RED SOX FILL A NEED

Mark Melancon

The Boston Red Sox filled a glaring need if they wish to contend with a possible closer in Mark Melancon from the Houston Astros. Since Jonathon Papelbon signed on with the Phillies, it left the Sox without a closer. Melancon, a 26 year-old closer had 29 saves last season, and an 8-4 record. In 71 relief outings he posted a 2.78 ERA. This seems to be a kid with a lot of potential, and a great move by the Sox. The beantowners traded away Jed Lowrie a versatile 4-position infielder who hit .252 with 6 homers and 36 RBIs. In addition, they had to give up Kyle Weiland, a 25-year old right-hander who was 0-3 and an ERA 0f .766.

GM, Ben Cherington didn’t take long in replacing Lowrie with a solid pickup of Nick Punto to a 2-year deal. Punto was a free agent and signed with the Sox for $3 million.

The other Pujols

PRINCE FIELDER

Prince Fielder and agent Scott Boras maybe looking for a ten-year deal in the neighborhood of Albert Pujols' $254MM contract, according to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com. Heyman lists the Rangers as the odds on favorite and possibly the Blue Jays, Mariners and Cubs, among others. Here are the latest rumors on Fielder:

The Marlins could be interested in Prince Fielder, like I suggested previously.

There seems to be some interest by the Chicago Cubs in Prince Fielder, and it would certainly excite the big shoulders of Chicago!

Johan Santana

JOHAN SANTANA 

Is he ever coming back? Suddenly 2012 doesn’t look so promising for the Mets and Santana! Rumor has it that he had a setback and is at where he was last September.

PENN IN A STATE

Two high ranked Penn State recruits have backed away from verbal commitments to the university, and are going elsewhere, due to the Jerry Sandusky sex scandal. The scandal and the lack of a new head coach lend a lot to the problem of recruitment for the Nittany Lions. This will translate into to other refusniks and ruin the program long term. Let’s face it; recruits will think it a dirty place. A great college, with great traditions, ruined by the acts of an ugly man, Penn State has a lot to recover from!

Isles' Rolston with concussion, AND THE BEAT GOES ON

Seems the Islanders can’t catch a break. It is the most unfortunate team when it comes to injuries, year after year! What does a team need to get a break? Well, maybe NOT a BREAK, but come on!

The big question for the Islanders will be in the net. With Rick DiPietro assigned permanently on the disabled list, and Al Montoya recovering from an injury, the Isles are pinning their hopes on Evgeni Nabokov showing his old form. a revolving door in the net this year, but in spite of that the Islanders are a much improved team this year.

The Islanders are in a tough division. They will probably miss the playoffs again this year, but should be closer than they’ve been in recent years.

JOHN TAVARES

On the verge of stardom, John Tavares is growing into a superstarl and as he gains more experience in the NHL, he should become more and more dangerous.