Facebook Problems Persist

Hello, I wanted to use this resource to discuss my displeasure with Facebook. Beginning on October 3rd, I lost access to my Facebook account. Note the article below:

http://www.zdnetasia.com/news/internet/0,39044908,62058573,00.htm

Days later, Facebook claimed to have fixed the problem for all of the 150,000 affected users:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13577_3-10376475-36.html

I, however, still do not have access to my account. I have emailed Facebook daily and have yet to receive a response. I wanted to post this to see if I am an isolated case, or if there are still a large number of people who are having issues.

Big Papi is back!!!

The last poll that was posted asked, "Will David Ortiz come out of his slump?" A whopping 4 people responded, and only one person said yes. (I am happy to say that was me!)

Big Papi now has 3 HR in his last 5 games, and his batting average has soared over the Mendoza line to .203. Over the last 7 days, Big Papi is hitting .350 with a .458 OBP.

Ortiz has not lost his knack for clutch hitting, either. Ortiz decided to break out of his season long slump against the archrival Yankees with 2 HR in 3 games.

I think that his hot hitting probably earned him a start in interleague play against the Phillies.

John Smoltz on his way back to Boston

Here is an article about John Smoltz and his rehab, as well as some other Red Sox news:

John Smoltz Update/Red Sox News

I am not a huge fan of a 6 man rotation personally. As Browne noted, pitchers are "creatures of habit." I could not agree more. 6 days is too long a layoff for most starters.

The Red Sox should look to trade Brad Penny for a nice prospect or two, or perhaps a big league hitter. Even if someone in the rotation gets hurt, the Sox can still use Masterson, Buchholz, and Bowden as starters.

NFL Fantasy Files

This is a follow up to the post elrey made a couple weeks ago when Laurence Maroney jumped through the car windows:

SI Article about Tom Brady

In an interesting Sports Illustrated piece, Peter King talks with Tom Brady about the knee surgery and what lies ahead on and off the field.

SI Article

Ortiz and the number 3 spot

David Ortiz went 0 for 12 against the Mets this weekend with eight strikeouts and left sixteen runners on base. His average is now .195 and his slugging is .299. The Sox need to take him out of the number 3 spot now. They cannot afford to leave him there with these numbers.

Nick Johnson to Red Sox?

According to ESPN's Peter Gammons, the Washington Nationals have offered to trade Nick Johnson to the Red Sox for Manny Delcarmen.

Nick Johnson/Manny Delcarmen Swap

Even though the Red Sox seemingly have a ton of depth in their bullpen, I'd rather keep it that way. While Nick Johnson has had a fantastic 2009 and would allow the team more defensive flexibility, he has a history of injury concerns. If the Sox were to trade for Johnson, it would also signal the front office's belief that the end is near for Big Papi. I am still holding out hope for the resurgence of Papi. Regardless, though, Ortiz makes $12.5 million and will not be used in a utility role making that much money. Due to his declining production, I don't see a team trading for him, either.

This trade is unlikely to happen.

Patriots Schedule Analysis Part I

I am sure that a lot will change between now and September, but here are my thoughts on the first four games of the season as of late May.

September 14, vs. Buffalo-This is sure to be a high-intensity game given that it will be the season-opener on Monday Night Football and will feature the return of Tom Brady and the debut of Terrell Owens as a Bill. Although the Bills have made some changes this off-season that should improve their team, I do not see it being enough for them to come into Foxborough and beat the Patriots in Week 1. Plus, Dick Jauron is still the coach in Buffalo.

September 20, at New York Jets-The departure of Brett Favre and the arrival of Mark Sanchez should bode well for the Jets in the long-run, but I do not see the Jets being a contender this year. Their roster simply has too many holes and I think Sanchez will have a rough rookie year transitioning to the NFL. This should be a relatively easy win for New England.

September 27, vs. Atlanta-Even with the addition of Tony Gonzalez, it will be difficult for the Falcons to repeat the success they had in 2008. The Falcons are a good team, but I just do not see them coming up to New England and beating the Patriots.

October 4, vs. Baltimore-The Ravens will also find it difficult to achieve the same level of success that they had in 2008. In the off-season, Rex Ryan left to become head coach of the Jets and brought linebacker Bart Scott and safety Jim Leonhard with him to New York. It will be interesting to see if the vaunted Ravens defense can still continue to play at the same level. On the offensive side, Baltimore needs some more play-makers as Derrick Mason is not getting any younger. Still, this will not be an easy win for the Patriots, but it still should be a win.

Brady doing well

On "Patriots Today," Tom Brady said that he is "feeling great." This is, of course, expected and he should be ready to go when Week 1 rolls around. After the reports that surfaced following his surgery, it is good to hear Brady himself say he is doing well.

Red Sox to trade for Victor Martinez?

According to Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com, the Red Sox are contemplating a trade for Victor Marintez.

V-Mart to Red Sox?

I would definitely support a trade for Victor. Although I think David Ortiz will bounce back from his awful start, the Red Sox front office shouldn't expect another AL MVP caliber season from him ever again. Ortiz has turned into a 25 HR, 90 RBI player at best. In order to have a successfully functioning offense, we need more production than that from the #3 hitter in the lineup.

With the acquisition of Martinez, it would help give off days to three specific players: Varitek, Lowell and Ortiz. Martinez would be able to play both catcher and 1B, giving some much needed rest to Varitek. If V-Mart spent a game at 1B, it would allow Youkilis to shift over to 3B and give Lowell's hip a day off, too. Of course, Martinez could also give Ortiz a rest from DHing.

While I would like the Sox to acquire a player of Martinez's caliber, the Red Sox should not forfeit the farm system to do so. I am okay with trading Clay Buchholz, Daniel Bard, and a second-tier offensive player. Trading Buchholz, Michael Bowden and Lars Anderson, however, would simply be too much. Theo and the front office greatly value their developing players and will not be pushed around. Unless a deal is there at the right price, the Red Sox will pass. The farther the Indians fall out of contention, the more leverage the Red Sox gain.

With all of this said, the Indians have to be willing to trade him. As Rosenthal notes, the Indians are still trying to win this year and are wary of losing their fanbase for next season as well.

With Martinez under control through 2010, I think a trade is unlikely this year. By holding off, the Red Sox give their farm system another year to develop, enabling the front office a better understanding of the talent these prospects possess.

I think the Red Sox have enough depth in their lineup that the David Ortiz problem can be fixed internally. If Ortiz does not bounce back, the Sox will be forced to push him down in the order. This would likely result in Jason Bay hitting 3rd, and Ortiz hitting 5th. After seeing what Bay has done so far this season, this may be the best move for the team regardless of whether or not Ortiz begins to swing the bat.