The Boston Pro Sports Blog

He was happy here. In a city where even minor league prospects are treated like royalty, the small time rock star and fourth starter received the kind of treatment that any B-list celebrity/sports star would dream of. He had a great relationship with the fans, he had reasonable success as a musician, and he was comfortable with his role on the Red Sox roster. In turn, Bronson Arroyo did his part to say ‘thank you’. He took a discount on his contract extension despite the advice of his agents. He rarely refused an autograph. He played guitar at local venues, often times for the benefit of local charities. He even publicly stated that he would play any role that would benefit this team, whether bullpen or starting rotation. He was a solid 4/5 starter that posted 14 wins last year and was an integral part of the beloved 2004 squad that delivered a World Series title.

And yet the Red Sox did exactly what I asked them not to do.

Thanks guys. No really. Thank you. Thank you to the Red Sox management and particularly Mr. Theo Epstein for pretty much slapping Bronson Arroyo in the face with his recent trade after he tried to do you guys a favor by taking a home town discount to ensure that he would stay a Red Sock for a few years.

As a fan, I cannot be a hypocrite. I need to treat the Red Sox Front Office, particularly Theo(who seemed to be the chief orchestrater of the deal) with the same regard that I did a one Mr. Johnny Damon. In essence, it is no different. So far 2006 has been a brutal reminder that there really is no loyalty in professional sports. With Willie McGinist cut and then signed by the Browns, Damon crossing over to the dark side, and Adam Vinatieri shopping himself around like a Sears floor model, I am constantly being forced to deal with this bizarre and often heartless phenomenon.

As a fan, I cannot simply shrug off Theo’s trade of Arroyo if only a few weeks ago I doused my Damon jersey in gasoline and set in on fire in my driveway. Theo stated that he “had to do what was best for the team”. Well, yes, ok. That is his job in all fairness. But that in turn meant dealing Arroyo after he gained fan favoritism for publicly taking a discount on his contract, which is the rarest breed of anomaly that there is in professional sports. Common sense(and a decent agent) would tell you that driving your price up would actually make you less dispensable and perhaps more valued by the management. Which means that Arroyo’s actions could be argued as being, get this, a good teammate and employee. Imagine that? Another interpretation of his discounted contract could be that Bronson actually believes that the people he was dealing with are good natured, decent individuals. Unfortunately, that has come to be a costly mistake.

My point though, is that Theo and Co. had the same regard to loyalty as Johnny Damon. Theo’s move was total self-interest. So was Damon’s. If Theo had been looking out for Bronson, he would have kept him in a Red Sox uniform. If Theo was looking out for the Red Sox Nation and the fanbase, he would have done likewise. The fans loved Arroyo. He had a great personality and was receptive to the fans but he wasn’t annoying overkill and we would rarely get sick of him. He had the demeanor that I wish all professional athletes had. He catered to the fans, played hard, wasn’t about the money, and had fun. He was a great role player and never caused any problems in the clubhouse or otherwise. Yet the Sox treated him like a casual business expense by dealing him to the Reds.

The sad thing is that the Red Sox management had the opportunity to separate themselves from the Steinbrenners of the professional sports world. Up until now you could just barely salvage an argument that claimed the Red Sox did not engage in the same cut-throat business tactics and sleazy management. These were the things that made us hate Georgey so much. And now they are the same things that unite us. I suppose that is the nature of the beast, and our Red Sox ownership has irrevocably shown their true colors.

I am sure each person will have their own reaction to this trade. Some will defend it, others will criticize it harshly. Either way, I tell you: do not be a hypocrite. If you shrug off Theo’s movement of Arroyo, then you must do the same to Damon’s departure. If you boo Damon, then boo Theo.

I have come to understand and absorb why Johnny left us. The Red Sox did not pursue him fervently in any way, shape, or form. They left an offer or two on the table, none of which would have stood up at arbitration. George and the Yankees courted Johnny, stroked his ego(surprise, surprise Jeter was involved in that), and made him feel wanted. On top of that they slapped down a four year deal at a cool $13 million a year and the inevitable happened. The clever Red Sox organization declared that they had in fact offered him a deal(which wasn’t completely false), which subsequently caused much of the Red Sox Nation to string up Johnny at the gallows while he pathetically tried to salvage his relationship with Sox fans in his public statements and pitiable newspaper ad. The reality of it was that the Yankees simply overpaid for a lead-off hitter who is rapidly heading past his prime and couldn’t throw Ted Kennedy out at home. Their hope is that Damon will last the four years of this contract and become a important piece of their run manufacturing line-up. Coinciding with our Bambino-Complex(no true Sox fan would ever concede their existed a curse, however we would be hard-pressed to deny a certain complex that entails a deep fear that any time a Sox player is released they will actually have a career year the following season(s). This fear is intensified if said player ends up playing for the Yankees and plays a pivotal role in consistently beating the Red Sox. See Clemens, Roger), the fear of Sox fans would be that Damon would come back to burn the Red Sox by contributing to a Yankee title.

I am in no way condoning what Damon did. I am simply pointing out observations. If there is to be no loyalty in professional sports, then so be it. But we then must stop expecting it. I love the Red Sox. I will cheer for them until my throat swells up and my heart stops. But its funny, because I hardly recognize a face on this years team. I also believe that this management is shooting itself in the foot. I can tell you that I wouldn’t go out and purchase an expensive Red Sox jersey after the moves they have pulled recently. I’ll stick with my Varitek jersey thank you. I could probably go down the entire list of why I wouldn’t buy each players jersey but I don’t want to be a giant buzz-kill. I can tell you one thing though, if I had an Arroyo jersey, I would still wear it proudly.

theaveragefan@bostonprosports.com

Yes its that time of year again folks. With Opening Day a few painsaking weeks away, the unpredictable, incomparable, and gamble-inducing NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament emerges in the nick of time to quell sports fan’s insatiable appetite for action and rescue us from having to…*gasp*…watch the NHL.

As I have been struck with March Madness for yet another year, I will place the mundane yet addicting motions of Spring Training onto the back burner while I enjoy the nation’s most exciting, nerve-racking, down-to-the-wire sporting event this side of the National Spelling Bee.

So while my comments on the Pros might be few and far between for the next few weeks, I promise to deliver once our anticipatory Opening Day finally arrives. Enjoy the Madness.

My Final Four: Duke, Gonzaga, Michigan State, Boston College.

theaveragefan@bostonprosports.com

So if you have yet to hear, Red Sox pitcher David Wells have rescinded his request to be traded to another team this year. Wells originally stated that he would not play for the Red Sox this year and he practically demanded to be traded to a west coast team to be closer to his family. It appeared that despite Theo’s best efforts, a deal involving Wells would not take place until Spring Training and possibly even later. Epstein was probably waiting for some west coast team to lose a starting pitcher to try to negotiate since no possible trade as of yet yielded an equal value for the 15 win southpaw.

Wells said in a brief interview over the weekend that after catcher Jason Varitek asked him if he would like to stay, he reconsidered. Wells also cited the depth on this year’s Sox squad and thought that this would be his best chance to “go out on top”, since he 99.9% sure he will retire after this year. Supposedly when Wells told Theo he wanted to stay Theo had a smile “ear to ear.” Part of that might be because Theo can now concentrate on what this team does have rather than constantly dealing with the Wells trade monkey on his back by secretly hoping the Padres lose a starter before Opening Day.

It seemed to be tough for Theo to get any team to trade for Wells nevermind a deal of equal proportions. Despite Wells being a lefty and 15 game winner, he is coming off knee surgery in the offseason and stated publicly that this would be his final year playing baseball. Add in the fact that Wells is 43 years old and Theo didn’t exactly have suitors knocking down his door. With these things considered, the ideal spot for Wells would be a team contending for a title this year, one needing a lefty starter at the 3 or 4 spot so Wells doesn’t have to carry the load(like last year with the Sox), and a franchise with up and coming young talent that could fill in Wells’ spot after this year. So I ask, what’s wrong with the Sox?

It appears that Wells has asked the same question and has answered it by revoking his trade demand. The problem that arises now with Wells staying put is that the Sox are carrying a roster with 7 legit starting pitchers. Curt Schilling, Wells, Josh Beckett, and Matt Clement are definite starters while Tim Wakefield, Bronson Arroyo, and Jonathan Papelbon are also starters but have all spent extended time in the bullpen during their careers.

If the season started today, the rotation would probably look something like 1.Schilling 2. Wakefield 3.Beckett 4.Wells 5.Clement. Wake could possibly be plopped in the two spot to create a dynamic pitching alternation something to the tune of Heat-Knuckleball-Heat-Lefty-Control. Arroyo and Papelbon would start in the bullpen with either one of them coming in for long relief situations or either coming off if any of the starters hit the DL, which may be probable considering 4 of the 5 purposed starters landed on it at least once each last year and it looks like Wells will probably start on it.

Clement Red Sox jerseys probably plummeted this offseason considering he has been on the trading block since his disaster against the White Sox in the ALDS in October. The question now is whether Wells’ decision to stay now makes it more likely the Red Sox will deal Clement before the season begins. I think it is probably just as likely although you could definitely argue either way. I haven’t given up on Clement and I think it would be pretty solid having a 15 game winner as our fifth starter. On the other hand, the post-hit-in-the-head Clement looked more like Prince Adam’s pet tiger Cringer before he turned into He-Man than he did a battle tested starting pitcher.

The most deciding factor could actually lay in the comeback of Keith Foulke. If Foulke struggles and becomes an unreliable closer, Papelbon could step in as his replacement to anchor the bullpen. This would also assume that highly touted prospect Craig Hanson would not be ready to step up and be a full time closer in the show. In this case, Clement could stay at the 5th starter spot while Arroyo would begin in the ‘pen and play versatile pitcher extraordinaire by entering the starting rotation to fill in for anyone subjected to the DL.

Although he has been praised by just about every Sox management, coach, or fan, there really should be no rush to force Papelbon into the starting rotation too soon. If we were to groom him as a starter this year, having him as the fifth guy or a fill in for the injured might just be the ideal manner to do it. Another option, although partially deceptive, would be to have Clement start the beginning of the season and then deal him before the deadline for whatever we might need or simply leave him off the playoff roster in favor of a more versatile and hopefully superior pitching in the form of Arroyo or Papelbon.

Since Wells is staying he will most likely begin the season on the Disabled List due to his recovering knee, in which case Papelbon may see time as a starter anyways. More likely would be Arroyo until we can get a feel for how Foulke will bounce back. In any event, as the White Sox proved last year, it will be pitching and defense that wins it all, so if nothing personnel-wise happens between now and Opening Day, I really wouldn’t be upset at all. We’ll let Tito’n’Theo make the playoff roster if and when it calls for it. As of now, I am happy old Boomer will be in town for another year. Just no one bug him for any autograph or else he’ll fight you.

theaveragefan@bostonprosports.com

Some rumors and reports regarding some Boston Professional Sports personnel as of today…

Tony Graffanino will most likely be traded by the Red Sox in the near future. Tony was surprisingly offered arbitration by the Sox despite their deal landing Mark Lorretta in the offseason. He signed a one year deal worth $2.5 million which in the baseball world makes him rather tradeable material. Graffanino started 50 of the 51 games at second base last year after he was acquired from Kansas City in August. Despite his wince-inducing error in the Divisional Series against the White Sox, I really like Tony and thought he was a great ball player. He plays solid defense, works hard, and bats about .300. I was surprised the Red Sox offered arbitration but it shouldn’t be too hard for them to find a suitor in a trade. We would probably target some prospects in the deal which would work out for both teams. They would get an everyday second baseman while we could possibly get some replacements for the prospects we gave up this winter. Tony could also go in a deal with David Wells or Matt Clement seeing as they are pretty much on the block and everyone seems ok with that. If Bronson Arroyo gets traded, however, after taking a pay cut to stay I will be really fumed with the Front Office. They have a good opportunity here to prove that there does exist loyalty in professional baseball and that we are in fact different from people like George Steinbrenner, regardless of what Johnny Damon says. Speaking of which I think he should just keep his trap shut. I cut him a little slack when he left considering the Red Sox didn’t pursue him as determinedly as they could have, but the more I think about it and the more he yaps on, the more annoyed I get and the less I miss him. It would be nice to get some of the trades out of the way so we can just move on with the baseball and stop the annoying anticipation of waiting for personnel changes. To me its more like waiting for your girlfriend to get ready than it is like staring at unopened birthday presents.

Willie McGinist will most likely be released from the Patriots in the near future. He is owed $8 million which would be an exorbitant amount to pay for any one player, even Willie. Most likely the Patriots will either try to reconstruct his contract or cut him and make a counter offer. The hope would be Willie will take a pay decrease to stay a Patriot. His agent isn’t Scott Boras so there actually does exist a chance that Willie would do this. He most likely will get offers from other teams and I would not be surprised if Willie seriously considers reuniting with former Pats’ Defensive Coordinator come Head Coach Romeo Crennel with the Clevelend Browns. Willie would be as upset to leave New England as we would be to see him go. Unfortunately(and as we all know) business is business. Willie has stated he would like to retire a Patriot so it will all probably come down to negotiations between Willie, the Pats Front Office, and his agent. Keep an eye on this for the next week or so.

Adam Vinatieri left a Patriots’ contract offer on the table worth about $2 million a year for three years. Apparently Mr. Clutch would like to test the free agent waters despite him being one of the highest paid kickers in football. He stated that he has an attachment to the fans but is excited to test the free agent waters and possibly have the market determine his value. If he does in fact leave it would be completely on him considering no kicker makes more than $3 million a year and the $1 million difference in what Vinatieri is looking for and what the Pats offered would probably be made up in his local endorsements. I think Adam is just playing the business part of being one of the league’s best kickers and everyone’s hope would be that he would stick around New England, even if that meant taking a slight pay cut.

Until next week…

theaveragefan@bostonprosports.com

So Manny has shown and yes we’re all happy. To most everyone’s surprise he seems to be in incredible shape and ready to play. Although, to be honest, I don’t think anything Manny does would surprise me know. Even something seemingly as un-Manny as working hard and losing weight in the off-season does come as a surprise. Perhaps I was incorrect in stating that Manny definitely wasn’t participating in an extensive workout, resulting in him showing up a few days late to Spring Training. Well, Manny, if you are reading this, I am sorry. It’s just that because you are Manny and you are Manny being Manny its really hard for the rest of us to predict what Manny as Manny being Manny is going to do next. Get it? Even when we think we might have you figured out, we don’t. Which is why you have become such a curious Boston icon. In any case, we are happy to you shown up. And even happier that you are jacked, and thin, and “ready to put up some sick numbers” as one of your agents Gene Mato stated yesterday.

Tito stated yesterday that there is no timetable on when Manny will start playing. He wasn’t on the roster for today’s first Grapefruit League game but that is to be expected. The only starters scheduled to play today are Kevin Youklis and Coco Crisp. Tony Graffanino will play at second while Jonathan Papelbon will get the start. Not that Grapefruit League games matter that much or anything. It would be nice to see how Youk does at first and begin to get a feel for Coco so he seems like a regular by the time Opening Day rolls around(which is in 32 days in case you didn’t know).