Is Running Up the Score Acceptable?

Running up the score seems to be frowned upon by almost everyone. We usually have that controversy a couple times a year. Whether that team should have went for it on that down, or they should have pulled their starters out of the game earlier. Today, the Seahawks beat down the Cardinals in every aspect of the game. The final result was a 58-0 victory in favor of the Seahawks, thanks to the undisciplined Cardinals, and the fact they just don't have a Quarterback that can thrown the ball anywhere near all-pro Larry Fitzgerald.

So was Pete Carroll out of line, going for it on 4th down? Was Russell Wilson out of line for throwing the ball into the end zone on that 4th down? I say no way! You are in the NFL, stand up for yourselves, don't put yourself in that position in the first place, Cardinals. Sure, you can have a let down game, where you get beat by a couple touchdowns. But, at no point should you ever be down by 50. If you need to look back well past that afternoon. It means that your front office is not doing a successful job, whether it be drafting, scouting or signing free-agents. But, most of the blame needs to be put on Ken Whisenhunt for not preparing his team anywhere near the level they needed to be at for that game. 

After this game, Whisenhunt and Rob Graves (general manager) should have been handed their pink slips and sent home. So, don't look at Pete Carroll as the bad guy here. He made the right decision, look at the other side of the field, blame the whole Cardinals organization for mismanagement, and putting a product on the field, that didn't have any business being out there. 

What Exactly are the Red Sox Doing?

After finishing 69-93 in 2012, the Red Sox are in for a difficult offseason. In Boston, there is no such thing as a rebuilding season. But, in this situation that's what the Red Sox needs. After one of the worst seasons in team history, they need to change their philosophy.

There is not enough talent on this team to compete for a championship. So it makes no sense to waste a large chunk of money on mid-level free-agents. This free-agent class features one elite players, and that is Josh Hamilton. But he comes with question marks, and after dumping three large contracts at the end of last season, why would you want to sign another player long-term, and give him job security.

This team needs position battles, young players that need to prove themselves. No more of overpaid, old, lazy, all-stars that have nothing to worry about. Only Davis Ross and Johnny Gomes have been signed by the Red Sox. They are no all-stars by any stretch of the imagination but they are some character players that will go fight everyday. Nick Swisher, Cody Ross, and Mike Naploi have have been rumored to be on the Red Sox radar. I say, forget them, bring up young players like Ryan Kalish, Ryan Lavarnway and see what you have. So in 2014 you can have a real gauge on your young players, and you can go from there.

The Kansas City Royals have been rumored to be interested in Jon Lester for Wil Myers, a top 15 prospect that brings legit all-star power. Do it, trade Lester and start over, put Myers in right field and hope he works out. Lester only has two more years left, and there is no way they will compete this year so, get the top prospect while you can.

You can put a quality team out on the field next season that the fans in Boston will love, with the players you have. Dustin Pedroia and David Ortiz are still in town who will always draw fans. Time to play some moneyball, play your young players, trade Lester, and start over. Real baseball fans will appreciate this, and ownership will be patting themselves on the back in a couple of years, because of 2013.

Tampa Bay Rays Risky Decision

The Tampa Bay Rays finally opened their checkbooks. Albeit for their best player on the team in his prime. Evan Longoria agreed to a six-year $100 million extension on Monday. The deal will guarantee Longoria the four options that were left on his contract for just over $36 million. In total Longoria is guaranteed $136 over 10 seasons.

Only 27-years-old, Longoria is just entering his prime. He's won a gold glove, and taken Tampa Bay to heights that have never been seen before. He struggled with hamstring issues last year, which lead to his worst season in the majors. But, even when Longoria was healthy, the fans were still non-existent in Tampa. They have never been able to draw, never. Always at the bottom of the league in attendance, most recently being this year, with a team that had a Cy Young winning in David Price, and a team that was competing for a division championship until the last week of the season.

As a baseball fan, you should want to go see David Price pitch every fifth day. He's electric, and has a chance to show you something you have never seen before. If you moved this team to Boston, they would sell out every game, have a crazy fan base, on the edge of their seat every time Longoria comes up to the plate, or Price is on the mound.

Tampa has one of the lowest TV deals at around $16 million a year, compared to the Dodgers new billion dollar a deal annually, Tampa's deal is pennies on the dollar. A team cannot thrive with a deal like that, that's why in the past, they sell-off all their stars that are going to command top dollar when they become free-agents. Longoria is the exception, he has the pretty boy face for marketing the team, and is a MVP candidate, season in and season out. General Manager Andrew Friedman is stepping into uncharted territory. Let's hope that the Rays can survive the fishy waters of south Florida, and see the end of Longoria's deal in 2022.