Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday; Independence Day is a close second. They are both quintessential American holidays. After the Thanksgiving of 2003, turkey day and the Red Sox will always be linked. With this in mind, I am thankful that…
* The Red Sox did not give John Lackey a contract longer than five years. I know they wanted to lock him up through forty.
* Kevin Youkilis and Dustin Pedroia’s injuries from last year should not hurt their production going forward.
* Adrian Belte is a Type A free agent. He had a great season and draft picks are valuable.
* Jacoby Ellsbury was hurt all year and won’t make as much money in arbitration. No one wanted to watch one of the most exciting Red Sox player last year; certainly not the fans that make NESN the highest rated RSN.
* Clay Buchholz fulfilled his potential as a top of the rotation starter.
* Jed Lowrie is healthy, hitting and could be the Red Sox Opening Day third baseman.
* Daniel Bard is the real deal and the future closer of the Red Sox.