Random Thoughts (December 10, 2009)

The Red Sox are on the verge of trading Mike Lowell to the Rangers for catcher Max Ramirez. The trade is contingent on Lowell passing a physical exam - no guarantee considering his injured hip - and the commissioner approving the Red Sox taking on a hefty portion of the $12-million owed to Lowell in 2010. This deal will allow the Red Sox to explore options for a new third baseman - prepare yourself for the Adrian Beltre era - or possibly a move for either Miguel Cabrera of Detroit or Adrian Gonzalez of San Diego, which would move Kevin Youkilis to first base. Acquiring Ramirez adds another option at catcher for the Red Sox. Known more for his bat than his glove, Ramirez has a good future in front of him. With Jason Varitek probably entering his last year and Victor Martinez looking to be more of a DH in the future, the Sox need to add catching depth... The Red Sox have acquired pitcher Boof Bonser from the Twins for a player to be named later. Bonser missed 2009 with a shoulder injury but has the potential to help the Red Sox as a starter or reliever... If you have not watched the Kentucky basketball team, make it a point to see them soon. The Wildcats are loaded and will figure prominently into the national championship picture under first-year coach John Calipari. John Wall, the next great point guard prospect, is the best freshman in the country and could factor into the National Player of the Year discussion before heading off to the NBA... If the Patriots turn around their season and become a factor in the Super Bowl race, yesterday will go down as the day they got on the right track. Bill Belichick sent home Randy Moss, Adalius Thomas, Derrick Burgess, and Gary Guyton for arriving late to a team meeting. How those four players could not get there on time is surprising considering that Tom Brady - who welcomed the birth of his second son on Tuesday night - was on time... The search for the next Notre Dame football coach in on, with Cincinnati's Brian Kelly and UConn's Randy Edsall reportedly at the top of the Irish wish list. The Pope could bring back Vince Lombardi to take the reigns in South Bend and it would not matter. College football has changed and the top players do not want to play in northern Indiana under the shadow of Touchdown Jesus like they used to in the past. If Notre Dame truly wishes to return to the top, they have to slightly relax their admissions standards to attract the best players. They need to bend just a little if they wish to compete with the Alabama's of the nation. If not, they might as well join the Ivy League... Pittsburgh (-10) over CLEVELAND... Enjoy Ray Allen tonight...