Random Thoughts (June 18, 2009)

Count this as another vote for Tim Wakefield (9-3, 4.39 ERA, 47 K, 1.41 WHIP) for the 2009 All-Star Game. I don't want to think about where the Red Sox would be right now if Wakefield had not been so brilliant (2-1, 1.86) in the first month of the season when staff ace's Josh Beckett and Jon Lester were struggling to find their grooves... The trade rumors circling the NBA Draft are getting to be ridiculous. When Rajon Rondo and Kendrick Perkins are being mentioned as possible trade bait for the Celtics to move into the second or third pick of the draft, you know that the NBA beat writers are grasping at straws. Danny Ainge is not afraid to make any deal that he believes will help his team win a championship so moving Rondo and/or Perkins can not be completely ruled out. I don't think that a trade of Perkins to Memphis for the second pick makes the Celtics a better team in 2009-2010. I also don't see the C's moving Rondo and Ray Allen to Phoenix for Amare Stoudemire, Leandro Barbosa, and the 14th pick (and I don't see Phoenix making that trade). Now, I would make the second deal. As much as I love Rondo -- I think he is a top five point guard in the NBA right now with room to improve -- a rotation of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Stoudemire is impressive. The C's would also shed the contracts of Allen, Rondo (who will be demanding a huge extension after this season), and probably Glen Davis, who will be expendable with Garnett, Stoudemire, and Perkins. This would allow the Celtics to explore signing a free agent point guard (Jason Kidd looking to finally win a championship) and swingman (Trevor Ariza from the Lakers). Under this scenario, the 2009-2010 C's would look like this: 5: Amare Stoudemire, Kendrick Perkins 4: Kevin Garnett, Leon Powe, Brian Scalabrine 3: Paul Pierce, Trevor Ariza, Bill Walker 2: Leandro Barbosa, Eddie House, J.R. Giddens 1: Jason Kidd, Gabe Pruitt That roster is definitely talented enough and deep enough to win a championship. Danny Ainge would also have the 14th and 50th pick to add a young point guard and another young big man. A move of either Rondo or Perkins is doubtful but it's worth keeping an eye on Ainge and the Celtics leading up to next week's draft... Fenway Park hit a milestone last night when the Red Sox sold-out their 500th consecutive game. I will believe that every seat is sold but you would have to be blind not to see the scalpers holding seats well past the start of each game, the empty seats in the bleachers, and the empty luxury boxes... Enjoy Jon Lester tonight...