Random Thoughts (July 24, 2007)

The MLB non-waiver trade deadline is exactly one week away. With that date in mind, the Red Sox could still obviously use some help. The trade that Theo Epstein is most likely to make is for a right-handed batting outfielder to replace Wily Mo Pena. Pena has amazing power but his lack of at-bats has stunted his development and is good for a strikeout or two almost every time he appears in a game. Reggie Sanders of Kansas City would be a great addition for the Sox, a veteran outfielder with a solid bat who can help the Red Sox immediately. Other trade possibilities include the bullpen. Even with Jonathan Papelbon, Hideki Okajima, Manny Delcarmen and Mike Timlin pitching so effectively, the Sox could use another arm in the 'pen. We can dream about getting Houston's Brad Lidge but that is probably a pipe dream at best. Acquiring Eric Gagne from the Rangers or Damaso Marte of the Pirates could be a part of Boston's plan... Speaking of help for the Red Sox, I'm not going to be shocked if Jacoby Ellsbury and/or Clay Buchholz make important contributions in Boston. Ellsbury could provide the team with speed and outfield defense off the bench and Buchholz can give the team a power arm, most likely out of the bullpen.... What was up with the guy sitting in the first row by the Red Sox on-deck circle last night in Cleveland? The man, who picked up his AARP card sometime in the early 1990's, wore at least five different hats last night during the game -- all of them a different bold color. With his bold yellow hat he looked like Elmer Fudd. I was flipping back-and-forth to ESPN News for Michael Vick updates so if I missed Jerry Remy or Don Orsillo make note, my bad... David Stern will speak on former NBA referee Tim Donaghy today at 11 a.m. Stern is a master of public relations so his spin should absolve the NBA and place the blame directly at the feet of Donaghy. Which, of course, it should be... The ACC preseason football poll was released at their Media Day yesterday and the BC Eagles under new head coach Jeff Jagodzinski were picked to finish second in the Atlantic Division behind Florida State. With the schedule BC will play in 2007 -- the Eagles travel to play Notre Dame, Virginia Tech, Maryland, Clemson and Georgia Tech and will host Florida State, Miami and NC State (the new home of former BC coach Tom O'Brien) -- a second place finish would constitute a very good season. And it will probably earn the team an invite to the Emerald Bowl in San Francisco on December 28... I really love what NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has done in terms of attempting to control player conduct this offseason. So far he has suspended Tennessee cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones for the entire 2007 season and also gave out eight-game suspensions to Cincinnati receiver Chris Henry and former Chicago defensive tackle Tank Johnson. All are suspended without pay and will have to apply for reinstatement to the league. Yesterday Goodell acted again. He banned Atlanta quarterback Michael Vick from attending the team's training camp when it opens on Thursday. Vick can not join the team until the NFL finishes its' investigation into the dogfighting charges Vick was indicted on last week. Vick will still receive his preseaon pay and the Falcons were ordered by the NFL to not punish Vick on their own until the league's review was completed. Another good move on the part of Roger Goodell and the NFL. No wonder it is the best run professional sport in this country... Enjoy Daisuke Matsuzaka vs. C.C. Sabathia tonight...