It all stems from two things: A-Rod’s probable long recovery from a second hip surgery in less than four years and his alleged involvement with a so-called anti-aging clinic in which the director of the clinic, Anthony Bosch, has been tied to performance enhancing drugs with up to 20 professional athletes- most of them baseball players.

Oct 14, 2012; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez reacts after striking out in the 2nd inning against the Detroit Tigers during game two of the 2012 ALCS at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

It remains to be seen how the Yankees and A-Rod will handle the future of their relationship.  Money plays a big part in it. It’s doubtful the team will be willing to eat the remaining five years and $114 million on the contract so agreements, if any, will have to be worked out for a parting to happen.

The flip side of all this trouble around A-Rod right now is that the team and its fans have a chance, however remote, to be rid of him forever and that has to make both parties ecstatic.

Say what you want, but there has been a constant love-hate relationship between the fans and A-Rod ever since he first pulled on the Yankee jersey back in 2004.

Some never wanted him there in the first place.  Others looked at his act when he got to New York and quickly soured on him.  Most of that has to do with negative comments A-Rod directed toward Derek Jeter years ago in an Esquire magazine article.  For them, that was enough to forever hate the intruder from Texas.

If he doesn’t play this year and has played his final game in pinstripes, it is likely Kevin Youkilis will play a big part in the scenario.  He’s only signed with New York for one year but if A-Rod stays away and Youkilis produces well, you know the Yankees will likely want to keep him at third base.  Certainly, that is an idea that makes the stomachs of Red Sox fans everywhere turn.

September 2, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Chicago White Sox third baseman Kevin Youkilis (20) before the game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Red Sox fans have always wondered how they’d feel about Youk if he didn’t play for their team.  Well, now they’re about to find out with him playing on the team’s most hated rival, possibly long term, if indeed it’s over for A-Rod in New York.  It should make for an interesting summer at Fenway and beyond.

For more thoughts on this story please click below for a link to my web show. http://youtu.be/0BXZ8EmX__A

The Hysteria Helium has leaked out of the countless Trade Rumor balloons; the wrinkled bladders litter the blogosphere; just 21 deals got done.  So, how did the 6 AL East trades impact the Red Sox’ post- season playoff chances?

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The greatest closer of all-time, Rivera was carted off the field about an hour before game time against the Royals after he twisted his knee shagging fly balls in the outfield during batting practice.  The article on ESPN states that Alex Rodriguez could be heard saying “oh my God, oh my God” as Rivera left the field. Wallace Matthews who wrote the article described Rivera as “contorted in obvious pain” and “rubbing his right knee.”

Rivera is the all-time saves leader with 608 and that is where the record could stay should this injury be season ending.  It was widely speculated that Rivera was set to announce his plans to retire after the season, with the formal decision coming sometime after the all-star break.  This is truly a difficult way to see the greatest closer to ever play the game end his illustrious career, if in fact this is the end.

Much will be made about whether he should have been out there catching fly balls during batting practice, but give the guy credit as he was doing to stay in shape.  Most players would sit and watch, but Mo was always a step above the rest and his determination  was evident by wanting to be in peak physical condition.

According to Wallace, Girardi hasn’t named a replacement for Rivera but is said to be leaning towards David Robertson to close out the Yankee ball games. Robertson has been lights out as the eighth inning set up man for Rivera, not allowing a run in 11.0 innings of work.  More impressively, he’s only given up 7 hits and 3 walks in his efforts.

The Yankees bullpen is still great, but a major, major piece is now missing.

We will try and get some reaction from Yankees writers in the coming days.  Keep checking back right here at BoSox Injection.

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source credit: WICKED GOOD SPORTS

If Carl Crawford’s injury woes continue and he never returns to his former level of performance, will it be the worst contract in MLB history?

You may come to a different conclusion, after reviewing the list below, but the Crawford contract–$142 million over 7 years, or $20.3 million per year–leaves the Red Sox with a potential budget albatross that could drain their resources and crimp their spending until 2018.

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April 20, 2012; Boston, MA, USA; New York Yankees right fielder

Today at Fenway Park, the Red Sox and their fans–myself included–celebrated the 100th birthday of the most beloved ballpark in baseball’s storied history. Among the alumni was Pedro Martinez, Kevin Millar, Keith Foulke and Nomar Garciaparra from the World Series winning, “god-damn curse” breaking, the rules don’t apply to us- history making 2004 Red Sox.

The reason I mention the team that gave us that World Series title after 86 years of misery is because the 2012 team looks nothing like them. I’m not saying that they can’t win but as far as the rivalry goes, I’m not even sure there is one anymore. In my mind, 2004 was the end of the rivalry as we knew it but with each year it’s dissipated just a bit more and now we’re left with nothing as evidenced by today’s game.

On a day that Fenway Park was buzzing with life and nostalgia, the Red Sox looked the complete opposite; lifeless. Of course it didn’t help that Clay Buchholz mirrored Josh Beckett‘s first start of the season, giving five lucky fans a souvenir.

Home runs from Nick Swisher, Eric Chavez–who took him yard twice–Alex Rodriguez and Russell Martin essentially ended the game before the sixth inning concluded but at one time that wouldn’t have been the case–the old Red Sox would have clawed their way back within inches at the very least.

All this team could do is put up a pair of runs on a homer from Yankee killer David Ortiz and an RBI double from Mike Aviles.

This team allowed sophomore starter Ivan Nova and the back end of the Yanks’ bullpen to hold them to just two runs, showing no will to win in the process–Something that should never happen when the Sox play the Evil Empire. The Red Sox of the past gave their best effort to topple the Yankees, even if it meant fists–or gloves–flying on the diamond.

It’s not that we can blame a lot of these guys, most of them know nothing of the rivalry that once defined the Red Sox and Yankees but it’s a shame that it’s come to this. The best thing this team can do is get back to hating the “Damn Yankees”.

For all the latest news and analysis from BoSox Injection, follow us on twitter, Facebook, or with our RSS Feed

Sep 1, 2011; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox former player

After the legendary collapse that the Red Sox suffered in September of 2011, the phrase I’ve heard most is “move forward”. The best way for the Sox to do so is to first take a giant leap backward.

Does anyone out there remember that mystical 2004 season that saw our beloved Red Sox win their first World Series in 86 years? Looking at the Red Sox squad of today you have to wonder where those days have gone. There’s no sign of Pedro Martinez and his taunting personality, long gone are the days of “Manny being Manny”, Kevin Youkilis hasn’t put on his Hooters gear since he was a rookie and “Cowboy Up” is an unfortunate thing of the past.

Hell, even the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry has seemingly become a thing of the past. Jason Varitek isn’t around to feed A-Rod his catchers mitt, the Yankees are no longer “daddy” to the Red Sox’ ace and the war of words is practically non-existent. In simple terms the “Greatest Rivalry in Sports” appears to be dying. You could even argue that it’s not the greatest rivalry in MLB at this point.

Sure, the Red Sox of 2011 probably had more talent than the ’04 team but the chemistry wasn’t there. What we were left with was the larger than life personality of Dustin Pedroia, the monotony of Adrian Gonzalez and always visually frustrated John Lackey. Pedey does the best he can but he’s all alone on a team full of “straight faced” ballplayers.

The starting rotation will play a big part in the Red Sox’ success in 2012 but the real formula for winning will involve taking a step back, getting back to having fun playing baseball and re-igniting the rivalry that has defined the Red Sox and Yankees for so many years.

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Spring training may not mean much in the way of the standings, but what it can do is boost a fan’s base confidence when a team is cruising in first place in the Grapefruit League.  That is exactly what the Toronto Blue Jays are doing this spring. With a record of 12-2, only the Detroit Tigers have a better winning percentage with the Jays having the most wins in all of baseball when you include the Cactus League in Arizona.  But just ask the Minnesota Twins from a year ago and they’ll tell you that winning in March doesn’t translate into a spot in the October dance.  None the less, this Blue Jays team is showing everyone that they are a legitimate threat to contend in the AL East.

Recently both Alex Rodriguez and Brian Cashman of the New York Yankees went on the record and declared the Jays to be considered a contender in not only the AL East but the American League.  Joel Sherman of the New York Post had the story.

“They are knocking on the door. It is undeniable that they are going to win and win for a while. They are reaping the benefits of great scouting, patience and doing things right.” – Brian Cashman

“They aren’t a secret anymore,” – Alex Rodriguez

The truth be told, our friends to the north are a serious threat to the Red Sox and it starts this April.  Their lineup is full of power and ability to get on base and that is consistent one through nine.  All-star slugging Jose Bautista leads the charge and comes as no surprise as one of the most feared bats in all of baseball.

Adam Lind is expected to carry a big portion of the offense and after a slow start in 2011 he came around to put up good numbers by the end of the season; 26 homers, 87 RBI, .251, .295, .439, .734.  The Jays brass may becoming impatient with Lind and should another slow start hold the team back this year Lind may be found on the chopping block.

After the two veterans in Bautista and Lind, the secret of the Jays is out: their youth is good and ready to win……now!

Players like J.P Arencibia, Edwin Encarnacion, Colby Rasmus and the phenom Brett Lawrie.  These four players highlight a group of youngsters that are making waves in the MLB and will be relied upon to win ball games for Toronto.  Who could forget Lawrie’s dramatic walk-off home run late last year against the Red Sox.

Lawrie is poised to become the next big thing in the Jays organization.  With raw power, tremendous bat speed and above average hitting ability, the Canadian native brings the full package to the plate.  His numbers last year prove that: 9 HR, 25 RBI, .293, .373, . 580, .953 and this was all in only 150 at-bats.  Had he started the year with the big club and kept up this pace he would have been the walk-away winner of the AL Rookie of the Year.

Colby Rasmus was a highly sought after prospect with the St. Louis Cardinals, hence the reason the Jays wanted him so badly.  So badly in fact they dealt four players and cash to the Cards for Rasmus and three others.  Injury limited his season in 2011 and his numbers reflect it, hitting just .173 and an OBP of only .201.  But he’s only 25-years old leaving plenty of room to grow and mature into the everyday outfielder the Jays are banking on, adding another piece to the offensive and defensive puzzle.

While the Jays boast an offensive loaded lineup that can compete with any AL East club, their pitching may be their Achilles heal. Currently their rotation features Ricky Romero, Brandon Morrow, Brett Cecil, Henderson Alvarez and Dustin McGowan.

Romero and Morrow provide a nice one-two punch but only if Morrow can consistently deliver.  His talent is true, but his inability to perform every fifth day is holding him back from being a legitimate number two starter.  An ERA of 4.72 last season will need to be reduced to enable the Jays to count on him as a starter.

Cecil and Alvarez are a work in project and could blossom this year giving the Jays a solid back end to their rotation.  Alvarez had a WHIP of just 1.13 last season to go with a nice ERA of 3.53 despite starting just 10 games.  Cecil meanwhile needs to avoid the big innings that ballooned his ERA to 4.73 with a WHIP of 1.33.  Both pitchers will be counted on to fill their share of innings and if one struggles, a deal for a veteran pitcher may be in order for Toronto.  They’ve already been tied to Gavin Floyd and John Lannan and with an overloaded prospect system they have the best chance of anyone to offer what other teams are looking for.

Their fifth starter in Dustin McGowan, at least for now, did have the makings of an ace.  Two shoulder surgeries later and McGowan finally returned to the mound in 2011 to make four starts but struggling with control.  He could be the wild card to the Jays chances of contending this year with a solid bounce back year.  Waiting in the wings is prospect Kyle Drabek who could be used as trade bait later in the year.

The Jays bullpen was completely overhauled this winter that saw the acquisitions of Sergio Santo, Darren Oliver and Francisco Cordero, giving them one of the best bullpens in the division, at least on paper.

Keep in mind that this club is managed by the brilliant mind of John Farrell and has plenty of financial backing from the Rogers Communication Group.  Meaning this team’s payroll should increase as they continue to contend, allowing them to spend more money on some high profile free-agents while locking up their core pieces for years to come.  As mentioned, they are littered with talented prospects, too many to name.  This will allow them to be aggressive on any trade they feel will help them improve the ball club now.  Suddenly the Yankees and Red Sox have serious competition when going after the big names via the trading block.

In short, this club is good, very good and the spring training games are proving just that.  If I had to pick one sleeper to surprise everyone this year in the American League it is the Toronto Blue Jays.  They may be one starting arm away from pushing for a Wild Card spot.  Get in to the dance and anything can happen on the floor.

For all the latest news and analysis from BoSox Injection, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, or with our RSS feed.

As part of a new segment that will be featured here at BSI, titled Enemy Territory where we look at headlines from the other clubs in the AL East, we kick it off by analyzing the plans of the Evil Empire to keep both Curtis Granderson and Robinson Cano under contract. All the while staying below the luxury tax threshold in 2014.

The Yankees owner, Hal Steinbrenner, confirmed that the organization’s goal is to get under the $189M salary ceiling by 2014 and thus avoiding what would be a severe tax penalty.  Currently the club’s payroll is around the $220M mark, so shedding some contracts could pose to be more challenging than it sounds.

Further questions arise when you hear that the Yankees intend on re-signing both second baseman, Robinson Cano and outfielder, Curtis Granderson.  Both players have developed into offensive juggernauts for the Yankees as well as defensive rocks. Many feel Cano is the best second baseman in the game today, which is a debate for another day (ahem, Pedroia).  Both Cano and Granderson are set to become free-agents after the 2013 season and could fetch as much as $20M per season on the open market.

The Yankees currently have four players chewing up almost $90M in salary; Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, CC Sabathia and Mark Teixeira.  Add on roughly $40 million more for Cano and Granderson and suddenly the team has $130M tied up in just SIX players.  Meaning they would only have around $60 million to spend on 19 players!

But as Jon Heyman of  CBSSports.com reports, Levine believes he can field a championship caliber team within these paramters.

So just how do they expect to do this?   Rob Abruzzese of Bronx Baseball Daily takes a look at some of the players that may or may not be around to be apart of this $189M championship caliber team.

Names like Russell Martin and Nick Swisher immediately come to the forefront and in all likelihood could find new homes.  Pitchers, Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain are set to be free agents after 2013 and could walk out of pinstripes.

Abruzzese is quick to point out that most of the headlines are being made from team president Levine and that he could be speaking out of turn.  Team GM Brian Cashman tends to lean on the side of aggressiveness and could be singing a different tune than that of Levine.

The tax threshold appears to be the team’s mission by 2014 so let’s continue down that path with both Cano and Granderson in the mix.  Joel Sherman of the New York Post writes that the answer to the Yankees problem could be solved by getting creative on the  contract front; namely A-Rod’s massive deal.

Sherman suggests extending A-Rod’s current deal to a five-year, $100M after the 2013 season, which would reduce his annual hit against the team payroll from $27.5M to $20M.  Not a bad idea, but let’s consider the ego we’re talking about here.  It’s A-Rod and not Evan Longoria.  **Note – I am not comparing Longoria to A-Rod talent wise, merely stating that Longoria gave the Rays a home town discount when he could have cashed in elsewhere. Sherman goes on to explain the bonus portion of A-Rod’s current contract and how he could potentially turn it into guaranteed money.  At the end of the day, if A-Rod is still playing baseball in six years at the age of 42 I will eat my shorts.  I’m thinking he’s going to want his guaranteed money up front.

One could argue that Cano also has a bit of an ego which could eliminate any possibility of him taking a home town discount to help out the Yanks.

The other scenario Sherman mentions is to extend Cano and Granderson now and look at saving a few million per season based on the $20M per year being in play for both players.  Again, a long shot at best considering these guys may want to test the open market to see if they can exert additional dollars from other clubs.  If this year’s free-agent frenzy is any indication then it’s likely they could.

In closing, I don’t see how the Yankees can get to the $189M payroll in just two years.  Not while keeping guys like Swisher, Hughes, Soriano, Joba, Gardner, Martin and eventually Pineda among others.  They do have some talented prospects coming up but will it be enough to compete? Do they need some of the aforementioned names in order to compete for the division every year?

Mariano Rivera is likely going to retire this year which will provide $15M in salary, but it’s still a far cry from fielding a full lineup when potentially six players could occupy over two thirds of the budget.  Consider that Brian Cashman has said he won’t rule out adding a high profile free-agent next winter in the form of Cole Hamels or Matt Cain and this water just went from muddied to down right dirty. 2014 may be the year they feel the pinch of some bad contracts they’ve handed out in the past.

On second thought, this is the Yankees we’re talking about and anything is possible so don’t be surprised if they pull this off.  Of course talk is cheap and a $220 million dollar payroll in 2014 is certainly well within the realm of possibilities, especially with the New York Yankees.

For all the latest news and analysis from BoSox Injection, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, or with our RSS feed.

December 21, 2011; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek (right) walks off the court with Catherine Panagiotopoulos (left) after the Boston Celtics defeated the Toronto Raptors 81-73 at TD Banknorth Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-US PRESSWIRE

After 1,546 games in 15 years at home plate for the Red Sox, Jason Varitek is ready to go home.

“After months of deliberating on what to do I decided it was best for me and my family to retire. What convinced me not to (come back) is what is best for me and my family. “

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photo credit: SportsIllsustrated.com

In 1968 Andy Warhol, said  that “In the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes.“ and thanks to the exponential increase in the speed of media, it seems that fame allows just a single image.

For Jason Varitek it will be the “Mitt Moment.”

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September 14, 2011; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher John Lackey (left) and catcher Jason Varitek (right) talk on the mound during the fifth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-US PRESSWIRE

“He is a man’s man…He was a big hitter when needed. He was a leader of the pitching staff. He was able to beat up Alex. All that stuff is good stuff. He was exactly what he was supposed to be.” [Bobby Valentine]

Jason Varitek, one of only three Captains of the Red Sox from 2005-11, will announce his retirement Thursday at Jet Blue Park in Fort Myers.  As Captain he led by example and commanded the respect of his team mates with his actions on the field. 

He was a man’s man.  He was a gamer.  He left it all on the field.

Maybe they can schedule “Jason Varitek Day” at Fenway with A-Rod and the Yankees in town.

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It’s Pre-Season Ranking Time and we citizens of Red Sox Nation are interested to know if our team is highly-ranked, injustly ranked, or judged just rank.   And, just as we are smarting for a good argument at the neighborhood tavern, in walks MLB.com Columnist, Anthony Castrovince, and tells us that he has created a Top Ten for three categories: Lineup, Starting Rotation, and Bullpen.

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According to NESN citing a report out of the New York Daily News, Rodriguez is now dating former WWE diva and Playboy model, Torrie Wilson.  Recently the couple was spotted in Boise, Idaho, Wilson’s hometown after previously being seen in Mexico, vacationing with George Clooney and Stacey Keibler.

I wonder who looks in the mirror more often, A-Rod or Wilson?  Rodriguez will likely be trading in his SuperBowl tickets for passes to Wrestlemania; don’t forget the popcorn.

Just another public image for the spotlight hungry A-Rod.  Maybe it’s a good thing the deal with Texas feel through prior to the 2004 season, we’ve got enough on our hands in Boston.

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Beltran, 34, is still being shown a lot of interest by the Cleveland Indians, Toronto Blue Jays and St. Louis Cardinals and is expected to make his decision as early as this weekend, reports Ken Rosenthal of ESPN.

With the Red Sox now out of the Beltran sweepstakes, could they be waiting for Cuban defector Yoennis Cespedes to hit the free agent market? (more…)

As an ongoing and indepth look as to potential moves that the Red Sox could or even need to make this offseason, we turn our attention to none other than Big Papi, David Ortiz.

The former home run derby champion is set to become a free agent this offseason and after spending the past nine years in Boston he has become a fixture to the city and his team. 

Just over a year ago there was much speculation as to whether or not Ortiz would regain his once dominating form that would strike fear into opposing pitchers by him simply walking to the plate.   A frustrating start to the 2010 season had many critics writing off Ortiz, saying he was washed up.  But two months into the season he turned it around and still belted 32 home runs and drove in 102 RBI. 

Another productive year in 2011 saw Big Papi hit 29 long balls and collect 96 RBI and suddenly his services are once again to be deemed valuable.  (more…)

In part one of a series that will explore and dissect the offseason changes that could be and should be made by the Red Sox, we look at the captain of this club, Jason Varitek. 

With all the negative publicity this team has gotten over the past three weeks and no apparent end in sight, the one constant that keeps arising is where was the leadership in the clubhouse?  Where was the captain to restore order in a dysfunctional locker room that featured a lineup full of all-stars.  It was pretty obvious there wasn’t a distinct leader or anyone willing to stand up to some of the alleged destructive behaviours that were taking place. 

So the question is, do the Red Sox bring back Jason Varitek for a 15th sesason? (more…)