Marco Scutaro New Red Sox Shortstop For Two Years..Pedroia Will Stay At Second..Saito Goes To Braves..UCONN Women Roll Again To 46th Straight Win

It was a rather busy and important December Thursday for the Boston Red Sox. They signed shortstop Marco Scutaro to a two year deal with an option for a third, negating the need for Dustin "Pedey" Pedroia to move to his left and handle that position. The deal is pending a physical. In 2009 he hit .282 with 12 homers, 60 RBIs, 100 runs scored and 35 doubles, all career highs. Here's Marco talking about his late season plantar fasciitis foot troubles (thank you Boston Globe)...

“The people of Boston called again and asked for my medical report, and we are working on it,’’ Scutaro told Diario Panorama, a paper in Venezuela this week. “I have to go to a doctor to confirm that I am OK about the injury I had at the end of the season.’’

Scutaro's great offensive numbers will help the Red Sox immensely. He will hit in the number eight or nine spot in the starting lineup. His on base percentage is a good one and he'll be on base when the top of that lineup comes to the plate. He should be great at that bottom-of-the-order position.

In other Sox news, the Atlanta Braves signed another member of the Boston bullpen, the second in two days. First it was Billy Wagner and yesterday, Takashi Saito signed with that club. He will be paid three million bucks for his one year deal. We wish him the best. Right now it looks like Boston GM Theo Epstein will be looking for a couple additions to the Red Sox 'pen as well as a power bat (or two?). Boston will do whatever is necessary to be able to contend for 2010...have no fear. And they will. Keep the faith. I do.

As the days and weeks go by as we rapidly approach Christmas and the New Year, the Boston Red Sox are slowly filling in their missing puzzle pieces. I'll say this right now...expect a blockbuster deal or two (three?) before spring training blows in like a dream.

The Unniversity of Connecticut national champion women's basketball team rolled to their 46th consecutive double figure victory last night, whupping Vermont by a score of 84-42. They look unstoppable and will face their second huge test of the season when they play Stanford. Me, I ain't worried, not one bit.

Have a terrific Friday as the weekend is just hours away. You can click on this post's title for more on the Scutaro acquisition and as always, please BE WELL. Your comments are always a blessing. I'll reply to every one of them. Thanks.