By Jordan Liebhaber, YawkeyTalkies Staff Writer
The Sox went out with a vengeance this past off-season to acquire some depth for the roster.  Gone are Jason Bay, Billy Wagner, and Casey Kotchman.  In are Jeremy Hermida, Marco Scutaro, Ramon A. Ramirez, Boof Bonser, John Lackye, Mike Cameron, Adrian Beltre, and Bill Hall.  Below is a look at each of the new additions.
Jeremy Hermida (RF): Sox GM Theo Epstien acquired Hermida from the Florida Marlins in exchange for  minor league pitcher’s Hunter Jones and Jose Alverez.  Last year he batted .259, had 13 home runs and 47 RBI’s.  As the 11th overall player drafted in 2002, the Marlins had high expectations for Hermida which have not yet been met.  His best season with the Fish was in 2007 when he hit for a .296 average, 18 home runs and 63 RBI’s.  Hermida will compete with Rocco Balldelli as a 4th outfielder and right handed bat off the bench.

Marco Scutaro (SS): In the never ending merry-go-round of Red Sox shortstops, Marco Scutaro looks to fill the void left by Nomar Garciaparra back in 2004.  Since that infamous July 31 2004 trade of Garciaparra in exchange for Doug Mientkiewicz and Orlando Cabrera, the Red [...]

By: Phil Shore, YawkeyTalkies Staff Writer
With the deadline to designate the franchise tags on players fast approaching, the New England Patriots gave that distinction to nose tackle Vince Wilfork.
The tag was non-exclusive, which allows teams to host Wilfork on a free agent visit and they can offer him a contract. If the Patriots don’t match it, then the team that signs Wilfork must compensate New England with two first-round draft picks.
If Wilfork signs the Patriots franchise tender, he will have a contract with the team for one year worth $7 million.
This is only the beginning though. The tag was more of a strategic move than it was a contract offer to Wilfork.
What both sides really want is a long-term deal.
Throughout the whole process Wilfork, and his wife Bianca (who is very twitter-happy about all of this), have said they want more than just a one-year franchise tag offer.
“That’s the one thing you play for, long-term security,’’ Wilfork told reporters in January. “That’s something we’re trying to get. I don’t want to be playing with one-year deals and franchise tags, because I’ll be right back at the same point I am right now.’’
Patriots’ owner Robert Kraft has expressed his interest in [...]

As the Celtics prepare for tonight’s game against the Cavs (a game that will be a much bigger test than Tuesday’s Knicks game) one of them took a different approach, focusing on his looks. Brian Scalabrine spent yesterday working on his tan. So easy to do admidst all that Boston rain right? Scalabrine took the easy, and fake route, opting for a spray tan. Luckily, he can blame it on a bet he lost with Toucher & Rich of 98.5 who bet him that they could help him get 250,000 write in votes for the All-Star game.
Maybe LeBron will be distracted by an extra orange glow? Probably not, so I hope the Celts bring their A-game, not their old-game tonight. Heres the video.

By: Joe Ballway, YawkeyTalkies Staff Writer
It’s tough to endure two Bruins-free weeks, especially considering how well they played heading into the break. But, as you all know, there’s still hockey to be watched. I present you with five reasons to pay attention to the men’s Olympic ice hockey tournament:
5) Because it’s so much better than the alternative
Yes, involving the NHL in the Olympics makes for a terrible regular-season schedule, replacing the short all-star break with a
two-week gap. Yes, the competitive nature of the tournament itself hangs a shadow of injury concern over every team sending their best players to participate.
But Olympic hockey in itself is pure entertainment–something that isn’t really offered in the all-star game, which currently serves no purpose other than to collaborate the league’s top talents for a series of cheesy interviews and a painfully dull two-hand-touch scrimmage. Players actually put forth effort in the Olympics–which of course makes sense, because so much more is on the line. And the fact that something is at stake creates a spectacle that captures the interest of the viewing audience.
4) Offense!
On most nights, putting the puck in the net has been as puzzling as rocket science for the Bruins, who still rank 30th in the league in scoring. So it’s a bit refreshing to see the [...]

RIP Mosi! Former Patriots running back Mosi Tatupu passed away today at the age of 54. Tatupu played 13 seasons with the Patriots.In his career, he had 612 carries and 2,415 yards and scored 18 touchdowns. He even had his own cheering section at home games called “Mosi’s Mooses.”

By: Jess Lander, YawkeyTalkies Editor
Tonight’s game had an interesting twist. Nate Robinson made his debut with the Celtics against none other than his former team the NY Knicks. Before the game Robinson said, “It’s overwhelming being part of a franchise that’s accustomed to winning.” Yeah Nate, guess you’re not used to that in New York (20-36) huh?
The Celtics also had to face a player who was their teammate and friend,
just a week ago: Eddie House, who they made a tribute to before the game, thanking him for the memories.
So, based on tonight’s game, who got the better trade? Who’s a better asset: the one who dunks or the one who drains three’s?
Neither of these players are going to elevate their new teams to the next level, or Championship team status. They’ll deepen the bench, and hopefully put some points on the board the minutes they’re in. This is especially important for the Celtics, who have endless injury problems (Pierce was out tonight and indefinitely), and who may always need one of their bench to step into bigger shoes for the time being.
Statistically in tonights game, Robinson, who hasn’t even has a full practice with the team yet, looked to be [...]

By: Phil Shore, YawkeyTalkies Staff Writer
They didn’t pay Asante Samuel. They didn’t pay Richard Seymour. It’s up in the air if they’ll give in and actually pay Vince Wilfork.
Now all this lack of commitment to such important players is having a rather large impact on a future free agent.
Wide receiver Randy Moss said on Saturday that he does not anticipate the New England Patriots to extend his contract after the 2010 season.
“You know the Patriots don’t really pay, so when I got my second contract from them that was a blessing in disguise. I understand the business. I don’t think they’re going to re-sign me back,” Moss told reporters at former Patriot Heath Evans’ charity softball event. “I’m not mad. I’m not bitter. It’s just the way things are in this NFL, so like I said after this year I’ll be looking for a new team. I think so.”
Moss is entering the final season of a three year deal and will make a base salary of $6.4 million. Combine the Patriots infamous frugality and the money that will be allotted to two other crucial players more valuable than Moss, and the outcome doesn’t look too rosy.
Vince Wilfork is the first [...]