Random Thoughts (November 11, 2010)

What a big night for Boston sports fans. The Bruins host the hated Canadiens in an early season showdown of the top two teams in the Northeast Division. The B's are coming off a stirring 7-4 win in Pittsburgh last night in which they scored five unanswered goals in the third period to break the hearts of all the little boys and girls wearing Sidney Crosby jerseys in Western Pennsylvania. The Celtics are in South Beach to take on Dwayne Wade, LeBron James, and the Miami Heat. Their age issues are starting to become an issue as the teams top two centers - Shaquille and Jermaine O'Neal - are both dealing with nagging leg injuries. I guess that's the problem with counting on 7-foot men who happen to be on the wrong side of 30. Remember, it will all be worth it in June if all the aging stars - Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen included - are healthy because that will pay off with the franchise's 18th World Championship. Make sure to have the remote control handy tonight to switch back-and-forth between NESN and TNT... MLB's free agency period has started and there is nothing major to report yet. The Red Sox are expected to be interested in free agent outfielders Carl Crawford and Jayson Werth. I would personally prefer Crawford because he is three years younger than Werth but either would be a nice fit in Terry Francona's lineup in 2011. I have prepared myself to see the Sox lose both Victor Martinez and Adrian Beltre. Martinez could be replaced by Blue Jays free agent catcher John Buck and the void at third base could be filled by adding a first baseman and moving Kevin Youkilis to third or by using an in-house candidate such as Jed Lowrie to start the year and waiting to see how the trade market looks at the start of the season. The Sox also need to add some reliable arms to a bullpen that underperformed in 2010. Closer Jonathan Papelbon is a candidate to be dealt after a subpar (for him) season in 2010 but I expect him to return with Daniel Bard to create the foundation for a relief corps that needs to be improved if the Red Sox are to contend in 2011. For now I will plug in Crawford in leftfield, Buck (and Jarrod Saltalamacchia) at catcher, Lowrie at third base to start the year, and plan on Theo Epstein waiting for Adrian Gonzalez to become available in San Diego around Memorial Day. That would give the Red Sox a lineup that looks like this to start the season: 1. Jacoby Ellsbury - CF 2. Dustin Pedroia - 2B 3. Carl Crawford - LF 4. Kevin Youkilis - 1B 5. David Ortiz - DH 6. John Buck - C 7. J.D. Drew - RF 8. Marco Scutaro - SS 9. Jed Lowrie - 3B If Pedroia and Youkilis return healthy (as expected) and Ortiz has another year of 25-30 homeruns and 85-100 RBI, that would be a lineup capable of winning the AL East... The Patriots could be looking at the return of running back Fred Taylor this week when the team travels to Pittsburgh to take on a Steelers team that ranks first in the NFL against the run. A healthy Taylor would give the Patriots rushing attack a needed boost. BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead have been good but with a revamped passing game created when Randy Moss was traded last month, having additional options running the ball will make Tom Brady and the offense more effective. Expecting a physical battle when the two 6-2 AFC contenders meet on Sunday night, it would be positive news for the Patriots if Taylor is healthy and ready to contribute... Enjoy Rajon Rondo tonight...