Off-day Extension, Thoughts on Offense

First thing's first, what a fun Opening Day, right? There are only a few things that I'm questioning going into the second game of the series, and not all of them relate to the field.

First of all, the opening ceremony was a bunch of garbage aimed at all of the syrupy-sweet Sox fans who still love to wallow in the false underdoggy nature of Red Sox-Yankees. It was good to bring out Pedro for the first pitch because he'll always be remembered as a Red Sox, but there's no need for the "wake up the Bambino" stuff. Nomar would have been better considering he just retired from the sport. Also, the audio (and likely) video montage of all the Boston-Bronx fighting moments was just plain classless. Frankly, we should be past all of that. Yes, I hate the Yankees, and yes, I'll always remember 2003 and 2004, but we've now won 2 World Series titles, and our team is perennially competitive in the baseball's toughest division.

That Miracle kid should never have seen the inside of the ballpark. Seriously? We're now the US Hockey Team? I guess Josh Beckett is just an aw-shucks amateur playing with heart. Please.

For the game itself, Beckett is in his typical even-year form (kidding, it's the first game of the season). I have questions about batting Ortiz fifth and immediately following him with Captain Strikeout, Adrian Beltre. Ortiz certainly showed improved patience, but he's still dropping his bat in the zone and fouling off pitches he should be squaring up on. That said, I'm, again, not too concerned about the offense.

Also, see the link below for the skinny on Beckett's 4 year extension with the Sox. Maybe he's one of the first players to realize that despite not getting 5 years, he's still going to be pulling in close to $70 million, and that's probably still enough to live off of.

Beckett agrees to 4-year, $68m contract extension - The Boston Globe

Opening Night, Beckett v. Sabathia

Here we go, just about time for the start of 2010 season.

First thought, it's somewhat sad to have Jason Varitek announced with the reserves. Francona going with Victor Martinez for the start is a huge indication of the team's priorities.

Second thought, "pyrotechnic display"?

Third thought, Pedro should always use "In the Air Tonight" as his theme song.

Someone Finally Writes a Decent Review of the Red Sox Offense

I only have two things to say.

First, I completely agree with the assertion that the offense, while not as epic as the Manny-Ortiz combo we had a few years back, is going to be just fine.

Second, read Stark's article. It's likely that the only reason he's allowed to write this is because he doesn't write for one of the local outlets. (Unlike Nick Cafardo, who just doesn't really do it for me)

Locker Room Report: Jayson Stark -- Boston Red Sox offense is still a hit - ESPN

Sox Rotation Announced

If you've read the news over the last day, you've heard that the Red Sox officially announced their rotation for the start of the season. It will go Beckett-Lester-Lackey for the Yankees series to open the season at Fenway, then it moves to Wakefield-Beckett-Buchholz to pitch in Kansas City, and then Lester-Lackey-Wakefield for the opening series at Minnesota's Target Field.

Catch that? Essentially, Francona and Farrell have jury-rigged the rotation so that each pitcher is receiving their optimum number of days off (except for Lackey, who gets six days off and has a career 10-10/4.44 with six or more days of rest).

Honestly, I think it's an interesting twist on the start of a season, and I have a hunch it will be better than just going with a four man rotation to start play.

The question really hanging over the announcement is, what happens when Daisuke comes back in late April/early May?

I'm of the opinion that he should stick his sorry ass in the bullpen and work his way in to a regular spot, provided that there isn't someone in the starting 5 screaming for replacement. I know that there are calls to put Wake in the 'pen because of his age, but if I had to ever give a little favoritism to a player it would almost certainly be Timmy. Besides, Buchholz hasn't really done anything to help his value in spring training, so if he isn't getting the job done it might not be a bad idea to put him in the right field drum line for spot start duty and let Matsuzaka get some work in.

Boston Red Sox set initial starting rotation; unique twist at back end - ESPN Boston

Are We Having Fun Yet?!

It's funny because he has an ERA of just under 11.00 in all of his spring starts this year. Good think Nick Swisher is permanently goofy looking, otherwise this ad might be downright depressing.

Soup R Crackers, anyone?