a little more financial flexibility than Baltimore would.

The Angels have had a lot of recent success and they play in one of baseballs weaker-divisions. Like the Red Sox and Yankees, it seems unlikely that Los Angeles will allow themselves to be bad team for a very long time.

It seems like Anaheim makes a good fit, but with four other options all relatively close to his home town of Annapolis he might choose being near home over the biggest offer.

Make no mistake though, Los Angeles is right in the thick of all this and Teixeira could well decide to go back.

Boston Red Sox

Theo Epstein wants Mark Teixeira. He epitomizes everything the organization looks for in a player. He's young, has a great glove, big bat, he drives in runs and he gets on base.

We know that with the Red Sox, money is no obstacle. They can take on his big contract with a loaded farm system, a team that is already stocked with young talent and the flexibility to make another big signing when needed.

It seems like a great fit. He would be thrown into an already strong line-up on a team that will contend every single season.

But Teixeira might just simply not want to play in Boston. The fans are rabid and he would be under the microscope for everything that he does. A lot of pressure comes with playing in Beantown and he might want to avoid that.

Epstein will step and fetch for Teixeira and will have no problem matching the biggest offer on the table. However, Teixeira could well turn Boston down.

New York Yankees

Can the Yankees actually afford another $175 million contract? Well actually, yes they can.

While they can afford it and they are an organization that will do everything to compete year in and year out, New York holds the same baggage Boston does. A quiet guy like Teixeira might not want to live in the New York lime-light.

Yankee GM Brian Cashman doesn't seem to be pursuing Teixeira the way he did CC Sabathia or A.J. Burnett. So, the likely-hood that he will land in New York is dwindling by the day.

However, the stature of the Yankees will keep them in the discussion until the end.

Washington Nationals

The surprise team on this list, the Nationals are looking for a marquee player. The only semi-recognizable name on their roster is Ryan Zimmerman, a solid young third-baseman.

The Nationals have that close-to-home appeal that Baltimore has and Teixeira to be a part of re-building Washington D.C. baseball.

What should concern Teixeira is if Washington can actually afford his $18-20 million a year. They draw small crowds even with a new stadium. They compete for airtime and ratings with near-by Baltimore, a more established franchise.

Even if they could afford him, they would be even more limited than Baltimore with their remaining payroll.

Going to D.C. is a nice dream for National fans and the organization has been making a push but even if it did happen, which is unlikely, the Nationals would be selling their soul to the devil.

The point I'm trying to make is that Teixeira needs to fully weigh his options and the potential for success that comes with each of them.

And like I say, be careful what you wish for.

The Emergence Of Rajon Rondo

Billy DeCosta — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 15:18:33 -0500

It's fair to say that the defending champions have improved a lot since last season.

A large part of that is the emergence of Rajon Rondo.

In case anybody has forgotten, after the big three were assembled at the start of last season, he was the biggest question-mark in the starting line-up. Experts wondered whether the young floor general would be able to perform his role effectively .

The point guard is arguably the most important spot in basketball. Even if you have a solid front-court, an inadequate point guard can bring your team down. That's the reason Rajon Rondo was put under the microscope last season.

He showed flashes of greatness during last season's end and the following playoff run.

But now, those "flashes" are quickly becoming the norm. Wednesday night against the Pacers, he scored his first career triple-double with 16 points, 12 rebounds and 17 assists.

And that game is nothing but a microcosm of his development this year.

If you look at stats alone, the improvement doesn't seem quite as overwhelming.

He's averaging just over 10 points a game this season, about the same amount of offensive output he gave last season. He is also hovering in the same range with rebound average as last season (4.2 against 4.7.).

He's getting the ball around a bit more so far this year, respectfully averaging nearly eight assists a game.

But as it's always been with the Celtics, there's so much more than stats that make a great player. Rondo emulates that motto.

When Rondo play's well, the team's gonna play well. Teams have to worry about Rajon's play-making, and by that finding the perfect open shot, as well as his excellent speed that can beat you right to the hoop.

Last season it seemed that Ray Allen was starting to lose his touch. It was asked if he really was a player on the same level as a Paul Pierce or a Kevin Garnett.

Now, Ray is on fire. He's been the major contributor in the Celtics' recent tear. But, he should give thanks to Rajon Rondo.

Defenses are now paying more attention to Rondo as a scoring threat more than a ball distributor. This allows space for Allen to find more open jumpers and three-pointers. When an opposing team starts to worry about the back-court, you make opportunities for your guys down low. And who better to have those chances then KG and Paul Pierce.

Rondo plays outstanding defense, is progressing quickly offensively and his recent play has allowed his great team to become even better.His style of play is the perfect fit for the Celtics' way of doing things.

If Rajon Rondo can keep this level of production up, you have one of the best teams of all time.

How Does The Boston Red Sox Rotation Look Next Season?

Billy DeCosta — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 06:24:18 -0500

It's fair to say that the Red Sox have one of the best rotations in baseball.

But let's take a closer look at this seasons starters, one through five.

Jon Lester

After all that he's been through, Jon Lester established himself as one of the best left-handers in the game last season. I would even say that he is the ace of this staff.

Lester's problem in the majors has always been pitch count. He would have to pitch himself out of one or two sticky situations a game. Last year, he riddled himself of that problem. He was consistently going seven innings deep into games with a pitch count at or below the century mark.

His fastball was hitting 94 and 95 at the end of the season and his secondary pitches have shown a lot of improvement.

Expect Jon Lester to anchor the staff this season and if he continues to develop this year like he did last year, he could be one of the best pitchers in baseball.

Josh Beckett

Beckett was injured for the majority of last season, but still managed to win 12 games and had an ERA lower than coveted free agent and former teammate A.J. Burnett.

After his magical 2007 season Beckett established himself as the ace of the pitching staff. With the emergence of Jon Lester and Daisuke Matsuzaka, he no longer is the bona-fide No. 1.

But Beckett should be back to form in 2009. His fastball should be back into the mid-90's and his curveball should continue to come along like it did a season ago. And we all know the fire he brings to every game he starts.

Don't let one injury plagued season fool you, Josh Beckett is still an elite pitcher in this league. Expect his ERA to be below four and his win total will be closer to twenty than ten, barring injury.

Daisuke Matsuzaka

It's amazing that a pitcher who lead the staff in wins (18) and ERA (2.90) is pretty much set-in as Boston's No. 3 pitcher. That just shows the depth of the Red Sox's rotation.

Usually, young pitchers struggle in their second season because their opponents have started to figure their stuff out. Matsuzaka did the opposite of that last season, improving in every major category.

We all know Matsuzaka has great stuff and like Lester, he improved his efficiancy last season albeit not as dramaticly.

Though he let up a few more walks, struck out fifty fewer batters and pitched fifty fewer innings than he did in 2007, he also let up half the amount of home-runs. His win total rose and his ERA plummeted.

Expect Dice-K to improve on his pitch counts and pitch more innings than last season. He might not have eighteen wins to only three loses again, but you can bet he'll stay in that same ballpark.

Tim Wakefield

Old reliable is back again for another season. The knuckle-baller will be 43 years old this season, but a knuckle-baller doesn't really worry about age.

Last year, like most years, he gave you what you wanted from a back of the rotation guy. Double digit wins (10) and a reasonable ERA (4.13).

On any given night, Wakefield can still baffle an opposing line-up. On any given night he can get shelled too, but what do you expect from a No. 4 or 5 guy.

Even at age 43, Wakefield will still be as serviceable as he has ever been. Were he to really struggle, the Red Sox have enough young pitching talent that he can be moved to the bullpen.

If they ride him out until the end of the season, expect the same kind of numbers as last year. Double digit wins, a reasonable ERA and great veteran presence in an otherwise young starting rotation.

The No. 5 Starter

This is where the only question mark can be found in the pitching staff.

There has been talk about bringing Derek Lowe back to Boston and offering A.J. Burnett a contract, but I would rather see them look to the farm system.

However, if they are going to pursue a free agent I would hope they go after a Derek Lowe or a Ben Sheets.

Burnett is far too mediocre to give a large contract to. A guy like Lowe can give you a solid 12-16 wins and an ERA below four in the No. 4 or 5 spot. It should also be pointed out that he knows how to succeed in Boston.

When he's healthy, Ben Sheets has shown flashes of being a great pitcher in the bigs. He started the all-star game last season. He's only thirty years old and he will come at a far more reasonable price than an A.J. Burnett.

When you consider the depth of the Sox rotation and farm system, taking a chance on a guy like Ben Sheets to hold a back-end spot doesn't seem like too bad of an idea.

As for what's available to bring up from the farm, names like Clay Buchholz, Michael Bowden and the possibility of moving Justin Masterson back into the rotation come to mind.

Buchholz has the potential to be a top of the rotation starter in the big leagues. He struggled last season, but has improved in off-season leagues and should be ready if needed at the start of the season. We have seen how good his stuff is and he's a real possibility to fill the five hole.

Masterson showed a lot of promise in his four starts last season. However, he proved himself to be a very good relief pitcher at the end of the year. Masterson is more expendable now after the trade for Ramon Ramirez, who is a great relief pitcher in his own right, so the possibility of seeing Masterson back in the rotation seems more likely now.

Bowden is a talented young right-hander. He made only one spot start last season, but is a highly-regarded prospect that has made great strides the past few years. If he has a good spring-training, he will be in contention for that fifth spot as well.

Regardless of who fills the back of the rotation, the options are so good that Boston fans can expect solid numbers from whomever gets that spot. The Red Sox' number five starter will have as good of numbers as any number five in the league. Those farm-hands will also become useful when a starter goes down or the Sox need a spot start.

Overall, the pitching staff is in great shape. Their top three starters could all be number one's somewhere in the majors and the depth behind those guys is littered with talent and potential.

With a line-up like Boston put's together, you can expect a good season from the entire pitching staff.

Donovan McNabb: If Your Team Needed a Quarterback, Would You Want Him?

Billy DeCosta — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 17:55:57 -0500

Donovan McNabb has been slammed a lot lately.

Before his comeback game last night, the five-time Pro Bowler had been harshly ridiculed for not knowing the NFL tie rule. He had thrown one touchdown to five interceptions, completed only 46 percent of his passes and had a dismal average quarterback rating of 32.1 in only a two-game span.

He was even benched at halftime of their blow-out at the hands of Baltimore.

The Philadelphia media was all over him. There was major talk about both McNabb and coach Andy Reid being gone at the end of the season. They said he had overstayed his welcome in Philly and it was time for a new direction.

But what if your team needed a quarterback? Would you want Donovan McNabb?

This question is purely hypothetical. It's not meant for any current examples. If you are a Lions fan, Donovan McNabb would obviously be a blessing.

But if you were starting a franchise today and had your pick at any NFL quarterback, would Donovan McNabb be at or near the top of your list? Would he be in your top five, right under Tom Brady and Peyton Manning?

Surely, he would be in mine.

I often wonder, even though I know the nature of sports fans in Philly, why they are under-appreciative of McNabb. He's a five-time Pro Bowler. He's led his team to three NFC Championship games and a Super Bowl that he nearly won.

He's a special talent. Even after injuries, he's a dual-threat quarterback who would rather pass than run. That's rare in this league. He puts up big numbers. Even though he could change this stat this season, he's never thrown more than 13 interceptions in a season.

He's got a strong, accurate arm and a quick release. He's been one of the top quarterbacks in the league for seven of eight years. He's been riddled with injuries, but plays through pain whenever possible. And not been riddled enough to stop him from being an elite passer in the league.

Who else could be on that list, fighting with him for a spot? Obviously, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady are right at the top of everybody's wish list. But after that, things get hazy.

Forget about age. Bring into consideration the system that the player plays in.

For example, Kurt Warner and Drew Brees are having incredible statistical years. But, their consistent 300-yard games are more a product of their offensive scheme than their pure raw talent.

So, Brees will still be up there. Tony Romo is becoming a superstar in the game. Eli Manning has proven himself to be a elite quarterback. Ben Roethlisberger is a tough-brewed winner. Brett Favre, even at 39 years old, is still in the debate.

Cases could even be made for Phillip Rivers, Jay Cutler, or Carson Palmer.

But McNabb has been is right up there with the best. He brings so much to the table and he's proven to be a consistently elite quarterback.

And while I raise that point for debate, I'm also trying to make a point.

For at least the two seasons, there's been so much talk about Philadelphia considering getting rid of Donovan McNabb. At times, it's even seemed like he's being pushed out the door.

But what's the rush? He has been everything Philly wanted out of him when they drafted him 10 years ago. Now, he's still performing at a high level. Why would you want to get rid of your franchise player?

Ride out the rest of McNabb's contract. They have a talented team in Philadelphia. If they can just get a few more pieces to the puzzle, Donovan McNabb can lead them to another Super Bowl.

TIm Tebow: A Fit in the NFL?

Billy DeCosta — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 17:32:42 -0500

Since the start of his freshman year, Tim Tebow has been a star in college football.

He was a major part of Florida's success that season. He threw 30 TD's and ran for 23 more in 2007. He was the only sophomore to win the Heisman in the award's history.

But, where could Tim Tebow fit it the NFL?

It's well known that not all Heisman winners go on to stellar NFL careers. Just look at Eric Crouch and Chris Weinkie. There's a lot of talk and a lot of debate about where Tebow's spot could be in the pro ranks. He has the opportunity to leave Florida at the end of the season; naturally, the talk is heating up.

Some experts say he's an early first round draft choice. His success in college is too hard to ignore. Others say teams have learned that Tebow's background doesn't set him up for a career as a franchise QB. They project him somewhere in the middle rounds were he to declare at the end of this season.

Tebow has taken a lot of blows in his college career. That makes teams question his durability. He's a product of Urban Myers' spread offense, an offensive not conducive to most NFL offenses.

Alex Smith was a product of the same system. He put up gaudy numbers at Utah under Myer. He was taken first overall by San Francisco.

It's fair to say he didn't quite pan out. Over his four year career, he's completed 55% of his passes, and thrown 31 interceptions to only 19 touchdowns.

However, I think Tebow's more talented than Smith ever was.

Tebow could still succeed at the pro level. Some teams are picking up a spread offense around the league. The Patriots, Saints, and Cardinals are going with four and five receivers on almost every down.

He couldn't step right in and star, but Tebow could develop into a good QB in a pro spread system. It's a lot like Urban Myer's, except less running. Tebow's athleticism will still allow him to make plays on the run when he has to; that dual-threat capability will help spread the defense even more.

His mechanics need work. He needs to work on his accuracy. But, with the right development, Tim Tebow could become a special player in the NFL.

Where Could Matt Cassel Land Next Season?

Billy DeCosta — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 15:37:14 -0500

He's proven the naysayers wrong. Matt Cassel is a legitimate NFL QB.

His phenomenal play in recent weeks has already earned him a hefty sum of money and a chance to start somewhere else in the league next season. His contract is up at the end of the season, and thinking after his recent success that he wants to be Tom Brady's backup isn't a rational thought.

Teams with question marks at quarterback would rather take a proven commodity over a bang-or-bust draft pick. If that commodity is in the prime years of his career, the idea seems even more enticing.

Cassel is only 26. He fits that criteria perfectly, given his progress of late.

Let's take a look at the possible landing places for the young quarterback next season.

Detroit Lions

Yeah, they signed Daunte Culpepper to a two-year deal, but he hasn't looked good in his first few games. Over three starts, he's completed only 50 percent of his passes for about 150 yards a game, with two TDs to five INTs. Even if he improves on those numbers, he's not going to be the answer.

A lot of Lions fans are high on Drew Stanton, but he's extremely green. Both he and Orlovsky could develop into starters in the NFL. "Could" is the key word, while Cassel has proven himself already this season.

Cassel fits in well in Detroit. He would have a No. 1 receiver in the talented Calvin Johnson, along with a talented young running back in Kevin Smith.

Detroit is awful this season. But Cassel could be a major part of the rebuilding process, and without Matt Millen, the Lions will actually be rebuilding. There's some young talent there, so Cassel could be a corner-stone of the franchise for years to come.

Kansas City Chiefs

Like the Lions, the Chiefs are flat-out awful this season. And they might even have less young offensive talent to work with than Detroit.

But their QB situation is still up to debate. Tyler Thigpen has shown flashes this season and if he keeps that up, the Chiefs could be off the list as potential suitors to Cassel. Right now though, consider them in the thick of it.

As for what would be around him, Larry Johnson probably won't be around next season, and Jamal Charles isn't a sure thing to carry the ball 20 times a game.

Dwayne Bowe is a good young receiving talent, but he's no Calvin Johnson. As a team, the Chiefs might be inches closer to respectability than the Lions are, but not by much.

Right now, the Chiefs are the youngest team in the NFL, if half of those youngsters don't pan out, that franchise could be in trouble for the next few seasons.

San Fransisco 49ers

Alex Smith is a bust. That much is plain and simple. Even if it's not of his own fault, he won't succeed in San Francisco. J.T. O'Sullivan helps out his opponents more than he does his own team. Even under Mike Martz, there's no future there.

Shaun Hill is in a situation much like Tyler Thigpen. When given a chance, he's played pretty well, and at 28, he's not much older than Cassel. So far this season, he's completed 60 percent of his passes for about 225 yards a game with seven TDs to three INTs.

Like Thigpen, If Hill continues to perform at that level, write him in as the starter in San Fran next season. Any drop off though, and the 49ers are right back in the thick of it.

San Francisco is a talented team, make no mistake about it. Cassel would fit into Martz's system well, and the 49ers could be a good team real fast. Keep an eye on San Fran.

Minnesota Vikings

If the Vikings could get solid stable play at quarterback, they would be an elite team in the NFL.

That's the problem. The Tarvaris Jackson experiment blew up in their face. Some people might still hold hope for him, but he doesn't look like he's got the goods.

Gus Frerotte is old and turnover prone. Regardless of Minnesota's record at season's end, Gus Frerotte isn't a viable option.

Some Viking fans are high on John David Booty, but I can't see him making it as a starter in this league. He's got a slow release and a below-average arm.

If I'm Matt Cassel, this is where I want to be. Adrian Peterson is the best running back in football right now, bar none. Bernard Berrian and Sidney Rice are both decent receivers, and Rice can still dramatically improve. With solid QB play, the Vikings would be perennial playoff contenders.

New York Jets

Face it, Jet fans. Brett Favre has to retire at some point. If that point is the end of this season, the Jets need to get a suitable replacement in order to stay competitive in a highly contested AFC East.

Favre is not the only reason for the Jets success this season. They have a ton of talented players on both sides of the ball. I love Jericho Cotchery, and Thomas Jones has proved himself to be a solid starting back this season.

It's a strange thing to say a division leader this late in the season could need a new field general at the end of the season, but the Jets are in that position.

Cassel fits well here as well. He knows the division, and he's been coached by Eric Mangini before. If he can succeed in New York like he has in New England, he'll keep the Jets competitive for years to come.

My Take

Even if Cassel doesn't keep this production up through the rest of the season, expect him to play and start elsewhere next season.

With all the outlying factors, it's hard to say for sure where he will go. The Vikings and Jets seem like good fits and they are at or near contention. Also, they won't have a high draft pick to take a Matthew Stafford

Regardless, Cassel will find a home somewhere. He'll get a nice paycheck to go with it as well.

Stay tuned.

Lars Anderson: The Next Big Thing

Billy DeCosta — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 08:06:48 -0500

Because of high signing-bonus demands, the Red Sox were able to draft a high-ceiling prospect in the 18th round of the 2006 Draft. Most teams were scared to pay a million dollars to a high-school kid, so his stock fell dramatically, allowing the Red Sox to take a chance with him. To the tune of $825,000.

Introducing the 553rd selection of the 2006 MLB draft: Lars Anderson.

Coming out of high school, the big power hitting first baseman was highly recruited, both by college scouts and professional clubs. His talent was obvious. He even came close to committing to UC-Berkley.

Many pro clubs thought he was unsignable. He didn't make his case any better when he asked for a $1 million signing bonus. But that didn't stop management from giving the late round pick a $825,000 one. Lucky for us, he signed it.

Now, Anderson is the new No. 1 prospect in the Red Sox farm system. And for good reason.

Anderson has the potential to be one of the elite power hitters in the game when he gets to the majors. He has a swing as fluid as J.D. Drew. He has excellent power to both sides of the field. His plate discipline is impeccable, and he draws a lot of walks, something that's key for a power hitter in Epstein's system.

He's got a solid work ethic and is very coachable. Confident but not cocky, he's smart and learns fast. He's got the personality you look for in a player, with the size and strength to be a difference maker.

Defensively, he's not a gold glover, but can hold his own. He's athletic for his size and over time his defense will improve. That's not to say he's a liability, but he's no Kevin Youkilis with the leather.

The real question is where he will fit into Boston's lineup when his time comes.

The clearest track I can see is, assuming the Red Sox don't sign Mark Teixeira, having Lowell and Youkilis man the corners for the next two years while Anderson continues development.

That's the last year of Lowell's contract and buys enough time to turn Anderson into a polished finished product.

Then, Youkilis can move back to third base, his natural position, while making room at first for Anderson.

However, even if Theo does sign Teixeira this offseason, that doesn't mean Anderson will have no place to go. David Ortiz will be a free agent going into 2011, the estimated time of Anderson's arrival.

If you have Teixeira and Youkilis at the corners, Anderson is a youthful and potentially great replacement at DH. And if Teixeira's defense was to fall off as he ages, Anderson can be put back into the infield.

The Sox have another great youngster in Anderson, with talent that complements the other stars in the farm system. Another great job of scouting and development by the Red Sox organization.

Be ready for another young stud in Boston.

For the Boston Red Sox, Who's Gonna Catch in 2009?

Billy DeCosta — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 13:53:55 -0500

The Red Sox struck gold when they traded Healthcliff Slocum for Derek Lowe and Jason Varitek. In fact, it was probably the best deal ex-GM Dan Duquette made during his tenure.

But all good things must come to an end at some point, and Varitek, who turns 37 this year, is nearing the end of his career. The biggest question mark of the Red Sox's offseason is, "Who's gonna be the backstop in 2009?"

Forget all the Teixeira talk. The Red Sox need to find a future behind the plate at baseball's thinnest position.

Here, we look at the different routes to answer this question.

Re-Sign Jason Varitek

Varitek has earned every bit of love he gets from Red Sox Nation. The captain has been outstanding in his years here, and he gives you everything you want in a catcher. Varitek makes his pitchers better. No one calls a game like he does.

He's a dominating team leader, and a voice that's heard the second he speaks. For his career, he's had a pretty good batting average, some power, and he's been a run-producer.

However, in the here and now, Varitek's hitting is in sharp decline. He was the biggest hole in Boston's line-up last season, almost an automatic out. He still brings his leadership and intangibles. Those qualities alone would outweigh his unproductive bat on an already stacked card.

But Varitek's agent is Scott Boras, and Boras wants a multi-year contract for the 37-year-old signal caller. Bear in mind that catchers normally fall off around 35, so offering him a three-year deal like Boras is looking for is not a smart investment.

Look to the Farm System

The Red Sox have one of the best farm systems in the game today. What they don't have, and very few clubs do, is catching.

The closest catching prospects to the major leagues are George Kotteras and Dusty Brown.

Kotteras is a pretty solid prospect. He can hit, both for power and average. But while he improved this past season, his defense is suspect. He's slow off the throw to second, and I've heard he doesn't call a great game. Kotteras would fill that hole in the lineup card but he won't be making his pitchers any better.

Brown is a great defensive catcher. He's tough, athletic, and calls a good game. He can gun runners out on the basepaths. His bat wouldn't be much of an improvement on Varitek's. Brown only projects as a backup catcher in the majors, so to think he's a viable option for 2009 is out of the question.

Make a Trade

The Texas Rangers have what very few teams in baseball do, plenty of young catching talent. Both Gereld Laird and Jared Saltalamachia are young backstops with huge upside. Also, they're both at the peak of their tradeability right now.

In order to get one of those guys, the Sox would probably have to trade one of their young pitchers. The Rangers always need pitching, and a possible top-of-the-rotation youngster would make them pull the trigger in a heartbeat.

But giving up a Clay Buchholz or a Justin Masterson isn't something you should do unless you have to. Trading one of those guys just for a better hitting catcher isn't exactly a must.

Watch out if the Sox sign Teixeira, though. That would make Lowell expendable and if you can package him into a deal, you won't be giving up a possible ace.

Sign a Veteran Stopgap

Ivan Rodriguez is out there. But if your going to fill that hole with another late 30s catcher, why would it be anybody but Varitek?

Don't expect them to sign a veteran signal caller. But if they can't strike a deal with Varitek or Texas, it wouldn't be a surprise to see them sign a guy like Rodriguez to buy time for a different solution.

My Opinion

They need to re-sign Varitek, but it would have to be something like a two-year deal with a third year team option. For everything Jason brings to the table, a less productive bat in an already stacked lineup is an even trade-off. The thinness of the catching market makes the need to keep the captain more prominent.

Signing Varitek also buys time for Theo and the gang to produce another long-term solution, whether that be Kotteras, Brown, or somebody different.

Tell me your thoughts? What sets the team up best in both the short term and long term?

The New York Yankees Have To Go Back to Their Old Ways

Billy DeCosta — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 06:10:07 -0500

In a tough economic climate, the Yankees are still ready to dish out big bucks to get the most coveted free agents. Make no mistake about it. For the past few years, GM Brian Cashman has been preaching "player development" and was "reluctant to get rid of his best prospects".

But, not anymore. Not this offseason.

For the first time since 1993, New York missed the playoffs. In the Empire, that's utterly unacceptable. The Steinbrenner sons won't allow it to happen again. With a brand new stadium and plenty of money to spend, expect New York to hand out big bucks to some of the league's best free agents.

For several years, the Yanks have had a questionable rotation. Past Wang, who himself is coming off season-ending injury, the Yankees don't have a bonafide starter in their rotation. That's where CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett come in.

The lineup, as always, is stacked from top to bottom, but according to Yankee theory, the bigger the hitters in your lineup, the better. That's where Mark Teixeira comes in.

Let's just say the Yankees sign all three of those guys. You're talking $350-400 million in those contracts alone. But still, the Yankeeshave to spend that money if they want to have a chance this year.

The team, as it was this year, simply wasn't good enough to compete, with the emergence of Tampa Bay and the continued dominance of Boston. Losing Mike Mussina and adding Nick Swisher won't exactly make the grade.

New York's farm system is one of the thinnest in the Majors. The two prospects Cashman didn't want to part with, Kennedy and Hughes, did nothing to verify their GM's faith last season. The club doesn't draft extremely well and for years has dealt their best prospects away. All in all, don't look to the farm for a whole lot of help this season.

Because they don't have much young talent to offer, any trade is pretty much off the table. Because every other avenue is fruitless, free agency is the only way to go.

Sure, Sabathia could well have a Bartolo Colon-like burn out midway through his contract. Sure, Burnett could go back to being the mediocre pitcher he really is, and sure, someone else could sign Teixeira, but if you're the Yankees, you've got to face the facts.

If you want a chance to win this season, you have to $pend, $pend, $pend.

The Beauty of the System in Boston

Billy DeCosta — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 04:28:43 -0500

Once upon a time, not too long ago, the Boston Red Sox were lovable losers. For every one successful season, they had another three or four that were not. For 86 years, we waited for next year, just on the hope that we would see some continue level of success.

That's not the case, anymore. The best thing that has happened to the team, since Theo Epstein took over, has been the establishment of a "system" . A system that emphasizes a combination of a stocked farm system, wise free-agent spending, and good trades. This combination creates a winner, year in and year out.

Remember the days when the Red Sox's farm system looked a lot like the Yankees' does today? Dan Duquette was a master at trading our best prospects for only average players and trying to convince us it was the right thing to do. Theo does just the opposite.

His development system has created great every day players. Ellsbury, Pedroia, Youkilis, and Lowrie are all solid young players, with great upside, who were born and raised in the Red Sox farm system.

He's also produced an array of good big league arms, evidenced by the likes of Jon Lester, Justin Masterson, Jonathan Papelbon, and Manny Delcarmen. On the horizon, he has even more arms in the form of Clay Buchholz and Micheal Bowden.

Below the AAA level, the Red Sox have serious talent to supplement the big league club for years to come.

Even here is not where the beauty lies.

Theo figured out what Dan Duquette never could. The Sox scout very well and are loaded with potential major leaguers at every level. This allows Theo to do a few things. Look at Brandon Moss. He probably will be a good everyday player in the bigs, but Epstein knew the Sox would be set in the outfield for a while, between who was on the roster then and what he's got down the line.

This makes dealing Moss a good idea. Although he's a good player and could have been a starter in Boston, the system is so loaded that he was expendable. Duquette would have moved him at a point too, but for a less talented player than Jason Bay, and with no one behind him on the farm.

That's the beauty of the system. Epstein raises players to become major league everydayers, but he gets more than he thinks we will need. Knowing that he can throw a solid prospect into a trade deal and not worry about what's left in minors.

Having expendable young talent produces a lot more trade offers and can jump-start trade talks, as evidenced by the Manny Ramirez deal, that went from nowhere to completion in no time flat.

You combine this system, with solid free agent signings, and you have yourself an annual contender. Enjoy this Sox fans, your team is now the model franchise for baseball.

Should the Red Sox Sign Mark Teixeria?

Billy DeCosta — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 18:54:34 -0500

The hot stove is heating up as we come upon December, and the Red Sox, one of baseball's richest teams, have one big name on their wish list this year: Mark Teixeira.

Teixeira epitomizes exactly what Boston general manager Theo Epstein looks for in a player. He's young, at 28 years old. He plays very solid defense. He has plenty of power, but maintains a high on-base percentage, Epstein's favorite statistic. He drives in runs, can hit for average, and is actually better on the basepaths than one would expect. Above all, he's an all-around good guy and, to the Sox, the marriage of production and personality is a match made in heaven.

But with that, we face a problem.

The Sox are pretty loaded with everyday players as it is. Kevin Youkilis is a high-caliber first baseman who finished third in MVP voting just this past year. He's got a gold glove and just had his first near-.300-30-100 season (.312, 29 HR, 115 RBI).

Dustin Pedroia, the actual MVP, is entrenched at second. A big financial commitment was given to shortstop Julio Lugo not long ago, and up-and-comer Jed Lowrie showed a lot of promise last year.

At the end of the 2007 campaign, the Red Sox signed Mike Lowell for good money to play third. Lowell is coming off a hip injury and is 34 years old, but, when healthy, he's been extremely productive in Boston.

In short, the Sox seem pretty stacked in the infield.

So where could Teixeira fit into all of this? Here, we'll explain what the Red Sox need to do, knowing the glaring need for a middle of the line-up power bat.

Assuming they sign Teixeira, the odd man out will have to be Lowell. Youkilis is too young, too talented, and he's cheap. His natural position is third base, so with Lowell gone they would have a place to put him.

Even though Lowell has done a lot for the organization in only three years, he was a bad investment last season. Infielders start their decline in their mid-30s and that's just where we find Lowell.

Don't get me wrong, he can still produce, and other teams know that. That's why Epstein can get somebody decent for him in a trade, possibly even a catcher. The return on investment rises if Theo packages a farmhand with him. In Boston, where they're always trying to get younger and more productive, Lowell hardly fits the mold.

If you're the Red Sox, who obviously lacked a big power bat in their line-up last year, you almost NEED to sign Teixeira. Just Imagine the card with him.

1. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF—25 years old

Ellsbury is coming off a big inconsistent year, but he's got everything you look for in a lead-off man. He can hit for average, he gets on base and he gets himself into scoring position. They say speed never slumps, and Ellsbury is a threat any time he gets himself on base. A five-tool player with great defensive prowess, he doesn't always need a big knock to get on base.

2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B—25 years old

MVP! MVP! The chipmunk is everybody's new favorite Red Sox. He's a prototypical No. 2 hitter, with above-average power, a great average and the knack for a key hit. Pedroia is scrappy in every sense of the word, but he is very productive both offensively and defensively. He can steal a base if he needs to and very rarely does he not produce a quality at-bat. If you need a sense of what he can do, look at his mantle. Rookie of the year, Gold Glove, Silver Slugger and the MVP. Now that's quite a show.

3. Mark Texeira, 1B—28 years old

Assuming they sign him, Texeira is the perfect man to bat in front of Papi. He gives you 30-40 homers, 100-120 RBI and is great at, what else, getting on base. He plays great defense, is only 28 years old, and is an all around stand up guy. What more could you want out of your first baseman?

4. David Ortiz, DH—33 years old

That wrist injury should be all set by the start of the season and Ortiz should be back in full form. Ortiz is getting up there in age, but it's not as if defense is an issue. Papi can still swing the stick with the best of them, and is to be feared every time he comes up to bat. He can hit regularly around .290 and with all the walks he gets, he does a good job of getting on base. Ortiz would benefit greatly if the Red Sox were to sign Mark Texeira.

5. Kevin Youkilis, 3B—29 years old

The Red Sox signed JD Drew in 2006 to fill the No. 5 hole, but the emergence of Youk and the inconsistency of Drew makes this gold-glove infielder the better choice. Youkilis can hit for power and average and he sees the pitch as well as anybody in baseball. He draws walks and has productive at-bats. We don't know if 30 home runs a year is realistic for him yet, but, regardless of that, hes a great ball player. He too makes Ortiz better, since managers won't want to walk Ortiz to get to Youkilis.

6. J.D. Drew, OF—33 years old

Drew has the sweetest swing in the game and is one of the most purely talented players I have ever seen. Injuries keep him as a question mark but when healthy Drew hits big knocks, he can really get on base and doesn't strike out much. If he can stay healthy, Drew can be one of the most effective players in baseball, bar none.

7. Jason Bay, OF—30 years old

The lone reminder of the Manny Ramirez era in Boston, his replacement could be a No. 3, 4 or 5 hitter on any other club except New York. Bay has taken to Boston and it has taken to him back. Jason has power, he hit 31 homers last year and always produces runs. To have a guy like this, who also is a pretty solid defensive player as well as a locker-room presence, as your number 7 hitter is a luxury few teams have.

8. Jed Lowrie, SS—24 years old

The Red Sox ought' to be finished with the Julio Lugo experiment and they could have a pretty good player in Lowrie. You don't expect your shortstop to be a great hitter, but Lowrie isn't a bad one by any means. He also has speed and a good glove with solid range. Because of age, he's still a question mark but considering the big money and little production the Sox have given to this position in recent years, some young stability can't hurt.

9. Catcher to be named

Catcher is a question mark, and even if they do trade Lowell and a young gun for a catcher, the chances are he won't be a No. 1-6 type of hitter, especially in this lineup. Regardless, the Red Sox will probably have a more productive batter in the 9-hole than most other teams in the league.

That lineup is, straight-up, stacked. If that's the card for the season, expect the Sox to score a lot of runs, hit a lot of big knocks and win a lot of games. If they do sign Teixeira, no skipper can manage his way around that line-up. If they do sign Texeira, expect the Local Nine to have a pretty phenomenal year.