Curt Schilling
 

Aren't people excited about this? It looks like the Sox will turn an above average rotation into a great rotation with a bona fide winner. I like this guys locker room presence as much as his ability. The best part is fat George will be fighting mad. We get Schilling and they get Contreras (and it seems as though they are about the same age.)

Beautiful.

NE Sports Suff
 

Red Sox
Terry Francona is expected to be named Red Sox manager at a Fenway park press conference tomorrow. We've got Curt Schilling. Canwe unload Manny? Does Nomar stick around?


Holy Cross
Holy Cross fires Dan Allen So he's 1-11 this year and 26-63 lifetime. Clearly he can't get the job done. Does the fact that he has a debilitating disease that has left him in a wheelchair change anything?

NE Sports Suff
 

How do you unload manny? Nomar sticks if he gets the money. The A-rod to the sox talk was recockulous--how to you fit him in the infield?

Next off-season will be interesting with all the free agents. My question: when does Pedro start mailing it in because he hasn't gotten a new contract?

Pedro and the Sox
 

Without a deal Pedro will have to prove his value. He'll be highly motivated to pitch well.


The only way you unload Manny is as part of a package deal with Nomar for A-Rod. Its not a totally illogical thing to do for Texas or some third team in a three way trade. The Sox get better hitting out of that position without giving up fielding. Texas gets a better hitter than A-Rod, a great short stop and they reduce their costs. It could happen, but I don't think it will.

Pedro and the Sox
 

I think I agree on both points. If Pedro had a remarkable season last near, maybe not, but right now he looks like a pitcher who can give you only great innings once every 6 days. That's tough to justify $17.5M for.

Talk about a blockbuster trade: Manny and Nomar for A-rod and a prospect. But Nomar, unlike most players, has struck me as a pretty loyal Sox. Do you trade him, or actually have a chance to resign him? I think they resign him.

Great White
 

The Derderian bothers and Great White's tour manager were indicted today in the Station night club fire. Boston.com has several stories - the main one is here.

Bonus News?
 

Those Darn Yankees
 

Jeff Nelson told his story to a Clerk Magistrate in Roxbury Disctrict Court. Garcia waived his right to appear. Story here

Tobacco Litigation
 

After a six week trial the jury has awarded additional millions to the firms who undertook the tobacco litigation on behalf of the State. Boston.com article here. After all, "a deal's a deal" according to Popeo.

Tobacco Litigation
 

Apparently the jury disagreed. They got 1%age point more, but still 15%age points short of what they really were due. Shame on Mass.

Although maybe the jury should have said, "we'll award you more, if you give it to the sox to close the A-rod deal."

Littler
 

On the Employment front:
Obligatory link

Littler
 

Boston Marathon Hotels
 

Does anyone know of any decently-priced hotels near the marathon finish? I'm only staying Sunday night, so it doesn't need to be anything fancy. Anything around $200?

Boston Marathon Hotels
 

Are you looking for a room the night before the Marathon? Book now (if there are any left). There are a bunch of hotels all around Copley Square - a Marriott, the Copley Plaza, there's a Hyatt ($233 per night) one block off the Common that is just a short walk from the Finish Line. There are also a couple of hotels in Kenmore Square. One is brand new and I'm blanking on the name. There are two Wyndhams, one in the Financial District, the other right on the Common on Tremont Street.

Here's a link for checking room availability.

If you don't mind a short T or bus ride, there are B&B's in the Brookline/JP area that are very nice.

Littler
 

I'm neither an L&E guy nor have I ever been associated with Littler, but I can say this: Littler is a well-respected and successful L&E firm that has medium-sized to small offices all over the place. They pay slightly under-market for BigLaw wherever they are; I have no idea what their bonus structure is like. I think people who work there like it (generally) and I think they get to do stuff early (but that may be in the nature of L&E practice). I have some friends who work in management for unions (is that an oxymoron?) and they hate Littler, so they must be good.