Dustin Pedroia's retirement announcement was anti-climatic after he managed to play in only nine games since the 2017 season, but it's one that closes the books on one of the best to ever wear the Red Sox uniform.
Pedroia was the best second basemen of his era, and I'm not forgetting Robinson Cano. Pedroia was a feared hitter, a Gold Glove fielder, and a leader on and off the field.
His leadership was rightfully questioned when he publicly challenged manager Bobby Valentine in 2012. Pedroia stated "That's not the way we go about our stuff around here," in defense of Kevin Youkilis after Valentine questioned Youkilis' play that Spring. These comments came months after Terry Francona was fired as Red Sox manager after the embarrassing "Chicken and Beer end to the 2011 season, one in which Pedroia did not step up to play a role in stopping. Pedroia also had an embarrassing incident regarding then Orioles shortstop Manny Machado, when Pedroia seemed to blame teammate Matt Barnes for throwing at Machado after a Machado slide injured Pedroia (and probably started the process that led to his retirement).
Regardless of those incidents, Pedroia played hard and played hurt. He brought a championship attitude to the park every day, and took pleasure in achieving greatness not expected from a 5-7, 170-pounder. His number 15 will soon grace the right field facade in Fenway Park.
When his name comes up for the Hall of Fame in a few years, I do not expect him to be selected on his first attempt. Maybe not even on his fifth attempt. But his achievements - including the 2007 Rookie of the Year, 2008 A.L. MVP, four Gold Gloves, four All-Star Games, and three World Series rings - will speak for themselves. Dustin Pedroia will one day be enshrined in Cooperstown.
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The (breaking) news today that Carson Wentz is heading from Philadelphia to Indianapolis in exchange for two draft picks should come as good news for the Patriots.
The price for Wentz was relatively cheap. The Colts are reportedly only giving up a third round pick in this year's draft as well as a conditional second round pick (which could turn into a first round pick) for the second overall pick in the 2016 draft. Second
For the Patriots, who should be in the mix for a new quarterback after Cam Newton failed to impress as Tom Brady's replacement last season, this should set the market if they wish to trade for a quarterback. Deshaun Watson was always going to be too expensive for the Patriots (my guess is that Watson lands in the AFC East as a rival to the Patriots after the Dolphins offer a boatload of picks to Houston in the upcoming weeks), but the Wentz price should allow Bill Belichick to acquire a quarterback without mortgaging their entire drafts in 2021 and 2022.
The most likely target is Jimmy Garoppolo of the 49ers. A second round pick of the Patriots in 2014, Garoppolo has struggled to stay healthy but also led the 49ers to the Super Bowl a year ago. Belichick did not want to give him up in 2017 and the chance to bring him back at a relatively cheap cost - the Patriots could send the third round pick they're expected to add as a result of Brady's departure as well as a conditional third round pick in 2022 - could solve their issues at the position. Adding another veteran to provide insurance for Garoppolo (like Marcus Mariotta of the Raiders or Jacoby Brisset of the Colts) and drafting a developmental quarterback would be likely complementary moves to a Garoppolo acquisition.
Finding a veteran option at quarterback opens up the top of the draft for Belichick to address other areas of concern for his roster. The defensive line and linebacker groups could use an infusion of talent, as could the offensive line and receiver positions. The Patriots currently have their own first, second, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh round picks as well an additional sixth round pick they acquired in 2019 from the Cowboys in exchange for Michael Bennett. They're also projected to add at least a third round pick, two fourth round picks, and two seventh round picks as compensation for lost free agents.
The Patriots will also have money to spend in free agency. With the NFL salary cap expected to drop to the $180-million range, many other teams will be faced with cutting productive players and the Patriots will have the necessary space under the cap (estimated to be about $65-million) to build a more talented and deep roster.
Once the quarterback position is settled, Belichick can fill the gaps on the roster and get the Patriots right back in the title hunt in the AFC.
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Sticking with the Patriots, a few realistic options in free agency that I think would fit their need (and their budget):
Receiver - Corey Davis, Titans; Curtis Samuel, Panthers; Marvin Jones, Lions; Josh Reynolds, Rams
Tight End - Jonnu Smith, Titans; Gerald Everett, Rams; Jared Cook, Saints
Offensive Line - Austin Reiter (C/G), Chiefs; Matt Feiler (T), Steelers; Cam Robinson (T), Jaguars
Defensive Line - Kawann Short, Panthers; DaQuan Jones, Titans; Derek Wolfe, Broncos; Tyson Alualu, Steelers
Linebacker - Matt Milano, Bills; B.J. Goodson, Browns; Kevin Pierre-Louis, Football Team
The Patriots will need to determine if the several key players that opted out of the 2020 season, especially Dont'a Hightower and Patrick Chung, will be back or not in 2021.
They also have several key free agents, highlighted by Joe Thuney, David Andrews, and Lawrence Guy. Cornerback Stephon Gilmore is a candidate to be traded if a new contract cannot be negotiated.
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I left it out of my earlier Celtics post, but one rotation player that could help the team right now regardless of being a rookie is Desmond Bane of the Grizzlies.
On draft night, Ainge selected Bane with the 30th overall pick but immediately shipped him to Memphis in a three-way trade that also sent Enes Kanter to Portland and brought a $4-million trade exception and two future second round picks to the Celtics.
Bane is everything the Celtics need right now. He is contributing on both ends of the floor for the Grizzlies, and is shooting an impressive 48.2% (41-for-85) from 3. The 6-6 wing is exactly what the Celtics were hoping to get from Aaron Nesmith, who they selected with the 14th pick. While Nesmith, a draft night favorite of this corner of the internet, has recently shown flashes of being able to contribute he is nowhere near the current level of Bane.
So, why did Ainge move Bane?
Apparently he felt the likes of Javonte Green, Carsen Edwards, Tremont Waters, and Semi Ojeleye were too important to sacrifice off of this (heavily flawed) roster.
I have long been a defender of Ainge, but this is one that clearly did not work out and is hurting the current team.
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Enjoy David Pastrnak tonight.
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