The Boston Globe will always be No. 1 ESPNBoston

VS

Editor's Note: The title of this article was changed from "Hey ESPNBoston: Stop stealing the Globe's sports staff," due to readers' confusion of getting my point across (see Boston Herald paragraph). 

About a week ago I read something very interesting on apsportseditors.org the official website of the Associated Press Sports Editors (ASPE).  

It was the November Newsletter written by Boston Globe sports editor Joe Sullivan entitled, "Fending off the ESPN.com invasion."  

In it Sullivan described the recent invasion of ESPNBoston and how the company literally was trying to steal all of his Globe sports staff.  

If you've been following the Boston sports reporting scene, you've noticed that the Globe lost two of its top guys in New England Patriots beat writer Mike Reiss and Boston.com Sports Producer Chris Forsberg to ESPNBoston the month it launched.  

Then a week ago former Globie Gordon Edes' name and face magically popped up on ESPNBoston's blog as the new Red Sox beat writer. Coincidence? Here's how Sullivan's piece starts off:

It started with a staffer calling me in early August. You know the type of call. "Can I talk to you?” he said with a mysterious tone. He came into the office the next day, and that’s when I found out ESPNBoston.com was on its way. At that time, that writer told me he was only having preliminary talks, but wanted me to know (which I appreciated). Several weeks later, he accepted a job offer (which I didn’t appreciate).

Sullivan then goes onto tell that ESPNBoston offered jobs to six Globe employees. Who they were, only him and those persons know. Comcast SportsNet got wind of the news and soon followed suite as it offered jobs to five Globe staffers. On top of that the Globe and CSNNE were competing for the same football writer (Albert Breer?). Here's how some of those staffers with the offers handled it:  

The staffers with job offers seemed to wait until the weekend to call me. I would then call our editor, Marty Baron, to keep him up to date. One time he answered his phone and said, "Joe, I know when I hear from you on a weekend, it can’t be good news.” It was true, the news was rarely good. It either had to do with the job offers our staff was receiving or the Boston Globe’s financial situation.

So why in the world did both ESPN and CSNNE want all of the Globe people? Apparently the Boston Herald was second choice if on the list at all (Sean McAdam and Joe Haggerty joined CSNNE). Maybe just because the Globe is the best of the best of Boston sports coverage? But rather than admitting defeat, ESPNBoston tries to woo them in switching over to "the dark side?"  

"We not going to apologize for trying to get the best people on our team,” said Patrick Stiegman, vice president/executive editor of ESPN.com. "This wasn’t an attempt where we said ‘Let’s go see if we can raid someone’s staff.’ The idea was who would be the best talent in the market? In fairness to us, we’re trying to get the best people. If you want to be the best, if you want to do the best, you have to hire the best.” What Stiegman said is all of the proof in the world.

Nice going ESPNBoston. The only way you think you can beat the real hometownies is to just simply take them thinking it'll destroy the organization as a whole. If you've also noticed early this month, Boston.com has been revamped quite a bit itself. The best part is that ESPN is a member of the ASPE as is the Globe. It's almost like having the New York Times Co. shipping half of the Globe staff over to New York.

In a way this is almost sickening. There's nothing like a little bit of friendly competition, but enough is enough. Not everyone can survive, so who's going to be the one to die?

To read Sullivan's full newsletter click here.

Boston wants Scutaro? The question is...WHY?!

If you haven't heard, Alex Gonzalez signed a one-year contract with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Happy Thanksgiving Red Sox Nation.

What does this mean? Well first off, it means Gonzalez will not be back in a Red Sox uniform. It also means there is currently no everyday proven shortstop on the roster.

There's been talk of acquiring Marco Scutaro from the Jays.

Wouldn't it be something if the two teams just switches shortstops?

Scutaro hit .282, with 12 home runs, 60 runs-batted-in, 35 doubles, 90 walks, 14 stolen bases, and 75 strikeouts. 

He is also 34 years old. 

Why do the Red Sox have a tendency to bring in old ballplayers? This is no time for a quick fix and after last season, half of the fans are probably sick of them (no offense Brad Penny and John Smoltz).

But the problem is who else can the Sox get? Forget J.J. Hardy who got traded to the Minnesota Twins from the Milwaukee Brewers.

There isn't a lot out there and I can't believe Theo Epstein let Gonzalez slip away. Unless Gonzo does absolutely poorly in Toronto then, ok we forgive you. But now the pressure is really on to get someone decent and Scutaro looks like the only option....

...at what cost though?

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING 

FROM BATTER-UP WITH BRUNO!!!

Gobble, gobble, gobble!!! 

Buchholz for Halladay or Buchholz for a bat?

It's all over the internet about the Boston Red Sox making a huge push for Toronto Blue Jays' ace Roy Halladay.

Last July was only the beginning of the trade talks that could land him in either a Boston or New York Yankees uniform.

Toronto knows that Halladay doesn't want to return after his contract is up in 2010 so why not get some value from him?

The New York Daily News is reporting that in order to land Halladay the Sox have to part with Clay Buchholz and pitcher/shortstop Casey Kelly, who signed with the Sox in 2008 after being recruited by Tennessee to play quarterback.

So pretty much it's switching Buchholz for Halladay in the rotation. No offense, but what does that really solve?

Halladay, Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, Daisuke Matsuzaka, and Tim Wakefield would become the new starting five, but with Wakefield's history of back problems is that really smart to get rid of a kid who just proved himself during the post-season?

(Yes we all remember the outcome of Game 3 of the ALDS, but it wasn't Buchholz's fault.)

Obviously it's Halladay for a 25-year-old who needs to show his true potential every time he goes out to the mound. Plus Buchholz just got married and I don't need to explain that.

There is Michael Bowden, but who knows if he'd have to be included in the deal as well?

Bob Ryan and Charlie Pierce debate the topic of trading Buchholz on The Globe 10.0, but talk about giving him up for another bat.

Pierce says no on Miguel Cabrera and Dan Uggla, but yes for Adrian Gonzalez.

Should the Sox trade Buchholz for Halladay or another bat?

What do you think?

Michael McDermott named sports editor at ProJo

The Providence Journal has finally announced a replacement for Art Martone who left to join the revamped Comcast SportsNet website last month.

Michael C. McDermott, a six-year veteran of the newspaper, was named the new sports editor.

The Northeastern graduate previously served as the assistant sports editor/web producer for the high school's sports page of the Journal's website projo.com.

McDermott joined the ProJo in 2003 as a copy editor. Prior to that he worked at The Patriot Ledger in Quincy, Mass. as a town reporter, schools reporter, and a copy editor.

He also served as an editor of of an English-language newspaper in Baku, Azerbaijan. 

New posts coming your way

Look for a fresh new post on Wednesday (or technically later today).

Sorry for the lack of posting recently. I've been busy adjusting to another job and in a nutshell it's been very hectic.

My apologies. Feel free to subscribe to my feed, which is located beneath the "Overheard in the Newsroom quote" to receive up-to-date news via email.

Thank you!

-Amanda

Gordon Edes back in Beantown for ESPNBoston

Former Boston Globe Red Sox beat writer Gordon Edes is back covering his favorite team.

Ian Bethune over at Sox & Dawgs tipped me off with the news.

Edes left the Globe during the summer of 2008 and took a job as the national MLB writer for Yahoo! Sports. 

Today on the front page of ESPNBoston, there's an article featuring Jason Bay written by the one and only Gordon Edes who is the site's "new Red Sox writer."

He initially made his debut on the Boston Red Sox blog.

"Back where I belong. Returning to the neighborhood to cover the Sox for ESPNBoston.com."

.

Edes is the third person from the Globe to transition over to ESPNBoston as he joins Mike Reiss and Chris Forsberg. The only difference is he left for Yahoo! Sports prior to ESPNBoston.

Welcome back Gordo! Looks like ESPN is really trying to step up its game.

At Jason Bay: $15 million per season really isn't good enough?

As the clock struck midnight, Red Sox left-fielder Jason Bay became an official a free agent.

Bay rejected a four year, $60 contract offered by general manager Theo Epstein. 

Apparently the slugger thinks he can score a better deal with a different club.

Well Sox fans that just says it all. If Bay wanted to stay in Boston for sure, he would have just accepted the deal. 

If you think this sounds wicked familiar let's back track about five years ago to fan favorite Nomar Garciaparra. Back then there were reports that he also rejected a four year, $60 million deal. Now however he said that was never true.

Of course this ended completely differently, for one thing the deal was brought up during spring training not at the end of the season, and second off everyone knows what happened on July 31, 2004.

As far as I'm concerned Bay is gone unless he and his agent Joe Urbon come crawling back because no other team is willing to give him more figures or years.

What a shame.

Shortstop situation is a big deal in Boston

This is nothing new to Red Sox fans.

Ever since fan favorite Nomar Garciaparra was traded away in 2004 on the final day of the trading deadline, the shortstop position has been a revolving door.

Here is a list of players (in alphabetical order) who appeared in at least one game at shortstop since 2004:

1. Orlando Cabrera
   
2. Royce Clayton
   
3. Alex Cora
   
4. Cesar Crespo
   
5. Nomar Garciaparra 
   
6. Alex Gonzalez
   
7. Nick Green
   
8. Ricky Gutierrez
   
9. Jed Lowrie
   
10. Julio Lugo
    
11. Alejandro Machado
    
12. Hanley Ramirez
    
13. Pokey Reese
    
14. Edgar Renteria 
15. Ramon Vazquez
    
16. Gil Velazquez
    
17. Chris Woodward
    

That's right 17, count them. Seventeen. It appears there is a serious problem.

Jed Lowrie was suppose to fix the problem in 2009, but injuries got the best of him and now it's being questioned if he can even handle being the everyday shortstop.

Lowrie only played in 32 games and batted a miserable .147, with 2 home runs, 11 runs-batted-in, six walks, and 20 strikeouts.

After playing for Boston in 2006, Alex Gonzalez was brought back into the mix in 2009 and not only had a defensive answer, but also made an impact on offense, which was an added bonus.

The Sox declined Gonzalez's $6 million option, but it doesn't mean he still can't be the starting shortstop in 2010. According to Tony Massarotti's article in The Boston Globe, after Gonzalez files for free agency, general manager Theo Epstein can start discussions for a new contract that won't cost as much.

Gonzo batted .284 in 44 games with 5 HR and 15 RBI. He didn't fair as well during the postseason as he went only 1-for-6 with a walk and a strikeout.

Defensively he committed only seven years for the year, with six coming as a member of the Cincinnati Reds. 

Should Gonzo be brought back as the everyday shortstop? He certainly proved himself during his brief time that he's capable of handling it. 

The answer is right in front of Epstein and now since J.J. Hardy discussions are long gone, he should do the right thing and not over think the situation.

If not, who else is there to fill in the role?

Introducing BostonSportsWoman.com

A couple of months ago I was contacted by Absolute Broadcasting General Manager Mike Winn about a new website targeted at active, sports minded women in the surrounding Boston and New England Area.

Winn represents multiple radio stations in Nashua, New Hampshire including WGAM Radio, 1250 AM Manchester, WGHM 900AM Nashua, and WSMN 1590 AM Nashua.

With that said, say hello to BostonSportsWoman.com the only online magazine dedicated to female sports fans in the Boston area.

I'm one of five featured bloggers, which also includes fellow Red Sox blogger Kayla Chadwick of Off the Monster. I encourage everyone to check it out and pass the word around.

The site promotes Boston sports, health and fitness, and events, including fundraising for charities.

You can become a fan on Facebook and follow BSW on Twitter.

Zuri Berry replaces Chris Forsberg on Boston.com

With the departure of Chris Forsberg to ESPN Boston, Boston.com officially hired a replacement to cover the legendary high school sports scene.

Zuri Berry, a native of San Francisco California, is the new Sports Producer for Boston.com. He's a graduate of California State University, Chico. 

He announced the news on his personal website: 

Zuri Berry Journalism, Sports & Culture - A New Direction For A Changing Industry.

From his site back on October 27:

"I’m typing this on my Blackberry on a plane, somewhere between Denver and Chicago. Final destination? Boston.

I accepted a position as a sports producer for Boston.com, the Web site of the Boston Globe. So it’s been a whirlwind this last month, leaving Grass Valley, Calif., and making arrangements to be in Massachusetts."

Berry, 25 previously covered high school sports for The Union, which covers Western Nevada County in Cali.

He's also written for the Marin Independent Journal, Chico Enterprise-Record, The Oakland Tribune, and the Vallejo Times-Herald.

You can check out his work so far on the High School Sports blog where he's already recorded and compiled video highlights of selected football games.

Congrats to Berry. I'm sure he'll do a fine job.

You can follow him on Twitter along with all Globe Schools updates. 

Bigger impact for the Red Sox: Matt Holliday or Adrian Gonzalez?

With the trading rumors swirling away a couple of big names are being thrown around that Boston Red Sox fans are very familiar with.

Left fielder Matt Holliday of the St. Louis Cardinals and first baseman Adrian Gonzalez of the San Diego Padres.

If Theo Epstein can't lockup Jason Bay to a long-term deal, the Sox need to find someone to replace the 2009 Silver Slugger award recipient.

Holliday, 29 struggled when he played in the American League with the Oakland Athletics.

In 93 games with the A's he hit .286 with 11 home runs, 54 runs-batted-in, 23 doubles, 1 triple, 12 stolen bases, 46 walks, and 58 strikeouts.

In 63 games with the Cardinals Holliday batted .353 with 13 HR, 55 RBI, 16 doubles, 2 triples, 2 SB, 26 BB, and 43 strikeouts.

Though he totaled 27 HR and 109 RBI and a .313 BA, would Holliday again struggle if the Sox signed him to play in a tougher AL?

Gonzalez, 27 batted .277 in 160 games with 40 HR, 99 RBI, 27 doubles, 2 triples, 119 BB, and 101 strikeouts.

Now with Jed Hoyer as the new Padres General Manager, there are speculations that a trade could be more likely between them and the Red Sox.

With Victor Martinez as the every day catcher, Gonzalez could play first base, Kevin Youkilis would move across the diamond to third and perhaps Mike Lowell could become the designated hitter/third baseman.

It's still unknown about David Ortiz, but he is clearly not the answer as the every day DH.

If Epstein can re-sign Bay and also plant Gonzalez, the Sox lineup would be pretty lethal and finally matchup to the New York Yankees.

Who would Sox fans rather see? Holliday or Gonzalez?

Roy Halladay on the Yankees would be absolutely ridiculous for Major League Baseball

Roy Halladay a New York Yankee?

This could very well be a possibility, but the question is why? Why do the reigning World Series Champions need another ace to its already proven and capable starting rotation?

Sports Illustrated's Jon Heyman tweeted that the Yankees plan to inquire about him.

New York won without former ace Chien-Ming Wang who only pitched in 12 games and compiled a 1-6 record and 9.64 earned run average. Pretty much everyone in New York forgot about this guy. The same guy who in 2007 was a 19 game winner, posted a 3.70 ERA, and was 2/3 of an inning shy of 200.

How they were able to pull it off was because of CC Sabathia ($161 million) and AJ Burnett ($82.5 million), a $243.5 million investment. Add in veteran left-hander Andy Pettitte and Joba Chamberlain who fully transitioned from the bullpen to a starter. 

If Halladay goes to the Yankees, their rotation will look more like an All-Star team rather than a regular club. 

MLB Trade Rumors reported that Halladay definitely "wants out of Toronto" and new Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos "won't rule out trading him within the division."

Who can blame Halladay for wanting out of a losing club? But it's just downright unfair for one team to pick up every ace that becomes available to them.

This obviously goes deeper into the business aspect of the game. Clubs like Tampa Bay, Kansas City, and Washington won't have an opportunity to pick up anyone like that.

Tampa Bay placed Scott Kazmir on waivers because of his salary and was picked up by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

The Yankees shouldn't be called the Yankees, it's more like "The Yankee All-Stars."

Should the Red Sox go after John Lackey?

Pitching wasn't exactly an issue last season for the Boston Red Sox, but as shown in years past, there's no such thing as having too much of it.

There's no guarantee that a starter will be healthy as Daisuke Matsuzaka went on the 60-day disabled list in June after being on the 15-day DL in April and didn't return to the mound and to his true form until September. 

John Lackey leads the class of free agent pitchers this winter.

Lackey, 31 is coming off a good season with the Los Angeles Angles of Anaheim, the only team he's played for in his career as he was brought up its minor league system.

He posted an 11-8 record with a 3.83 earned run average in 176.1 innings pitched. In the post-season, Lackey shutout the Red Sox as the Angels swept the American League Division Series before falling to the New York Yankees in the ALCS.

Currently the Red Sox 2010 rotation is set as:

1. Josh Beckett

2. Jon Lester

3. Daisuke Matsuzaka

4. Clay Buchholz

5. Tim Wakefield

But Wakefield's condition is kind of iffy (a word that's banned in Boston) especially with his recurring back problems. Lackey would make a nice fit with Beckett and Lester. And with Buchholz is the mix for the entire 2010 season, it should be a very exciting year.

The question is, will the Red Sox be willing to pay big bucks for this guy and for how may years? He's not AJ Burnett or CC Sabathia, but he does have a World Series ring and five years of playoff experience (2002, 2005, 2007-2009).

Mike DiGiovanna wrote in a story dated back on October 27:

"John Lackey, the team's ace, will be the top starter on the free agent market, a right-hander who will probably command a contract of at least five years and $100 million."

It's definitely something to ponder besides the Jason Bay situation.

In order to even think to keep up with the World Series Champion Yankees, Theo Epstein needs to pull some strings and get it done.

Other players to ponder:

Hideki Matsui OF

Matt Holliday LF

Roy Halladay RHP

Lots of question marks for 2010 Red Sox starters

Well its officially that time again. The time of, "who should the Red Sox sign, re-sign, drop, and trade for" time.

There are, indeed, a lot of questions. 

Here's a quick breakdown:

The obvious

Jason Bay and Jason Varitek

The not as obvious

Alex Gonzalez and Rocco Baldelli

In question

Mike Lowell and David Ortiz

This was the 2009 starting lineup for the most part:

1. Jacoby Ellsbury CF

2. Dustin Pedroia 2B

3. Victor Martinez C/1B /Kevin Youkilis 1B/3B

4. Jason Bay LF

5. J.D. Drew RF

6. David Ortiz DH

7. Mike Lowell 3B

8. Jason Varitek C

9. Alex Gonzalez/Nick Green/Jed Lowrie SS

Will Boston lock up Bay? There's a chance General Manager Theo Epstein won't fork over the years and money.

Will Jason Varitek be back? If not, that's why Epstein traded for Martinez.

Baldelli said he wants to return in a Red Sox uniform next year, but with the trade for Jeremy Hermida from the Florida Marlins, that possibility may not be one anymore.

What about Lowell and Ortiz? Their ages are becoming a huge factor and Papi sure showed it last season. Boston needs to have a better DH, one that can bat in the third or fourth hole, not towards the end of the lineup.

Ortiz, 33 has been slumping for the past two years. In 2008 he only played 109 games because of his wrist. This year he hit an almost career low .238, but managed to hit 28 home runs and have 99 runs-batted-in. However he also struck out 134 times.

Lowell, 35 put up decent numbers and still has the trademark glove. Who can complain about a .290 BA, 17 HR, and 75 RBI with only 61 strikeouts?

If the Red Sox want to keep up and beat the New York Yankees (they just won the World Series didn't they?) they really have to think about the future of their youth. They need two more power hitters (Bay or a Bay equivalent plus another guy) and possibly another starting pitcher.

The Yankees got lucky with their bullpen this post-season, and seriously they really need. Phil Hughes was awful and Joba Chamberlain wasn't lights out either. If it wasn't for Mariano Rivera, the Yankees wouldn't have won.

Epstein knows what he has to do, but for all Red Sox Nation knows 2010 could very well be a rebuilding season if key players aren't lured in and signed without going overboard with the cash. 

These are the positions and players that are locked up:

Jacoby Ellsbury CF

Dustin Pedroia 2B

Kevin Youkilis 1B/3B

Victor Martinez C/1B

J.D. Drew RF

These are the positions with question marks:

3B

SS

DH

LF

It's going to be an interesting ride.

Vintage Pedro (Martinez)

Pedro Martinez poster that still hangs on my wall that I bought when I was in 8th grade in 1999-2000.

I got it at one of those school book fairs for $5.

The Red Sox will never forget and the New York Yankees will never forget either.

Editor's note: This was posted after Pedro gave up the four runs through the third inning.

Jimmy Rollins should have kept his mouth shut

Well it appears that Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins World Series prediction wasn't even close.

Mr. Rollins instead should have done what most other athletes would have done. 

When asked during the "Ten @ Ten" on the Jay Leno Show a week ago about his prediction he should have said, "I don't want to jinx anything, all I know is that we're going to play hard to defend our title" or just throw in about "player superstitions."

Instead, Rollins says on national television for all to hear and see, "Well, of course we're going to win...I'm thinking five to close it out at home."

The irony in that is that the New York Yankees have a chance to close it out tonight at the Phillies home at Citizens Bank Park in Game 5. The Yankees are up 3-1 in the series and have Game 2 starter and winner A.J. Burnett on the mound to face Game 1 winner Cliff Lee who was absolutely brilliant.

This should be the game of the series tonight.

Rollins already got the games wrong, but he still has a shot at the other half of his prediction.

Am I watching the Phillies/Yankees World Series or Red Sox/Yankees?

The Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees never had any kind of rivalry, but watching this 2009 World Series is almost second guessing it.

After every game it's more like watching a Red Sox/Yankees match-up and the sign are obvious and a bit haunted.

Yankees fans

"Who's your Daddy?" directed at former Red Sox pitcher Pedro Martinez who started Game 2 for the Phillies.

Phillies fans

"You do steroids" chants at A-Rod and Andy Pettitte.

"Yankees Suck" chants.

"CC sucks" chants (well I'm not sure if Sox fans ever did that one, but maybe).

Events

A-Rod getting beaned three times.

Both benches warned.

How more obvious can it get? Who knows, maybe Phillies fans will grow and learn to hate the Yankees as Red Sox fans and others around baseball. It's contagious for some reason and why not start while defending your World Series title?