Patrick Roy is a candidate for the Canadians GM vacancy

An unusual and disappointing season for the Montreal Canadians has almost come to an end. But before it could, another head had to hit the chopping block. In a season when an assistant coach was fired minutes before a game started, one of their players was traded during a game, and the head coach was fired mere hours before a game it was only a matter of time before the last domino fell. That is exactly what happened early Thursday as GM (former) Pierre Gauthier was in effect told, “thanks, but your services are no longer needed here”.  

When someone is let go, the attention immediately turns to who will replace that person. An interesting name has popped up on lists for potential candidates. Patrick Roy, arguably the greatest goalie in NHL history, is apparently on the team’s list of candidates.   

Roy is a living legend as far as the folks in Montreal are concerned as he delivered two Stanley Cups to the city. But it does remain to be seen if 1. he gets the job and 2. if would actually be able to return Montreal to their glory days. One thing is for sure though, with the fact that the Canadians have set a franchise record for losses in a season this year, Roy couldn’t possibly do worse.

LeBron James Takes A Step Above The G.O.A.T

One lost his title not by being knocked down in the ring, but by taking a stand out of it. He said, 

“I ain’t got no quarrel with them Viet Cong… they never called me nigger.”

Two of them won Olympic medals, but would forever go down in history for a simple yet effective gesture. 

One decided to take a stand even when no one truly expected him to, and nobody would’ve blamed him if he had not. 

One was asked why he wouldn’t make an endorsement in a political race and famously or, infamously depending on your point of view quipped, 

“Republicans buy shoes too.”

In order, those athletes were Muhammad Ali, John Carlos and Tommie Smith, LeBron James, and of course Michael Jordan. Before we get too deep into this edition of Tha Weatha Report, allow me to first say that there is absolutely no requirement for an athlete to make his/her social opinions known. They get paid to run fast, jump high, hit harder than their opponent, and put a ball in a hoop/goal/net. There has never been an owner or promoter that cuts a check to an athlete because they agreed with their political stance. But on the other side, there has never been a high profile athlete that has been denied a check based on their opposing political or social views. There is a reason why they are athletes and not social commentators. 

However, there comes a time when you have to continue the work that was put in by pioneers before you. I am one of the biggest Michael Jordan fans that you would probably ever see. I buy his shoes, clothes, and still tout him as the greatest basketball player that ever donned a jersey. But I also can call a spade a spade and Michael Jordan did absolutely nothing to further any agenda outside of his own. This is not just a commentary on MJ’s lack of a political stance. That would be shortsighted. Just like it would be shortsighted to say that those athletes named above were the only ones to ever take a stand. Jim Brown, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Russell are just a few other names. Remember, Michael Jordan had the premium opportunity to take a stand against unfair child labor in Indonesia. His response? 

“I think that’s Nike’s decision to do what they can to make sure everything is correctly done. I don’t know the complete situation. Why should I? I’m trying to do my job.”

Great job there by “His Airness”. You are the athlete with the highest profile to ever lace up a pair of Nikes. Your profile is so considerably large that your products are no longer Nike, they are Jordan Brand. Michael Jordan had the chance to put his name out there in regards to a plague that has gripped the world, and in the clutch Jordan did something that we were not used to him doing during his playing days. He failed. He missed the shot at the buzzer. Those young children that were making his shoes did not care about Jordan “doing his job” because at the ages of 10, 11, and 12 they were illegally doing their own jobs. Simply put, Michael Jordan shot an air ball whenever he had the chance to take a stand. 

This brings us to one of the closest athletes we have to Michael Jordan, a man that evokes considerable emotions in certain parts of the country. A man that has a global imprint. That man is LeBron James. Now say what you will about “King James”. Dislike him for his playoff failures. Dislike him for leaving Cleveland and, wait for it……”taking his talents to South Beach”. But the one thing that we all have to admit is that LeBron James has Michael Jordan beat in one major area. Mr. James took a stand when he didn’t have to. 

Unless you have been living underneath a rock for the last week or two, all of you have heard the tragic tale of the situation surrounding the death of Trayvon Martin (if you need to read up on this story as well as how it relates to our world, I recommend my good friend Pluto Strange's article here). It is a story that has galvanized communities as well as caused a good portion of this country to re-examine the way that they look at members of different races. The one portion of society that no one expected to hear from on this matter was the world of sports. In recent years this generation has not had its own version of Muhammad Ali or Bill Russell. With one single gesture, one tweet, and one photograph LeBron James finally stepped up in the clutch and delivered. A few days ago James took to Twitter to put his face on an issue that has swept through the nation. With phrases such as #WeAreTrayvonMartin, #Hoodies, and #WeWantJustice, LeBron James made his opinion clearly known to the world. Also tweeted along with those words was a picture of the entire Miami Heat team, each player draped in hoodies. There is a saying that a picture is worth a thousand words, but that picture was worth ten times that amount. With that single show of solidarity the Miami Heat and most importantly LeBron James showed the world that there are athletes who are socially conscious when before it was thought that those types of people had become extinct. 

Has LeBron taken himself to Ali’s level? Of course not. It would be foolish to say such. The situation, era, and circumstances were totally different. Has LeBron taken himself above Michael Jordan’s level? Yes, without a shadow of a doubt. There are moments in life when sports take an extreme back seat. This happened to be one of those times. This also happened to be one of those times when one of the most visible athletes of our time decided to step out of the shadows and shed light where it needed to shine. 

Michael Jordan has three more MVP awards than LeBron James. Six more titles and is universally loved where LeBron is….well, let’s just say that he would have to pay for his own drinks in Cleveland. But with one camera flash, LeBron James overtook Michael Jordan in one big area. To ignore that….well, wouldn't that just be shortsighted?

What To Make of Tiger Woods

While you were busy focusing on March Madness, some guy that goes by the name Tiger decided to let loose with a roar. Taking the lead into a final round is not usually much to hang your hat on, but with Tiger it is a jumping off point. The downfall of Mr. Woods has been well documented, so there is no need to rehash it. However, does it truly matter that he has put three good rounds together? Not really. 

Tiger, like most great athletes, measure themselves on wins and those alone. Tiger has teased us before. The 2011 Australian Open where he finished third comes to mind. Tiger used to resemble a lion, king over the PGA jungle. Since 2009 his lion’s mane diminished to a mere buzz cut. No longer winning tournaments just by showing up. The fact that a third round lead for him is a big story tells us all we need to know about just how far Eldrick has fallen. Are we to get excited now for a lead with a player who was a fire hydrant away from already passing Jack Nicklaus' major championship record? I think not. 

Instead, the world is waiting on the Tiger that dominates majors. The man that turned Augusta into his own coming out party. The athlete that won a major on one leg. Winning a tournament that lies in his former backyard and that he has won six previous times is nice and a start. The game of golf does not need a Tiger that is the same as Ernie Els, Bubba Watson, and Charlie Wi. The game of golf needs the Tiger Woods that showed up and captivated a nation. The Woods that was big enough to have EA make a game with his likeness. 

Does that Woods still exist? Remains to be seen. One things for sure though, winning at Bay Hill will not give us that answer. Winning April 5^th – April 8^th in Augusta, GA would be the only answer we need.   

Tha WeathaMan's Open Letter to Peyton Manning

Dear Peyton,

I hope you don't mind me calling you by your first name. I hope all is well with you. You seem to be healthy these days, and judging by your frequent flyer miles it seems that you are a hot commodity. I can't say that I blame those teams, you are quite the quarterback. As a person that met you a while ago when I was in high school, I was hoping to give you my unsolicited opinion on which team you should join. You don't have to worry about thanking me for this, as I'm just looking out for what is best for you.

I know Denver is an option, but have you honestly thought about what it means to go there? For starters, they play outdoors in a location where the winters are harsh and the weather is frigid. I know you've spent a considerable amount of time up in Indianapolis, but you were able to play inside of a dome. There is no dome in Denver. Also, you would seem to be at the point in your career where you want to win another Super Bowl. I don't think you can win one with Denver. Their defense was ranked 24th in the league last year. That is hardly a Super Bowl caliber defensive unit. Also, a quarterback of your pedigree deserves to throw to a more skilled receiving group than one that "boasts" Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas as the two top targets. You deserve more Peyton.

That leads me to the Titans. What a great story that would be wouldn't it Peyton? The King of Tennessee football coming back home to close out his career. It would come full circle. Unfortunately, we both know that you are not in the business of making good stories. You are in it to win! Who are we kidding here? We both know that the Titans are a few years away from being playoff contenders, never mind Super Bowl contenders. Unlike the Broncos, at least the Titans have a good defense. They do have a good running game with Chris Johnson. Sounds like a good team right? Look deeper though Peyton, because relying just on the surface picture can trick you. They have a wide receiver corp that cannot stay healthy. Doesn't do you much good to have receivers if they are on the sidelines wearing street clothes right? Also, how winnable is that division when you have the Houston Texans that look poised to dominate for the next few years? You don't want to have to deal with that young and dynamic group for your remaining few years in the league do you Peyton? I didn't think so either. Here is the last point, but it is the biggest in my opinion. You strike me as the exact opposite of Brett Favre, in that you don't like distractions and circus like atmospheres. Do you really want to play the Colts twice a year like you would have to with the Titans? Imagine the media crowding around you for two weeks a season. Imagine the questions, the distractions, and the unhealthy atmosphere that would exist for those games. Your team would have a hard time focusing, hell you might even have a hard time focusing with all of that going on. Once again Peyton, you deserve better.

That leads me to what "better" is Peyton, and that's the Bay Area. The San Francisco 49ers. Out of your reported finalists, this team has the most history and the most to offer. You would get to follow in the footsteps of some of the great NFL quarterbacks of all time. Y.A. Tittle, Joe Montana, and Steve Young are names that will go down in history as three of the best. You would make number four. You want viable passing targets? What about having the benefit of one of the top three tight ends in the game in Vernon Davis? What about a first ballot hall of fame receiver in Randy Moss running patterns on the outside for you? You want a young, up and coming receiver? They have that in Michael Crabtree. I figure you would want a receiver who has done it on the big stage and won the big games right? They have that too with the recent signing of Mario Manningham. Manning to Manningham has a great ring to it doesn't it? I thought you would like that. They even have a Pro Bowler in the backfield in Frank Gore. He's a workhorse that could definitely take the pressure off of you. That would allow you to be fresh for the stretch run and playoffs.

I haven't even discussed the fact that they had the second ranked defensive unit in the league last year, and will return all eleven of their starters. They even had a top 10 offense. Just imagine how great that offensive unit would be with you donning the number 18 jersey. Pure harmony my friend. Another factor is that they won their division last year easily, and no one else in that division has improved this off season. Seems like your path to the playoffs would be easier in San Fran than it would be anywhere else. Not to mention Jim Harbaugh is a coach of the year winner and understands the art of quarterbacking as much as you do. You deserve better Peyton, and the Niners are the epitome of better.

Now granted, I am a die hard 49ers fan. This cannot be disputed. However, I am also an unbiased sports blogger and sports analyst. I just present the facts Peyton, and that is exactly what I've done here. I know Elway might be a good salesmen, and the sentimental value of going to Tennessee would make everyone feel warm and fuzzy. But I want you to remember something Peyton: Eli has two rings and you only have one. He's not better than you. He knows it, I know it, and you know it. Time for you to get your second and even third rings. All of the greats have multiple rings. Where can you win those rings? You are a smart man Peyton. I look forward to watching your press conference where you hold up that red and white number 18 jersey.

Sincerely,

D. Ruck aka Tha WeathaMan

After The Season: What Are The Needs of Each NFC East Team

The confetti is still falling, the street cleaners are still picking up trash after the parade, and Brandon Jacobs is still talking. Yet, there is no rest for the folks associated with the 32 teams of the NFL. Oh no, everyone is already looking for to the combine, draft, and free agency to ensure that at this time next year it is their city celebrating. So, what does each team need to do in order to get themselves to that point? Let's check it out going through each division, and in this edition we will start in the division that is home to the newly crowned NFL champions. 

NFC East

This is the only division that can boast having three championship teams. You have the Giants, the team fresh off of another Super Bowl title. Then there is the perennial off season champions, the Washington Redskins. Then there is the paper champions, the perennially underachieving Dallas Cowboys. Of course, the last two are said in jest....kind of.

Dallas: CB, DL, LB


There is a reason why the Cowboys ranked 23rd in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game last season. No one in the secondary could cover air, much less actual humans running around the field. Dallas has to find players who can cover receivers one on one to be effective in Rob Ryan's blitz heavy style. The folks in Big D also need to find a compliment to DeMarcus Ware. The man from Troy had 19.5 sacks on the season while the rest of the team only had 22.5. That simply is not going to get it done in a division with Michael Vick and Eli Manning taking snaps under center.

New York: RB, OL, CB

What do you get a team that has the Lombardi Trophy? For starters, the Giants are going to need to reinforce their backfield. Ahmad Bradshaw is a tough customer, but one has to wonder how long can his feet hold up with screws keeping them together. Also, Brandon Jacobs is due almost $5 million next season, and all reports are that he will not be back with the team. One of the enduring images of this playoff season was watching Eli shrug off defenders and pick himself up off the turf. Giants need to shore up the offensive line and protect their two time Super Bowl MVP QB. Also, the secondary should get a boost once the injuries heal but you can never have too much depth in the defensive back corps.

Philadelphia: LB, WR, OL

The Philadelphia defense was ranked 10th in the NFL last season, but that ranking does not tell the whole story. The unit was average, at best, against the run giving up over 112 yards per game on the ground. Hard to get an explosive offense such as Philly's on the field if you can't get the opposing team off the field. Finding a way to strengthen the linebacking crew will go a long way towards bringing that rushing average down. DeSean Jackson doesn't appear to be coming back to Philly so they will have to replace his production at some point. The Eagles biggest issue has been keeping their key players healthy. Michael Vick is crucial to the success of that team, and to ensure he stays healthy the team needs to get the offensive line in order. That unit gave up 32 sacks last season, including 23 sacks of Vick. Hard to keep a slender QB such as Vick healthy if you can't keep him upright.

Washington: QB, WR

Count me amongst the folks that actually believe Washington is not too far away from having a playoff caliber team. First mistake was believing that either Rex Grossman or John Beck could lead this team to a winning record. It would be a second mistake to compound things by not fixing that position. Whether it is a certain QB that has played for the past few years in Indy or through the draft, an upgrade is sorely needed. While they're at it, upgrade the pass catching crew as well. I like the defense in Washington, but if they wanted to add a lock down corner to play alongside DeAngelo Hall I'm sure no one would complain.

   
Be on the lookout for the next edition when we'll tackle another division and what those teams need to do in order to improve. Thanks for reading. Be sure to check out the Twitter page @WeathaManRuck and also the Facebook page "Tha Weatha Report".

Welcome one and all to the sports blog that keeps on giving. The place where it is recognized that men lie, women lie, and numbers lie. However, real facts never lie. That's what, it is Tha Weatha Report. Today it is time to take a look at the landscape of the NBA. What does the forecast have in store? Let's jump right into it.

Eastern Conference

- Atlantic Division: This division is a two horse race between the Boston Celtics and the New York Knicks. The sexy pick is the Knicks, especially after their opening day Christmas day win over the Celtics. However, a lot of factors are commonly overlooked when discussing that game. The missing Paul Pierce not playing being the main one. Simply put, after being swept last season by the Celtics the game meant more to New York than it did to Boston. Even with all that being said, a win is still a win and the Knicks now own one over their division rivals. That one victory did nothing to change my mind on which team is going to win the division. Boston is a better defensive team, has a better back court, and has more depth. Not to mention that the front lines cancel each other out. All of that adds up to Boston winning with the division in a close race. 

- Central Division: This division belongs to Chicago and it is not even a close race. Simply put, Chicago is the second best team in the Eastern Conference and some people have them being the best. The more intriguing thought is which team is the second best. That goes to the Indiana Pacers. Adding David West to a young core that is continuing to improve will do wonders for this team. They won't provide much competition for Chicago, but they are working their way up the ladder with shrewd personnel moves. 

- Southeast Division: If Chicago is the second best team in the conference then Miami is the clear cut favorite and the obvious best team in this division. As with the Central Division, the issue is which team is the second best. Last year Atlanta beat Orlando in 6 games in the first round of the playoffs, and with the uncertainty surrounding the Magic I have Atlanta being the second best team in this division. 

Surprise Team: The Milwaukee Bucks are my pick for the surprise team in the Eastern Conference. I believe a healthy Andrew Bogut and a steadily improving Brandon Jennings is a combo that could possibly squeeze the young Bucks into the bottom half of the playoff brackets out East. If Stephen Jackson stays focused and motivated and the Bucks improve their defense, a 7th or 8th seed is not out of the question. 

Eastern Conference Playoff Teams

1. Miami

2. Chicago

3. Boston

4. New York

5. Atlanta

6. Orlando

7. Indiana

8. Philadelphia 

Those are the 8 teams I have representing the East in the playoffs. As mentioned earlier, it would not surprise me to see Milwaukee squeak into one of those two bottom spots, especially if Philadelphia stumbles. 

Eastern Finals

Miami vs Chicago = Miami winning in 6 games

I am forecasting a rematch in the Eastern Conference Finals and with a similar result. Miami is on a mission this year and I look for them to beat Chicago in 6 once again. 

Western Conference

- Northwest Division: This is another division with a clear cut team that is head and shoulders above the other teams. The Oklahoma City Thunder, in my opinion, are the best team in the division and the Western Conference as a whole. The Nuggets look poised to finish second in this division as they continue their post Melo improved play. 

- Pacific Division: Maybe you heard a couple of things about this division in the off season? If not, you had to be hiding under a rock. Between the trade that didn't happen, the NBA commissioner who wasn't really a commissioner for a time period, to the trades that did happen, this division was the talk of the post lockout frenzy. After the dust settled we have Chris Paul in a Clippers uniform, and an unhappy Kobe Bryant wondering where CP3 took that detour. Even after all that, I still think the Lakers will win the division in a tight race with the Clippers. Until further notice Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, and a returning from suspension Andrew Bynum is a better triumvirate than CP3, Blake Griffin, and Chauncey Billups/DeAndre Jordan. 

Southwest Division: This division is a two horse race. Two teams that for various reasons have been either overlooked or written off. The San Antonio Spurs are considered by some to be too old while the Dallas Mavericks, the defending NBA champions no less, have been considered to have lost too many key pieces. As the great Lee Corso would say, not so fast my friend. Do not be so quick to write those Spurs off just yet. Remember, that lost to the Memphis Grizzlies in last year's playoffs was without a healthy Ginobili. This year, I have the Spurs winning the division with the Mavs finishing second. A healthy Ginobili, Duncan, and Parker have enough in them for another run. 

Western Conference Playoff Teams

1. Oklahoma City

2. San Antonio

3. Los Angeles Lakers 

4. Dallas Mavericks 

5. Los Angeles Clippers

6. Denver Nuggets 

7. Memphis Grizzlies

8. Golden State Warriors

These are my 8 Western Conference playoff teams, which also includes my surprise team. I believe the Golden State Warriors, under first time head coach Mark Jackson, will find a defensive identity and sneak into the playoffs. The team can score with anyone. If Jackson can get the team to play some defense, then they can surprise some people. 

Western Finals

Oklahoma City vs San Antonio = Oklahoma City Thunder 

The forecast is calling for a changing of the guard. This year, the San Antonio Spurs will formerly hand over the torch to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The youngsters will take out the veterans and go to the NBA Finals. 

NBA Finals

Miami Heat vs Oklahoma City Thunder = Miami Heat

That's right, I'm still firmly on the Miami Heat bandwagon. I believe that what transpired last year was a much needed humbling experience and it will help the Heat come through and win the championship this year. 

MVP

Kevin Durant: He will be the best player on the best team in the Western Conference. He'll win the scoring title as well and make huge leaps as far as moving without the ball and on his defense.

Defensive Player of the Year

Josh Smith: The 7th year man is already a tour de force on the defensive end. This year he gets the credit he deserves. 

Rookie of the Year

Kemba Walker: There will be plenty of rookies getting playing time this season. Kemba Walker will be the one to stand out. He will score and play adequate defense for a team that is in dire need of a face to lead it. Kemba Walker will be that player. 

That's it for this edition of Tha Weatha Report. Please take the time to check out the YouTube page. Just look up Tha Weatha Report. You can find me on twitter at @WeathaManRuck. Please feel free to leave your thoughts and comments as well. Remember, men lie, women lie, and numbers lie. True facts will NEVER lie!

The Nation: How Do They Rebound?

Welcome one and all to the gift and blog that keeps on giving, Tha Weatha Report. In this edition we will examine what one of the marquee MLB franchises, The Boston Red Sox, need to do in order to make their way back to the playoffs and the World Series. Needless to say that The Nation had an interesting season and in order to prevent another "interesting" season from occurring again we will outline what I think are necessary moves. However, first let us hit the quick news drizzle. 

News Drizzle

1. I have spoken a ton of words on the Penn State scandal, and there isn't much more to say. Last words from me: Everyone lost in this scandal, and the focus should be on making sure the children that were the victims get all the assistance that they unfortunately need and deserve. 

2. The news that Wilson Ramos has been kidnapped in his native Venezuela should make all the athletes here in America appreciative of what they have. For the most part the athletes in the U.S. do not have to worry about such dangers, but let us all pray for the safe return of Ramos. Let us also pray that Venezuela and the other Latin American countries can find a way to prevent these crimes from occurring again. 

*Note* Ramos has been found safe and sound which is great news

3. When Pacquiao-Marquez III was signed, I wrote my opinion in this very space. I'm not excited for this fight, but I will predict that Pacquiao wins the fight easily. He's too big and too fast for Marquez. 

4. UFC's foray into network television will be a good fight. I see Junior dos Santos winning in a hard fought contest over Cain Velasquez. 

The Main Storm: The Nation

On the heels of the news that Jonathan Papelbon is taking his Red Sox record of 219 saves to the south and to the Philadelphia Phillies, the Boston Red Sox now have another item to add to their off-season list. Let's take a look at the questions that Boston has to ask themselves, and the potential answers to those questions. 

Q. Who is going to manage this team next year and beyond? 

A. A place like Boston comes with plenty of media scrutiny. The job of managing the Red Sox means being placed in a fishbowl. A fishbowl that anyone rarely comes out of unscathed (see Francona, Tito). It is best that the person who takes the job is someone who has plenty of managerial experience or at a minimum some coaching experience in the major leagues. You would not want to place a rookie manager in the position of trying to erase the memories of the September collapse while trying to learn on the job. 

Even with the loss of Papelbon, the roster of the Sox is littered with established stars who have been doing their things for a while. With that factor, it would be best to have a manager who can massage egos and who can gain the respect of the players. Add this to the fact that the September collapse was not just a "regular" collapse. Oh no, this collapse had plenty of drama and intrigue. Players drinking alcohol in the clubhouse, the manager losing his own focus and losing the players. Players not getting along and not supporting each other. The sum of all of this is that Boston needs a man who can come in, clean house, and get the players back to performing like the team that had the best record in baseball for a majority of 2011. 

So after all that has been said, is there a manager out there that is the right fit? In a word, yes. The early reports have Boston leaning towards the Phillies bench coach Pete Mackanin. Which would not be a bad move at all considering he has been known to have a good re pore with players. However, I believe a good fit would be Sandy Alomar Jr. While he does not have managerial experience, he does have plenty of playing experience and some coaching experience. Alomar played catcher in the major leagues for 20 years, racking up numerous All Star appearances and a Gold Glove. 

Would Alomar be able to relate to the stars that the Red Sox have? I believe so. He was a star himself. Maybe not the status of his younger brother Roberto, but a star nonetheless. Players would instantly respect him due to his stature and his family's stature in the game. Alomar has been coaching in the Indians organization since 2008 so he has a few years of experience. Is it a manager that can come in with rings? Not quite. I'm sure the Red Sox would rather have a nice selection of managers who have established themselves and who were available, but there is a good choice out there. That choice, in my opinion, is Sandy Alomar Jr. 

Q. How do the Red Sox fix that pitching staff? 

A. John Beckett, John Lackey, John Lester, Clay Buchholz, and Daisuke Matsuzaka were supposed to be one of top pitching rotations in all of baseball for the 2011 season. Injuries, inconsistent play, and generally poor attitudes combined to ruin that once promising staff. Buchholz and Matsuzaka ended the season on the DL. Lackey went 12-12 with a 6.41 ERA. Hitters going for an over .300 batting average, and giving up over 200 hits in just 160 innings. Overall, all of the pitchers that the Red Sox paraded out to the mound during the season, especially the end of the season, all had their struggles. 

Dice-K is progressing nicely in his rehab from Tommy John surgery, recently making almost 40 throws from short distance and reporting no elbow pain. He could provide a boost for the team after the All Star break next season. Buchholz's back will reportedly be 100% for spring training next year. If he is fully healed and back healthy then he could be a stabilizing force for the Sox. 

Due to the large contract and uneven performance, it will be hard for the Red Sox to trade Josh Beckett. So assuming that he will be there right now the rotation of the Red Sox is made up of Josh Beckett, Clay Buchholz, and John Lester. If the three are healthy, both mentally and physically, then that is a top 3 of the rotation that would make many major league team jealous. So that means the Red Sox need to find two starters that can be plugged into the back end of the rotation to help stabilize the pitching staff and team. So, where do they find those starters? 

Signing the premier starter on the free agency market, CJ Wilson, is probably out of the question for the Sox. The money and years that it will take to sign Wilson is not going to be met by Boston. The Lackey and Dice-K signings will do enough to scare off Boston from committing big money and years to another free agent pitcher. Boston's technique will probably fall in line with finding free agency bargains like Paul Maholm and Aaron Harang. They will use this technique to strengthen the bullpen as well. Look for the Red Sox to go with Daniel Bard as the closer now that Papelbon has moved on.

I believe that if the Red Sox fix their pitching woes, they will be fine. The offense performed well in 2011, finishing second in all of baseball in hitting. Pitching is the name of the game in Boston. If they fix it, they'll be able to erase the misery of their monumental 2011 collapse. If not, they'll be looking up at the rest of the division in 2012.