Random Thoughts (January 16, 2009)

The Red Sox might not be making the flashy, high priced moves that their enemies located in the Bronx have this winter but Theo Epstein is quietly building a team that will compete for the World Series in 2009 and beyond. Yesterday, the Sox announced they have come to terms with Kevin Youkilis on a 4-year, $40 million contract. When you compare Youk's numbers in 2007 and 2008 (.288 average/16 HR/83 RBI/.390 OBP/117 OPS+ in '07 and .312/29/115/.390/143 in '08) to that of Mark Teixeira (.306/30/105/.400/150 in '07 and .308/33/121/.410/151), the Red Sox seem to have gotten the better of the two deals. Honestly, I would rather pay Youkilis $10 million per season over the next four years for his production than pay Teixeira $22.5 million per season over the next eight years for his production... I am not a traitor for going to see Duke play at Cameron before seeing North Carolina play at the Dean Dome. When an opportunity like this comes around, you take it... A good source tells me that the Oklahoma City Thunder -- formerly the Seattle Sonics -- will not be releasing forward Joe Smith anytime soon. The Celtics need Smith to repeat... The bars in Atlanta better be prepared to have extra Bud Light on ice. Trust me... Will Scott Pioli even pretend to keep a straight face when he releases Bernard Pollian... The new episode of The Office last night was great. The sidebar that Meredith had, talking about two guys fighting over her, was hilarious... Enjoy Ed Reed on Sunday...