Guess I'm Not The Only One Worried About Pedroia

A couple days ago I wrote about how I was worried about Pedria (click here for post). Well, apparently I'm not the only one who is worried...

"Gammons also noted that second baseman Dustin Pedroia is "not going to be right all year with that screw in his foot." Pedroia missed a game after spraining his ankle in Monday's loss to the Indians but returned in Wednesday's 14-2 romp with a home run and three RBI.

"It's amazing what he's done considering how often he plays in pain," Gammons said. "His OPS is down about 190 points. His slugging is down from like 490 to 313 going into [Wednesday], but he plays through it. He never complains about it. The great thing about Dustin is he shows up at the park and says, 'If I can't do this, I'll do this [instead] and try to win.' There aren't athletes in too many places like him who show up every day and try to find a way to win. That's what he does (WEEI)."

I know he went off yesterday (who didn't though), but I am concerned about his foot. In the field I haven't really noticed it, but his stats are down across the board at the plate (as Gammons noted). As long as that screw is in his foot agree with Gammons that I don't think he will be a the player we have been seeing the last couple of year.

Pedroia plans to have that screw removed after this season.

Top 5 Boston Sports Columnists/Personalities

Kind of a slow day, so you know what that means??? Yup, a random ranking of something! Today is my favorite local sports personalities for Boston. No players, just writers, and TV personalities...

1. Jackie MacMullan - Yea, I'm shocked a woman tops the list, but it's hard to argue it. She has the best stories, gets the inside scoop on everything (especially basketball), and is very well spoken. Oh, and she actually has a good sense of humor. Probably the only person that isn't a player or a coach that I have an appointment to listen to every week. She is also really good on Around the Horn.

2. Michael Smith - Another person that is just great to listen to. He is probably the most "fun" to listen to. He has jokes that don't just reference the 1950's (cough couch Bob Ryan), and overall just seems like a cool guy. Another person that is really well spoken, and seems to be everywhere lately (WEEI, Around the Horn, SportsNation, PTI, ect).

3. Tony Massarotti - Some people really hate him, but I have always been a big fan. He covers baseball so well. He isn't the best to listen to, but his columns are always very entertaining and interesting, which says a lot to someone who hates reading articles that are longer then a page.

4. Bill "The Sports Guy" Simmons - A couple years back he probably would've been #1 or #2, but I feel his work has kind of fallen off since he moved out to LA and had a family. He is the king of movie/TV references, which when you're a TV junky like me makes for an entertaining read. Most of all I love his basketball coverage.

5. Michael Holley/Dale Arnold - I couldn't put one on without the other. Holley is a great basketball mind, and I find him pretty funny. I like Dale because he is the only guy on WEEI that actually talks about the Bruins and knows hockey. These guys should have the morning show instead of the ass clowns Dennis and Callahan.

Other "notables": Bob Ryan, Peter Gammons. I just didn't feel right putting Gammons on since he is basically retired. Best baseball writer ever.

Most Hated: Jerry Callahan, John Dennis, Jon Meterparel, Michael Felger, Dan Shaunessey.

Gammons Says "Don't Expect V-Mart Back"

Peter Gammons was on WEEI yesterday and had a lot to say about what the Sox will be looking to do this offseason. He first touches on Red Sox free agents Beltre and V-Mart...

"I don't expect Victor Martinez to come back, I think Detroit is going to give him four or five years," said Gammons. "And I don't think anyone else is going to give him four or five years. I'm not so sure Beltre will be back, I can't gauge that market. But I do think they will go hard after Crawford, I really believe that."

That is just awful news. I really trust Gammons, and I agree that if the Tigers give him a 5 year deal there is no way the Sox will match (although I would). Beltre I expected to be gone, there is just no way they trust him to put up those numbers again, and he is known for having "contract years".

DP and I agree that the Sox biggest offseason concern has to be to resign V-Mart. There just aren't any other catchers that come close to him (other then Mauer). Losing him would be a huge blow unless they go out and trade for someone like Prince Fielder or Gonzalez.

Gammons wasn't done there. He also talked about Carl Crawford...

"There is no doubt in my mind that they (Red Sox) are going to go really hard after Carl Crawford," said Gammons. "That will be a matchup with the Angels, and you know there are some puffs of smoke coming out of New York that suggest the Yankees might go after him, even though their primary need is pitching."

He seemed sold on the fact that the Sox are going to land Crawford. As much as I am excited about that, I don't think it will be enough to bring this lineup to the next level. The Sox really need a power bat in the middle of that lineup, especially if lose V-Mart to Detriot.

Gammons also said that Cliff Lee is definitely going to resign with Texas. Suck on that Yankees.

Rockies Reject Red Sox Trade

According to Peter Gammons the Rockies rejected a trade this week from the Red Sox that would've sent Jed Lowrie to Colorado for catcher Chris Iannetta. Personally, I would've rejected this too if I was the Rockies. Lowrie hasn't played in a over a year, and hasn't shown all that much ability when he has played. As for the Sox, I hope they don't trade for a catcher. I am fine with what they have, and V-Mart is getting closer to returning.

All I want the Sox to focus on is bullpen help, and maybe a power hitting outfielder. That's it, no starting pitching, no catcher, nothing else. Other then that they just need to get healthy...fast.

The Real Reason The Sox Didn't Want Jason Bay

I had reported in the past that there were teams out there that were worried about Jason Bay's health long term. Well Peter Gammons came out and reported today that the Red Sox and Jason Bay agreed to a four-year, $60MM pact in July, before an MRI raised concerns about both of his knees. As a result, Boston reduced their offer from four years to two years.

For one thing it shows us how little we actually know. There are a lot of times that we jump all over a GM for doing something, even though we probably know at most 50% of what is going on.

I was one of the people who really wanted Bay back. Did this change my opinion? Of course, Boston has enough injury problems in the outfield with J.D. Glass, we don't need another one.

Why do I bring this all up? Well, for one I wanted to ease Red Sox fans minds that the Sox had a reason for what they did this offseason. The other reason is for what Gammons has been getting at for years...Gammons suggests that this a perfect example of why an independent medical staff should be in place in the MLB.

These training staff get very close to the players. They know releasing information (like Bay and his 2 bad knees) can really change how much a player is worth. Obviously, if Bay can he will try to hold that information back as much as possible, and you would just have to think that there needs to be an independent doctor that does these tests on these players, because there are millions of dollars at stake for these franchises...

Gammons On The Latest MLB Trade Rumors

He touches on everything from Halladay, the Sox, Indians, and Tigers....